Which place is cheaper, Manaus 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 Manaus?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Puerto Iguazu or Manaus? 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 Manaus?
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.
Manaus
Manaus is a Brazilian city, capital of the state of Amazonas, and is located on the Rio Negro a few miles before it meets the Rio Solimões to form the Amazon River. The city is a major departure point for those visiting the Amazon Rainforest, though there are a few sights worth seeing within the city itself as well.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Argentina, The Best Eco Tours in Argentina, The Best Tours for Seniors to Brazil, and The Best Contiki Tours to Brazil.
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Puerto Iguazu Prices
Argentina PricesManaus Prices
Brazil Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPuerto Iguazu $59Manaus $69
The average daily cost (per person) in Puerto Iguazu is $59, while the average daily cost in Manaus is $69. 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 Manaus in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPuerto Iguazu $42Manaus $43
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPuerto Iguazu $84Manaus $86
Compare Hotels in Puerto Iguazu and Manaus
Looking for a hotel in Puerto Iguazu or Manaus? 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: Puerto Iguazu Hotel Prices and Manaus Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Puerto Iguazu $3.22Manaus $8.07
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 Iguazu Airport Private Transfer: $23
- Puerto Iguazú: Jungle Fly Adventure with Transfers: $166
- Puerto Iguazú Round-Trip Airport Transfer: $22
- 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 Saver Package! Both sides excursions & transfers: $79
- Iguazu Falls Argentina Brazil Duty Free Shop with Transfers: $60
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Manaus
Also for Manaus, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from Manaus Airport to Manaus City: $45
- Transfer Grand Amazon Expedition (Port) - >Manaus Airport: $20
- Shared Round-Trip Transfer: Eduardo Gomes International Airport: $87
- Serviço de Transfer Privado 24h Aeroporto - Hotel em Manaus: $25
- Serviço Transfer Aeroporto (hotel) até Anavilhanas Jungle Lodge: $140
- Private transfer service for the MUSA Manaus – Come with Comfort.: $26
- Private transfer in Manaus - 24h: $17
- Private Transfer Service Group 24h Hotel - Manaus Airport: $106
- Private Transfer Service Available in the City of Manaus: $181
- Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) to Manaus -Round-Trip Private Transfer: $71
- Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) to Manaus - RoundTrip Private Transfer: $109
- Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) to Manaus - Arrival Private Transfer: $36
Is it cheaper to fly into Puerto Iguazu or Manaus?
Prices for flights to both Manaus 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 $6.59Manaus $22
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: $36
- 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
- Iguazu Falls: Argentina Side Tour with Dinner & Tango Show: $278
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Manaus
For Manaus, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Folklore Amazonian Dinner Show: $42
- Food Tour: $60
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Puerto Iguazu $35Manaus -
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: $260
- Argentine Falls Package with Great Adventure and Brazilian Falls: $275
- Argentinean Falls with Gran Aventura Boat Tour: $261
- Bird Park & Iguassu Brazilian Side From Puerto Iguazú Hotels - Private Tour: $145
- Brazilian Side of Iguassu Falls and Itaipu Dam Full-Day Sightseeing Tour from Puerto Iguazú: $96
- Brazilian Side of Iguazu Falls Tour from Puerto Iguazu: $49
- Brazilian Side of the Falls - All Tickets Included: $77
- Cataratas Iguazu Argentinas Tour and Great Adventure on boats tour: $80
- City Tour in Iguassu from Puerto Iguazú Hotels Private Tour: $90
- Explore Iguazu Falls in Brazil: An Unforgettable Experience: $44
- Fly Park Iguazú: Extreme Adventure in the Misiones Jungle: $75
Tours and Activities in Manaus
For Manaus, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Adventure: 4-hour hike in the Amazon rainforest: $150
- Amazon Experience: Indigenous culture and nature phenomenon: $78
- Amazon Experience: meet a native village and swim with porpoises: $91
- Amazon Jungle: 3- or 4-Day Tour at Ipanema River Guest House: $180
- Amazon Negro River Half-Day Expedition Tour: $55
- Amazon Private River Tour by Speedboat, Giant Lily Pads, Nature: $220
- Amazon Private Safari by Tuhiri Eco Tour - Leaving Manaus: $199
- Amazon Rainforest Tour, Trails, Jungle, Caves and Waterfalls: $230
- Amazon River Day Tour – The Ultimate Full-Day Adventure: $140
- Amazon River Stand Up Paddling Tour: $124
- Amazon River, Afternoon and Night Adventure, Boat Tour: $200
- Amazon Safari Tour in Manaus (Shared:): $88
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPuerto Iguazu $8.22Manaus $2.88
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Puerto Iguazu and Manaus, we can see that Manaus 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 Manaus would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Manaus 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 Manaus Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Puerto Iguazu or Manaus?
Manaus has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Puerto Iguazu. When comparing the sizes of Puerto Iguazu and Manaus, 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.