Which place is cheaper, Puerto Varas 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 Varas?
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 Varas 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 Varas?
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 Varas
Puerto Varas is a city in Southern Chile, in the Los Lagos (Lakes) Region, Llanquihue Province. It is a charming town, only 23 km away from Puerto Montt and surrounded by the Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes as well as the impressive Llanquihue lake. In terms of landscape, accommodation and activities, Puerto Varas is well served! Kayak, paddle, canyoning, rock climbing, trekking, ski, fishing, you name it! If you decide to stop in that area, we recommend that you stay in Puerto Varas, as it provides the perfect starting point for many memorable excursions in the area.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Jungle Trekking Tours in Brazil, The Best Luxury Tours to Brazil, The Best G Adventures Tours to Chile, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Santiago.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayFoz do Iguacu $66Puerto Varas $109
The average daily cost (per person) in Foz do Iguacu is $66, while the average daily cost in Puerto Varas is $109. 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 Varas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFoz do Iguacu $29Puerto Varas $67
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFoz do Iguacu $58Puerto Varas $134
Compare Hotels in Foz do Iguacu and Puerto Varas
Looking for a hotel in Foz do Iguacu or Puerto Varas? 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 Varas Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Foz do Iguacu $13Puerto Varas $21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Foz do Iguacu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Foz do Iguacu:
- Foz do Iguaçu Airport Private Transfer : $20
- Foz do Iguaçu Airport Shared Transfer: $7.00
- IGU Airport Transfers: $17
- Private E Bike Tour Iguaçu Waterfalls + Transfers + Tickets: $131
- Private Transfer from IGU to Any Point within Foz Do Iguaçu City: $80
- Private transfer from Foz do Iguaçu airport and bus station: $22
- Roundtrip Airport Transfer in Foz do Iguaçu: $48
- Shared Roundtrip Transfers with Brazilian and Argentinian sides: $120
- Transfer Cataratas Argentina: $19
- Transfer IN IGU & Iguassu Falls Brazilian side & Macuco Boat Safari: $220
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Varas
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Varas:
- Cruce Andino Office Private Transfer from Puerto Varas: $24
- Puerto Varas Airport Private Transfer: $62
- Puerto Varas Airport Shuttle Transfer: $38
- Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport - Departure Private Transfer: $21
- Transfer to Puerto Montt Airport: $22
- Transfer from Hotel in Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport: $24
- Transfer from Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport: $50
Is it cheaper to fly into Foz do Iguacu or Puerto Varas?
Prices for flights to both Puerto Varas 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 Varas $25
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 $24Puerto Varas $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
- Iguazú Casino Tour : $17
- Exclusive Bike Experience at Iguazu Falls: $25
- Bird Park Tour: $25
- Iguassu Falls Shopping Tour: $34
- Foz Do Iguaçu City Tour: $34
- Iguazu Falls National Park Tour - full day tour Argentinean side: $34
- Tour Tour, pick up at Foz do Iguaçu airport (IGU): $40
- Itaipu Dam Half-Day Sightseeing Panoramic Tour from Foz do Iguaçu: $42
- Itaipu Hydroelectric Dam - Tickets Included: $43
- Paraguay Guided Shopping Tour from Foz do Iguacu: $44
- City Tour with Buddhist Temple and Muslim Mosque: $48
Tours and Activities in Puerto Varas
Here are a few actual costs in Puerto Varas for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Tour Frutillar: $31
- Half day Frutillar and Llanquihue Town tour: $34
- Half day Osorno Volcano tour: $35
- Half-Day Tour to Frutillar and Llanquihue: $35
- Todos los Santos Lake and Villa Peulla Tour: $48
- Todos los Santos Lake and Villa Peulla Tour: $48
- From Osorno Volcano & Petrohue Falls Day Tour: $49
- Half-Day Small-Group Rafting Experience in Petrohué River: $50
- From Puerto Varas or Puerto Montt: Chiloé Island Tour: $60
- FullDay Chiloe Island Tour Castro and dalcahue: $62
- Full-Day Tour Chiloe Island: Castro and Dalcahue : $62
- Puerto Varas Mountain Biking Experience: $67
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayFoz do Iguacu $12Puerto Varas $6.51
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 Puerto Varas, we can see that Puerto Varas 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 Puerto Varas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Puerto Varas 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 Varas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Foz do Iguacu or Puerto Varas?
Foz do Iguacu has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Puerto Varas. When comparing the sizes of Foz do Iguacu and Puerto Varas, 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.
When is the best time to visit Foz do Iguacu or Puerto Varas?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.
Should I visit Foz do Iguacu or Puerto Varas in the Summer?
Both Puerto Varas and Foz do Iguacu are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.
Foz do Iguacu is much warmer than Puerto Varas in the summer. The daily temperature in Foz do Iguacu averages around 27°C (81°F) in January, and Puerto Varas fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
It's quite rainy in Foz do Iguacu. In January, Foz do Iguacu usually receives more rain than Puerto Varas. Foz do Iguacu gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JanuaryFoz do Iguacu 27°C (81°F)Puerto Varas 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Foz do Iguacu or Puerto Varas in the Autumn?
Both Puerto Varas and Foz do Iguacu during the autumn are popular places to visit.
In the autumn, Foz do Iguacu is much warmer than Puerto Varas. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Foz do Iguacu in April average around 23°C (73°F), and Puerto Varas averages at about 11°C (51°F).
Puerto Varas gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Foz do Iguacu usually gets less rain in April than Puerto Varas. Foz do Iguacu gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures AprilFoz do Iguacu 23°C (73°F)Puerto Varas 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Foz do Iguacu or Puerto Varas in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Foz do Iguacu and Puerto Varas.
In July, Foz do Iguacu is generally much warmer than Puerto Varas. Daily temperatures in Foz do Iguacu average around 18°C (64°F), and Puerto Varas fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).
Puerto Varas receives a lot of rain in the winter. In July, Foz do Iguacu usually receives less rain than Puerto Varas. Foz do Iguacu gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 229 mm (9 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JulyFoz do Iguacu 18°C (64°F)Puerto Varas 7°C (45°F)
Should I visit Foz do Iguacu or Puerto Varas in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Foz do Iguacu as well as Puerto Varas.
Foz do Iguacu is much warmer than Puerto Varas in the spring. The daily temperature in Foz do Iguacu averages around 24°C (75°F) in October, and Puerto Varas fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
It's quite rainy in Puerto Varas. Foz do Iguacu receives a lot of rain in the spring. Foz do Iguacu usually gets less rain in October than Puerto Varas. Foz do Iguacu gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 121 mm (4.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures OctoberFoz do Iguacu 24°C (75°F)Puerto Varas 11°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Puerto Varas and Foz do Iguacu
| Foz do Iguacu | Puerto Varas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Apr | 23°C (73°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| May | 20°C (68°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) |
| Jun | 18°C (64°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 224 mm (8.8 in) |
| Jul | 18°C (64°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 229 mm (9 in) |
| Aug | 20°C (68°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 209 mm (8.2 in) |
| Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Oct | 24°C (75°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) |
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.