A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Puerto Iguazu vs. Oaxaca de Juarez for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Puerto Iguazu or Oaxaca de Juarez?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Puerto Iguazu or Oaxaca de Juarez? 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: Puerto Iguazu or Oaxaca de Juarez?

Puerto Iguazu

Puerto Iguazu is located in the northeastern part of Argentina at the border with Paraguay and Brazil. It is a tourist city and travel destination because of its close proximity to Iguazu Falls, which is only 18 kilometers away. Much of the city's infrastructure has grown to maintain the tourist crowds that come to see the falls. The town itself has a population of slightly over 80,000.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Argentina, The Best Eco Tours in Argentina, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Mexico City, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Playa del Carmen.


Which place is cheaper, Oaxaca de Juarez or Puerto Iguazu?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Puerto Iguazu Prices
    Argentina Prices
    Oaxaca de Juarez Prices
    Mexico Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Puerto Iguazu $59
    Oaxaca de Juarez $54

The average daily cost (per person) in Puerto Iguazu is $59, while the average daily cost in Oaxaca de Juarez is $54. 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 Puerto Iguazu and Oaxaca de Juarez in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Puerto Iguazu $42
    Oaxaca de Juarez $19
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Puerto Iguazu $84
    Oaxaca de Juarez $38
Compare Hotels in Puerto Iguazu and Oaxaca de Juarez

Looking for a hotel in Puerto Iguazu or Oaxaca de Juarez? 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.

Hotels in Puerto Iguazu


Hotels in Oaxaca de Juarez


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: Puerto Iguazu Hotel Prices and Oaxaca de Juarez Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Puerto Iguazu $3.22
    Oaxaca de Juarez $12

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Iguazu

Also for Puerto Iguazu, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Estancia Las Mercedes Day Trip with Lunch & Transfers: $399
  • Full-day private transfer to Iguazu Falls: $185
  • Puerto Iguazú: Jungle Fly Adventure with Transfers: $166
  • Falls Package Both Sides with Transfers: $160
  • Brazilian Waterfalls Tour and Bird Park with Transfer: $113
  • Iguazú Falls Argentine and Brazilian Sides with Airport Transfers: $86
  • Iguazú Falls Combo: Argentina & Brazil, with Transfers: $86
  • Puerto Iguazú Combo: Iguazu Falls 2 Day Tours + transfers: $85
  • Private Transfer from Puerto Iguazu Airport to Foz do Iguaçu: $83
  • Iguazu Falls Saver Package! Both sides excursions & transfers: $79
  • Iguazu Falls Argentina Brazil Duty Free Shop with Transfers: $60
  • Wanda Mines Guided Tour with Transfer / From Iguassu Falls: $56

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Oaxaca de Juarez

Also for Oaxaca de Juarez, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Xoxocotlan Airport: Private Transfer to Oaxaca City: $82
  • Visit Puerto Escondido: Private Transfer from Oaxaca: $588
  • Transfer to Salina Cruz Surf Camps from Huatulco International Airport (HUX): $120
  • Transfer Private Hotel to Oaxaca Airport: $21
  • Shared Transfer from Downtown Oaxaca to the Airport: $7.98
  • Secure Private Transfer : Downtown Oaxaca Airport (OAX): $21
  • Private transfer from Oaxaca Airport to Oaxaca City: $50
  • Private and safe transfer from the airport to the hotel in Oaxaca: $60
  • Private Transfer Airport Hotel in Oaxaca: $28
  • Private Airport Transfer in Oaxaca Safe and Reliable Service: $53
  • Oaxaca: Santiago Apoala Waterfall Day Trip with Transfers: $71
  • Oaxaca hotels to Oaxaca Xoxocotlan Airport (OAX) - Departure Private Transfer: $30

Is it cheaper to fly into Puerto Iguazu or Oaxaca de Juarez?

Prices for flights to both Oaxaca de Juarez and Puerto Iguazu 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Puerto Iguazu $6.59
    Oaxaca de Juarez $24

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Puerto Iguazu

For Puerto Iguazu, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Puerto Iguazú: Madero Tango Show with Optional Dinner: $34
  • Madero Tango Show with Optional Dinner in Iguazu: $36
  • Argentine Experience: Immersive Dinner & Wine Pairing in Iguazú: $75
  • Iguazu Falls: The Argentine Experience Interactive Dinner: $75
  • Dinner Show Rafain Steakhouse Gran Meliá Hotel Exclusive - Private Tour: $120
  • Churrascaria Rafain - Show and Dinner: $125
  • Dinner Show Rafain Steakhouse from Puerto Iguazú Hotels Private Tour: $130
  • Dinner Tango Show in Iguazú Falls - no transfers -: $152
  • Experience Guamini Mision Dinner and Tango Show Gran Meliá Iguazú Exclusive: $155
  • Rafain Steakhouse Dinner & Show: $232
  • Foz do Iguaçu: Argentinean Cooking Class: $244
  • Iguazu Falls: Argentina Side Tour with Dinner & Tango Show: $278

