Which place is cheaper, Puerto Vallarta 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 Puerto Vallarta?
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 Puerto Vallarta 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 Puerto Vallarta?
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.
Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta remains a popular tourist destination with Americans, particularly during spring break when students flock to the area. The area is quite beautiful and has many gorgeous beaches, interesting jungles and waterfalls nearby, and no shortage of luxury resorts and four star restaurants. Many of the locals speak English and are friendly and open to helping tourists with directions or general information. Puerto Vallarta's popularity means that its prices are some of the highest in Mexico, particularly during holidays when the area can get quite crowded.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Brazil, The Best Tours for Seniors to Brazil, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Mexico, and The Best Luxury Tours to Mexico.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayFoz do Iguacu $66Puerto Vallarta $115
The average daily cost (per person) in Foz do Iguacu is $66, while the average daily cost in Puerto Vallarta is $115. 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 Puerto Vallarta in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFoz do Iguacu $29Puerto Vallarta $63
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFoz do Iguacu $58Puerto Vallarta $126
Compare Hotels in Foz do Iguacu and Puerto Vallarta
Looking for a hotel in Foz do Iguacu or Puerto Vallarta? 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 Puerto Vallarta Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Foz do Iguacu $13Puerto Vallarta $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Foz do Iguacu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Foz do Iguacu:
- IGU Airport Transfers: $17
- Transfer Cataratas Argentina: $19
- Foz do Iguaçu Airport Private Transfer : $20
- Private transfer from Foz do Iguaçu airport and bus station: $22
- Transfer from Foz de Iguazu Airport to Hotels on the Argentine side: $42
- Roundtrip Airport Transfer in Foz do Iguaçu: $49
- Shared Roundtrip Transfers with Brazilian and Argentinian sides: $120
- Private E Bike Tour Iguaçu Waterfalls + Transfers + Tickets: $131
- Transfer IN IGU & Iguassu Falls Brazilian side & Macuco Boat Safari: $220
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Vallarta
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Vallarta:
- Roundtrip Transfer Private Minivan Puerto Vallarta Airport (PVT) -City Center: $93
- Airport Transfer Puerto Vallarta : $135
- Arrival Transfer from Airport to Cruise Port in Puerto Vallarta: $44
- Mexico Private Transfer from Marina Vallarta to Puerto Vallarta (PVR) Airport: $55
- Nuevo Vallarta: Private Airport Transfer to South Zone 2: $48
- Nuevo Vallarta:Private Airport Transfer to North Zone 3: $51
- Private Transfer Licenciado Gustavo Airport to/fr Puerto Vallarta: $76
- Private Transfer from Puerto Vallarta Airport (PVR) for 4-7 people to Nayarit: $102
- Private Transfer from Puerto Vallarta Airport to Nayarit: $145
- Private Transfer from Sayulita to Guadalajara: $240
- Private transfer from Puerto Vallarta Airport - Hotel Zone: $37
- Private transfer round trip Puerto Vallarta Airport To Hotel In Luxury Vehicle: $129
Is it cheaper to fly into Foz do Iguacu or Puerto Vallarta?
Prices for flights to both Puerto Vallarta 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 $22Puerto Vallarta $37
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: $52
- Entrance to Rafain with Dinner and Show: $74
- Rafain dinner Samba Show: $94
- Transport to Acaray Casino + dinner (optional): $100
- Dinner Show - Rafain Steakhouse : $100
- Rafain Steakhouse Show - Dinner and Show Included: $103
- Dinner Show at Rafain in Foz do Iguaçu: $107
- Dinner Show Rafain Steakhouse Belmond Hotel Cataratas : $135
- Foz do Iguacu Dancing Musical Show with Dinner and Pickup: $208
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Puerto Vallarta
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Puerto Vallarta.
- Dinner Tacos Food Tour: $55
- Off The Beaten Path Food Tour. Dinner in Pitillal : $55
- Puerto Vallarta 3-Hour Food Tour of Authentic Local Cuisine: $59
- Downtown Puerto Vallarta Food Tour with Vallarta Food Tours: $59
- Puerta Vallarta: Seafood Lover's Food Tour: $59
- Signature Taco and Street Food Tour in Puerto Vallarta: $65
- Vallarta by Road Food Tour: $75
- Mexican Cooking Class, Tequila Tasting & Unlimited Margaritas: $75
- Bucerias Bike and Food Tour: $90
- Mexican Cooking Class and Tequila Tasting: $96
- Sayulita Tacos and Tequila Food Tour : $99
- Cooking Class and Market Tour: $130
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Foz do Iguacu $24Puerto Vallarta $19
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: $25
- Iguassu Falls Shopping Tour: $26
- 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 Dam Half-Day Sightseeing Panoramic Tour from Foz do Iguaçu: $42
- Iguassu Falls Sightseeing Tour from Foz do Iguaçu: $44
- Paraguay Guided Shopping Tour from Foz do Iguacu: $44
Tours and Activities in Puerto Vallarta
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Puerto Vallarta are as follows:
- City Tour Puerto Vallarta - Churches, Tequila Test and more: $18
- Mexico: Puerto Vallarta City Tour: $20
- Hop-On-Hop-Off City Bus Tour: $23
- Guided SUP Board Tour with Digital Photos: $23
- Private Bike City Tour with Photo Session in Puerto Vallarta: $24
- Hop On Hop Off Tour with Free Stops in Puerto Vallarta: $24
- Hike and Yoga Jungle Experience in Mexico: $30
- City Tour, Tequila and Coffee Factory Tour: $31
- EcoHike experience through the jungle, mountains and hidden beach: $31
- Zipline Canopy Tour: $37
- Puerto Vallarta Local-Style Walking tour: $41
- Why Jalisco is Mexico? Puerto Vallarta Tour: $45
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayFoz do Iguacu $12Puerto Vallarta $24
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 Puerto Vallarta
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Puerto Vallarta:
- All you can drink Bar Crawl: $99
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Foz do Iguacu and Puerto Vallarta, we can see that Puerto Vallarta is more expensive. And not only is Foz do Iguacu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Foz do Iguacu is in South America and Puerto Vallarta is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Puerto Vallarta would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Puerto Vallarta 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 Puerto Vallarta Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Foz do Iguacu or Puerto Vallarta?
Foz do Iguacu has a larger population, and is about 57% larger than the population of Puerto Vallarta. When comparing the sizes of Foz do Iguacu and Puerto Vallarta, 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.