A Travel Price Comparison for Argentina Puerto Iguazu vs. San Miguel de Tucuman for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Puerto Iguazu or San Miguel de Tucuman?

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

Should I visit Puerto Iguazu or San Miguel de Tucuman? 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 San Miguel de Tucuman?

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.

San Miguel de Tucuman

The capital of the Tucuman Province in Argentina, San Miguel de Tucuman is the largest city in the country's northwest. The city is probably most well known as the sight where the Declaration of Independence from Spain took place on July 9, 1816. The location of this event, a colonial-style house called "Casa Historica" or "Casita de Tucuman", remains an important landmark in the city.

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.


Which place is cheaper, San Miguel de Tucuman 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.

  • Puerto Iguazu Prices
    Argentina Prices
    San Miguel de Tucuman Prices
    Argentina Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Puerto Iguazu $80
    San Miguel de Tucuman $71

The average daily cost (per person) in Puerto Iguazu is $80, while the average daily cost in San Miguel de Tucuman is $71. 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 San Miguel de Tucuman in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Puerto Iguazu $57
    San Miguel de Tucuman $53
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Puerto Iguazu $114
    San Miguel de Tucuman $106
Compare Hotels in Puerto Iguazu and San Miguel de Tucuman

Looking for a hotel in Puerto Iguazu or San Miguel de Tucuman? 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 San Miguel de Tucuman


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 San Miguel de Tucuman Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Puerto Iguazu $4.31
    San Miguel de Tucuman $3.34

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Iguazu

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

  • Transfer from Iguazú Airport to hotels on the Argentine side: $30
  • 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: $15
  • Puerto Iguazú Combo: Iguazu Falls 2 Day Tours + transfers: $110
  • Private Transfers Full Day Iguazú Falls: $85
  • Private Transfer to or from Puerto Iguazu Airport IGR: $35
  • Private Transfer from Puerto Iguazu Airport to Foz do Iguaçu: $72
  • Iguazu Falls 2-Day Tour with Airport Transfer: $301
  • Iguazu Airport Private Transfer: $18
  • Iguazú Falls Brazil & Argentina 3-Day In-Out Transfers: $86

Is it cheaper to fly into Puerto Iguazu or San Miguel de Tucuman?

Prices for flights to both San Miguel de Tucuman 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 $8.85
    San Miguel de Tucuman $7.53

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:

  • Madero Tango Show with Optional Dinner in Iguazu: $33
  • Puerto Iguazú: Madero Tango Show with Optional Dinner: $34
  • Argentine Experience: Immersive Dinner & Wine Pairing in Iguazú: $65
  • Iguazu Falls: The Argentine Experience Interactive Dinner: $65
  • From Foz do Iguaçu: Madero Tango with dinner: $108
  • Dinner Show Rafain Steakhouse from Puerto Iguazú Hotels Private Tour: $120
  • Dinner Show Rafain Steakhouse Gran Meliá Hotel Exclusive - Private Tour: $120
  • Foz do Iguaçu: Argentinean Cooking Class: $130
  • Churrascaria Rafain - Show and Dinner : $140
  • Dinner Tango Show in Iguazú Falls - no transfers -: $145
  • Experience Guamini Mision Dinner and Tango Show Belmond Hotel: $160

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Puerto Iguazu $47
    San Miguel de Tucuman $36

Tours and Activities in Puerto Iguazu

For Puerto Iguazu, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 2Day Iguazu Tour HELICOPTER Ride & Airfare from Buenos Aires: $590
  • 3-Day Iguazu Falls Exploring Tour: $234
  • Argentina: Full-Day Iguazu Falls and Great Adventure Tour: $152
  • Argentine Falls Package with Great Adventure and Brazilian Falls: $250
  • Argentinean Falls with Gran Aventura Boat Tour: $219
  • Argentinian Iguazu Falls Full Day Tour: $32
  • Bird Park & Iguassu Brazilian Side From Puerto Iguazú Hotels - Private Tour: $135
  • Bird Park & Iguassu Brazilian Side Gran Meliá Hotel Exclusive - Private Tour: $130
  • Brazilian Side Falls: Brazilian Falls Tour with Parque Das Aves:: $140
  • Brazilian Side of Iguassu Falls and Itaipu Dam Full-Day Sightseeing Tour from Puerto Iguazú: $110
  • Brazilian Side of Iguazu Falls Tour from Puerto Iguazu: $49
  • Brazilian Side of the Falls - All Tickets Included: $72

Tours and Activities in San Miguel de Tucuman

For San Miguel de Tucuman, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Discover Tafí del Valle and Quilmes Ruins in a Day Tour: $111
  • Entrance ticket to Aerial Park, Zip Line and Palestra: $27
  • Rio Hondo Hot Springs Full Day Tour from Tucuman: $111
  • Yungas Half-Day Tour from Tucuman: $70

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Puerto Iguazu $11
    San Miguel de Tucuman $11


When comparing the travel costs between Puerto Iguazu and San Miguel de Tucuman, 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 San Miguel de Tucuman Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Puerto Iguazu or San Miguel de Tucuman?

San Miguel de Tucuman has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Puerto Iguazu. When comparing the sizes of Puerto Iguazu and San Miguel de Tucuman, 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.