Which place is cheaper, Rio de Janeiro 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 Rio de Janeiro?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Puerto Iguazu or Rio de Janeiro? 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 Rio de Janeiro?
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.
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro is the most popular travel destination in Brazil. It is the second largest city in Brazil and the sixth largest in the Americas. A portion of the city has been designated a World Heritage Site. It's also famous for Carnival, it's gorgeous beaches, and world-famous landmarks. Rio's appeal as a travel destination is apparent year round due to the great weather and plenty of fun activities. The city has a wonderful natural harbor that is surrounded by Sugar Loaf Mountain, Corcovado Peak, and the hills of Tijuca, creating an absolutely breathtaking and awe-inspiring setting.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Argentina, The Best Eco Tours in Argentina, The Best Luxury Tours to Brazil, and The Best Budget Tours to Brazil.
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Puerto Iguazu Prices
Argentina PricesRio de Janeiro Prices
Brazil Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPuerto Iguazu $56Rio de Janeiro $120
The average daily cost (per person) in Puerto Iguazu is $56, while the average daily cost in Rio de Janeiro is $120. 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 Rio de Janeiro in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPuerto Iguazu $40Rio de Janeiro $66
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPuerto Iguazu $80Rio de Janeiro $132
Compare Hotels in Puerto Iguazu and Rio de Janeiro
Looking for a hotel in Puerto Iguazu or Rio de Janeiro? 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: Rio de Janeiro Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Puerto Iguazu $3.05Rio de Janeiro $7.98
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Iguazu
Also for Puerto Iguazu, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Brazilian Waterfalls Tour and Bird Park with Transfer: $97
- Estancia Las Mercedes Day Trip with Lunch & Transfers: $399
- Full-day private transfer to Iguazu Falls: $185
- Iguazú Falls Combo: Argentina & Brazil, with Transfers: $86
- Iguazu Falls Argentina Airport Roundtrip Transfer to Hotels: $22
- Iguazu Falls Argentina Brazil Duty Free Shop with Transfers: $66
- Iguazu Falls in 2 Days: Argentina & Brazil with Transfers: $99
- Private Transfer between Airport and Downtown Iguazu: $39
- Private Transfer from Puerto Iguazu Airport to Foz do Iguaçu: $83
- Private Transfer to or from Puerto Iguazu Airport IGR: $40
- Puerto Iguazú Combo: Iguazu Falls 2 Day Tours + transfers: $85
- Puerto Iguazú Round-Trip Airport Transfer: $25
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Rio de Janeiro
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Rio de Janeiro:
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Taxi Ride$2.93
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rio de Janeiro
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rio de Janeiro:
- Two Brothers Trail- one of the best views of Rio (transfer is included): $56
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Rio de Janeiro APT-HTL (SDU): $75
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Rio de Janeiro APT-HTL (GIG): $75
- Transfers Rio X Buzios: $191
- Transfer: Galeão Airport(GIG) to Rio de Janeiro City: $28
- Transfer service to/from Rio and Angra dos Reis / Conceição de J.: $207
- Transfer service from / to Buzios / Arraial do Cabo / Cabo Frio: $185
- Transfer in Rio: $45
- Transfer from Santos Dumont Airport to Zona Sul Rio: $26
- Transfer from Rio’s Airports SDU or GIG to Hotels (Vice Versa): $120
- Transfer from Rio de Janeiro Galeao International Airport: $31
- Transfer from Rio de Janeiro Airports to Hotels and Destinations: $50
Is it cheaper to fly into Puerto Iguazu or Rio de Janeiro?
Prices for flights to both Rio de Janeiro 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 $6.26Rio de Janeiro $35
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: $39
- ASADOR: Argentine Asado Cooking Class: $70
- Argentine Experience: Immersive Dinner & Wine Pairing in Iguazú: $75
- Iguazu Falls: The Argentine Experience Interactive Dinner: $75
- 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
- FD Iguazu Falls Argentinian side + Dinner Tango Show -no transfer: $211
- Rafain Steakhouse Dinner & Show: $232
- Foz do Iguaçu: Argentinean Cooking Class: $244
Typical Food Prices in Rio de Janeiro
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Rio de Janeiro:
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Popcorn$0.59
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Corn on the Cob$0.78
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Hamburger$0.98
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rio de Janeiro
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Rio de Janeiro.
