A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Foz do Iguacu vs. Medellin for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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.


Which place is cheaper, Medellin or Foz do Iguacu?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Foz do Iguacu is $68, while the average daily cost in Medellin is $22. 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
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Foz do Iguacu $30
    Medellin $4.66
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Foz do Iguacu $60
    Medellin $9.32
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.

Hotels in Foz do Iguacu


Hotels in Medellin


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Foz do Iguacu $14
    Medellin $4.06

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Foz do Iguacu

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Foz do Iguacu:

  • Foz do Iguaçu Airport Private Transfer : $21
  • Foz do Iguaçu Airport Shared Transfer: $6.00
  • IGU Airport Transfers: $17
  • Private E Bike Tour Iguaçu Waterfalls + Transfers + Tickets: $133
  • Private Transfer from IGU to Any Point within Foz Do Iguaçu City: $80
  • Private Transfer to Foz do Iguaçu from the Airport: $165
  • Private transfer from Foz do Iguaçu airport and bus station: $22
  • Roundtrip Airport Transfer in Foz do Iguaçu: $51
  • Shared Roundtrip Transfers with Brazilian and Argentinian sides: $140
  • Transfer Cataratas Argentina: $20
  • Transfer IN IGU & Iguassu Falls Brazilian side & Macuco Boat Safari: $220
  • Transfer from Foz de Iguazu Airport to Hotels on the Argentine side: $42

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Medellin

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Medellin:


  • Taxi
    $1.62

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Medellin

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Medellin:

  • Arrival Private Transfer from Medellin Airport to City by MiniSuv: $98
  • Downtown hotels to Medellin Airport (MDE) - Departure Transfer: $21
  • Medellín Airport shuttle - Airport Transfer: $25
  • Medellín to or from Guatapé Private Transfer: $63
  • Medellin Airport (MDE) to Downtown hotels - Arrival Transfer: $21
  • Medellin Airport (MDE) to Downtown hotels - Round-Trip Transfer: $42
  • Medellin Airport MDE to Downtown Arrival Private Transfer: $21
  • Medellin to Jose Maria Cordova Airport (MDE) - Departure Transfer: $21
  • Medellin to Olaya Herrera Airport(EOH)-Departure Private Transfer: $28
  • MiniSuv Departure Transfer from Medellin City to Medellin Airport: $98
  • Olaya Herrera Airport (EOH) to Medellin - Round-trip transfer: $55
  • PRIVATE Transfer Jose Maria Cordova Airport - Up to 10 People: $90

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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Foz do Iguacu $23
    Medellin $9.43

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: $53
  • Transport to Acaray Casino + dinner (optional): $100
  • Dinner Show - Rafain Steakhouse : $100
  • Dinner Show at Rafain in Foz do Iguaçu: $113
  • Foz do Iguacu Dancing Musical Show with Dinner and Pickup: $208

Typical Food Prices in Medellin

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Medellin:


  • Lunch
    $2.06

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Medellin

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Medellin.

  • Cooking Class Preparing Colombian Empanadas: $39
  • Sabor Colombiano Cooking Studio: $60
  • Community project cooking class and Medellin social transformation tour: $66
  • Homemade Paisa Dinner at a Local's Home in Medellín: $69
  • Half-Day Food Tour Visiting the Best Viewpoints in Medellín!: $75
  • Private tour: Street food tour, Eat like a Local in Medellin!: $85
  • Combo Tour: Street Art, Christmas Lights and Food Tour in Medellin: $131
  • Medellin Historical and Food Tour with Fernando Botero´s Plaza: $140
  • Comuna 13, Fruit & Street Food Tour: $166
  • Private tour: Medellin City – Pablo Escobar and Food Tour: $166
  • Combo Tour: Dark days & Christmas tour Including Lunch or Dinner: $166
  • A Night Out in Medellin with Dinner and Drinks Included: $175

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Foz do Iguacu $25
    Medellin $13

Tours and Activities in Foz do Iguacu

Here are a few actual costs in Foz do Iguacu for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Humming Bird Garden Experience in Iguazu: $5.00
  • Ciudad del Este Shopping Tour: $14
  • Iguazú Casino Tour : $17
  • Exclusive Bike Experience at Iguazu Falls: $25
  • Bird Park Tour: $26
  • Iguassu Falls Shopping Tour: $34
  • Iguazu Falls National Park Tour - full day tour Argentinean side: $34
  • Foz Do Iguaçu City Tour: $34
  • Tour Tour, pick up at Foz do Iguaçu airport (IGU): $40
  • Itaipu Hydroelectric Dam - Tickets Included: $43
  • Iguassu Falls Sightseeing Tour from Foz do Iguaçu: $48
  • City Tour with Buddhist Temple and Muslim Mosque: $48

Tours and Activities in Medellin

Here are a few actual costs in Medellin for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Guided Nightlife Tour of Comuna Trece in Medellin : $5.00
  • Skip the Line: Museum of Antioquia Admission Ticket: $7.20
  • Shared Tour of El Poblado "Sin Taboos" in Medellin: $13
  • Shared Tour of the Historical and Cultural Center of Medellín: $13
  • Virtual Tour: Colonial Santa Fe de Antioquia: $14
  • Graffiti Tour | Comuna 13: $15
  • Walking Historical tour of Medellín, walking reality.: $15
  • Comuna 13 Tour. Graffiti Tour Medellín (Graffitour): $17
  • Comuna 13 Graffiti Tour And Enjoy Photos y Videos with Dron: $19
  • Comuna 13 Graffiti Tour and Street Food: $20
  • Comuna 13 History and Graffiti Tour with Cable Car: $20
  • Storytellers Tours: $21

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Foz do Iguacu $12
    Medellin $7.07
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:


  • Beer
    $0.90

Sample the Local Flavors in Medellin

Also in Medellin, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Live the Nightlife Rooftop Pub Crawl : $49
  • Medellin Private Bar Crawl: $89
  • Medellin Pub Crawl Including Food and City Tour: $139


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.