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

Should you visit Foz do Iguacu or Salta?

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 Salta 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 Salta?

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.

Salta

Located in the heart of the famous Northwest region of Argentina, at 1200m of elevation and at the foot of the Cerro San Bernardo, Salta is the largest city of the region and perhaps the most beautiful colonial city of Argentina. Founded in 1582 by the Spanish, Salta was an important stop for merchants who followed the usual trade road through Bolivia and Peru. Argentines call this city nestled in the foothills of the Andes and surrounded by mountains, of just over half a million inhabitants, Salta La Linda (Salta the Beautiful) and it's easy to see why. Young and traditional at the same time, Salta and its renowned museums, plaza side cafes and live musica folklorica of its bustling penas, is a sophisticated and lively city day and night.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Jungle Trekking Tours in Brazil, The Best Luxury Tours to Brazil, The Best Photography Tours in Argentina, and The Best Luxury Tours to Argentina.


Which place is cheaper, Salta 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 Salta is $9.62. 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 Salta in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Foz do Iguacu $29
    Salta $3.47
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Foz do Iguacu $58
    Salta $6.94
Compare Hotels in Foz do Iguacu and Salta

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


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 Salta Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Foz do Iguacu $13
    Salta $4.00

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
  • 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
  • Foz do Iguaçu Airport Private Transfer : $20

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Salta

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Salta are as follows:


  • Taxi Ride
    $0.01

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Salta

Also for Salta, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • 3-Day:Cafayate, Cachi, Salinas Grandes Including Transfer In/Out : $217
  • From Cafayate and Hornocal 2-Day Tour with Transfer: $88
  • From Salinas and Hornocal 2-Day Tour with Transfer: $99
  • Round Trip Shared Transfer Salta Airport/Downtown Hotel: $13
  • Salta Airport One-Way or Round-Trip Transfers: $20
  • One-Way or Round Trip Airport Transfer: $5.50
  • Train to the Clouds Experience with Transfers from Salta Hotels: $265
  • Yungas : full day with gauchos - transfer inc. from Salta: $240

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

Prices for flights to both Salta 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
    Salta $3.27

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
  • Transport to Acaray Casino + dinner (optional): $100
  • Dinner Show - Rafain Steakhouse : $100
  • Dinner Show at Rafain in Foz do Iguaçu: $107
  • Dinner Show Rafain Steakhouse Belmond Hotel Cataratas : $135

Typical Food Prices in Salta

For Salta, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Emplanadas
    $0.01
  • Ice Cream
    $0.01
  • Lunch
    $0.67
  • Coffee
    $0.14

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Foz do Iguacu $24
    Salta $3.40

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
  • Argentina Bike Experience: Interact with indigenous communities: $90
  • Argentinean Side Iguassu Falls - Private Tour: $120
  • Bird Park Tour: $25
  • Brazilian Side of the Falls and Boat Tour Macuco Safari - All Tickets Included: $195
  • City Tour Puerto Iguazú Hoteis de Foz do Iguaçu: $95
  • City Tour in Iguassu - Private Tour: $60
  • City Tour with Buddhist Temple and Muslim Mosque: $48

Typical Entertainment Prices in Salta

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Salta's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Gondola Ride
    $0.02
  • Pool
    $0.06
  • Wine and Cheese night
    $4.15

Tours and Activities in Salta

For Salta, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 4-Hour Guided Highlights City Tour: $15
  • From City Tour of the city on a half-day ride: $18
  • From City Tour and San Lorenzo on a half-day tour: $18
  • Salta City Half Day Tour: $20
  • Best of Guided City Tour: $27
  • Guided Half-Day City Tour with Cathedral and Museum: $27
  • Half-Day City Tour of Salta: $27
  • Full-Day Tour Cafayate Calchaqui Valleys with Wine: $32
  • From Full-Day Scenic Tour to Cachi: $33
  • City Tour and sorroundings: $33
  • From Cachi and Los Cardones National Park Tour: $34
  • From Full-day tour to Cachi and Los Cardones National Park: $34

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Foz do Iguacu $12
    Salta $1.37
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

Typical Alcohol Prices in Salta

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Salta are as follows:


  • Beer
    $0.01
  • Alcohol
    $0.35

Sample the Local Flavors in Salta

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Salta:

  • From Cafayate Day Trip with Wine Tasting: $30
  • Full-day Cafayate, Lerma Valley, and Wine Tasting from Salta: $30
  • From Full-Day Tour to Cafayate with Wine Tasting: $33
  • Half Day Wine Tasting in Salta: $121
  • Full-Day Private Calchaquí Valley & Cafayate Wine Tour from Salta: $200


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

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 Salta Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Foz do Iguacu or Salta?

Salta has a larger population, and is about 75% larger than the population of Foz do Iguacu. When comparing the sizes of Foz do Iguacu and Salta, 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.