Which place is cheaper, San Pedro de Atacama 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 San Pedro de Atacama?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Puerto Iguazu or San Pedro de Atacama? 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 Pedro de Atacama?
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 Pedro de Atacama
San Pedro de Atacama is a gateway to northern Chile. It is a good jumping off point for exploring the area's impressive landscape, most of which is included in the Los Flamencos National Reserve. It is popular with both Chilean and international tourists, and because of its popularity, it is a relatively expensive destination, with many prices comparable to what you might pay in Santiago.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Argentina, The Best Eco Tours in Argentina, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Santiago, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Chile.
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Puerto Iguazu Prices
Argentina PricesSan Pedro de Atacama Prices
Chile Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPuerto Iguazu $56San Pedro de Atacama $72
The average daily cost (per person) in Puerto Iguazu is $56, while the average daily cost in San Pedro de Atacama is $72. 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 Pedro de Atacama in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPuerto Iguazu $40San Pedro de Atacama $33
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPuerto Iguazu $80San Pedro de Atacama $66
Compare Hotels in Puerto Iguazu and San Pedro de Atacama
Looking for a hotel in Puerto Iguazu or San Pedro de Atacama? 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: San Pedro de Atacama Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Puerto Iguazu $3.03San Pedro de Atacama $9.45
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Iguazu
Also for Puerto Iguazu, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Wanda Mines Guided Tour with Transfer / From Iguassu Falls: $56
- One-Way or Round Trip Airport Transfer: $8.00
- One-Way or Round Trip Airport Transfer: $14
- Falls Package Both Sides with Transfers: $160
- Puerto Iguazu Airport Shuttle Transfer: $17
- Puerto Iguazú: Jungle Fly Adventure with Transfers: $166
- Puerto Iguazú Round-Trip Airport Transfer: $25
- Puerto Iguazú Combo: Iguazu Falls 2 Day Tours + transfers: $85
- Private Transfer to or from Puerto Iguazu Airport IGR: $40
- Private Transfer from Puerto Iguazu Airport to Foz do Iguaçu: $83
- Iguazu Falls Saver Package! Both sides excursions & transfers: $79
- Iguazu Falls Argentina Airport Roundtrip Transfer to Hotels: $22
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Pedro de Atacama
Also for San Pedro de Atacama, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- To/From El Loa Airport: San Pedro de Atacama Shared Transfer: $30
- TRANSFER TO PURITAMA HOT SPRINGS: $55
- Shared Transfer to Calama Airport (CJC): $41
- Tatio Geysers W/Breakfast & Transfer: $90
- Puritama Hot Springs Transfer Tour: $39
- Etno-Stargazing Tour with Transfer: $45
- San Pedro de Atacama : Transfer to Termas de Puritama: $39
- Puritama Hot Springs Experience with Transfer and Entrance: $130
- Private transfer from San Pedro de Atacama to Calama City: $190
- Private Transfer to San Pedro de Atacama. without waiting: $89
- Calama Airport: Transfer to/from San Pedro de Atacama: $30
- Calama Airport Transfer to Atacama / Airport Lodging: $70
Is it cheaper to fly into Puerto Iguazu or San Pedro de Atacama?
Prices for flights to both San Pedro de Atacama 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 $6.21San Pedro de Atacama $26
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
- Argentine Experience: Immersive Dinner & Wine Pairing in Iguazú: $70
- ASADOR: Argentine Asado Cooking Class: $70
- Iguazu Falls: The Argentine Experience Interactive Dinner: $75
- Dinner Show Rafain Steakhouse Gran Meliá Hotel Exclusive - Private Tour: $120
- 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
- Rafain Steakhouse Dinner & Show: $232
- Foz do Iguaçu: Argentinean Cooking Class: $244
- Puerto Iguazú: Romantic Dinner at Pristine Iguazú Camp: $306
- Puerto Iguazú: Pristine Day Iguazú Nature and Food Tour: $332
Typical Food Prices in San Pedro de Atacama
For San Pedro de Atacama, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Empanadas$1.30
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Lunch$11
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Dinner$11
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Drink$0.97
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Empanada$5.41
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Pedro de Atacama
For San Pedro de Atacama, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Private Dinner Under the Stars: $300
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Puerto Iguazu $33San Pedro de Atacama $21
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: $1,290
- 3-Day Iguazu Falls Exploring Tour From Argentina and Brazil: $255
- Argentine Falls Package with Great Adventure and Brazilian Falls: $260
- Argentinean Falls with Gran Aventura Boat Tour: $261
- Bike Tour Iguazú Adventure and Nature in the Missionary Jungle: $90
- Bird Park & Iguassu Brazilian Side From Puerto Iguazú Hotels - Private Tour: $145
- Brazilian Side of Iguassu Falls and Itaipu Dam Full-Day Sightseeing Tour from Puerto Iguazú: $108
- Brazilian Side of Iguazu Falls Tour from Puerto Iguazu: $49
- Brazilian Side of the Falls - All Tickets Included: $77
- City Tour Puerto Iguazú Gran Meliá Iguazú Exclusivo: $135
- City Tour Puerto Iguazu Belmond Hotel das Cataratas: $135
- City Tour in Iguassu from Puerto Iguazú Hotels Private Tour: $90
Typical Entertainment Prices in San Pedro de Atacama
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for San Pedro de Atacama's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Sand Boarding$58
Tours and Activities in San Pedro de Atacama
For San Pedro de Atacama, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2 Tours Valley of the Moon and Hidden Lagoons: $120
- 2-Days private tour from Chile to Uyuni Salt Flats: $1,255
- 3 Days and 4 Tours in San Pedro de Atacama: $220
- 3 Main Tours in Atacama: $156
- 3 Shared Tours in San Pedro de Atacama: $260
- 4 TOUR IN ATACAMA IN 3 DAYS: $230
- 4 Tour in 2 Days, in San Pedro de Atacama: $200
- 4 Tours in 3 Days in San Pedro de Atacama: $220
- 4 Tours to Discover Atacama (3 days): $249
- 5 Fantastic Tours in the Atacama Desert in 3 Days: $240
- ASTRONOMICAL TOUR: $48
- Adventure in Piedras Rojas: From Plains to Mountains: $90
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPuerto Iguazu $7.75San Pedro de Atacama $5.10
Typical Alcohol Prices in San Pedro de Atacama
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in San Pedro de Atacama:
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Alcohol$25
Sample the Local Flavors in San Pedro de Atacama
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in San Pedro de Atacama:
- “Drunken Llama Sightseeing Tour” Wine Tasting and Visit with Llama: $355
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Puerto Iguazu and San Pedro de Atacama, we can see that San Pedro de Atacama 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 San Pedro de Atacama would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Pedro de Atacama 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 San Pedro de Atacama Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Puerto Iguazu or San Pedro de Atacama?
Puerto Iguazu has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of San Pedro de Atacama. When comparing the sizes of Puerto Iguazu and San Pedro de Atacama, 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.