Which place is cheaper, Machu Picchu or Foz do Iguacu?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Foz do Iguacu or Machu Picchu?
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 Machu Picchu 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.
Where Should I go: Foz do Iguacu or Machu Picchu?
Foz do Iguacu
Foz do Iguacu is a larger city in Brazil that is most famous for the Iguacu Falls. The city serves as an entry point for Paraguay and Argentina as well. The obvious reason to visit the city is to see the beautiful falls, and together with Ciudad del Este, Paraguay and Puerto Iguazu, Argentina, it makes up one of the largest tourism sights in South America.
Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu is a site of ancient Inca ruins located about 50 miles (80 km) northwest of Cuzco, Peru, in the Cordillera de Vilcabamba of the Andes Mountains. It is perched above the Urubamba River valley in a narrow saddle between two sharp peaks, Machu Picchu ("Old Peak") and Huayna Picchu ("New Peak"), at an elevation of 7,710 feet (2,350 metres). One of the few major pre-Columbian ruins found nearly intact, Machu Picchu was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983. Thus, Machu Picchu is not only an impressive remnant of the Inca civilization, it is also one of the world's most important archaeological sites. A stop at Machu Picchu is an essential part of any traveler's itinerary in Peru, as it is one of the seven wonders of the world.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Jungle Trekking Tours in Brazil, The Best Luxury Tours to Brazil, The Best Eco Tours in Peru, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Peru.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayFoz do Iguacu $66Machu Picchu $101
The average daily cost (per person) in Foz do Iguacu is $66, while the average daily cost in Machu Picchu is $101. 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 Foz do Iguacu and Machu Picchu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFoz do Iguacu $29Machu Picchu $42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFoz do Iguacu $58Machu Picchu $84
Compare Hotels in Foz do Iguacu and Machu Picchu
Looking for a hotel in Foz do Iguacu or Machu Picchu? 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: Foz do Iguacu Hotel Prices and Machu Picchu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Foz do Iguacu $13Machu Picchu $30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Foz do Iguacu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Foz do Iguacu:
- Transfer IN IGU & Iguassu Falls Brazilian side & Macuco Boat Safari: $220
- Private E Bike Tour Iguaçu Waterfalls + Transfers + Tickets: $131
- Shared Roundtrip Transfers with Brazilian and Argentinian sides: $120
- Private Transfer from IGU to Any Point within Foz Do Iguaçu City: $80
- Roundtrip Airport Transfer in Foz do Iguaçu: $48
- Private transfer from Foz do Iguaçu airport and bus station: $22
- Foz do Iguaçu Airport Private Transfer : $20
- Transfer Cataratas Argentina: $19
- IGU Airport Transfers: $17
- Foz do Iguaçu Airport Shared Transfer: $7.00
Is it cheaper to fly into Foz do Iguacu or Machu Picchu?
Prices for flights to both Machu Picchu and Foz do Iguacu 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 dayFoz do Iguacu $22Machu Picchu $19
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Foz do Iguacu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Foz do Iguacu.
- Official Entrance: Dinner with Latin American Show at Rafain Steakhouse: $51
- Rafain dinner Samba Show: $94
- Transport to Acaray Casino + dinner (optional): $100
- Dinner Show - Rafain Steakhouse : $100
- Dinner Show at Rafain in Foz do Iguaçu: $113
- Dinner Show Rafain Steakhouse Belmond Hotel Cataratas : $135
- Foz do Iguacu Dancing Musical Show with Dinner and Pickup: $208
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Foz do Iguacu $24Machu Picchu $74
Tours and Activities in Foz do Iguacu
Here are a few actual costs in Foz do Iguacu for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2 Days Private Tour Argentinean & Brazilian Side of Iguazu Falls: $166
- 2-Day Private Tour Iguaçu Falls Brazil and Argentina: $224
- 2-Day Private Tour to Argentina and Brazil Falls: $110
- 2-Days Private Brasil & Argentina Iguassu Falls Experience : $132
- Airport IGU Pick-Up & Shopping In Paraguay & Hotel Drop-Off - Private Tour: $100
- Airport IGU Round Trip & 2 Days Sightseeing in Iguassu: $225
- Airport IGU Round Trip & Iguassu Falls Argentinean side & Great Adventure: $295
- Argentina Bike Experience: Interact with indigenous communities: $88
- Argentinean Side Iguassu Falls - Private Tour: $120
- Argentinian Side of the Falls - All Tickets Included: $102
- Argentinian Side of the Falls and Boat Tour Gran Aventura - All Tickets Included: $229
- Bird Park Tour: $25
Typical Entertainment Prices in Machu Picchu
For Machu Picchu, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Gardens of Mandor$2.71
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayFoz do Iguacu $12Machu Picchu $6.90
Typical Alcohol Prices in Foz do Iguacu
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Foz do Iguacu from other travelers:
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Beer$0.88
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Foz do Iguacu and Machu Picchu, we can see that Machu Picchu is more expensive. And not only is Foz do Iguacu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Foz do Iguacu would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Foz do Iguacu 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 Machu Picchu would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Machu Picchu than you might in Foz do Iguacu.
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 Machu Picchu Expensive?.
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.