- Vegan Rio Cooking Class: Hands-On Moqueca & Caipirinhas: $50
- Guided Dinner in Rio at a Restaurant of Your Choice: $70
- Brazilian Breakfast Cooking Class in Rio: Bake and Blend: $75
- Roxy Dinner Show: That Embrace Show: $79
- Rio de Janeiro Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $80
- Rio: Copacabana Food Tour with 7 Tastings and Local Flavors: $81
- Rio Roots Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $89
- Food Tour Rio de Janeiro - The Best Typical Brazilian Dishes: $92
- Family Cooking Class in Rio Make 9 Brazilian Dishes Together: $95
- Roxy Show - Brazilian Rhythms with optional Barbecue Dinner: $103
- Folklore show Ginga Tropical with Optional Dinner: $107
- Brazilian Dinner Show: Cultural Experience in Rio de Janeiro: $115
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Puerto Iguazu $33Rio de Janeiro $22
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: $27
- Iguazu Falls: Complete Argentine Side Experience: $28
- Foz do Iguaçu: Brazil/Argentina Sides Iguazu Falls Day Tour: $41
- Explore Iguazu Falls in Brazil: An Unforgettable Experience: $44
- From San Ignacio Ruins and Wanda Mines Tour: $46
- Brazilian Side of Iguazu Falls Half-Day Sightseeing Tour: $48
- Brazilian Side of Iguazu Falls Tour from Puerto Iguazu: $49
- Full-Day Tour to Iguazu Falls: $49
- Iguazu Falls Argentine Side Tour & Ecological Train Ride: $55
- Visit to San Ignacio Ruins and Wanda Mines Full day Tour: $57
- Iguazu Falls : Complete Argentine Side Experience: $59
Tours and Activities in Rio de Janeiro
Here are a few actual costs in Rio de Janeiro for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 1 Day Discovery Tour NO Rio DE Janeiro: $64
- 1 day tour Rio de Janeiro to Christ and Cable car and much more: $121
- 10-hour Private Tour Rio In One Day: Christ, Sugarloaf, Selarón, Downtown: $229
- 12 Beaches Easy Bike Tour Rio de Janeiro: $78
- 2 Days Tour in City Tour Express and Arraial do Cabo: $198
- 2 Days in Rio: Tijuca Forest & Two Brothers Hiking Tours: $282
- 3 Hour Rocinha Favela Walking Tour with a Local Guide: $46
- 4 horas - Tour private: Corcovado e praias: $220
- 4-Hour Private Guided Tour in Rio de Janeiro: $95
- 4-hour Sum-up Of Rio de Janeiro "Private Tour" – Optional Airport & Port Pick-up: $149
- 4x4 Jeep Jungle Tour Rio de Janeiro: $52
- 5-Hour Rio's Essential Sights: Private Tour – Optional Airport & Port Pick-ups: $154
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPuerto Iguazu $7.81Rio de Janeiro $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Rio de Janeiro
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Rio de Janeiro:
- Lapa by Night: Samba, Cachaça & The Ultimate Rio Pub Crawl: $30
- Dance the Night Away at a Pedra do Sal Bar Crawl: $38
- More than a Pub Crawl: An Authentic Night Experience in Rio: $40
- Botafogo Bar Crawl Eat and Drink Like a Local: $50
- Petrópolis City and Brewery Bohemia Tour - Best of Rio's Mountains: $110
- Brazilian Wine Tasting Evening: $123
- Rio: Sitio Burle Marx and Cachaça Distillery Private Tour: $179
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Puerto Iguazu and Rio de Janeiro, we can see that Rio de Janeiro 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 Rio de Janeiro would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rio de Janeiro 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 Rio de Janeiro Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Puerto Iguazu or Rio de Janeiro?
Rio de Janeiro has a larger population, and is about 190 times larger than the population of Puerto Iguazu. When comparing the sizes of Puerto Iguazu and Rio de Janeiro, 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.