Which place is cheaper, Lake Titicaca (Puno) 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 Lake Titicaca (Puno)?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Puerto Iguazu or Lake Titicaca (Puno)? 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 Lake Titicaca (Puno)?
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.
Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Lake Titicaca, which directly translates to "puma stone" in Quechua, is located high in the Andes Mountains straddling Peru and Bolivia, with about 60% of the lake in Peru and 40% in Bolivia. Among the lake are three main islands, the most popular of which are the Uros Islands, also known as the floating islands, where the Uros people live on totora reeds that grow in the lake.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Argentina, The Best Eco Tours in Argentina, The Best Photography Tours in Peru, and The Best Jungle Trekking Tours in Peru.
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Puerto Iguazu Prices
Argentina PricesLake Titicaca (Puno) Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPuerto Iguazu $56Lake Titicaca (Puno) $73
The average daily cost (per person) in Puerto Iguazu is $56, while the average daily cost in Lake Titicaca (Puno) is $73. 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 Lake Titicaca (Puno) in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPuerto Iguazu $40Lake Titicaca (Puno) $29
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPuerto Iguazu $80Lake Titicaca (Puno) $58
Compare Hotels in Puerto Iguazu and Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Looking for a hotel in Puerto Iguazu or Lake Titicaca (Puno)? 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: Lake Titicaca (Puno) Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Puerto Iguazu $3.03Lake Titicaca (Puno) $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Iguazu
Also for Puerto Iguazu, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- One-Way or Round Trip Airport Transfer: $8.00
- One-Way or Round Trip Airport Transfer: $14
- Puerto Iguazu Airport Shuttle Transfer: $17
- Iguazu Falls Argentina Airport Roundtrip Transfer to Hotels: $22
- Puerto Iguazú Round-Trip Airport Transfer: $25
- Private Transfer to or from Puerto Iguazu Airport IGR: $40
- Wanda Mines Guided Tour with Transfer / From Iguassu Falls: $56
- Iguazu Falls Saver Package! Both sides excursions & transfers: $79
- Private Transfer from Puerto Iguazu Airport to Foz do Iguaçu: $83
- Puerto Iguazú Combo: Iguazu Falls 2 Day Tours + transfers: $85
- Iguazú Falls Combo: Argentina & Brazil, with Transfers: $86
- Brazilian Waterfalls Tour and Bird Park with Transfer: $113
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Lake Titicaca (Puno):
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Taxi$0.89
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lake Titicaca (Puno):
- Puno Arrival Transfer from bus or railway Station: $14
- Private transfer from Juliaca Airport to Puno or Viceversa: $52
- Private Transfer from Juliaca Airport to Puno or Viceversa: $52
- Private Transfer from Juliaca Airport to Puno Plaza de Armas: $40
- Private Transfer from Inca Manco Capac (JUL) Airport to Puno: $96
- Private Transfer from Hotel Puno to Puerto de Puno: $23
- Private Transfer From Puno to Chivay, English Speaking Driver: $227
Is it cheaper to fly into Puerto Iguazu or Lake Titicaca (Puno)?
Prices for flights to both Lake Titicaca (Puno) 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 $6.21Lake Titicaca (Puno) $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
- Argentine Experience: Immersive Dinner & Wine Pairing in Iguazú: $70
- ASADOR: Argentine Asado Cooking Class: $70
- Iguazu Falls: The Argentine Experience Interactive Dinner: $75
- Dinner Show Rafain Steakhouse Gran Meliá Hotel Exclusive - Private Tour: $120
- 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
- Puerto Iguazú: Romantic Dinner at Pristine Iguazú Camp: $306
- Puerto Iguazú: Pristine Day Iguazú Nature and Food Tour: $332
Typical Food Prices in Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lake Titicaca (Puno) are as follows:
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Tamales$1.64
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Lake Titicaca (Puno).
- Midday Food Tour in Puno: $68
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Puerto Iguazu $33Lake Titicaca (Puno) $32
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
- 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
- Iguazu Falls: Complete Argentine Side Experience: $48
- Brazilian Side of Iguazu Falls Tour from Puerto Iguazu: $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: $58
- Iguazu Falls : Complete Argentine Side Experience: $59
- Iguazú Falls National Park Entry Ticket or Flexipass 3 days: $60
Tours and Activities in Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lake Titicaca (Puno) are as follows:
- 2 Day Lake Titicaca Tour From Puno: $150
- 2 Days and 1 Night Tour from Puno to Colca Canyon and Arequipa: $240
- 2-Hour Crop Circles Private Tour on Lake Titicaca from Puno: $119
- 2-day Tour: Puno To Chivay And Canyon Of Colca: $255
- 3 Days Tour to Ruta del Sol in Puno: $120
- 3-Hour Small Group Uros Floating Islands Tour: $10
- 3-Hour Uros Floating Islands Tour from Puno: $22
- 3-day Classic Puno Tour Package: $249
- 3h Boat Tour to Uros Island from Puno: $32
- A Full Day Tour View: Uros and Taquile Islands on the Titicaca Lake from Puno: $65
- Bus Tour of the Puno to Cusco Sun Route with Buffet Lunch: $62
- Chullpas Tour of Sillustani Inca Cemetery: $18
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPuerto Iguazu $7.75Lake Titicaca (Puno) $14
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Puerto Iguazu and Lake Titicaca (Puno), we can see that Lake Titicaca (Puno) 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 Lake Titicaca (Puno) would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lake Titicaca (Puno) 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 Lake Titicaca (Puno) Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Puerto Iguazu or Lake Titicaca (Puno)?
Lake Titicaca (Puno) has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Puerto Iguazu. When comparing the sizes of Puerto Iguazu and Lake Titicaca (Puno), 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.