Which place is cheaper, Arequipa or Puerto Iguazu?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Puerto Iguazu or Arequipa?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Puerto Iguazu or Arequipa? 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 Arequipa?
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.
Arequipa
Sitting in the middle of the Misti, Chachani and PichuPichu volcanoes of Peru is the enchanting city of Arequipa. With 468 years of history, the city is full of Spanish colonial architecture. Known to locals as the "white city," the city center, Plaza de Armas, is quite the sight with buildings of sillar white stone made from the rocks of the surrounding volcanoes.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Argentina, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Argentina, The Best Luxury Tours to Peru, and The Best Budget Tours to Peru.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPuerto Iguazu $7.77Arequipa $46
The average daily cost (per person) in Puerto Iguazu is $7.77, while the average daily cost in Arequipa is $46. 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 Arequipa in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPuerto Iguazu $3.08Arequipa $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPuerto Iguazu $6.16Arequipa $46
Compare Hotels in Puerto Iguazu and Arequipa
Looking for a hotel in Puerto Iguazu or Arequipa? 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: Puerto Iguazu Hotel Prices and Arequipa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Puerto Iguazu $2.38Arequipa $5.86
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Iguazu
Also for Puerto Iguazu, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Argentine and Brazilian Falls with transfers: $71
- Full day tour visit to Iguazu Falls with transfers from airport : $120
- Iguazú Falls Brazil & Argentina 3-Day In-Out Transfers: $64
- Iguazu Falls Argentina Airport Roundtrip Transfer to Hotels: $21
- Iguazu Falls Saver Package! Both sides excursions & transfers : $79
- Private Transfer from Puerto Iguazu Airport to Foz do Iguaçu: $93
- Puerto Iguazú Combo: Iguazu Falls 2 Day Tours + transfers: $98
- Puerto Iguazu Airport Shuttle Transfer: $10
- One-Way or Round Trip Airport Transfer: $8.00
- One-Way or Round Trip Airport Transfer: $11
- Transfer In + Transfer Out IGR Airport Puerto Iguazú Hotels Selva de Iryapu: $145
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Arequipa
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Arequipa are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$1.32
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Bus Ride$0.42
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Taxi Ride$0.92
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arequipa
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Arequipa:
- transfer Airport - Hotel: $21
- Sihanouk Ville Airport Pickup or Transfer Private Car: $32
- Shared Arrival Transfer: Arequipa Airport to Hotels: $51
- Private Transfer between Chivay and Puno: $299
- Private Transfer between Arequipa and Puno: $299
- Private Transfer From Arequipa To Puno With a 2 Hour Stop: $245
- Koh Lanta any hotel to Krabi airport Private transfer: $72
- Full Day Tour to Colca including Transfer to Puno: $60
- From Colca Canyon Tour 1 Day and Transfer to Puno: $129
- From 2-Day Colca Canyon Tour with Transfer to Puno: $98
- From 2-Day Colca Canyon Tour with Transfer to Puno: $103
- Airport private transfer to/from the city center: $26
Is it cheaper to fly into Puerto Iguazu or Arequipa?
Prices for flights to both Arequipa 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 dayPuerto Iguazu $2.85Arequipa $13
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:
- Puerto Iguazú: Madero Tango Show with Optional Dinner: $33
- Madero Tango Show with Optional Dinner in Iguazu: $33
- Argentine Experience: Immersive Dinner & Wine Pairing in Iguazú: $60
- Iguazu Falls: The Argentine Experience Interactive Dinner: $69
- From Foz do Iguaçu: Madero Tango with dinner: $101
- Experience Guamini Mision Dinner and Tango Show Selva Iriapu Hotels Exclusive: $110
- Rafain Steakhouse Dinner & Show: $117
- Churrascaria Rafain - Show and Dinner : $117
- Foz do Iguaçu: Argentinean Cooking Class: $135
- FD Iguazu Falls Argentinian side + Dinner Tango Show -no transfer: $140
- Dinner Tango Show in Iguazú Falls - no transfers -: $145
- Experience Guamini Mision Dinner and Tango Show Belmond Hotel: $160
Typical Food Prices in Arequipa
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Arequipa:
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Coke$0.40
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Lunch$2.77
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Ice Cream$1.06
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Fruit$0.79
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Ice Cream$0.92
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Arequipa
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Arequipa.
