Which place is cheaper, Asuncion 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.
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Should you visit Puerto Iguazu or Asuncion?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Puerto Iguazu or Asuncion? 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 Asuncion?
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.
Asuncion
Asuncion is a vastly underrated city. It is the capital but also the administrative economic and cultural center of Paraguay. It is located in the south central part of the country, near the border with Argentina and it is one of the oldest cities in South America, with people living here since almost 500 years. The city has a beautiful and simple center, with a few unique colonial and beaux arts buildings, international cuisine, shady plazas and friendly people. Its handful of historic buildings around the Plaza de los Heroes, Plaza Uruguaya and Manzana de la Ribera, two or three small museums, old bars and cafes, but also smart suburbs, ritzy shopping malls and fashionable nightclubs will keep you entertained for a day or two. It is a very charming city for travellers and apart from the sights, the city boasts a good tourist infrastructure with hotels and restaurants.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Argentina, and The Best Eco Tours in Argentina.
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Puerto Iguazu Prices
Argentina PricesAsuncion Prices
Paraguay Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPuerto Iguazu $56Asuncion $97
The average daily cost (per person) in Puerto Iguazu is $56, while the average daily cost in Asuncion is $97. 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 Asuncion in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPuerto Iguazu $40Asuncion $27
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPuerto Iguazu $80Asuncion $54
Compare Hotels in Puerto Iguazu and Asuncion
Looking for a hotel in Puerto Iguazu or Asuncion? 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: Asuncion Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Puerto Iguazu $3.05Asuncion $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Iguazu
Also for Puerto Iguazu, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Wanda Mines Guided Tour with Transfer / From Iguassu Falls: $56
- One-Way or Round Trip Airport Transfer: $14
- Falls Package Both Sides with Transfers: $160
- Puerto Iguazu Airport Shuttle Transfer: $21
- Puerto Iguazú: Jungle Fly Adventure with Transfers: $166
- Puerto Iguazú Round-Trip Airport Transfer: $25
- Puerto Iguazú Combo: Iguazu Falls 2 Day Tours + transfers: $85
- Private Transfer to or from Puerto Iguazu Airport IGR: $40
- Private Transfer from Puerto Iguazu Airport to Foz do Iguaçu: $83
- Iguazu Falls in 2 Days: Argentina & Brazil with Transfers: $99
- Iguazu Falls Argentina Airport Roundtrip Transfer to Hotels: $22
- Iguazu Falls (Argentina & Brazil) + Biocenter with Transfers: $126
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Asuncion
Also for Asuncion, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Silvio Pettirossi Airport to Asuncion Transfers: $50
- Roundtrip Private Transfer from Asuncion Airport (ASU): $50
- Private Transfer to Asuncion Airport (ASU): $26
- Private Transfer from Asuncion Airport (ASU): $26
Is it cheaper to fly into Puerto Iguazu or Asuncion?
Prices for flights to both Asuncion 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 $6.26Asuncion $36
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: $34
- Madero Tango Show with Optional Dinner in Iguazu: $39
- ASADOR: Argentine Asado Cooking Class: $70
- Argentine Experience: Immersive Dinner & Wine Pairing in Iguazú: $75
- Iguazu Falls: The Argentine Experience Interactive Dinner: $75
- Dinner Show Rafain Steakhouse Gran Meliá Hotel Exclusive - Private Tour: $120
- Churrascaria Rafain - Show and Dinner: $125
- 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
- Rafain Steakhouse Dinner & Show: $232
- Foz do Iguaçu: Argentinean Cooking Class: $244
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Puerto Iguazu $33Asuncion $20
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
- 3-Day Iguazu Falls Exploring Tour From Argentina and Brazil: $255
- Argentine Falls Package with Great Adventure and Brazilian Falls: $260
- Argentine Gastronomy Experience in Iguazú: $95
- Argentinean Falls with Gran Aventura Boat Tour: $261
- Bike Tour Iguazú Adventure and Nature in the Missionary Jungle: $90
- Bird Park & Iguassu Brazilian Side Gran Meliá Hotel Exclusive - Private Tour: $160
- 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: $48
- Brazilian Side of Iguazu Falls Tour from Puerto Iguazu: $49
- Brazilian Side of the Falls - All Tickets Included: $77
- City Tour Puerto Iguazu Belmond Hotel das Cataratas: $135
Tours and Activities in Asuncion
For Asuncion, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Asunción Private Walking Tour with a Local: $35
- Asuncion : Custom Walking Tour with A Guide (Private Tour): $36
- Asuncion Birding Tour: $100
- Asuncion Highlights Walking Tour with a Guide: $29
- Asuncion Walking Tour: Explore Top Sights & Hidden Gems: $30
- Birding and Nature Chaco Tour: $160
- Cultural City 3 Hour Tour in Asuncion by Bus: $180
- Day Tour “Cerrito”: $231
- Day tour “Pai Pukú”: $230
- Full Day Fishing Tour: $300
- Full day Paraguay River Nature and Wildlife Boat Tour: $230
- Panoramic Private Airplane Flight Experience Over Asuncion: $282
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPuerto Iguazu $7.81Asuncion $12
Typical Alcohol Prices in Asuncion
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Asuncion are as follows:
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Beer$1.48
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Puerto Iguazu and Asuncion, we can see that Asuncion 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 Asuncion would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Asuncion 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 Asuncion Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Puerto Iguazu or Asuncion?
Asuncion has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Puerto Iguazu. When comparing the sizes of Puerto Iguazu and Asuncion, 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.