Which place is cheaper, Lima 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 Lima?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Puerto Iguazu or Lima? 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 Lima?
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.
Lima
Lima, the capital city of Peru, is likely to be your point of entry for the country. Lima was founded in 1535 and was the seat of the Spanish rule for 300 years. It's a surprisingly modern city despite its rich history, but many beautiful churches and colonial architecture remain today. There are also large slum areas that highlight the poverty that exists in the city. The city and its surrounding metropolitan area have a population of about 8.5 million people, many of whom came from the Andes Mountains in search of work. Unfortunately the work opportunities are limited and the poverty is obvious as you arrive in Lima.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Argentina, The Best Eco Tours in Argentina, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Peru, and The Best Adventure Tours to Peru.
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Puerto Iguazu Prices
Argentina PricesLima Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPuerto Iguazu $55Lima $96
The average daily cost (per person) in Puerto Iguazu is $55, while the average daily cost in Lima is $96. 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 Lima in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPuerto Iguazu $39Lima $53
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPuerto Iguazu $78Lima $106
Compare Hotels in Puerto Iguazu and Lima
Looking for a hotel in Puerto Iguazu or Lima? 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: Lima Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Puerto Iguazu $2.98Lima $6.16
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: $14
- Iguazu Falls Argentina Airport Roundtrip Transfer to Hotels: $22
- Puerto Iguazú Round-Trip Airport Transfer: $25
- Puerto Iguazu Airport (IGR) Private Transfer to Puerto Iguazu: $27
- 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
- Iguazu Falls in 2 Days: Argentina & Brazil with Transfers: $99
- Brazilian Waterfalls Tour and Bird Park with Transfer: $108
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Lima are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$5.83
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Taxi Ride$5.83
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Short Taxi Ride$4.37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lima
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lima:
- Transfer: Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM) to Lima City Center: $15
- Transfer in Private Van from the Airport to Hotels in Lima: $60
- Transfer from the Airport to hotels in Lima: $30
- Transfer from Lima Airport to your hotel and vice versa: $175
- Transfer from Hotel/Airbnb Miraflores/San Isidro/Barranco to Airport: $21
- Transfer by car from the airport to the hotel: $60
- Tour Night Magic Water Park and Ravine with Transfer: $49
- Roundtrip Private Transfer Lima Airport (LIM): $33
- Round Trip Transfer from and to the Airport in Miraflores/Barranco/Sani: $41
- QuickLlama: Transfer from Lima Airport to Miraflores Kennedy Park: $5.95
- QuickLlama: Door-to-door transfer from Lima Airport to Miraflores: $5.95
- Private Transfers from/to Lima Airport (Price per Vehicle): $29
Is it cheaper to fly into Puerto Iguazu or Lima?
Prices for flights to both Lima 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 $6.11Lima $33
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
Typical Food Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lima are as follows:
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Lunch for Two$4.66
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Ice cream$3.79
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Coffee$3.21
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Donut$1.02
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lima
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Lima.
- Off the Radar Lima Food Tour Hidden Spots Pisco and Local Vibes: $4.00
- Dinner at Café del Museo Larco restaurant: $30
- Dinner with Folkloric Show at Casa Tambo Restaurant: $43
- Andean Breads Cooking Class in Lima: $44
- Miraflores Cooking Class Ceviche, Tartar & Pisco Sour: $48
- #1 Rated Lima Cooking Class: Make Ceviche, Causa & Pisco Sours!: $49
- Lima Street Food Tour : Try the best Peruvian street food: $49
- Lima Market Tour & Ceviche Cooking Class with Pisco Sour: $50
- Lima : Cooking Class, Chef Le Cordon Bleu, Tuk Tuk and Fiesta: $51
- Food Tour and Market Experience: 12 Peruvian Snacks: $55
- Barranco Food Tour: $60
- Dinner at the Huaca Pucllana Restaurant: $62
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Puerto Iguazu $32Lima $9.30
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
- Private Shopping Tour in Puerto Iguazú: $25
- Hito Tres Fronters and La Aripuca City Tour: $27
- Argentina Waterfalls Full Day Tour: $36
- Iguazu Falls: Argentinian Side and Rainforest Train Full-Day Tour: $41
- 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
- Full-Day Tour to Iguazu Falls: $49
- Brazilian Side of Iguazu Falls Tour from Puerto Iguazu: $49
- Brazilian Side of Iguazu Falls Half-Day Sightseeing Tour: $53
- Wanda Mines and San Ignacio Ruins Full Day Tour: $55
Typical Entertainment Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Lima are as follows:
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Entrance to Museo Larco (for 2)$17
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Movie Tickets$2.48
Tours and Activities in Lima
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lima are as follows:
- 1 Day Tour to Huacachina from Lima (Dunebuggy + Vineyards): $225
- 1 day tour in Ica Peru: $200
- 2 Day Tour from Nazca Lines Flight, Paracas, and Huacachina: $265
- 2 Day Tour from Paracas, Ballestas Island and Huacachina: $134
- 2D Tour from Lima Paracas and Huacachina with Night in Huacachina: $230
- 3 Day Tour From Paracas, Huacachina Oasis & Pisco Vineyard: $143
- 3 Day Tour from Nazca Lines Flight, Paracas, and Huacachina: $275
- 3 Hour Private Electric Scooter Tour of Lima: $75
- 3 Hours Walking Tour of Lima Old Town and Catacumbs: $59
- 8-Hour Private Tour Lima Viceroyalty and Gold Museum with Lunch: $120
- A Half Day Lima City Tour: $45
- A Journey Through Time: Lima's Historic Center & Catacombs Tour: $20
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPuerto Iguazu $7.63Lima $6.05
Typical Alcohol Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Lima are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine$7.84
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Beer$4.37
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Cocktail$3.50
Sample the Local Flavors in Lima
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Lima:
- Free Pub Crawl: $5.00
- Barranco Bohemian Bar Crawl: 4 Bars & Live Music: $24
- Lima Anti Pub Crawl: $60
- From Lima Paracas and Huacachina Oasis Dunes and Wine Tour: $89
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Puerto Iguazu and Lima, we can see that Lima 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 Lima would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lima 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 Lima Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Puerto Iguazu or Lima?
Lima has a larger population, and is about 240 times larger than the population of Puerto Iguazu. When comparing the sizes of Puerto Iguazu and Lima, 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.