Which place is cheaper, Mendoza or Puerto Iguazu?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Puerto Iguazu or Mendoza?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Puerto Iguazu or Mendoza? 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 Mendoza?
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.
Mendoza
Mendoza is a city in western Argentina and more precisely in the desertic Cuyo region. Mendoza is the center of the Argentinian wine industry and is famed around the world for its vineyards and wine production. Spread across the valley of the Rio Mendoza and in the foothills of the Andean mountain range, Mendoza is also near the Aconcagua, the highest mountain outside of the Himalayas. The bustling and scenic city of wide, leafy avenues, atmospheric plazas and cosmopolitan cafes spoils visitors with unique natural attractions and historical landmarks. If you can, visit Mendoza during the harvest festival at the end of February. There are many events and festivals in Mendoza and they are usually free. Each has a different theme, and they usually have a stage with singing and dancing and booths that sell food around a plaza. Seventy percent of Argentina's wines are produced here, and Mendoza is especially known for its world-famous malbecs.
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 10-Day Tours in Argentina, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Argentina.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPuerto Iguazu $7.77Mendoza $6.97
The average daily cost (per person) in Puerto Iguazu is $7.77, while the average daily cost in Mendoza is $6.97. 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 Mendoza in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPuerto Iguazu $3.08Mendoza $2.65
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPuerto Iguazu $6.16Mendoza $5.30
Compare Hotels in Puerto Iguazu and Mendoza
Looking for a hotel in Puerto Iguazu or Mendoza? 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 Mendoza Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Puerto Iguazu $2.38Mendoza $1.38
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Iguazu
Also for Puerto Iguazu, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer In + Transfer Out IGR Airport Puerto Iguazú Hotels Selva de Iryapu: $145
- One-Way or Round Trip Airport Transfer: $8.00
- One-Way or Round Trip Airport Transfer: $11
- Puerto Iguazu Airport Shuttle Transfer: $10
- Puerto Iguazú Combo: Iguazu Falls 2 Day Tours + transfers: $98
- Private Transfer from Puerto Iguazu Airport to Foz do Iguaçu: $93
- Iguazu Falls Saver Package! Both sides excursions & transfers : $79
- Iguazu Falls Argentina Airport Roundtrip Transfer to Hotels: $21
- Iguazú Falls Brazil & Argentina 3-Day In-Out Transfers: $64
- Full day tour visit to Iguazu Falls with transfers from airport : $120
- Argentine and Brazilian Falls with transfers: $71
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mendoza
Also for Mendoza, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Wineries + Lunch and Private Transfer , all Inclusive.: $140
- Vistalba Winery + Susana Balbo Lunch. (Michelin Guide) Transfer inc: $230
- Visit Trapiche+Lunch El Enemigo (Michelin). Private transfer: $300
- Visit Family Wineries with Lunch and Private Transfer: $100
- Top Winery and Gourmet Experience in Uco Valley.Transfer included: $230
- Tasting in two wineries + full lunch. Transfer included: $160
- Shared Transfer Mendoza Bus Station / Downtown Hotel: $27
- Private transfers to Vinicolas de Lujan and Maipú: $150
- Private Transfer Vinicolas Valle de Uco: $190
- Private Transfer Lujan de Cuyo or Maipu to Mendoza Airport MDZ : $30
- One Way Shared Transfer Mendoza Airport/Downtown Hotel: $40
- Shared 1-Way or Round Trip MDZ Airport Transfer: $10
Is it cheaper to fly into Puerto Iguazu or Mendoza?
