A Travel Price Comparison for Brazil Foz do Iguacu vs. Curitiba for Food, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Foz do Iguacu or Curitiba?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Foz do Iguacu and Curitiba can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Foz do Iguacu

Foz do Iguacu is a spectacular, scenic, and breathtaking park. With stunning beauty, Foz do Iguacu attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food. See Foz do Iguacu travel costs.

Curitiba

Curitiba is a active, vibrant, and cultural city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Curitiba travel costs.

Foz do Iguacu and Curitiba: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Foz do Iguacu or Curitiba?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Foz do Iguacu than Curitiba. While Curitiba is larger than Foz do Iguacu, Foz do Iguacu has more sights and attractions for tourists. Foz do Iguacu is more popular for its hiking and impressive beauty, while Curitiba is known for its museums and attractions, food, and nightlife. Foz do Iguacu is more touristy than Curitiba and is popular for its spectacular beauty and incredible volume of water. It is also home to Iguacu National Park. Curitiba is popular for its performing arts, walkability, and culture.

How is Foz do Iguacu different from Curitiba?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Curitiba and Foz do Iguacu. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Foz do Iguacu or Curitiba?

Curitiba is a city with good options for its museums and landmarks. However, Foz do Iguacu is a park with minimal options for its historical sights.

Curitiba offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are a variety of museums around town that include a number of history museums, a few art museums, and other cultural museums that are worth checking out.

While most people don't head to Foz do Iguacu specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. There are a handful of museums and nature parks in and near town.

Is the Food Better in Foz do Iguacu or Curitiba? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Curitiba is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Foz do Iguacu is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Curitiba. The official dish of the town is carne de onça, which first originated here and is a beef tartare that's served on flat bread. There are also many other traditional and authentic Brazilian restaurants around town, so this is a great place for a foodie to explore.

Foz do Iguacu is becoming an appealing option for foodies. You'll find a variety of restaurants around town where you can sample the regional cuisine. A popular item on the menus is Surubí (a local river fish). Also make sure you try the Mbeyú (fried bread), and paraguayan soup (more like bread than an actual soup).

Is Foz do Iguacu or Curitiba Better for Nightlife?

Curitiba is a great destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Foz do Iguacu is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

The people in Curitiba know how to have a good time. Like most cities in Brazil, you'll find a great nightlife scene with plenty of bars and restaurants. Some of the best neighborhoods for nightlife are Batel, which is one of the most international parts of the city, Itupava Street, which is lined with Brazilian restaurants and bars, and São Francisco, which is popular with the student population because of its affordability.

If you're looking for night time activities Foz do Iguacu has a few options to choose from. Head to the intersection of Avenida JK and Avenida Jorge Schimmelpfeng for the most lively nightlife scene in town. This is where you'll find the highest concentration of restaurants and bars, many with outdoor areas or live music.

Is Foz do Iguacu or Curitiba Better for Hiking?

Foz do Iguacu is a great park for hiking. However, Curitiba is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Foz do Iguacu for the hiking trails. There's a network of trails and walkways at the foot of the falls as well as above the falls. You can also venture into the surrounding rainforest or hike to Devil's Throat for a great view.

Curitiba is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Foz do Iguacu or Curitiba?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Curitiba and Foz do Iguacu.

Foz do Iguacu offers some nice shopping areas. There's shopping in the center of town, particularly around Avenida Brasil, Rua Barbosa, Rua Almirante Barroso, and Quintino Bocaiuva.

Curitiba has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. The city has large shopping malls and many great fashion boutiques. It's a great place to spend some time shopping.

Is Foz do Iguacu or Curitiba More Beautiful?

Foz do Iguacu is a great park for its scenery and beauty. However, Curitiba is not a destination known for its beauty.

With stunning beauty, Foz do Iguacu attracts visitors from all around. The falls is absolutely breathtaking. The volume of water and enormity in size is something that you can only experience in person.

Curitiba is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Foz do Iguacu or Curitiba Better for Families?

Foz do Iguacu is a great park for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Curitiba is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Foz do Iguacu. Of course, the highlight for everyone is a visit to Iguacu National Park, which also offers boat rides, hiking, and spectacular views. In addition to this impressive park, the whole family will also enjoy a visit to Parque das Aves, which is a bird park that includes information on wildlife species and conservation.

Curitiba is a family-friendly place to visit. The city has parks and museums that are great for kids. In particular, the botanical gardens and Bosque Alemao appeal to young visitors.

Is Foz do Iguacu or Curitiba Better for Couples?

Foz do Iguacu is a great park for couples. Also, Curitiba is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Foz do Iguacu is a great park if you're traveling as a couple. While the town itself has limited entertainment, the waterfalls is a spectacular sight that has inspired more than a few marriage proposals.

Curitiba is a nice destination for couples. The city has some great parks and restaurants that make it a pleasant place to explore with your significant other.

Is Foz do Iguacu or Curitiba Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Foz do Iguacu is a great park for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Curitiba is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Foz do Iguacu. This is one of the country's most popular backpacker destinations so you'll find plenty of hostels and young travelers to hang out with. The falls itself is truly incredible and well worth the trip.

Plenty of backpackers visit Curitiba. The nightlife and music scene, combined with a great public transit system, make this a good, but often overlooked destination for backpackers in Brazil.

Is Foz do Iguacu or Curitiba Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Curitiba is a great destination for its public transit. Also, Foz do Iguacu is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

The public transit in Curitiba can get you around easily. There's a great public transit system here that includes a metro system, trolleybuses, and buses.

While Foz do Iguacu offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. It's 12 miles between the park and the town so you'll need to take either a taxi or a public bus. On your way to the park, you should arrange for a ride back because finding a taxi as you leave can be challenging.

Is Foz do Iguacu or Curitiba a more walkable city?

Curitiba is a great destination for its high level of walkability. However, Foz do Iguacu is a park with minimal options for its ease of walking around.

Curitiba is a very walkable city. It is a walkable city that is fun to explore on foot, but as always, take precautions in certain areas, particularly at night.

Foz do Iguacu is generally not a very walkable park. There are walkways near the waterfalls, but the city isn't particularly walkable and you'll need transportation to travel between the park and the town.

For even more information, also check out Is Foz do Iguacu Worth Visiting? and Is Curitiba Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Curitiba or Foz do Iguacu?

How long in Foz do Iguacu or Curitiba?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Foz do Iguacu and Curitiba. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Foz do Iguacu than in Curitiba. Usually, 3-4 days is a good amount of time for Foz do Iguacu, and 2-3 days is enough time in Curitiba.

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

One day in Foz do Iguacu or Curitiba?

The beautiful park of Foz do Iguacu offers nightlife and food. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the active destination of Curitiba. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Foz do Iguacu or Curitiba?

Foz do Iguacu is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Curitiba. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Five days in Foz do Iguacu or Curitiba?

Foz do Iguacu is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the cultural destination of Curitiba. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

A week in Foz do Iguacu or Curitiba?

Foz do Iguacu is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This park offers something for everyone.

You'll find food and shopping around the city of Curitiba. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Brazil, The Best Budget Tours to Brazil, The Best Tours for Seniors to Brazil, and The Best Contiki Tours to Brazil.

When comparing the travel costs between Foz do Iguacu and Curitiba, we can see that Curitiba 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. Since both cities are in South America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Foz do Iguacu Expensive? and Is Curitiba Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Foz do Iguacu or Curitiba?

Curitiba has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Foz do Iguacu. When comparing the sizes of Foz do Iguacu and Curitiba, 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.