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

Should you visit Puerto Iguazu or Medellin?

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

Should I visit Puerto Iguazu or Medellin? 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 Medellin?

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.

Medellin

In addition to big improvements in public safety, Medellin has witnessed a huge surge in urban development projects, including Colombia's first metro system and cable cars to service poorer neighborhoods located high on the mountain sides. There is an abundance of parks, libraries, museums and public spaces with many cultural events taking place. Many travelers also enjoy visiting the surrounding villages, where life is simple and landscapes and nature reserves are wonderful. Medellin has now become one of the "it" cities in the world, with tons of tourists visiting and foreigners settling and retiring here. Beautiful mountains, warm weather, friendly locals, and a vibrant culture are just a few of the reasons why you should visit Medellin.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Argentina, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Argentina, The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, and The Best Eco Tours in Colombia.


Which place is cheaper, Medellin or Puerto Iguazu?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Puerto Iguazu is $8.32, while the average daily cost in Medellin is $22. 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 Medellin in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Puerto Iguazu $3.31
    Medellin $4.66
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Puerto Iguazu $6.62
    Medellin $9.32
Compare Hotels in Puerto Iguazu and Medellin

Looking for a hotel in Puerto Iguazu or Medellin? 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 Medellin


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 Medellin Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Puerto Iguazu $2.55
    Medellin $4.06

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Iguazu

Also for Puerto Iguazu, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Argentine and Brazilian Falls with transfers: $67
  • Iguazú Falls Brazil & Argentina 3-Day In-Out Transfers: $61
  • Iguazu Falls Argentina Airport Roundtrip Transfer to Hotels: $20
  • Puerto Iguazú Combo: Iguazu Falls 2 Day Tours + transfers: $98
  • Puerto Iguazú Round-Trip Airport Transfer: $20
  • Puerto Iguazu Airport Shuttle Transfer: $6.85
  • One-Way or Round Trip Airport Transfer: $8.00
  • One-Way or Round Trip Airport Transfer: $11
  • Transfer In + Transfer Out IGR Airport Puerto Iguazú Hotels Selva de Iryapu: $145

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Medellin

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Medellin:


  • Taxi
    $1.62

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Medellin

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Medellin:

  • Transfer in private minivan Guatape- Medellin airport (MDE): $42
  • Transfer in Private Car from Guatape- Medellin airport (MDE): $34
  • Transfer from or to Medellin's airport: $55
  • Transfer Private Car from Medellin city - Medellin Airport (MDE): $20
  • Transfer Jose Maria Cordoba Airport -Hotel or Accommodation: $55
  • Transfer José María Córdova Airport - Medellin - Private Ride Airport .. !!: $45
  • Transfer JMC airport - Medellin or Medellin - JMC airport - Private!!: $39
  • Santa Marta Airport to Santa Marta (or vice versa) Private Transfer : $16
  • RoundtripTransfer Privatecar Medellin Airport (MDE) Medellin City: $40
  • Private Transfer from MDE Airport to Hotels and City of Medellín: $120
  • Private Transfer Aerop Jose Maria Cordova - Up to 3 people: $33
  • Private Arrival Transfer : From Airport to Medellín Hotels : $54

Is it cheaper to fly into Puerto Iguazu or Medellin?

Prices for flights to both Medellin 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 $3.06
    Medellin $9.43

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 from Foz do Iguaçu: $46
  • Argentine Experience: Immersive Dinner & Wine Pairing in Iguazú: $60
  • Iguazu Falls: The Argentine Experience Interactive Dinner: $69
  • Churrascaria Rafain - Show and Dinner : $107
  • Experience Guamini Mision Dinner and Tango Show Selva Iriapu Hotels Exclusive: $110
  • Rafain Steakhouse Dinner & Show: $117
  • The Argentine Experience: wine & dinner experience: $118
  • Dinner Show Rafain Steakhouse from Puerto Iguazú Hotels Private Tour: $120
  • Dinner Show Rafain Steakhouse Gran Meliá Hotel Exclusive - Private Tour: $120
  • From Foz do Iguaçu: Madero Tango with dinner: $123
  • Experience Guamini Mision Dinner and Tango Show Gran Meliá Iguazú Exclusive: $145
  • Experience Guamini Mision Dinner and Tango Show Belmond Hotel: $160

Typical Food Prices in Medellin

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Medellin:


  • Lunch
    $2.06

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Medellin

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Medellin.

  • Cooking Class Preparing Colombian Empanadas: $39
  • Sabor Colombiano Cooking Studio: $60
  • Community project cooking class and Medellin social transformation tour: $66
  • Homemade Paisa Dinner at a Local's Home in Medellín: $69
  • Half-Day Food Tour Visiting the Best Viewpoints in Medellín!: $75
  • Private tour: Street food tour, Eat like a Local in Medellin!: $85
  • Combo Tour: Street Art, Christmas Lights and Food Tour in Medellin: $131
  • Medellin Historical and Food Tour with Fernando Botero´s Plaza: $140
  • Comuna 13, Fruit & Street Food Tour: $166
  • Private tour: Medellin City – Pablo Escobar and Food Tour: $166
  • Combo Tour: Dark days & Christmas tour Including Lunch or Dinner: $166
  • A Night Out in Medellin with Dinner and Drinks Included: $175

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Puerto Iguazu $2.73
    Medellin $13

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: $24
  • Puerto Iguazú: Iguazú Biocenter Tour: $25
  • Iguazu Falls Brazilian Side Tour: $30
  • Argentinian Iguazu Falls Full Day Tour: $31
  • Ciudad del Este Shopping Tour: $32
  • Half-Day Iguazú Forest Adventure: $38
  • Brazilian Side of Iguazu Falls Half-Day Sightseeing Tour : $41
  • 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: $55
  • Iguazu Falls: Argentine Side Tour from Puerto Iguazu: $55

Tours and Activities in Medellin

Here are a few actual costs in Medellin for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Comuna 13 + Medellin City Tour: $230
  • Medellin City Private Tour: $83
  • Medellin City Walking Tour plus Metro Cable Cars: $83
  • Private Full Day Tour in Guatape: $40
  • Private tour Guatapé Peñol stone and coffee farm: $139
  • 1 Hour ATV Adventure Tour in Medellin : $140
  • 2 Days Medellin Coffee Farm Experience : $195
  • 2 Hour Medellin Off Road ATV Experiences: $160
  • 3 Hours City Tour in Medellin Colombia: $27
  • 3-Hour Private Guided Tour in Medellin: $57
  • 4 Hours Private Comuna 13 Graffiti Tour: $60
  • ATV Private Tour in Medellin: $138

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Puerto Iguazu $1.31
    Medellin $7.07

Sample the Local Flavors in Medellin

Also in Medellin, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Live the Nightlife Rooftop Pub Crawl : $49
  • Medellin Private Bar Crawl: $89
  • Medellin Pub Crawl Including Food and City Tour: $139


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Puerto Iguazu and Medellin, we can see that Medellin 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 Medellin would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Medellin 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 Medellin Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Puerto Iguazu or Medellin?

Medellin has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Puerto Iguazu. When comparing the sizes of Puerto Iguazu and Medellin, 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.