A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Oaxaca de Juarez vs. Destin for Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Oaxaca de Juarez or Destin?

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

Should I visit Oaxaca de Juarez or Destin? 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.

Oaxaca de Juarez

Oaxaca de Juarez is a historic, cultural, and authentic city. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping. See Oaxaca de Juarez travel costs.

Destin

Destin is a relaxing, peaceful, and family-friendly beach town. Destin is a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include food, beaches, and shopping. See Destin travel costs.

Oaxaca de Juarez and Destin: Pros and Cons

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

Tourists will generally find more to do in Oaxaca de Juarez. Although Oaxaca de Juarez and Destin are both popular with visitors, Oaxaca de Juarez has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Oaxaca de Juarez is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, historical sights, and shopping, while Destin is known for its resorts, beaches, and impressive beauty. Oaxaca de Juarez is popular for its indigenous cultures, historic center, and excellent food scene. It is also home to Mercado Benito Juárez. Destin is popular for its powdery sand and turquoise water, its kid-friendly environment, and its local waterfront seafood restaurants.

How is Oaxaca de Juarez different from Destin?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Oaxaca de Juarez is terrific for its sights and museums. However, Destin does not have museums and landmarks.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Oaxaca de Juarez that are not to be missed. 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.

Destin does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Oaxaca de Juarez is terrific for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Destin is not as famous, but is still a good beach town to visit for its restaurants.

Oaxaca de Juarez has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. 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.

Destin has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The area has great seafood including crab chowder, seafood gumbo, and fried fish. You can find wonderful local restaurants that have waterfront views and menus that feature freshly caught seafood. Many restaurants also have kid-friendly menus. During peak season, reservations are recommended.

Is Oaxaca de Juarez or Destin Better for Nightlife?

Oaxaca de Juarez is notable for nightlife. However, Destin is a mediocre beach town for nightlife and partying.

Oaxaca de Juarez has plenty to do after the sun goes down. 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.

Destin doesn't offer many options. The region is more popular as a family-friendly beach destination than it is for it's nightlife. Head to the Harbor area for the most lively nightlife.

Is Oaxaca de Juarez or Destin Better for Resorts?

Destin is great for its luxury resorts. However, Oaxaca de Juarez is not a resort destination.

Destin is known as a popular and fun resort destination. Popular options include the Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort, as well as Hilton Sandestin Beach, Golf Resort & Spa. Most of the accommodation in the area is in the form of condos that include a kitchen and separate bedrooms. Most of these complexes also have pools, hot tubs, and even kids clubs.

Oaxaca de Juarez is not a resort destination.

Is Oaxaca de Juarez or Destin Better for Beaches?

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

Destin is considered a top beach destination. This area is famous for its powdery white sand, beautiful blue waters, and calm waves. The beaches are large enough that they never get incredibly crowded, but you will find the largest crowds during the summer months. These beaches are particularly popular with families and seniors.

Oaxaca de Juarez is not a beach destination.

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

Oaxaca de Juarez is terrific for its historic old town. However, Destin does not have a historic old town.

Oaxaca de Juarez has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. 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.

Destin does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Oaxaca de Juarez or Destin?

Oaxaca de Juarez is terrific for shopping. Also, Destin is not as famous, but is still a good beach town to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Oaxaca de Juarez is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Destin. In the shopping centers around town you'll find a number of unique boutique shops that are fun to explore. They have boutique-style beach clothes, local art, and any beach supplies that you may have forgotten.

Is Oaxaca de Juarez or Destin More Beautiful?

Destin is a popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Oaxaca de Juarez is not a destination known for its beauty.

Destin is a gorgeous place to visit. With its powdery sand and the blue water of the Gulf of Mexico, this is a beautiful beach destination.

Oaxaca de Juarez is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Oaxaca de Juarez or Destin Better for Families?

Destin is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Oaxaca de Juarez is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

Destin is a very family-friendly destination. The area has beautiful sandy beaches, calm waters, and plenty of activities for kids like Big Kahuna's Water Park. This is one of the more kid-friendly areas in Florida and many families return year after year with their kids. There are also many condos available for rent and kids can have their own room, kitchens are available for meal preparation, and there are washers and dryers to clean clothes. Many of these condo complexes also have kid-friendly pools

Oaxaca de Juarez is a family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Is Oaxaca de Juarez or Destin Better for Couples?

Oaxaca de Juarez is notable for romance. Also, Destin is not as famous, but is still a good beach town to visit for its romantic activities.

Oaxaca de Juarez is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

Destin makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. For a relaxing beach vacation, this is a nice option for couples. A lot of the accommodation is in the form of condos, so it may not have the romantic resort vibe you're going for though. There are many great seafood restaurants and quiet beaches that have beautiful sunsets.

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

Oaxaca de Juarez is terrific for backpackers. However, Destin is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Oaxaca de Juarez is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

Destin is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

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

Oaxaca de Juarez is very good for its public transit. However, Destin is a mediocre beach town for times when you don't have a car.

Oaxaca de Juarez has a few public transit options. The city has colectivos, which are shared taxis. There are also buses and tuk tuks that you can use to get around.

Public transit is quite limited in Destin. There is almost no public transit so a car is essential. Some condo complexes do over golf carts to get around the grounds.

Is Oaxaca de Juarez or Destin a more walkable city?

Oaxaca de Juarez is notable for its walkability. However, Destin is a mediocre beach town for its high level of walkability.

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

Destin is not a very walkable city. The area is very spread out and not walkable so you'll need a car to access restaurants and most forms of entertainment.

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

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

How long in Oaxaca de Juarez or Destin?

Both Oaxaca de Juarez and Destin have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Destin than in Oaxaca de Juarez. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Oaxaca de Juarez, and 5-7 days is enough time in Destin.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Oaxaca de Juarez than Destin 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 Oaxaca de Juarez or Destin?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Oaxaca de Juarez. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

You'll find shopping and food around the family-friendly destination of Destin. 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 beach town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

A weekend in Oaxaca de Juarez or Destin?

Oaxaca de Juarez is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

You'll find food and shopping around the beautiful beach town of Destin. It's also a relaxing resort destination. 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.

Five days in Oaxaca de Juarez or Destin?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Oaxaca de Juarez. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Destin is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A week in Oaxaca de Juarez or Destin?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historic destination of Oaxaca de Juarez. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Destin is a great place to explore. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. It is common to spend one week here. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is often enough time to do most activities.

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 Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, and The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Oaxaca de Juarez and Destin, we can see that Destin is more expensive. And not only is Oaxaca de Juarez much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Destin would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Destin 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 Destin Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Oaxaca de Juarez or Destin?

Oaxaca de Juarez has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Destin. When comparing the sizes of Oaxaca de Juarez and Destin, 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.