Which city is cheaper, Mar del Plata or Puerto Iguazu?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for Argentina Puerto Iguazu vs. Mar del Plata for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Puerto Iguazu or Mar del Plata?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Puerto Iguazu or Mar del Plata? 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 Mar del Plata?
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.
Mar del Plata
Mar del Plata is found only 404 km southeast of the city of Buenos Aires, on the Atlantic coast. Today Mar Del Plata is Argentina‘s most well known beach resort. It has successfully married the two worlds of beach and city into a fun, cosmopolitan urban center with the presence of highly developed tourist infrastructure. Founded in 1874, Mar del Plata was at first mainly an industrial and commercial center before becoming a vacation destination for Argentinians. For a peaceful trip and intimate oceanfront promenades, avoid visiting Mar del Plata during summer time, as the gorgeous arced coastline will be crawling with visitors. But the city is more than just beaches. It also offers some culture, lively nightlife, and great food.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPuerto Iguazu $31Mar del Plata $33
The average daily cost (per person) in Puerto Iguazu is $31, while the average daily cost in Mar del Plata is $33. 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Puerto Iguazu and Mar del Plata in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPuerto Iguazu $12Mar del Plata $12
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPuerto Iguazu $24Mar del Plata $24
Compare Hotels in Puerto Iguazu and Mar del Plata
Looking for a hotel in Puerto Iguazu or Mar del Plata? 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 Mar del Plata Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Puerto Iguazu $9.37Mar del Plata $9.30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Iguazu
Also for Puerto Iguazu, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Iguazu Falls: Day Tour including transfers and guided tour: $245
- Iguazu Falls Pass: Transfers in/out + Visit to Iguazu Falls Argentininan Side: $110
- Iguazu: Transfer from Argentina Side: $95
- Iguazu Airport Private Transfer: $63
- Puerto Iguazu Airport Shuttle Transfer: $30
- One-Way or Round Trip Airport Transfer: $4.98
Is it cheaper to fly into Puerto Iguazu or Mar del Plata?
Prices for flights to both Mar del Plata 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 $11Mar del Plata $14
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:
- El Quincho Del Tio Querido - Dinner And Show: $27
- Foz do Iguaçu Folkloric Show with Dinner from Puerto Iguazú: $30
- Skip the Line: Dinner Tango Show in Iguazu Falls Ticket: $59
- Folkloric Show with Dinner at Rafain Churrascaria: $63
- Rafain Steakhouse Show - Dinner and Show Included: $69
- Dinner Tango Show in Iguazú Falls: $85
- Creative Cooking Class and Dinner with Wine in Iguazu: $87
- Tio Querido Dinner and Folk Show in Puerto Iguazú: $90
- Skip the Line: Dinner Samba Show Ticket in Rafain (brazilian side): $99
- Full day Iguazu Falls Argentinian side + Tango Show (no dinner): $110
- Full day Iguazu Falls Argentinian Side + Dinner Tango Show: $125
- Visit to Iguazu Falls Brazilian Side + Dinner Samba Show in Rafain: $134
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Puerto Iguazu $10.00Mar del Plata $8.45
Tours and Activities in Puerto Iguazu
For Puerto Iguazu, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2-Night Iguassu Falls Sightseeing Tour: $150
- 2-Night Iguazu Rainforest Experience at Yacutinga Lodge: $608
- 2-day Iguazu Falls Argentinian Side + City Tour with 3 frontiers landmark: $115
- 3-Day Iguazu Falls Adventure: Brazil and Argentina: $363
- 3-Day Iguazu Falls Exploring Tour: $172
- 3-Day Iguazu Falls Self Guided Exploring Tour: $213
- 3-Day Tour: Exploring Iguazu Falls in Private Service: $544
- 3-Days Iguazu Falls Tour of the Argentinian and Brazilian Side: $491
- 3-Days Private Experience at Iguazu: $790
- 4-Day Tour to Iguazu Falls by Air from Buenos Aires: $1,058
- 5-Day Adventure Trip in Iguazu: $538
- 6-Day Iguazu Falls & Ibera Marshlands Luxury Tour: $1,800
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPuerto Iguazu $4.80Mar del Plata $6.62
When comparing the travel costs between Puerto Iguazu and Mar del Plata, we can see that Mar del Plata 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.
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