Which place is cheaper, Punta Arenas 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 Punta Arenas?
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 Punta Arenas 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 Punta Arenas?
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.
Punta Arenas
Punta Arenas is in the far south of Chile and has a long history of maritime commerce, oil extraction, and sheep farming. It's the most populated city on the Strait of Magellan and has all the facilities you might need as a traveler, including banks, markets, drugstores and equipment shops. With a population of about 130,000, the city is a comfortable place to spend time. It serves as a base for Antarctic expeditions, although many expeditions also start in Ushuaia, Argentina, and Christchurch New Zealand.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Jungle Trekking Tours in Brazil, The Best Luxury Tours to Brazil, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Santiago, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Chile.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayFoz do Iguacu $66Punta Arenas $63
The average daily cost (per person) in Foz do Iguacu is $66, while the average daily cost in Punta Arenas is $63. 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 Punta Arenas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFoz do Iguacu $29Punta Arenas $32
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFoz do Iguacu $58Punta Arenas $64
Compare Hotels in Foz do Iguacu and Punta Arenas
Looking for a hotel in Foz do Iguacu or Punta Arenas? 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 Punta Arenas Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Foz do Iguacu $13Punta Arenas $1.80
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Foz do Iguacu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Foz do Iguacu:
- Transfer IN IGU & Iguassu Falls Brazilian side & Macuco Boat Safari: $220
- Private E Bike Tour Iguaçu Waterfalls + Transfers + Tickets: $131
- Shared Roundtrip Transfers with Brazilian and Argentinian sides: $120
- Private Transfer from IGU to Any Point within Foz Do Iguaçu City: $80
- Roundtrip Airport Transfer in Foz do Iguaçu: $48
- Private transfer from Foz do Iguaçu airport and bus station: $22
- Foz do Iguaçu Airport Private Transfer : $20
- Transfer Cataratas Argentina: $19
- IGU Airport Transfers: $17
- Foz do Iguaçu Airport Shared Transfer: $7.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Punta Arenas
Also for Punta Arenas, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer Punta Arenas Airport to/from Punta Arenas: $33
- Private Transfer from Punta Arenas Port to Punta Arenas hotels: $64
- Punta Arenas Airport (PUQ) to Punta Arenas - Arrival Transfer: $49
- Transfer from Punta Arenas (city or airport) to Puerto Natales: $267
Is it cheaper to fly into Foz do Iguacu or Punta Arenas?
Prices for flights to both Punta Arenas 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 $22Punta Arenas $21
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
Typical Food Prices in Punta Arenas
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Punta Arenas:
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Donut$1.05
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Dinner$25
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Foz do Iguacu $24Punta Arenas $6.44
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: $166
- 2-Day Private Tour Iguaçu Falls Brazil and Argentina: $224
- 2-Day Private Tour to Argentina and Brazil Falls: $110
- 2-Days Private Brasil & Argentina Iguassu Falls Experience : $132
- Airport IGU Pick-Up & Shopping In Paraguay & Hotel Drop-Off - Private Tour: $100
- Airport IGU Round Trip & 2 Days Sightseeing in Iguassu: $225
- Airport IGU Round Trip & Iguassu Falls Argentinean side & Great Adventure: $295
- Argentina Bike Experience: Interact with indigenous communities: $88
- Argentinean Side Iguassu Falls - Private Tour: $120
- Argentinian Side of the Falls - All Tickets Included: $102
- Argentinian Side of the Falls and Boat Tour Gran Aventura - All Tickets Included: $229
- Bird Park Tour: $25
Tours and Activities in Punta Arenas
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Punta Arenas.
- City Sightseeing and Monuments Guided Tour: $52
- Regular city cruise tour: $65
- Fort Bulnes cruises: $70
- Bike Tour in Punta Arenas, 100% local tour.: $70
- Punta Arenas Sightseeing Tour: $72
- King Penguin & Tierra del Fuego Tour: $138
- King Penguin & Tierra del Fuego Tour: $145
- Magdalena Island Penguin Tour by Boat from Punta Arenas: $153
- Punta Arenas Private City Tour Shore Excursion: $155
- Magallanes Reserva and City Tour. Private Shore Excursion.: $158
- Full day Torres del Paine from Punta Arenas ,Regular tours: $180
- Mountain Bike Adventure in Punta Arenas: $192
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayFoz do Iguacu $12Punta Arenas $4.86
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
Typical Alcohol Prices in Punta Arenas
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Punta Arenas:
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Alcohol$7.34
When comparing the travel costs between Foz do Iguacu and Punta Arenas, we can see that Foz do Iguacu is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in South America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
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 Punta Arenas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Foz do Iguacu or Punta Arenas?
Foz do Iguacu has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Punta Arenas. When comparing the sizes of Foz do Iguacu and Punta Arenas, 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 Punta Arenas?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.
Should I visit Foz do Iguacu or Punta Arenas in the Summer?
Both Punta Arenas and Foz do Iguacu during the summer are popular places to visit.
In the summer, Foz do Iguacu is much warmer than Punta Arenas. Typically, the summer temperatures in Foz do Iguacu in January average around 27°C (81°F), and Punta Arenas averages at about 11°C (52°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Foz do Iguacu. Foz do Iguacu usually gets more rain in January than Punta Arenas. Foz do Iguacu gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Punta Arenas receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JanuaryFoz do Iguacu 27°C (81°F)Punta Arenas 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Foz do Iguacu or Punta Arenas in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Foz do Iguacu and Punta Arenas.
In April, Foz do Iguacu is generally much warmer than Punta Arenas. Daily temperatures in Foz do Iguacu average around 23°C (73°F), and Punta Arenas fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).
In April, Foz do Iguacu usually receives more rain than Punta Arenas. Foz do Iguacu gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Punta Arenas receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures AprilFoz do Iguacu 23°C (73°F)Punta Arenas 7°C (44°F)
Should I visit Foz do Iguacu or Punta Arenas in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Foz do Iguacu as well as Punta Arenas.
The weather in Punta Arenas can be very cold. Foz do Iguacu is much warmer than Punta Arenas in the winter. The daily temperature in Foz do Iguacu averages around 18°C (64°F) in July, and Punta Arenas fluctuates around 1°C (35°F).
Foz do Iguacu usually gets more rain in July than Punta Arenas. Foz do Iguacu gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Punta Arenas receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JulyFoz do Iguacu 18°C (64°F)Punta Arenas 1°C (35°F)
Should I visit Foz do Iguacu or Punta Arenas in the Spring?
Both Punta Arenas and Foz do Iguacu are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.
In the spring, Foz do Iguacu is much warmer than Punta Arenas. Typically, the spring temperatures in Foz do Iguacu in October average around 24°C (75°F), and Punta Arenas averages at about 7°C (44°F).
It's quite rainy in Foz do Iguacu. In October, Foz do Iguacu usually receives more rain than Punta Arenas. Foz do Iguacu gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Punta Arenas receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures OctoberFoz do Iguacu 24°C (75°F)Punta Arenas 7°C (44°F)
Typical Weather for Punta Arenas and Foz do Iguacu
| Foz do Iguacu | Punta Arenas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Apr | 23°C (73°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| May | 20°C (68°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Jun | 18°C (64°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| Jul | 18°C (64°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 1°C (35°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Aug | 20°C (68°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) |
| Oct | 24°C (75°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 29 mm (1.1 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.