A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Salvador vs. Oaxaca de Juarez for Attractions, Food, Old Town, and Backpackers

Should you visit Salvador or Oaxaca de Juarez?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Salvador or Oaxaca de Juarez, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Salvador

Salvador is a authentic, cultural, and historical city. Other reasons to visit include beaches, shopping, and museums. See Salvador travel costs.

Oaxaca de Juarez

Oaxaca de Juarez is a authentic, traditional, and historic city. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Oaxaca de Juarez travel costs.

Salvador and Oaxaca de Juarez: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Salvador or Oaxaca de Juarez?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Oaxaca de Juarez than Salvador. While Salvador is larger than Oaxaca de Juarez, Oaxaca de Juarez has more sights and attractions for tourists. Oaxaca de Juarez is better known for its museums and attractions, food, historical sights, and shopping, while Salvador is more popular for its beaches. Salvador is well known for its West African influence, rich culinary scene, and colonial architecture. Oaxaca de Juarez is well known for its indigenous cultures, historic center, and excellent food scene. Also, Oaxaca de Juarez is famous for Mercado Benito Juárez.

How is Salvador different from Oaxaca de Juarez?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Oaxaca de Juarez and Salvador. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Salvador or Oaxaca de Juarez?

Oaxaca de Juarez is an unbeatable place for its museums and landmarks. Also, Salvador is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Oaxaca de Juarez on the map. There are many museums and historical sights in the city and nearby. The Oaxaca Cathedral is located on the city's main square, Zocalo. Also worth visiting is the Church of Santo Domingo de Guzmán and the Basilica of Our Lady of Solitude. Just a few kilometers outside of the city is the historic settlement of Monte Albán as well as the Ex-Monastery of Santiago Apóstol. Also check out the Rufino Tamayo Museum and Museo Casa Juárez.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Salvador. Many of the main sights are found in the historic part of town. In this area you'll find the Museu da Cidade, the Abelardo Rodrigues Museum, and the Casa do Benin. There are many ornate churches as well such as the São Francisco and the Carmelite Church.

Is the Food Better in Salvador or Oaxaca de Juarez? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Oaxaca de Juarez is an unbeatable place for its restaurant scene. Also, Salvador is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Oaxaca de Juarez is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. This is a city for foodies. Of all the destinations in Mexico, this one always tops the list for its cuisine. The food is influenced by traditional ingredients like corn and many of the recipes have been passed on through the generations. Local dishes include mole, Oaxaca cheese, coloradito, and tlayudas.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Salvador. The city has rich African roots that are noticeable in the cuisine around town. Buffets have become popular in restaurants and many places offer a lunch buffet. They range in price and quality and you often pay by the weight. Common dishes include moqueca (seafood stew), vatapá (a type of curry), and acarajé (fried balls of beans and shrimp).

Is Salvador or Oaxaca de Juarez Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Salvador and Oaxaca de Juarez.

Salvador is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. Head to the old city for a mix of local music and authentic Brazilian activities. Further out, along the stretches of beach, you'll find larger music venues and dance clubs. The atmosphere is laid back and relaxed throughout the city and you'll find a very local vibe in many neighborhoods.

Many people head to Oaxaca de Juarez for the nightlife scene. The nightlife scene starts late in the evening and can continue into the early hours. Many people meet up around Oaxaca Zocalo and it's very lively in the evenings. You'll often find live music and a fun atmosphere. As the night progresses, many people make their way to Santo Domingo, which is where you'll find a number of bars and clubs.

Is Salvador or Oaxaca de Juarez Better for Beaches?

Salvador is great for its beaches. However, Oaxaca de Juarez is not a beach destination.

Salvador is considered a top beach destination. Many of the beaches are sandy with warm water and tidal pools to explore. The most popular beach is Praia Farol da Barra, which can get crowded. North of the city is the more relaxed Praia Farol de Itapuã and if you want to learn to surf, head to Praia da Jaguaribe, which is home to several surfing schools.

Oaxaca de Juarez is not a beach destination.

Is Salvador or Oaxaca de Juarez Better for its Old Town?

Oaxaca de Juarez is an unbeatable place for its historic old town charm. Also, Salvador is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town.

With a famous historical old-town, Oaxaca de Juarez offers plenty to see. The historic center is filled with colonial Spanish architecture. It's laid out in a grid pattern and there are many historic monuments. The surrounding region also has a history that dates back 1500 years.

Salvador is a good destination for visiting its old town. The city served as the first Portuguese capital and today it still has colonial architecture and a historic atmosphere. At the historic heart of the city is the Pelourinho neighborhood, which has nice squares and cobblestone streets.

