Which place is cheaper, Puerto Viejo 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 Viejo?
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 Viejo 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 Viejo?
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 Viejo
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is a small coastal town in Caribbean Costa Rica in the province of Limon. There are two gorgeous National Parks nearby - Cahuita and Manzanillo, and it rains more than on the Pacific side, which is why it is so lush and green with the rainforest coming down to the sea. Clear water, coconut palms, great surf and a laid-back Caribbean atmosphere make Puerto Viejo a favorite among travelers. Located on about an hour south of Limon, Puerto Viejo is the center of activity between the smaller villages of Cahuita and Manzanillo. The relaxed, seaside town is framed by jungle, turquoise seas, banana plantations and scenic rivers. It's known for the Salsa Brava surf break and beaches like black-sand Playa Negra, but this burgeoning party town is no longer a destination only for intrepid surfers; it's bustling with tourist activity. Stylish eateries serve global fusion, and intentionally rustic bamboo bars pump dancehall and reggaeton. With its blend of Afro-Caribbean descendants, expat Europeans and indigenous Costa Ricans, Puerto Viejo charms visitors with a unique mix of people and cultures. Rastafari culture has a firm foothold in the town, and many Rastas sell handmade jewelry and other wares along the town's vibrant roadside. Nearby you'll find rainforest fruit and cacao farms and wide-open beaches. If you're looking to chill a little, party a little and eat a little, you've come to the right place.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Brazil, The Best Tours for Seniors to Brazil, The Best 2-Week Tours in Costa Rica, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Costa Rica.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayFoz do Iguacu $66Puerto Viejo $145
The average daily cost (per person) in Foz do Iguacu is $66, while the average daily cost in Puerto Viejo is $145. 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 Viejo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFoz do Iguacu $29Puerto Viejo $71
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFoz do Iguacu $58Puerto Viejo $142
Compare Hotels in Foz do Iguacu and Puerto Viejo
Looking for a hotel in Foz do Iguacu or Puerto Viejo? 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 Viejo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Foz do Iguacu $13Puerto Viejo $38
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Foz do Iguacu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Foz do Iguacu:
- Transfer from Foz de Iguazu Airport to Hotels on the Argentine side: $42
- Transfer IN IGU & Iguassu Falls Brazilian side & Macuco Boat Safari: $220
- Transfer Cataratas Argentina: $19
- Shared Roundtrip Transfers with Brazilian and Argentinian sides: $120
- Roundtrip Airport Transfer in Foz do Iguaçu: $49
- Private transfer from Foz do Iguaçu airport and bus station: $22
- Private E Bike Tour Iguaçu Waterfalls + Transfers + Tickets: $131
- IGU Airport Transfers: $17
- Foz do Iguaçu Airport Private Transfer : $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Viejo
Also for Puerto Viejo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Puerto Viejo de Limon: Transfer to San Jose or Alajuela: $373
Is it cheaper to fly into Foz do Iguacu or Puerto Viejo?
Prices for flights to both Puerto Viejo 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 Viejo $33
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Foz do Iguacu $24Puerto Viejo $78
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: $150
- 2-Day Private Tour Iguaçu Falls Brazil and Argentina: $229
- 2-Day Private Tour to Argentina and Brazil Falls: $112
- 2-Days Private Brasil & Argentina Iguassu Falls Experience : $116
- 2-day private tour Both waterfalls+ bird park: $199
- Airport IGU Pick-Up & Shopping In Paraguay & Hotel Drop-Off - Private Tour: $100
- Airport IGU Round Trip & Iguassu Falls Argentinean side & Great Adventure: $295
- Argentina Bike Experience: Interact with indigenous communities: $90
- Argentinean Side Iguassu Falls - Private Tour: $120
- Argentinian Side of the Falls - All Tickets Included: $92
- Argentinian Side of the Falls and Boat Tour Gran Aventura - All Tickets Included: $231
- Bird Park Tour: $25
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayFoz do Iguacu $12Puerto Viejo $13
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 Viejo, we can see that Puerto Viejo 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 Viejo is in Central 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 Viejo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Puerto Viejo 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 Viejo Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Foz do Iguacu or Puerto Viejo?
Foz do Iguacu has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Puerto Viejo experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Foz do Iguacu or Puerto Viejo in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Foz do Iguacu as well as Puerto Viejo. The warm climate attracts visitors to Puerto Viejo throughout the year.
In the summer, Foz do Iguacu is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Foz do Iguacu in January average around 27°C (81°F), and Puerto Viejo averages at about 26°C (79°F)in July.
It's quite rainy in Puerto Viejo. Foz do Iguacu receives a lot of rain in the summer. Foz do Iguacu usually gets less rain in January than Puerto Viejoin July. Foz do Iguacu gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyFoz do Iguacu 27°C (81°F)Puerto Viejo 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Foz do Iguacu or Puerto Viejo in the Autumn?
Both Puerto Viejo and Foz do Iguacu are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Puerto Viejo because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In April, Foz do Iguacu is generally cooler than Puerto Viejoin October. Daily temperatures in Foz do Iguacu average around 23°C (73°F), and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Puerto Viejo. In April, Foz do Iguacu usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejoin October. Foz do Iguacu gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 198 mm (7.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberFoz do Iguacu 23°C (73°F)Puerto Viejo 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Foz do Iguacu or Puerto Viejo in the Winter?
Both Puerto Viejo and Foz do Iguacu during the winter are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Puerto Viejo year-round.
Foz do Iguacu is cooler than Puerto Viejo in the winter. The daily temperature in Foz do Iguacu averages around 18°C (64°F) in July, and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 25°C (77°F)in January.
Puerto Viejo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Foz do Iguacu usually gets less rain in July than Puerto Viejoin January. Foz do Iguacu gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 319 mm (12.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryFoz do Iguacu 18°C (64°F)Puerto Viejo 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Foz do Iguacu or Puerto Viejo in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Foz do Iguacu and Puerto Viejo. Puerto Viejo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the spring, Foz do Iguacu is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Foz do Iguacu in October average around 24°C (75°F), and Puerto Viejo averages at about 26°C (79°F)in April.
Puerto Viejo receives a lot of rain in the spring. Foz do Iguacu gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Foz do Iguacu usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejoin April. Foz do Iguacu gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilFoz do Iguacu 24°C (75°F)Puerto Viejo 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for Puerto Viejo and Foz do Iguacu
| Foz do Iguacu | Puerto Viejo | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 319 mm (12.6 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 201 mm (7.9 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 193 mm (7.6 in) |
| Apr | 23°C (73°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) |
| May | 20°C (68°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 281 mm (11.1 in) |
| Jun | 18°C (64°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) |
| Jul | 18°C (64°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 408 mm (16.1 in) |
| Aug | 20°C (68°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 255 mm (10 in) |
| Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) |
| Oct | 24°C (75°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 367 mm (14.4 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 402 mm (15.8 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.