A Travel Price Comparison for Argentina Puerto Iguazu vs. El Calafate for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Puerto Iguazu or El Calafate?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Puerto Iguazu or El Calafate? 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 El Calafate?

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.

El Calafate

Located in Patagonia, El Calafate has become a popular tourist destination in Argentina because of its beautiful setting on the stunningly blue Lago Argentina. The town sits on the southern border of the lake in the southwestern part of the Santa Cruz Province. It's about 320 kilometers from Rio Gallegos.

The rise in popularity of Patagonia as a tourist destination has truly put this small town on the map. You'll find no shortage of trekkers in the town and it makes an excellent base to explore different parts of the Los Glaciares National Park. Popular places to visit include Perito Moreno Glacier, Cerro Chalten, and Cerro Torre.

El Calafate has a cold semi-arid climate. The summers are cool to warm and very dry while the winters are cold and damp. Lago Argentino has a significant influence over the town's climate. The shallow bay where the town is located is usually frozen during the winter months.

Check out our ultimate guide to Hiking in Patagonia.

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 10-Day Tours in Argentina, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Argentina.


Which place is cheaper, El Calafate 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 $80, while the average daily cost in El Calafate is $82. 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 El Calafate in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Puerto Iguazu $57
    El Calafate $51
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Puerto Iguazu $114
    El Calafate $102
Compare Hotels in Puerto Iguazu and El Calafate

Looking for a hotel in Puerto Iguazu or El Calafate? 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.

Hotels in Puerto Iguazu


Hotels in El Calafate


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 El Calafate Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Puerto Iguazu $4.31
    El Calafate $5.89

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Iguazu

Also for Puerto Iguazu, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Transfer from Iguazú Airport to hotels on the Argentine side: $30
  • Transfer In + Transfer Out IGR Airport Puerto Iguazú Hotels Selva de Iryapu: $145
  • One-Way or Round Trip Airport Transfer: $8.00
  • One-Way or Round Trip Airport Transfer: $11
  • Puerto Iguazu Airport Shuttle Transfer: $15
  • Puerto Iguazú Combo: Iguazu Falls 2 Day Tours + transfers: $110
  • Private Transfers Full Day Iguazú Falls: $85
  • Private Transfer to or from Puerto Iguazu Airport IGR: $35
  • Private Transfer from Puerto Iguazu Airport to Foz do Iguaçu: $72
  • Iguazu Falls 2-Day Tour with Airport Transfer: $301
  • Iguazu Airport Private Transfer: $18
  • Iguazú Falls Brazil & Argentina 3-Day In-Out Transfers: $86

Hired Cars and Shuttles in El Calafate

Also for El Calafate, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer: Calafate Airport to City Center: $59
  • Private Transfer Hotel-Bus Station or Bus Station-Hotel (Calafate): $35
  • Private Airport Transfer in Calafate: $45
  • Point-to-Point Transfers from Airport to Calafate City: $33
  • Perito Moreno Glacier Expedition with Transfer & Guide inc.: $98
  • Perito Moreno Full Day Minitrekking with Transfer & Walkways: $600
  • Glaciares Gourmet: boat tour + Lunch. Transfers & disembark opt. : $295
  • Excursion to the Perito Moreno Glacier, with guide and transfer to / from the hotel: $79
  • Transfers Between Airport and Hotels: $34
  • Private Airport Transfer: $64
  • Perito Moreno Glacier Mini Trek with Transfer: $636
  • Laguna de Los Tres Transfer & Self-Guided Hike: $140

Is it cheaper to fly into Puerto Iguazu or El Calafate?

Prices for flights to both El Calafate 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 Meals for one day
    Puerto Iguazu $8.85
    El Calafate $9.38

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: $33
  • Puerto Iguazú: Madero Tango Show with Optional Dinner: $34
  • Argentine Experience: Immersive Dinner & Wine Pairing in Iguazú: $65
  • Iguazu Falls: The Argentine Experience Interactive Dinner: $65
  • From Foz do Iguaçu: Madero Tango with dinner: $108
  • Dinner Show Rafain Steakhouse from Puerto Iguazú Hotels Private Tour: $120
  • Dinner Show Rafain Steakhouse Gran Meliá Hotel Exclusive - Private Tour: $120
  • Foz do Iguaçu: Argentinean Cooking Class: $130
  • Churrascaria Rafain - Show and Dinner : $140
  • Dinner Tango Show in Iguazú Falls - no transfers -: $145
  • Experience Guamini Mision Dinner and Tango Show Belmond Hotel: $160

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in El Calafate

For El Calafate, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Estancia 25 de Mayo Tour with Dinner & Transfer: $117
  • Lakes and Caves Tour with Dinner: $205
  • Lakes and Caves Tour with Dinner and Wine Included: $207
  • Estancia 25 de Mayo Experience with Dinner from Calafate: $210
  • Estancia 25 de Mayo in El Calafate - PM visit with dinner: $240

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Puerto Iguazu $47
    El Calafate $73

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: $590
  • 3-Day Iguazu Falls Exploring Tour: $234
  • Argentina: Full-Day Iguazu Falls and Great Adventure Tour: $152
  • Argentine Falls Package with Great Adventure and Brazilian Falls: $250
  • Argentinean Falls with Gran Aventura Boat Tour: $219
  • Argentinian Iguazu Falls Full Day Tour: $32
  • Bird Park & Iguassu Brazilian Side From Puerto Iguazú Hotels - Private Tour: $135
  • Bird Park & Iguassu Brazilian Side Gran Meliá Hotel Exclusive - Private Tour: $130
  • Brazilian Side Falls: Brazilian Falls Tour with Parque Das Aves:: $140
  • Brazilian Side of Iguassu Falls and Itaipu Dam Full-Day Sightseeing Tour from Puerto Iguazú: $110
  • Brazilian Side of Iguazu Falls Tour from Puerto Iguazu: $49
  • Brazilian Side of the Falls - All Tickets Included: $72

Tours and Activities in El Calafate

For El Calafate, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Blue Safari Experience: Hiking and Navigation on Glaciers: $180
  • Boat Tour from El Calafate "Todo Glaciares" / "All Glaciers" : $235
  • CAÑADON EXPERIENCE - TREKKING & STAY - PRIVATE VEHICLE: $1,400
  • CALAFATE: Panoramic tour: The best balconies of Calafate: $245
  • Calafate 4-Day Tour: Glaciers, Premium Navigation & Safari: $1,450
  • Calafate Panoramic tour: The best balconies of Calafate 4x4: $290
  • DARWIN EXPERIENCE KAYAK & ADVENTURE: $240
  • Darwin Experience - kayaks & adventure: $240
  • Day Tour to the Perito Moreno Glacier from El Calafate: $75
  • Discover La Leona Petrified Forest: Guided Hiking Tour: $240
  • EL CALAFATE Native experience lakes and caverns: $242
  • El Calafate Balconies Experience - Tour in FWD vehicle: $219

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Puerto Iguazu $11
    El Calafate $12

Sample the Local Flavors in El Calafate

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in El Calafate:

  • Calafate Wine Tours | Pedestrian City Tour Paired with Wines: $78


When comparing the travel costs between Puerto Iguazu and El Calafate, we can see that El Calafate 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 El Calafate Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Puerto Iguazu or El Calafate?

Puerto Iguazu has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of El Calafate. When comparing the sizes of Puerto Iguazu and El Calafate, 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.