Which place is cheaper, Tena 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 Tena?
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 Tena 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 Tena?
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.
Tena
Tena is the capital of the Napo Province, an attractive and quiet city in the Amazon rainforest, and is known as the "cinnamon capital" of Ecuador. Tena has a friendly population, lots of backpacker infrastructure, a gorgeous setting surrounded by jungle-covered hills and a high concentration of surrounding rivers where white-water lovers from around the world come to paddle and kayak. The town provides a gateway to exploration into Ecuador's most accessible part of the great Amazon rainforest, which does not leave visitors disappointed. Beyond being a base for discovering the jungle and its wildlife, Tena is also a hub for adventure sports which are abundant in the area. Tena is a charming place where many travelers find themselves hanging around quite happily before or after a trip into the rainforest.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Jungle Trekking Tours in Brazil, The Best Luxury Tours to Brazil, The Best G Adventures Tours to Colombia, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bogota.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayFoz do Iguacu $66Tena $51
The average daily cost (per person) in Foz do Iguacu is $66, while the average daily cost in Tena is $51. 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 Tena in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFoz do Iguacu $29Tena $24
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFoz do Iguacu $58Tena $48
Compare Hotels in Foz do Iguacu and Tena
Looking for a hotel in Foz do Iguacu or Tena? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Foz do Iguacu $13Tena $17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Foz do Iguacu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Foz do Iguacu:
- Foz do Iguaçu Airport Private Transfer : $20
- Foz do Iguaçu Airport Shared Transfer: $7.00
- IGU Airport Transfers: $17
- Private E Bike Tour Iguaçu Waterfalls + Transfers + Tickets: $131
- Private Transfer to Foz do Iguaçu from the Airport: $161
- Private transfer from Foz do Iguaçu airport and bus station: $22
- Roundtrip Airport Transfer in Foz do Iguaçu: $50
- Shared Roundtrip Transfers with Brazilian and Argentinian sides: $140
- Transfer Cataratas Argentina: $19
- Transfer IN IGU & Iguassu Falls Brazilian side & Macuco Boat Safari: $220
- Transfer from Foz de Iguazu Airport to Hotels on the Argentine side: $42
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tena
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tena:
- Private Transfer from Villavieja to San Agustín: $150
- Popayan to Cali Private Transfer: $272
- Popayan to Cali Private Transfer: $272
- Round trip transfer in Private Car from-to Palonegro Airport(BGA) to Bucaramanga: $29
- Roundtrip transfer in private minivan Medellin airport (MDE)- Guatape: $84
- San Andres hotels to San Andres Airport (ADZ) Departure Transfer: $36
- Transfer in Private Car from Bucaramanga Palonegro Airport (BGA) to Bucaramanga: $15
- Transfer in private minivan Medellin airport (MDE)- Guatape: $42
Is it cheaper to fly into Foz do Iguacu or Tena?
Prices for flights to both Tena 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 $22Tena $15
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
- 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
- Foz do Iguacu Dancing Musical Show with Dinner and Pickup: $208
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Foz do Iguacu $24Tena $15
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
- Ciudad del Este Shopping Tour: $14
- 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
- City Tour with Buddhist Temple and Muslim Mosque: $48
Tours and Activities in Tena
Here are a few actual costs in Tena for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Full Day Adventure Laguna Negra-Páramo de Ocetá from Mongua: $20
- 4-Hour Private Walking Tour along Ruta de Las Flores: $42
- Unique experience flying paragliding: $50
- Gastronomic Private Walking Tour in Popayán: $50
- Private 2-hour Diving Experience with Instructor: $65
- Private Guided Tour to Piedra Colgada and Indian Face and Lagoon: $75
- Tour 5 Rosario Islands: $94
- Scuba Diving Private Tour in San Andres: $130
- Enjoy a Coffee Tour & Santa Fe de Antioquia Colonial Town!!: $135
- Popayán Tour from Cali: $216
- Popayan and Silvia Town Private Tour from Cali: $240
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayFoz do Iguacu $12Tena $10
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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Foz do Iguacu and Tena, we can see that Foz do Iguacu is more expensive. And not only is Tena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Tena would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tena 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 Tena.
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 Tena Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Foz do Iguacu or Tena?
Foz do Iguacu has a larger population, and is about 420 times larger than the population of Tena. When comparing the sizes of Foz do Iguacu and Tena, 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.
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.