Prices for flights to both Mendoza 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 dayPuerto Iguazu $2.85Mendoza $3.11
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: $33
- Madero Tango Show with Optional Dinner in Iguazu: $33
- Argentine Experience: Immersive Dinner & Wine Pairing in Iguazú: $60
- Iguazu Falls: The Argentine Experience Interactive Dinner: $69
- From Foz do Iguaçu: Madero Tango with dinner: $101
- Experience Guamini Mision Dinner and Tango Show Selva Iriapu Hotels Exclusive: $110
- Rafain Steakhouse Dinner & Show: $117
- Churrascaria Rafain - Show and Dinner : $117
- Foz do Iguaçu: Argentinean Cooking Class: $135
- FD Iguazu Falls Argentinian side + Dinner Tango Show -no transfer: $140
- Dinner Tango Show in Iguazú Falls - no transfers -: $145
- Experience Guamini Mision Dinner and Tango Show Belmond Hotel: $160
Typical Food Prices in Mendoza
For Mendoza, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Empanadas$0.01
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mendoza
For Mendoza, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Bar Safari: 4 Best Mendoza’s Bars in 1 night. + Full Dinner: $93
- Argentinian Cooking class in Grazie Mille Winery in Valle de Uco: $95
- Neapolitan Pizza Class with Lunch and Winery Tour: $130
- Horseback Riding at Sunset and Dinner at an Estancia in Mendoza: $150
- Horseback Riding at Sunset and Dinner in Mendoza: $160
- Trip to the Marañon Art Park from Mendoza. Dinner in Uspallata: $170
- Empanadas Cooking Class in a local's kitchen: $200
- Los Toneles Winery+Dinner at Azafran Restaurant (Michelin Star).: $300
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Puerto Iguazu $2.54Mendoza $1.97
Tours and Activities in Puerto Iguazu
For Puerto Iguazu, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 3hr Experience Learning to Make an Argentine Asado: $150
- Adventure in the Argentine Waterfalls - Guided Tour: $61
- Argentina Iguazu Falls Bus Tour: $37
- Argentinean Falls with Gran Aventura Boat Tour: $207
- Argentinean Side Iguassu Falls - Private Tour Hotels in Puerto Iguazú Exclusive: $140
- Argentinian Iguazu Falls Full Day Tour: $33
- Bird Park & Iguassu Brazilian Side From Puerto Iguazú Hotels - Private Tour: $120
- Brazilian Side Falls: Brazilian Falls Tour with Parque Das Aves:: $240
- Brazilian Side of Iguazu Falls Half-Day Sightseeing Tour : $43
- Brazilian Side of Iguazu Falls Tour from Puerto Iguazu: $55
- Brazilian Side of the Falls - All Tickets Included: $79
- City Tour Puerto Iguazú Gran Meliá Iguazú Exclusivo: $135
Tours and Activities in Mendoza
For Mendoza, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Zipline Adventure: Exploring Potrerillos Valley: $89
- 3 Wineries Tour Half Day: $36
- A walking tour of the fascinating history of Mendoza wine: $15
- Admire the majesty of the Cordillera: AltaMontaña Experience: $250
- Adrenaline Canopy Tour on the Mendoza River: $124
- Adventure Park - Unforgettable Challenge!: $75
- Andes Day Hiking Tour Experience : $155
- Andes High Mountain Tour in Mendoza: $121
- Andes High Mountain full day Tour: $78
- Andes Hiking Experience Full Day: $175
- Andes Mountain Tour Circuit Mt Aconcagua: $187
- Asado em Casa Mendocina Experience with Friends: $150
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayPuerto Iguazu $1.22Mendoza $1.18
Typical Alcohol Prices in Mendoza
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Mendoza:
-
Beer$0.01
Sample the Local Flavors in Mendoza
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Mendoza:
- Classic Wine Tasting: $22
- Private Wine Tasting in the Vineyards Facing the Andes: $35
- Half-Day Wine Tour with Tastings: $42
- Premium Wine Tasting: $45
- Vineyards with Wine Tasting in Mendoza: $53
- Argentinean Asado with Local Host and Wine Tasting: $99
- Wine Tour with Lunch and Transport in Mendoza: $100
- Full Day Wine Tour with 3 Course Lunch: $107
- Private Maipu Valley Wine Tour from Mendoza: $160
- wine tours in wine country mendoza Argentina: $160
- All Day, Small Group, Luxury Wine Tour with Gourmet Lunch: $180
- Private Wine Tour, Tastings and Lunch with Pairings: $180
When comparing the travel costs between Puerto Iguazu and Mendoza, we can see that Puerto Iguazu 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.
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 Mendoza Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Puerto Iguazu or Mendoza?
Mendoza has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Puerto Iguazu. When comparing the sizes of Puerto Iguazu and Mendoza, 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.