Should you visit Puerto Iguazu or Antigua Guatemala?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Puerto Iguazu or Antigua Guatemala? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Puerto Iguazu or Antigua Guatemala?
Puerto Iguazu
Puerto Iguazu is located in the northeastern part of Argentina at the border with Paraguay and Brazil. It is a tourist city and travel destination because of its close proximity to Iguazu Falls, which is only 18 kilometers away. Much of the city's infrastructure has grown to maintain the tourist crowds that come to see the falls. The town itself has a population of slightly over 80,000.
Antigua Guatemala
Before a disastrous earthquake in 1773, Antigua was the colonial capital of Guatemala. For 200 years it had reigned as so and today shows remnants of its glorious past with Spanish colonial buildings and other architectural landmarks still standing. Due to this large amount of preserved architecture, Antigua was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is now the most touristed city of Guatemala.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Argentina, The Best Eco Tours in Argentina, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Guatemala City, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Guatemala.
Which place is cheaper, Antigua Guatemala or Puerto Iguazu?
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 Puerto Iguazu is $55, while the average daily cost in Antigua Guatemala is $74. 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 Puerto Iguazu and Antigua Guatemala in more detail.
Accommodation
Looking for a hotel in Puerto Iguazu or Antigua Guatemala? 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:
Antigua Guatemala Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Iguazu
Also for Puerto Iguazu, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Estancia Las Mercedes Day Trip with Lunch & Transfers:
$399
-
Full-day private transfer to Iguazu Falls:
$185
-
Puerto Iguazú: Jungle Fly Adventure with Transfers:
$166
-
Falls Package Both Sides with Transfers:
$160
-
Iguazu Falls (Argentina & Brazil) + Biocenter with Transfers:
$126
-
Brazilian Waterfalls Tour and Bird Park with Transfer:
$108
-
Iguazu Falls in 2 Days: Argentina & Brazil with Transfers:
$99
-
Iguazú Falls Combo: Argentina & Brazil, with Transfers:
$86
-
Puerto Iguazú Combo: Iguazu Falls 2 Day Tours + transfers:
$85
-
Private Transfer from Puerto Iguazu Airport to Foz do Iguaçu:
$83
-
Iguazu Falls Saver Package! Both sides excursions & transfers:
$79
-
Wanda Mines Guided Tour with Transfer / From Iguassu Falls:
$56
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Antigua Guatemala
Also for Antigua Guatemala, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
transfer service Guatemala City, Lake Atitlan destination:
$35
-
Shared transfer from Guatemala city Airport to Panajachel:
$44
-
Shared Transfer From Antigua to Panajachel (Atitlan):
$30
-
Private transfer from Antigua to La Aurora Airport:
$90
-
Private airport transfer Antigua:
$55
-
Private Transfer:Antigua GuatemalaLake Atitlán(Pana)OneWay:
$74
-
Private Transfer from the Airport to Antigua:
$90
-
Private Transfer from Antigua to La Aurora Airport:
$34
-
Private Transfer from Antigua Guatemala to Santa Catarina Palopó:
$88
-
Private Transfer from Antigua Guatemala to Panajachel:
$75
-
Private Transfer from Antigua Guatemala to Panajachel:
$180
-
Private Transfer One Way Antigua Guatemala to El Paredon Beach:
$75
Is it cheaper to fly into Puerto Iguazu or Antigua Guatemala?
