Should you visit Puerto Iguazu or Buenos Aires, Argentina?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Puerto Iguazu or Buenos Aires, Argentina? 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 Buenos Aires, Argentina?
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.
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Buenos Aires, federal capital of Argentina, also known as "The City of Tango", is best known for its energetic and unpredictable character. Like a restless child, Buenos Aires is a dynamic and modern city full of surprises. While its French-style palaces, rooftop restaurants, wide avenues and green plazas resemble European-style architecture, Buenos Aires preserves its musical, literary and culinary traditions. You can't miss dining in front of a Tango show, walking around the colourful streets of La Boca and visiting the renowned Recoleta Cemetery, designed by Argentina's most important architects and home to hundreds of illustrious corpses.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Argentina, The Best Eco Tours in Argentina, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Argentina, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Argentina.
Which place is cheaper, Buenos Aires, Argentina 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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Average Daily Cost
Per person, per day
Puerto Iguazu
$56
Buenos Aires, Argentina
$56
The average daily cost (per person) in Puerto Iguazu is $56, while the average daily cost in Buenos Aires, Argentina is $56. 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 Buenos Aires, Argentina in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation
Hotel or hostel for one person
Puerto Iguazu $40
Buenos Aires, Argentina $40
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Accommodation
Typical double-occupancy room
Puerto Iguazu
$80
Buenos Aires, Argentina
$80
Looking for a hotel in Puerto Iguazu or Buenos Aires, Argentina? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
Puerto Iguazu $3.05
Buenos Aires, Argentina $2.09
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Iguazu
Also for Puerto Iguazu, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Brazilian Waterfalls Tour and Bird Park with Transfer:
$97
-
Estancia Las Mercedes Day Trip with Lunch & Transfers:
$399
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Full-day private transfer to Iguazu Falls:
$185
-
Iguazú Falls Combo: Argentina & Brazil, with Transfers:
$86
-
Iguazu Falls Argentina Airport Roundtrip Transfer to Hotels:
$22
-
Iguazu Falls Argentina Brazil Duty Free Shop with Transfers:
$66
-
Iguazu Falls in 2 Days: Argentina & Brazil with Transfers:
$99
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Private Transfer between Airport and Downtown Iguazu:
$39
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Private Transfer from Puerto Iguazu Airport to Foz do Iguaçu:
$83
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Private Transfer to or from Puerto Iguazu Airport IGR:
$40
-
Puerto Iguazú Combo: Iguazu Falls 2 Day Tours + transfers:
$85
-
Puerto Iguazú Round-Trip Airport Transfer:
$25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Buenos Aires, Argentina:
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Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Buenos Aires HTL-APT (EZE):
$109
-
Transfer from Buenos Aires International Airport (EZE) to Cruise Terminal:
$137
-
Transfer Buenos Aires Downtown Hotel transfer to International Airport (EZE):
$116
-
Transfer Buenos Aires Domestic (AEP) or Cruise Terminal to Downtown Hotel:
$80
-
Transfer Airports-Cruise Port:
$190
-
Ticket Museum and Stadium Express Boca Juniors With Transfers:
$82
-
Tango Show in Tango Porteño - no transfers -:
$47
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Tango Show in Aljibe - No transfers:
$75
-
Tango Show La Ventana only show exclusive with transfer:
$96
-
Tango Show El Querandí No Transfers:
$78
-
Small group local Tango milonga with lesson and transfers:
$86
-
Roundtrip Private Transfer from Buenos Aires Airport (EZE):
$59
Is it cheaper to fly into Puerto Iguazu or Buenos Aires, Argentina?
