A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Puerto Iguazu vs. La Paz for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Puerto Iguazu or La Paz?

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

Should I visit Puerto Iguazu or La Paz? 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 La Paz?

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.

La Paz

La Paz, the administrative capital of Bolivia, has a breathtaking setting. The city is the highest national capital in the world, with an altitude ranging from about 4,058 m (13,313 ft) above sea level in El Alto, where the airport is located, to 3,100 m (10,170 ft) in the lower residential area. The dynamic and chaotic city was built in a canyon created by the Choqueyapu River. La Paz is now a fusion of architectural styles, cultures and beliefs, welcoming everyday new boutique hotels, modern shops, delicious restaurants and reinventing standing establishments. However, generally speaking, Bolivia remains more a backpacker hit than a mainstream tourist destination.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Argentina, The Best Eco Tours in Argentina, The Best Luxury Tours to Bolivia, and The Best Budget Tours to Bolivia.


Which place is cheaper, La Paz 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 $56, while the average daily cost in La Paz 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 La Paz in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Puerto Iguazu $40
    La Paz $16
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Puerto Iguazu $80
    La Paz $32
Compare Hotels in Puerto Iguazu and La Paz

Looking for a hotel in Puerto Iguazu or La Paz? 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 La Paz


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: La Paz Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Puerto Iguazu $3.05
    La Paz $9.44

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

Typical Local Transportation Prices in La Paz

Some typical examples of transportation costs in La Paz are as follows:


  • Taxi Ride
    $0.58

Hired Cars and Shuttles in La Paz

Also for La Paz, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private transfer 24/7 El Alto Airport - Hotels La Paz: $28
  • Private Transfer from your Hotel to Airport in La Paz City: $54
  • Private Transfer from El Alto Airport to La Paz, Bolivia Hotels: $28
  • Private Transfer from Airport to your Hotel in La Paz City: $77
  • Private Transfer La Paz Airport LPB to La Paz City By Van or Suv: $38
  • Private Transfer From your Hotel to Bus Station in La Paz City: $68
  • Private Transfer From Hotel to Bus Station in La Paz City: $52
  • Private Transfer From Bus Station to your Hotel in La Paz City: $54
  • Private Transfer From Airport to Hotel in La Paz City: $30
  • Private Departure Transfer: La Paz Hotels to El Alto International Airport: $37
  • One-Way Private Transfer from La Paz Hotels to Airport: $27
  • La Paz:Private transfer from La Paz Hotels to El Alto Aiport: $22

Is it cheaper to fly into Puerto Iguazu or La Paz?

Prices for flights to both La Paz 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 $6.26
    La Paz $29

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

Typical Food Prices in La Paz

For La Paz, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Fruit
    $0.72

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in La Paz

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

  • Morning Food Tour with Cable Car & Local Markets: $27
  • Bolivian Cooking Class: $28
  • Bolivian Cooking Class: $30
  • Learn Bolivian Cuisine/Cooking Class: $40
  • Real Street Food Tour La Paz: $100
  • Real Street Food Tour with Guide: $100

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Puerto Iguazu $33
    La Paz $16

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 La Paz

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

  • 2-Day Uyuni Salt Flats Tour with Bus from La Paz: $150
  • A Cultural Journey of Private Lake Titicaca and Tiquina Tour: $124
  • A Textile Tour: Pre-loom weavings: $80
  • ATV SIGHTSEEING TOUR: VISIT VALLE DE LA LUNA, VALLE DE ANIMAS, AND MUELA DEL DIABLO: $88
  • Be a Local - La Paz Walking Tour: $8.00
  • Bike Tour to the Death Road: $125
  • Bolivia, climbing tour to Illimani mountain 6,438 m in 3 days/2 nights: $1,900
  • Bolivias Iconic Death Road Bike Adventure in La Paz: $79
  • Cable Car, Cementery, Shaman and El Alto Adventure in La Paz: $22
  • Chacaltaya 5,435m & Valle De Luna. 2 For 1 Special Tour.: $38
  • Chacaltaya Mountain and Valley of the Moon Tour in La Paz: $35
  • City Tour plus Cable Car La Paz: $10

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Puerto Iguazu $7.81
    La Paz $11

Sample the Local Flavors in La Paz

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in La Paz:

  • Pub Crawl with VIP Entry and Welcome Shot: $24


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


Which is Bigger, Puerto Iguazu or La Paz?

La Paz has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Puerto Iguazu. When comparing the sizes of Puerto Iguazu and La Paz, 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.