Which place is cheaper, Playa del Carmen or Puerto Iguazu?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Should I visit Puerto Iguazu or Playa del Carmen? 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.
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.
Playa del Carmen is in Quintana Roo on the Yucatan Peninsula. It's a popular resort town and is about seventy kilometers south of Cancun. It has a European atmosphere with many small hotels and a nice relaxed feel. It was originally a small fishing town but tourism began with the introduction of a passenger ferry to Cozumel. The area developed rapidly and there are many luxury hotels, condos, and resorts. There are also American chains and a variety of shopping opportunities nearby.
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 2-Week Tours in Mexico, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Puerto Iguazu is $8.20, while the average daily cost in Playa del Carmen is $81. 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 Playa del Carmen in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Puerto Iguazu or Playa del Carmen? 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.
Also for Puerto Iguazu, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Playa del Carmen:
Prices for flights to both Playa del Carmen 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.
For Puerto Iguazu, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Playa del Carmen.
For Puerto Iguazu, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Here are a few actual costs in Playa del Carmen for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Puerto Iguazu and Playa del Carmen, we can see that Playa del Carmen is more expensive. And not only is Puerto Iguazu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Puerto Iguazu is in South America and Playa del Carmen is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Playa del Carmen would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Playa del Carmen 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 Playa del Carmen Expensive?.
Playa del Carmen has a larger population, and is about 70% larger than the population of Puerto Iguazu. When comparing the sizes of Puerto Iguazu and Playa del Carmen, 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.