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 Luxury Tours to Brazil, The Best Budget 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. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Foz do Iguacu is $79, while the average daily cost in Salento is $39. 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 $28
    Salento $11
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Foz do Iguacu $56
    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:

  • Transfer In - Airport Hotel: $8.00
  • Foz do Iguaçu Airport Shared Transfer: $10
  • Transfer Paraguay - Shopping : $29
  • Foz do Iguaçu Round-Trip Airport Transfer: $39
  • Private airport transfers - Brazil - Argentina - Paraguay : $42
  • Transfer from Foz de Iguazu Airport to Hotels on the Argentine side: $70
  • Private Transfer from IGU to Any Point within Foz Do Iguaçu City: $80
  • Private E Bike Tour Iguaçu Waterfalls + Transfers + Tickets: $120
  • Shared Roundtrip Transfers with Brazilian and Argentinian sides: $127
  • Private Transfer to Foz do Iguaçu from the Airport: $154
  • 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:

  • Private Pereira Airport Transfer: To/From Salento: $54

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 $37
    Salento $16

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.

  • Shared Group: Rafain Dinner and Latin American Show with Transfer: $99
  • Rafain dinner Samba Show: $105
  • Rafain Dinner Show : $106
  • Experience Guamini Mision Dinner and Tango Show Selva Iriapu Hotels Exclusive: $110
  • Dinner Show at Rafain in Foz do Iguaçu: $114
  • Dinner Show Rafain Steakhouse Belmond Hotel Cataratas : $135

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 $23
    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: $6.00
  • Shopping tour at Duty Free Shop Argentina: $18
  • Visit to Itaipu: Panoramic Tour: $20
  • Iguassu Falls Shopping Tour: $27
  • Three Borders Landmark - Rountrip Transportation + Ticket : $32
  • Guided tour of the Iguacu Falls on the Argentine side: $32
  • Itaipu Hydroelectric Dam - Tickets Included: $33
  • Visit to Itaipu: Entrance Ticket for Panoramic View and shuttle: $33
  • Tour to Iguazu Falls Brazil with visit at the Bird Park: $36
  • Tour to Iguassu Falls Argentinean Side: $38
  • Sightseeing Bus Tour of Foz do Iguaçu: $38
  • City Tour Foz do Iguaçu - With Ticket: $38

Tours and Activities in Salento

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

  • Coffee Tour Salento-Ocaso Farm- English Tour: $15
  • Coffee Tour at Finca El Ocaso Finca Tradicional-Español: $15
  • Coffee tour in the heart of the coffee region: $30
  • Guided Walking Tour with Photography Museum Visit: $46
  • Coffee Master Roasting, Brewing and Tasting Tour: $50
  • Coffee Farm Shared Tour: $51
  • Santa Rita Waterfall and Salento Private Tour: $60
  • Tour Valle del Cocora and Salento, including a typical lunch: $61
  • From Cocora Valley Shared Tour: $63
  • Armenia, Quindio: Coffee Tour, Transportation, and Quimbaya Gold Museum: $64
  • Salento & Cocora Valley Tour: $75
  • Private Colombian Coffee Farm Tour with Tastings in Armenia: $78

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Foz do Iguacu $11
    Salento $11
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
    $0.84


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.