- Peruvian Cooking Experience in Arequipa: $35
- Peruvian Cooking Class: $48
- Peruvian Cooking Class: $48
- Cooking Class Typical Food in Arequipa: $48
- Private Cooking Class in Arequipa: $57
- Arequipa Ancestral Cuisine and City and Food Tour: $69
- A 3-hour Guided Food Tour with 4 Iconic Restaurants of Arequipa: $79
- Arequipa Food Tour: Ancestral Cuisine & City Tour: $85
- Peruvian cooking experience, pisco sour and visit local market: $95
- Arequipa Food Tour Experience: $115
- Food Tour Experience: $115
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Puerto Iguazu $2.54Arequipa $18
Tours and Activities in Puerto Iguazu
For Puerto Iguazu, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Iguazu Falls Argentinian Side Full-Day Tour: $18
- Hito Tres Fronters and La Aripuca City Tour: $28
- Argentinian Iguazu Falls Full Day Tour: $33
- From Foz do Iguaçu: Tour to Argentinian Falls: $34
- Iguazu Falls Full Day Tour Argentine Side With Optional Brazilian Falls: $34
- Ciudad del Este Shopping Tour: $34
- Argentina Iguazu Falls Bus Tour: $37
- From Foz do Iguaçu: Iguazu Cruise Expedition: $39
- Iguazu Falls Brazilian Side Tour: $40
- City tour with stops at tourist attractions: $40
- Iguazu Falls: one-day tour on the Argentine side: $40
- Brazilian Side of Iguazu Falls Half-Day Sightseeing Tour : $43
Typical Entertainment Prices in Arequipa
Here are a few typical costs in Arequipa for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Monastery Entry$2.64
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Salsa Class$2.64
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Movie Ticket$2.88
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Hot Springs$2.64
Tours and Activities in Arequipa
Here are a few actual costs in Arequipa for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2 Day - Colca Canyon and Condor Tour from Arequipa, Peru - Group Service : $295
- 2 Day Tour to Colca Canyon: $45
- 2 Days of Natural Experience in the Colca Canyon: $140
- 2 days and 1 night tour in the Colca Canyon: $205
- 2 days and 1 night tour to Colca Canyon from Arequipa: $90
- 2-Day Misti Volcano Tour: $117
- 2-Day Tour in Colca Valley: $60
- 2-Day Tour to the Magical Colca Canyon: $68
- 2-Day || Adventure From Arequipa to Chachani Volcano ||: $143
- 2-day tour to the Colca Valley and the Cruz del Condor: $99
- 3 Hour Congata Rover Biking Ride Tour in Arequipa: $45
- 3-Day Cotahuasi Canyon Tour: $350
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPuerto Iguazu $1.22Arequipa $15
Typical Alcohol Prices in Arequipa
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Arequipa are as follows:
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Beer$2.38
Sample the Local Flavors in Arequipa
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Arequipa:
- Pub Crawl Tour in Arequipa with VIP Access.: $25
- From Pisco and wine tour through the Majes Valley: $50
- Pub Crawl Tour in Arequipa with Drinks and VIP Access.: $60
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Puerto Iguazu and Arequipa, we can see that Arequipa is more expensive. And not only is Puerto Iguazu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Arequipa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Arequipa 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 Arequipa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Puerto Iguazu or Arequipa?
Arequipa has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Puerto Iguazu. When comparing the sizes of Puerto Iguazu and Arequipa, 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.