Is the Shopping Better in Salvador or Oaxaca de Juarez?

Oaxaca de Juarez is an unbeatable place for its shopping areas. Also, Salvador is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Oaxaca de Juarez is a world class destination for shoppers. The region's indigenous populations are known for the artisan crafts and handmade items. Many visitors enjoy shopping at the city's markets, where you'll find handmade ceramics, hand blown glassware, and more.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Salvador. There are many local markets and shops around town where you can pick up traditional Brazilian items and artisan crafts.

Is Salvador or Oaxaca de Juarez Better for Families?

Oaxaca de Juarez is a nice place to visit for its family-friendly activities. However, Salvador is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Oaxaca de Juarez. For trampolines, bouncy houses, and other fun activities, head to El Llano Park on a weekend. There's also an outdoor playground and other fun activities for kids at Museu Infantil de Oaxaca. Kid-friendly restaurants are abundant, and if the kids enjoy hiking, you can head out of town for a day trip.

For families, Salvador is not always the best place to visit. It has a reputation for being dangerous, so many families don't plan to spend much time here, but the city has parks, recreational activities like climbing, and a number of kid-friendly museums to explore. There are also many ice cream shops and family-friendly restaurants.

Is Salvador or Oaxaca de Juarez Better for Couples?

Salvador and Oaxaca de Juarez are both very good to visit as a couple.

Couples visit Salvador frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The historical center is charming and the perfect place to explore as a couple. There are also parks around town and many cultural experiences that visitors truly enjoy.

Oaxaca de Juarez is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. The city is famous for its cuisine, so food lovers will enjoy dining their way through town. There are also great hotels, beautiful gardens, and fascinating architecture.

Is Salvador or Oaxaca de Juarez Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Oaxaca de Juarez is an unbeatable place for backpackers. Also, Salvador is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Oaxaca de Juarez is a very popular city to visit for backpackers. There are many very affordable hostels around town. The city is a mecca for backpackers in Mexico, and you'll find plenty of people to hang out with and great restaurants to explore.

Salvador is very popular with the backpacker crowd. Backpackers love the historical architecture and the authenticity that this city offers. There are also a number of hostels around town.

Is Salvador or Oaxaca de Juarez Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Salvador and Oaxaca de Juarez.

You'll find some public transit in Salvador, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses around town that are divided into two different classes - the common bus and the executive bus.

While Oaxaca de Juarez offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The city has colectivos, which are shared taxis. There are also buses and tuk tuks that you can use to get around.

Is Salvador or Oaxaca de Juarez a more walkable city?

Oaxaca de Juarez is well known for its ease of walking around. However, Salvador is not particularly known for its walkability.

Oaxaca de Juarez is a very walkable destination. It's a walkable city that's fun to explore on foot, particularly in the historic center.

Salvador is generally not a very walkable city. While it's possible to walk around town, you should really understand which areas are safe and which parts of town are dangerous. Sometimes the dangerous areas are just a couple of blocks that are surrounded by an otherwise safe neighborhood, so you should really understand where you are before heading out on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Salvador Worth Visiting? and Is Oaxaca de Juarez Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Oaxaca de Juarez or Salvador?

How long in Salvador or Oaxaca de Juarez?

In either Salvador or Oaxaca de Juarez, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Oaxaca de Juarez than Salvador because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 3-4 days is a good amount of time for Salvador, and 2-5 days is enough time in Oaxaca de Juarez.

Families should spend more time in Oaxaca de Juarez than Salvador. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Oaxaca de Juarez, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Oaxaca de Juarez than Salvador. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Oaxaca de Juarez that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Oaxaca de Juarez than Salvador if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Oaxaca de Juarez.

One day in Salvador or Oaxaca de Juarez?

You'll find food and shopping around the historical destination of Salvador. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

The city of Oaxaca de Juarez offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Salvador or Oaxaca de Juarez?

You'll find shopping and museums around the authentic city of Salvador. It's also a great beach destination, too. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring.

Oaxaca de Juarez is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Oaxaca de Juarez, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Salvador or Oaxaca de Juarez?

Salvador is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Oaxaca de Juarez is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Oaxaca de Juarez, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Salvador or Oaxaca de Juarez?

Salvador is a great place to explore. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Oaxaca de Juarez is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

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

When comparing the travel costs between Salvador and Oaxaca de Juarez, we can see that Oaxaca de Juarez 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 Salvador 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 Salvador Expensive? and Is Oaxaca de Juarez Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Salvador or Oaxaca de Juarez?

Salvador has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Oaxaca de Juarez. When comparing the sizes of Salvador 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.