Which place is cheaper, Guadalajara 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 Guadalajara?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Puerto Iguazu or Guadalajara? 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 Guadalajara?
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.
Guadalajara
Guadalajara is the capital of the state of Jalisco in western Mexico, as well as one of the country's largest cities. It is best known for tequila and mariachi music, which both originate in Jalisco, as well as a thriving historic center with colonial architecture and landmarks.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Argentina, The Best Eco Tours in Argentina, The Best 2-Week Tours from Cancun, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico.
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Puerto Iguazu Prices
Argentina PricesGuadalajara Prices
Mexico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPuerto Iguazu $55Guadalajara $136
The average daily cost (per person) in Puerto Iguazu is $55, while the average daily cost in Guadalajara is $136. 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 Guadalajara in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPuerto Iguazu $39Guadalajara $38
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPuerto Iguazu $78Guadalajara $76
Compare Hotels in Puerto Iguazu and Guadalajara
Looking for a hotel in Puerto Iguazu or Guadalajara? 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: Guadalajara Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Puerto Iguazu $2.98Guadalajara $35
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 Guadalajara
Also for Guadalajara, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from International Airport to Tequila Jalisco: $87
- Transfer by car to or from Guadalajara Airport: $119
- Transfer Private Guadalajara Airport Single: $82
- Transfer Guadalajara Airport and Tequila Airport: $117
- Tequila to Guadalajara Airport (GDL) - Departure Private Transfer: $97
- Private transfer to or from Guadalajara airport: $87
- Private Transfer from Guadalajara to Morelia: $235
- Private Transfer Guadalajara Redondo Airport: $125
- Private Driver Guadalajara Full Day Tours andTransfers: $130
- Luxury Private Airport Transfer in Guadalajara Executive Service: $87
- Guadalajara to Tequila - Private Transfer with English-speaking driver: $171
- Guadalajara Airport Private Transfer to Ajijic & Chapala: $289
Is it cheaper to fly into Puerto Iguazu or Guadalajara?
Prices for flights to both Guadalajara 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 $6.11Guadalajara $74
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guadalajara
For Guadalajara, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Private Guadalajara Street Food Tour - Best Rated: $39
- Private Street Food Tour and City Tour Guadalajara - Best Rated: $54
- Tapatio Tastes Food Tour with 13+ Tastings: $59
- Guadalajara Market Food Tour & Historic Landmarks Walk: $64
- Best Private Street Food Tour with Noemi: $82
- Food Tour in Guadalajara: $86
- Traditional Mexican Food Tour: Market & Local Barrio Experience.: $95
- Guadalajara Street Food Tour: Taste the Best of Tapatío Cuisine: $104
- VIP Tequila Night Tour with Dinner and Tasting: $299
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Puerto Iguazu $32Guadalajara $25
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 Guadalajara
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Guadalajara.
- 3 Hours Private Tour Guide in Guadalajara: $49
- 3 Hours Private Tour Guide in Guadalajara, you choose!: $49
- 3 hours Guadalajara Private City Tour: $49
- 3-Hour Guadalajara Bike and Food Guided Tour: $65
- A unique tour! Visiting Hacienda Casa herradura From Guadalajara: $120
- Adventure tour Between Charros, Mariachi and Parián de Tlaquepaque: $44
- All Included Foodie Tour: Tacos & Cocktails at the Best Bars: $110
- All Inclusive Adventure 2 Days 1 Night in Sierra de Quila Jal: $103
- All incluided Foodie Tour Zapopan Beer, Tacos and Agave Spirits.: $110
- Canopy Experience Panoramic Flight in Zip Lines: $44
- Chapala & Ajijic Pueblo Magica Premium Tour from Guadalajara: $54
- Chapala Lake & Ajijic Tour with "Tres Potrillos Ranch": $80
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPuerto Iguazu $7.63Guadalajara $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Guadalajara
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Guadalajara:
- Guadalajara Pub Crawl: Free Drinks & Party Games: $19
- Cultural tour, city fields and distillery: $32
- Tequila distillery experience, Jose Cuervo & Tequila Magic Town: $80
- full day Tequila tour visiting artisanal distillery and downtown.: $89
- Private Tour to Tequila: Artisan Distillery and Campos de Agave: $94
- Horseshoe Distillery Tour with Premium Tasting from Guadalajara: $114
- Tequila tour visiting a local brewery: $129
- Private Adventure to Casa Sauza Distillery and Visit to Tequila: $164
- Tour of El Castillo Distillery to Cantaritos Experience: $170
- Private Tequila Adventure Tour with Visit to Atanasio Distillery: $174
- Sip & Savor Tequila Experience Distillery w/ Lunch fr Guadalajara: $180
- Full-Day Tour to La Fortaleza Distillery and Cantaritos: $180
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Puerto Iguazu and Guadalajara, we can see that Guadalajara 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 Guadalajara is in North 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 Guadalajara would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Guadalajara 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 Guadalajara Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Puerto Iguazu or Guadalajara?
Guadalajara has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Puerto Iguazu. When comparing the sizes of Puerto Iguazu and Guadalajara, 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.