Which place is cheaper, Valdivia or Oaxaca de Juarez?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Oaxaca de Juarez or Valdivia?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Oaxaca de Juarez or Valdivia? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Oaxaca de Juarez or Valdivia?
Oaxaca de Juarez
Officially known as Oaxaca de Juarez, Oaxaca is the capital and largest city in the Mexican state of Oaxaca. It's a beautiful colonial city in the foothills of the Sierra Madre. The city has beautiful architecture and a variety of festivals as well as a tree lined square called El Zocalo. Oaxaca's economy is heavily dependent on tourism and it is a wonderful place to see Mexican art and handicrafts. There are many artists and artisans in Oaxaca and the contemporary art scene is on the rise. The artists combine the area's rich indigenous culture and tradition with a modern twist. While you're in the area you should definitely make a point of experiencing the area's wonderful museums, interesting architecture, charming hotels and unique twist on Mexican cuisine.
Valdivia
Valdivia is a vibrant university city situated in southern Chile. It sits at the meeting point of three rivers in the aptly named Region de Los Rios (The Rivers Region) and is approximately 200 kilometers from both Temuco and Puerto Montt. Due to a large student population, Valdivia boasts a youthful and energetic vibe that is visible in its many bars, cafes and restaurants. The city is also known for having one of Chile's best craft beer cultures, which had its early beginnings when German settlers arrived in the 1840s. The rivers, nearby Pacific coastline and wetlands offer plenty for lovers of the outdoors, too.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Mexico City, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Playa del Carmen, The Best 10-Day Tours in Chile, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Chile.
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Oaxaca de Juarez Prices
Mexico PricesValdivia Prices
Chile Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayOaxaca de Juarez $55Valdivia $89
The average daily cost (per person) in Oaxaca de Juarez is $55, while the average daily cost in Valdivia is $89. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Oaxaca de Juarez and Valdivia in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personOaxaca de Juarez $19Valdivia $42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomOaxaca de Juarez $38Valdivia $84
Compare Hotels in Oaxaca de Juarez and Valdivia
Looking for a hotel in Oaxaca de Juarez or Valdivia? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Oaxaca de Juarez Hotel Prices and Valdivia Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Oaxaca de Juarez $12Valdivia $8.55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Oaxaca de Juarez
Also for Oaxaca de Juarez, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From Oaxaca: Private Transfer to Huatulco: $465
- From Oaxaca: Transfer to Puerto Escondido: $436
- Discover Puerto Escondido One Day Trip Shuttle Coastal Transfer: $141
- Oaxaca Airport: Private Transfer Service: $130
- Xoxocotlan Airport: Private Transfer to Oaxaca City: $88
- Private Transfer from the Airport to your Hotel in Oaxaca: $71
- Private and safe transfer from the airport to the hotel in Oaxaca: $60
- Oaxaca Xoxocotlan Airport (OAX) to Oaxaca hotels -Round-Trip Private Transfer: $59
- Private transfer from Oaxaca Airport to Oaxaca City: $50
- Oaxaca Airport (OAX) to Oaxaca de Juárez - Arrival Transfer: $29
- Oaxaca hotels to Oaxaca Xoxocotlan Airport (OAX) - Departure Private Transfer: $29
- From Oaxaca One way shared transfer to San Jose del Pacifico: $29
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Valdivia
Also for Valdivia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Valdivia Airport Private Transfer: $64
Is it cheaper to fly into Oaxaca de Juarez or Valdivia?
Prices for flights to both Valdivia and Oaxaca de Juarez change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayOaxaca de Juarez $24Valdivia $39
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Oaxaca de Juarez
For Oaxaca de Juarez, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Oaxaca: Walking Traditional Food Tour with Ancestral Drinks: $26
- Food Tour at the 20 de Noviembre Market (All Inclusive): $52
- Oaxaca: Guided Food Tour with Local Chef and food experts: $54
- Legends and Ghosts Sightseeing Tour in Downtown Oaxaca with Dinner: $55
- Oaxaca Hidden Street Food Tour by The Lost Taco: $58
- Taste Oaxaca Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $59
- FOOD TOUR IN THE ABASTOS MARKET: $61
- Oaxaca: Evening Street Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $66
- Oaxaca Streets Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $69
- Oaxaca: Vegetarian Cooking Class: $70
- Oaxacan Vegetarian Cooking Class: $70
- Bike Ride and Street Food Tour in Oaxaca: $71
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Oaxaca de Juarez $12Valdivia $14
Tours and Activities in Oaxaca de Juarez
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Oaxaca de Juarez.
- “Las Nieves” Monte Albán, Arrazola, Cuilapam 6h Bike Tour: $128
- 8-Hour Monte Albán Tour from Oaxaca: $51
- Among Flowers and Candles: A Tour of Oaxaca's Cemeteries: $86
- Archaeological sites Tour and Red Pottery in Tlacolula: $170
- Art & Flavors of Oaxaca Experience: $89
- Art Workshops and Chocolate Shops Tour in Oaxaca: $58
- Artisanal Mezcal Culture Tour for Tasting and History: $107
- Authentic Mezcal Experience Oaxaca Small Group Local Producers: $89
- Bike Adventure to the World's Widest Tree: $25
- Bike Tour in Oaxaca Panoramic Views Cerro Atzompa: $71
- Bike tour to the Tule Tree through the countryside: $41
- Cacao, Chocolate Experience in Oaxaca for Small Groups: $80
Tours and Activities in Valdivia
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Valdivia.
- City Tour in Valdivia: $30
- Huilo Huilo Hot Springs Tour from Valdivia with Lunch: $102
- Huilo Huilo Reserve Tour from Valdivia with Lunch: $87
- Kayak Adventure on the Cutipay River: $90
- Sightseeing Tour in Valdivia: $125
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayOaxaca de Juarez $14Valdivia $5.07
Sample the Local Flavors in Oaxaca de Juarez
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Oaxaca de Juarez:
- Oaxaca Pub Crawl with Shots and Party Games: $19
- Oaxaca Pub Crawl: $19
- Oaxaca: Sustainable Mezcal Tour at an Award-Winning Family Distillery: $24
- Hierve el Agua, Tule Tree, Mitla and Mezcal Distillery Tour: $55
- Breakfast in Tlacolula; Ancestral and industrial mezcal distillery: $55
- Hierve el Agua, Mitla, El Tule Tree, Rugs, Mezcal Distillery Tour: $58
- Hierve el Agua and distillery of mezcal tour: $60
- Oaxaca: Hierve el Agua & Mezcal Distillery Small-Group Tour: $70
- Distillery Tour and Agave Fields by Mal de Amor Mezcal: $71
- Personalized Tour to Hierve el Agua and Mezcal Distillery: $107
- Oaxaca: Mezcal Distillery Tour with Tastings: $134
- Mezcal Distillery Day Trip: $142
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Oaxaca de Juarez and Valdivia, we can see that Valdivia is more expensive. And not only is Oaxaca de Juarez much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Oaxaca de Juarez is in North America and Valdivia is in South America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Oaxaca de Juarez would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Oaxaca de Juarez and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Valdivia would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Valdivia than you might in Oaxaca de Juarez.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Oaxaca de Juarez Expensive? and Is Valdivia Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Oaxaca de Juarez or Valdivia?
Oaxaca de Juarez has a larger population, and is about 97% larger than the population of Valdivia. When comparing the sizes of Oaxaca de Juarez and Valdivia, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.