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

Should you visit Foz do Iguacu or Salento?

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 Salento 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 Salento?

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.

Salento

Founded in 1850, Salento is one of the oldest towns in Quindio. This colonial Colombian town has retained much of its old world charm, with its colorful buildings, large square and, of course, the obligatory church. Because the main route between Cali and Bogota which used to pass through Salento was diverted, the town didn't develop as quickly as others in the Quindio region. This gave Salento the opportunity to evolve into a thriving community of craftsmen and artisans as well as remaining one of the region's most prolific coffee producers. Salento is located 24 km northeast of the departmental capital Armenia. However, unlike its colorful neighbor, Armenia itself has very little to offer tourists. Salento attracts those wishing to learn about the coffee regions and for those who simply admire breathtaking scenery, and especially the stunning Cocora Valley.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Jungle Trekking Tours in Brazil, The Best Luxury Tours to Brazil, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Colombia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia.


Which place is cheaper, Salento 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 $66, while the average daily cost in Salento is $33. 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 Salento in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Foz do Iguacu $29
    Salento $11
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Foz do Iguacu $58
    Salento $22
Compare Hotels in Foz do Iguacu and Salento

Looking for a hotel in Foz do Iguacu or Salento? 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 Salento


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 Salento Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Foz do Iguacu $13
    Salento $14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Foz do Iguacu

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Foz do Iguacu:

  • Foz do Iguaçu Airport Shared Transfer: $7.00
  • 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
  • Roundtrip Airport Transfer in Foz do Iguaçu: $48
  • Private Transfer from IGU to Any Point within Foz Do Iguaçu City: $80
  • 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 Salento

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Salento:

  • Pereira Airport Private Transfer Service: $55

Is it cheaper to fly into Foz do Iguacu or Salento?

Prices for flights to both Salento 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 $22
    Salento $9.56

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

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Salento

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

  • Cooking Stories - Cocinando Historias: $46

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Foz do Iguacu $24
    Salento $12

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 Salento

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Salento are as follows:

  • City tour + Nature: $25
  • Coffee tour in the heart of the coffee region: $28
  • Santa Rita Waterfall and Salento Hike Tour: $49
  • Filandia and Salento Coffee Towns Tour: $62
  • Private Colombian Coffee Farm Tour with Tastings in Armenia: $78
  • Cocora Valley and Salento Hike Tour: $79
  • Coffee Tour at Finca El Ocaso: $84
  • Coffee Farm and Salento Walking Tour with Lunch: $87
  • Coffe Experience: Daily departure from Salento: $90
  • Private birding tour for beginners and intermediate: $90
  • Pereira: Cocora Valley and Salento Guided Hiking Tour: $90
  • Coffee Tour and Salento Walking Tour with lunch: $95

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Foz do Iguacu $12
    Salento $12
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
    $0.88


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Foz do Iguacu and Salento, we can see that Foz do Iguacu is more expensive. And not only is Salento much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Salento would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Salento 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 Salento.

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 Salento Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Foz do Iguacu or Salento?

Foz do Iguacu has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Salento. When comparing the sizes of Foz do Iguacu and Salento, 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.