Which place is cheaper, Medellin or Foz do Iguacu?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Foz do Iguacu or Medellin?
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 Medellin 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 Medellin?
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.
Medellin
In addition to big improvements in public safety, Medellin has witnessed a huge surge in urban development projects, including Colombia's first metro system and cable cars to service poorer neighborhoods located high on the mountain sides. There is an abundance of parks, libraries, museums and public spaces with many cultural events taking place. Many travelers also enjoy visiting the surrounding villages, where life is simple and landscapes and nature reserves are wonderful. Medellin has now become one of the "it" cities in the world, with tons of tourists visiting and foreigners settling and retiring here. Beautiful mountains, warm weather, friendly locals, and a vibrant culture are just a few of the reasons why you should visit Medellin.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to Brazil, The Best G Adventures Tours to Brazil, The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, and The Best Eco Tours in Colombia.
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Foz do Iguacu Prices
Brazil PricesMedellin Prices
Colombia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayFoz do Iguacu $83Medellin $35
The average daily cost (per person) in Foz do Iguacu is $83, while the average daily cost in Medellin is $35. 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 Medellin in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFoz do Iguacu $29Medellin $5.51
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFoz do Iguacu $58Medellin $11
Compare Hotels in Foz do Iguacu and Medellin
Looking for a hotel in Foz do Iguacu or Medellin? 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 Medellin Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Foz do Iguacu $13Medellin $4.80
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Foz do Iguacu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Foz do Iguacu:
- Brazilian Falls Tour Transfers with Tour Guide: $30
- Foz do Iguaçu Airport Shared Transfer: $11
- Foz do Iguaçu Round-Trip Airport Transfer: $45
- Iguaçu Falls Helicopter Ride With Optional Transfers: $290
- PRIVATE Transfer Iguassu Airport (IGU) to Hotels in Iguassu: $30
- Private Airport Transfers and Iguaçu National Parks: $47
- Private Transfer from IGU to Any Point within Foz Do Iguaçu City: $80
- Private Transfer to Foz do Iguaçu from the Airport: $160
- Roundtrip Airport Transfer in Foz do Iguaçu: $50
- Shared Roundtrip Transfers with Brazilian and Argentinian sides: $156
- Transfer IN IGU & Iguassu Falls Brazilian side & Macuco Boat Safari: $235
- Transfer Paraguay - Shopping: $23
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Medellin
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Medellin:
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Taxi$1.92
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Medellin
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Medellin:
- 2-hour horseback ride + Private transfer + Photos & videos + Gift for the first 5 to book: $88
- Arrival Private Transfer from Medellin Airport to City by Sedan: $151
- Arrival Transfer Medellin Airport MDE to Medellin City by Minivan: $167
- Graffiti Tour Comuna 13, Workshop option, local Guide, transfers: $94
- Medellín - Arboletes, Antioquia Transfer by Van: $560
- Medellín Airport Private Transfer Service (Departure): $43
- Medellín Platinum Pack: Transfers + Hotel + Exclusive Tours: $250
- Medellín Private Transfer from Medellín City to Olaya Herrera (EOH) Airport: $47
- Medellín Private Transfer from Olaya Herrera (EOH) Airport to Medellín City: $47
- Medellín Private Transfer: José María Córdova Airport: $34
- Medellín to or from Guatapé Private Transfer: $73
- Medellín to or from Guatapé Private Transfer: $78
Is it cheaper to fly into Foz do Iguacu or Medellin?
Prices for flights to both Medellin 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 $39Medellin $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.
- Rafain Dinner Show: $72
- Foz do Iguacu Brazilian BBQ and Home Cooking with a Local: $85
- Rafain Steakhouse Show - Dinner and Show Included: $108
- Experience Guamini Mision Dinner and Tango Show Selva Iriapu Hotels Exclusive: $110
- Shared Group: Rafain Dinner and Latin American Show with Transfer: $119
- Rafain dinner Samba Show: $120
- Dinner Show - Rafain Steakhouse: $120
- Dinner Show at Rafain in Foz do Iguaçu: $134
- Dinner Show Rafain Steakhouse Belmond Hotel Cataratas: $135
- Foz: Private Guide & Transfer to Shared Dinner Show Experience: $208
Typical Food Prices in Medellin
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Medellin:
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Lunch$2.43
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Medellin
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Medellin.