Prices for flights to both Antigua Guatemala and Puerto Iguazu 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 day
Puerto Iguazu $6.11
Antigua Guatemala $25
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Puerto Iguazu
For Puerto Iguazu, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
Madero Tango Show with Optional Dinner in Iguazu:
$34
-
Puerto Iguazú: Madero Tango Show with Optional Dinner:
$34
-
Argentine Experience: Immersive Dinner & Wine Pairing in Iguazú:
$75
-
Iguazu Falls: The Argentine Experience Interactive Dinner:
$75
-
Dinner Show Rafain Steakhouse from Puerto Iguazú Hotels Private Tour:
$130
-
Dinner Tango Show in Iguazú Falls - no transfers -:
$152
-
Experience Guamini Mision Dinner and Tango Show Gran Meliá Iguazú Exclusive:
$155
-
FD Iguazu Falls Argentinian side + Dinner Tango Show -no transfer:
$211
-
Rafain Steakhouse Dinner & Show:
$232
-
Foz do Iguaçu: Argentinean Cooking Class:
$244
-
Puerto Iguazú: Romantic Dinner at Pristine Iguazú Camp:
$306
-
Puerto Iguazú: Pristine Day Iguazú Nature and Food Tour:
$332
Typical Food Prices in Antigua Guatemala
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Antigua Guatemala:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Antigua Guatemala
For Antigua Guatemala, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
Mamma Yamma PACAYA COOKING CLASS by chef David Farfán:
$38
-
Antigua Guatemalan Authentic Cooking Class Chef David Farfan:
$38
-
Antigua: Traditional Guatemalan Cooking Classes — Casa San Miguel.:
$38
-
Antigua: Traditional cooking lesson with a Guatemalan family:
$48
-
Cooking class and market tour/Pepian Workshop:
$50
-
Pepián Plates Antigua Food Tour with 14+ Tastings:
$59
-
Mayan Meals Food Tour with 14+ Tastings:
$59
-
Antigua: Guatemalan Cooking Class with a Local Family:
$60
-
Private Cooking Class of Typical Guatemalan Dishes:
$70
-
Antigua: Cooking Class With Wine, Transfer & Vegan Option:
$72
-
Antigua: Cooking Class with Local Family:
$75
-
Guatemalan Mayan Cooking Workshop:
$75
Entertainment
Tours and Activities in Puerto Iguazu
For Puerto Iguazu, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
-
2Day Iguazu Tour HELICOPTER Ride & Airfare from Buenos Aires:
$1,290
-
Argentina Waterfalls Full Day Tour:
$36
-
Argentine Falls Package with Great Adventure and Brazilian Falls:
$260
-
Argentinean Falls with Gran Aventura Boat Tour:
$261
-
Bike Tour Iguazú Adventure and Nature in the Missionary Jungle:
$92
-
Bird Park & Iguassu Brazilian Side From Puerto Iguazú Hotels - Private Tour:
$145
-
Bird Park & Iguassu Brazilian Side Gran Meliá Hotel Exclusive - Private Tour:
$160
-
Brazilian Iguazu Falls including Macuco Safari Boat Adventure:
$169
-
Brazilian Side of Iguassu Falls and Itaipu Dam Full-Day Sightseeing Tour from Puerto Iguazú:
$108
-
Brazilian Side of Iguazu Falls Half-Day Sightseeing Tour:
$53
-
Brazilian Side of Iguazu Falls Tour from Puerto Iguazu:
$49
-
Brazilian Side of the Falls - All Tickets Included:
$77
Tours and Activities in Antigua Guatemala
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Antigua Guatemala.
-
¡Pacaya Volcano Tour from Antigua!:
$100
-
2 - Days : Tour to Acatenango Volcano from Antigua:
$150
-
2-Day Kayak and Hike Adventure Package from Antigua:
$219
-
2-Day, 1-Night Tour of Volcano Acatenango from Antigua:
$92
-
2in1 Tour: Avocado Farm + Private Tour in Antigua Guatemala:
$220
-
4 Hour Colonial Experience in Antigua Guatemala:
$35
-
4-Hour Colonial Experience in Antigua Guatemala:
$25
-
4WD Acatenango Volcano Tour & Fuego / All Inclusive !:
$400
-
4WD experience to Acatenango Volcano/Fuego Volcano from Antigua:
$333
-
4x4 tour from Antigua with a night camp in front of the Fuego volcano:
$1,300
-
ANTIGUA Villages Tour:
$103
-
ATV Off Road Adventure at Pacaya Volcano from Antigua:
$99
Alcohol
Sample the Local Flavors in Antigua Guatemala
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Antigua Guatemala:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Puerto Iguazu and Antigua Guatemala, we can see that Antigua Guatemala is more expensive. And not only is Puerto Iguazu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Puerto Iguazu is in South America and Antigua Guatemala is in Central America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Puerto Iguazu would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Puerto Iguazu 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 Antigua Guatemala would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Antigua Guatemala than you might in Puerto Iguazu.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Puerto Iguazu Expensive? and Is Antigua Guatemala Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Puerto Iguazu or Antigua Guatemala?
Antigua Guatemala has a larger population, and is about 23% larger than the population of Puerto Iguazu. When comparing the sizes of Puerto Iguazu and Antigua Guatemala, 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.
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