A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Foz do Iguacu vs. Santa Cruz de la Sierra for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Foz do Iguacu or Santa Cruz de la Sierra?

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 Santa Cruz de la Sierra 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 Santa Cruz de la Sierra?

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.

Santa Cruz de la Sierra

Santa Cruz de la Sierra, or simply Santa Cruz, is a larger city in the middle of Bolivia. It is also one of the most wealthy cities in the country. The city is also one of the fastest growing in the world. It is famous for its nightlife and it makes an excellent base for exploring many of the tourist attractions in the nearby areas.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Brazil, The Best Budget Tours to Brazil, The Best Tours Under $1000 in Bolivia, and The Best Luxury Tours to Bolivia.


Which place is cheaper, Santa Cruz de la Sierra 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.

  • Foz do Iguacu Prices
    Brazil Prices
    Santa Cruz de la Sierra Prices
    Bolivia Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Foz do Iguacu $79
    Santa Cruz de la Sierra $68

The average daily cost (per person) in Foz do Iguacu is $79, while the average daily cost in Santa Cruz de la Sierra is $68. 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 Santa Cruz de la Sierra in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Foz do Iguacu $28
    Santa Cruz de la Sierra $22
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Foz do Iguacu $56
    Santa Cruz de la Sierra $44
Compare Hotels in Foz do Iguacu and Santa Cruz de la Sierra

Looking for a hotel in Foz do Iguacu or Santa Cruz de la Sierra? 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 Santa Cruz de la Sierra


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 Santa Cruz de la Sierra Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Foz do Iguacu $13
    Santa Cruz de la Sierra $9.90

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Foz do Iguacu

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Foz do Iguacu:

  • Foz do Iguaçu Airport Shared Transfer: $10
  • Foz do Iguaçu Round-Trip Airport Transfer: $39
  • Private E Bike Tour Iguaçu Waterfalls + Transfers + Tickets: $120
  • Private Transfer from IGU to Any Point within Foz Do Iguaçu City: $80
  • Private Transfer to Foz do Iguaçu from the Airport: $154
  • Private airport transfers - Brazil - Argentina - Paraguay : $42
  • Shared Roundtrip Transfers with Brazilian and Argentinian sides: $127
  • Transfer IN IGU & Iguassu Falls Brazilian side & Macuco Boat Safari: $220
  • Transfer In - Airport Hotel: $8.00
  • Transfer Paraguay - Shopping : $29
  • Transfer from Foz de Iguazu Airport to Hotels on the Argentine side: $70

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Santa Cruz de la Sierra

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Santa Cruz de la Sierra:


  • Taxi Ride
    $4.34
  • Mini Bus
    $0.58

Is it cheaper to fly into Foz do Iguacu or Santa Cruz de la Sierra?

Prices for flights to both Santa Cruz de la Sierra 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
    Santa Cruz de la Sierra $34

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

Typical Food Prices in Santa Cruz de la Sierra

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Santa Cruz de la Sierra:


  • Snacks
    $3.18
  • Chips
    $0.29
  • Banana
    $0.14
  • Cookies
    $1.30

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santa Cruz de la Sierra

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Santa Cruz de la Sierra.

  • Guided Street Food Tour: Santa Cruz de la Sierra: $10

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Foz do Iguacu $23
    Santa Cruz de la Sierra $19

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 Santa Cruz de la Sierra

Here are a few actual costs in Santa Cruz de la Sierra for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Walking tour - A journey through the History of Santa Cruz: $11
  • Lomas de Arena Sandboarding Tour: $42
  • Santa Cruz: Wildlife Sanctuary and Preservation Park Tour: $85
  • Day Tour /El Fuerte & Samaipata: $98
  • Day Tour Jardin de las Delicias: $99

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Foz do Iguacu $11
    Santa Cruz de la Sierra $14
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

Typical Alcohol Prices in Santa Cruz de la Sierra

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Santa Cruz de la Sierra from other travelers:


  • Beer
    $1.59

Sample the Local Flavors in Santa Cruz de la Sierra

Also in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Bolivia: Bolivian Wine Tasting with Charcuterie Board: $39


When comparing the travel costs between Foz do Iguacu and Santa Cruz de la Sierra, 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 Santa Cruz de la Sierra Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Foz do Iguacu or Santa Cruz de la Sierra?

Santa Cruz de la Sierra has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Foz do Iguacu. When comparing the sizes of Foz do Iguacu and Santa Cruz de la Sierra, 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.