Prices for flights to both Buenos Aires, Argentina 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
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:
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Puerto Iguazú: Madero Tango Show with Optional Dinner:
$34
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Madero Tango Show with Optional Dinner in Iguazu:
$39
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ASADOR: Argentine Asado Cooking Class:
$70
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Argentine Experience: Immersive Dinner & Wine Pairing in Iguazú:
$75
-
Iguazu Falls: The Argentine Experience Interactive Dinner:
$75
-
Churrascaria Rafain - Show and Dinner:
$125
-
Dinner Show Rafain Steakhouse from Puerto Iguazú Hotels Private Tour:
$130
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Dinner Tango Show in Iguazú Falls - no transfers -:
$152
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Experience Guamini Mision Dinner and Tango Show Gran Meliá Iguazú Exclusive:
$155
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FD Iguazu Falls Argentinian side + Dinner Tango Show -no transfer:
$211
-
Rafain Steakhouse Dinner & Show:
$232
-
Foz do Iguaçu: Argentinean Cooking Class:
$244
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
-
Esquina Homero Manzi Tango Show with Optional Transfer and Dinner:
$27
-
Tango Porteño Show with Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires:
$38
-
Tango Porteño Show in Buenos Aires (with optional dinner):
$39
-
Esquina Homero Manzi Tango Show Ticket Including Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires:
$39
-
BA: Premium Empanadas Cooking Class in Palermo:
$39
-
Tango Porteño Show or Dinner Show with Barra Libre Buenos Aires:
$40
-
Madero Tango Dance Show with Dinner on Demand:
$42
-
Señor Tango Show with Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires:
$45
-
BA: Small-Group Empanadas Cooking Class in Palermo:
$46
-
Early Tango Dinner Show with Optional Traditional Bus Transfer:
$46
-
El Viejo Almacen Tango Show with Optional Dinner:
$47
-
El Aljibe Tango Show in Buenos Aires with Optional Dinner:
$47
Entertainment
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Entertainment
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
Puerto Iguazu $33
Buenos Aires, Argentina $30
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:
$27
-
Iguazu Falls: Complete Argentine Side Experience:
$28
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Foz do Iguaçu: Brazil/Argentina Sides Iguazu Falls Day Tour:
$41
-
Explore Iguazu Falls in Brazil: An Unforgettable Experience:
$44
-
From San Ignacio Ruins and Wanda Mines Tour:
$46
-
Brazilian Side of Iguazu Falls Half-Day Sightseeing Tour:
$48
-
Brazilian Side of Iguazu Falls Tour from Puerto Iguazu:
$49
-
Full-Day Tour to Iguazu Falls:
$49
-
Iguazu Falls Argentine Side Tour & Ecological Train Ride:
$55
-
Visit to San Ignacio Ruins and Wanda Mines Full day Tour:
$57
-
Iguazu Falls : Complete Argentine Side Experience:
$59
Tours and Activities in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Here are a few actual costs in Buenos Aires, Argentina for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
-
Único tour sobre la Historia del Tango (sin mitos):
$60
-
"SAILING TOUR: Tango and Choripan (typical Argentine food):
$300
-
1-Hour Catamaran Cruise in the Tiger Delta:
$20
-
2 Hour Tour in Buenos Aires Parisina:
$43
-
2 Hours Football and Street Art Walking Tour in Buenos Aires:
$30
-
2 hrs. Walking Tour in San Telmo & Market:
$13
-
3 Hours Ultimate Buenos Aires Bar Tour:
$34
-
5 Hour Private Driving and Walking Tour of Buenos Aires:
$185
-
5 Stops Walking Tour of Buenos Aires hidden Wineries:
$82
-
5hs Small Group City Tour of Buenos Aires (Optional Street Food):
$54
-
A Back-Street Beer Brewing Tour of Buenos Aires:
$165
-
A Local's Grill: Hidden Tigre Island Experience - Grill & Wine:
$120
Alcohol
Sample the Local Flavors in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Also in Buenos Aires, Argentina, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
-
Buenos Aires Full City Tour with Wine Tasting and Stops:
$35
-
Exclusive Malbec Wine Tasting in Buenos Aires:
$42
-
Wine Tasting and Local Specialties in Buenos Aires:
$46
-
BA: Small Group Wine Tasting and Blending in Palermo:
$54
-
Malbec Wine Tasting at Boutique Hotel in Palermo:
$59
-
Wine Tasting in Palermo, City of Buenos Aires.:
$65
-
Wine Tasting and Tapas with Expert Sommelier in Buenos Aires:
$65
-
Tango Lesson and Wine Tasting in Buenos Aires, Argentina:
$65
-
Wine Tasting at Encuentro Nativo a Historic Tenement in Caminito:
$69
-
BA: Wine tour with 5 tasting stops in the heart of Palermo:
$78
-
Premium Wine Tasting in Buenos Aires:
$85
-
Malbec Wine Tasting in Buenos Aires Private Experience:
$92
When comparing the travel costs between Puerto Iguazu and Buenos Aires, Argentina, we can see that Puerto Iguazu 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 Puerto Iguazu Expensive? and Is Buenos Aires, Argentina Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Puerto Iguazu or Buenos Aires, Argentina?
Buenos Aires, Argentina has a larger population, and is about 410 times larger than the population of Puerto Iguazu. When comparing the sizes of Puerto Iguazu and Buenos Aires, Argentina, 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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