- Medellín: Comuna 13 True Story and Street Food Tour: $14
- Empanada Cooking Class with Local Chef - Comuna 13: $34
- Empanada Cooking Class by Local Chef in Comuna 13 (Small Groups): $38
- Food tour with 12 tastings in the best area of Medellin: $40
- Medellín: Comuna 13 Street Art and Street Food Tour: $44
- Laureles Food Tour: $45
- Private Empanada Cooking Class in Guatape: $48
- Medellin Food Tour in Laureles: $54
- Cooking Class Preparing Colombian Empanadas: $56
- Medellin Private Nighttime City Sightseeing Tour by E-Bike + Gourmet Dinner: $59
- Colombia Inspired Food Tour: $59
- Gastronomy and Street Food Tour in Sabaneta Colombia Experience: $60
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Foz do Iguacu $24Medellin $15
Tours and Activities in Foz do Iguacu
Here are a few actual costs in Foz do Iguacu for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Shopping tour at Duty Free Shop Argentina: $15
- Visit to Itaipu: Panoramic Tour: $15
- Shopping tour in Paraguay from hotels in Foz do Iguaçu: $21
- Visit to Itaipu: Entrance Ticket for Panoramic View and shuttle: $24
- City Tour Puerto Iguazu: $24
- Three Borders Landmark - Rountrip Transportation + Ticket: $25
- Itaipu Hydroelectric Dam - Tickets Included: $32
- Iguassu Falls Shopping Tour: $32
- Itaipu Dam Panoramic Tour: $35
- Guided tour of the Iguacu Falls on the Argentine side: $35
- Puerto Iguazú City Tour Experience: $36
- Iguazu Falls : Complete Argentine Side Experience: $36
Tours and Activities in Medellin
Here are a few actual costs in Medellin for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Guided Electric Bicycle Tour of Guatapé: $7.98
- Fly over Medellín Metrocable: Transformation Tour: $10
- Comuna 13: Graffiti tour & Street Food/drink with telesferic: $10
- Medellín Explore Downtown And Live The Real City Experience: $11
- Medellín: Explore Downtown And Live The Real City Experience: $12
- Entry Ticket to the Museum of Modern Art of Medellin: $12
- Medellín: Comuna 13 Tour with Snacks and a Local Guide: $13
- Medellín: Comuna 13 Local History Tour with Graffiti & Snack: $13
- Medellín: Comuna 13 Graffiti Tour With Local Snacks Included: $13
- Post-conflict Shared Tour (Paul) and Violence Medellin: $14
- Virtual Tour: Colonial Santa Fe de Antioquia: $14
- Comuna 13 Graffiti Tour with a Local & Artisan Ice Cream ⭐: $14
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayFoz do Iguacu $12Medellin $8.37
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Medellin
Also in Medellin, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- The Medellin Pub Crawl: $20
- The "Beyond Local Pub Crawl" Now in Medellín!: $23
- The "Beyond Local Pub Crawl" Now in Medellín!: $24
- Rooftop Bar Crawl with VIP Access & Hidden Clubs: $27
- Medellín: Pub crawl in Provenza, music, dancing, and shots: $30
- Medellin Pub Crawl with transport Including Food and City Tour: $175
- Medellín: San Francisco Wine Tour with Tastings & Lunch: $332
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Foz do Iguacu and Medellin, we can see that Foz do Iguacu is more expensive. And not only is Medellin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Medellin would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Medellin 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 Foz do Iguacu would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Foz do Iguacu than you might in Medellin.
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 Medellin Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Foz do Iguacu or Medellin?
Medellin has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Foz do Iguacu. When comparing the sizes of Foz do Iguacu and Medellin, 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.
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.