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:

  • Food Tour at the Mercado de Abastos: $57
  • Taste Oaxaca Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $59
  • Electric Bike Food Tour in Oaxaca: $59
  • Tradicional Oaxacan Dinner on Agronomic Biodiversity_01: $60
  • Oaxaca: Vegetarian Cooking Class: $65
  • Oaxaca Streets Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $69
  • Oaxaca: Cooking Class with No Set Menu &Local Market Tour: $70
  • Oaxacan Vegetarian Cooking Class: $70
  • Bike Ride and Street Food Tour in Oaxaca: $71
  • Central Oaxaca Food Tour: $71
  • Flavors of Oaxaca: Cooking Class with No Set Menu and Local Market Tour: $75
  • Secret Food Tour: Oaxaca de Juárez: $75

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Puerto Iguazu $35
    Oaxaca de Juarez $12

Tours and Activities in Puerto Iguazu

For Puerto Iguazu, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 2Day Iguazu Tour HELICOPTER Ride & Airfare from Buenos Aires: $1,290
  • 3-Day Iguazu Falls Exploring Tour From Argentina and Brazil: $260
  • Argentine Falls Package with Great Adventure and Brazilian Falls: $275
  • Argentinean Falls with Gran Aventura Boat Tour: $261
  • Bird Park & Iguassu Brazilian Side From Puerto Iguazú Hotels - Private Tour: $145
  • Brazilian Side of Iguassu Falls and Itaipu Dam Full-Day Sightseeing Tour from Puerto Iguazú: $96
  • Brazilian Side of Iguazu Falls Tour from Puerto Iguazu: $49
  • Brazilian Side of the Falls - All Tickets Included: $77
  • Cataratas Iguazu Argentinas Tour and Great Adventure on boats tour: $80
  • City Tour in Iguassu from Puerto Iguazú Hotels Private Tour: $90
  • Explore Iguazu Falls in Brazil: An Unforgettable Experience: $44
  • Fly Park Iguazú: Extreme Adventure in the Misiones Jungle: $75

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: $120
  • 5 Hours Guided Day of The Dead Evening Walking Tour in Oaxaca: $109
  • Ancestral Mezcal Tour Experience-A pre Hispanic Heritage: $68
  • Archaeological sites Tour and Red Pottery in Tlacolula: $170
  • Art Workshops and Chocolate Shops Tour: $59
  • Art Workshops and Chocolate Shops Tour in Oaxaca: $54
  • Artisanal Mezcal Culture Tour for Tasting and History: $106
  • Authentic Mezcal Experience Oaxaca Small Group Local Producers: $89
  • Bicycle Tour through Oaxaca learning about its Urban Art and History: $34
  • Bike Tour in Oaxaca Panoramic Views Cerro Atzompa: $71
  • Cacao, Chocolate Experience in Oaxaca for Small Groups: $80
  • City Tour - Oaxaca: $80

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Puerto Iguazu $8.22
    Oaxaca de Juarez $14

Sample the Local Flavors in Oaxaca de Juarez

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Oaxaca de Juarez:

  • Oaxaca Pub Crawl with Mezcal Shots and Live Music: $18
  • Oaxaca Pub Crawl: $19
  • Puerto Escondido Pub Crawl: $21
  • Check out Hierve el Agua, Mitla, the Tule Tree, Rugs, and a Mezcal Distillery Tour: $49
  • From Hierve el Agua and Mezcal Distillery: $54
  • Hierve el Agua, Tule Tree, Mitla and Mezcal Distillery Tour: $55
  • Hierve el Agua and Distillery of Mezcal Tour: $60
  • Hierve el Agua and distillery of mezcal tour: $60
  • Distillery Tour and Agave Fields by Mal de Amor Mezcal: $71
  • Personalized Tour to Hierve el Agua and Mezcal Distillery: $106
  • Oaxaca: Mezcal Distillery Tour with Tastings: $125
  • Mezcal Distillery Day Trip: $142


When comparing the travel costs between Puerto Iguazu and Oaxaca de Juarez, we can see that Puerto Iguazu is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Puerto Iguazu is in South America and Oaxaca de Juarez is in North America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Puerto Iguazu Expensive? and Is Oaxaca de Juarez Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Puerto Iguazu or Oaxaca de Juarez?

Oaxaca de Juarez has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Puerto Iguazu. When comparing the sizes of Puerto Iguazu and Oaxaca de Juarez, 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.