A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Puerto Iguazu vs. Valparaiso for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Puerto Iguazu or Valparaiso?

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

Should I visit Puerto Iguazu or Valparaiso? 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 Valparaiso?

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.

Valparaiso

Valparaiso, often referred to as Valpo, is an attractive city on the Pacific Coast in Chile. The city has a population of about 300,000 and is only 120 kilometers west of Santiago. The city's main industries aside from tourism include shipping and petroleum refining.

Valparaiso is popular with travelers because of its bohemian culture and brightly colored homes. It also offers some wonderful views of the Pacific Ocean. Although the city is short on specific sights, the atmosphere and beautiful setting make it a wonderful place to visit.

Valparaiso has a mild Mediterranean climate that is comparable to San Francisco or Santa Barbara. The summer is dry but fog is common year around. Rain can be heavy during the winter season and snow falls occasionally in the highest parts of the city. Winds can also be strong during the winter months.

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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Chile, and The Best Luxury Tours to Chile.


Which place is cheaper, Valparaiso or Puerto Iguazu?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Puerto Iguazu is $8.32, while the average daily cost in Valparaiso is $65. 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 Valparaiso in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Puerto Iguazu $3.31
    Valparaiso $35
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Puerto Iguazu $6.62
    Valparaiso $70
Compare Hotels in Puerto Iguazu and Valparaiso

Looking for a hotel in Puerto Iguazu or Valparaiso? 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 Valparaiso


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 Valparaiso Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Puerto Iguazu $2.55
    Valparaiso $4.72

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Iguazu

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

  • Argentine and Brazilian Falls with transfers: $67
  • Iguazú Falls Brazil & Argentina 3-Day In-Out Transfers: $61
  • Iguazu Falls Argentina Airport Roundtrip Transfer to Hotels: $20
  • Puerto Iguazú Combo: Iguazu Falls 2 Day Tours + transfers: $98
  • Puerto Iguazú Round-Trip Airport Transfer: $20
  • Puerto Iguazu Airport Shuttle Transfer: $6.85
  • One-Way or Round Trip Airport Transfer: $8.00
  • One-Way or Round Trip Airport Transfer: $11
  • Transfer In + Transfer Out IGR Airport Puerto Iguazú Hotels Selva de Iryapu: $145

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Valparaiso

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Valparaiso are as follows:


  • Taxi Ride
    $3.07

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Valparaiso

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Valparaiso:

  • World Biggest Organic Winery Emiliana, Valparaiso & Transfer : $250
  • Valparaiso to Santiago Private Transfer or Santiago to Valparaiso: $76
  • Valparaiso Airport Private Transfer: $156
  • Transfers from Valparaiso or Viña del Mar to Santiago: $120
  • Small group transfer from Valparaiso/S.Antonio+Tour in Santiago: $140
  • Private Transfer from Viña del Mar to Arturo Merino Benítez (SCL) Airport: $239
  • Private Transfer from Viña Del Mar or Valparaiso City Hotel To Santiago City: $89
  • Private Transfer from Valparaiso Port to Santiago Airport (SCL): $66
  • Private Transfer from Valparaiso Hotel or port To Santiago Airport or Hotel: $107
  • Private Transfer from Valparaiso Cruise Port to Santiago hotels: $82
  • Private Transfer from San Antonio Port to Valparaiso or Viña del Mar.: $133
  • Private Transfer Viña del Mar to Santiago Airport: $170

Is it cheaper to fly into Puerto Iguazu or Valparaiso?

Prices for flights to both Valparaiso 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 $3.06
    Valparaiso $22

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:

  • El Quincho Del Tio Querido - Dinner And Show from Foz do Iguaçu: $46
  • Argentine Experience: Immersive Dinner & Wine Pairing in Iguazú: $60
  • Iguazu Falls: The Argentine Experience Interactive Dinner: $69
  • Churrascaria Rafain - Show and Dinner : $107
  • Experience Guamini Mision Dinner and Tango Show Selva Iriapu Hotels Exclusive: $110
  • Rafain Steakhouse Dinner & Show: $117
  • The Argentine Experience: wine & dinner experience: $118
  • Dinner Show Rafain Steakhouse from Puerto Iguazú Hotels Private Tour: $120
  • Dinner Show Rafain Steakhouse Gran Meliá Hotel Exclusive - Private Tour: $120
  • From Foz do Iguaçu: Madero Tango with dinner: $123
  • Experience Guamini Mision Dinner and Tango Show Gran Meliá Iguazú Exclusive: $145
  • Experience Guamini Mision Dinner and Tango Show Belmond Hotel: $160

Typical Food Prices in Valparaiso

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Valparaiso:


  • Empanada
    $1.84

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Valparaiso

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Valparaiso.

  • Chilean Cuisine Cooking Class with Traditional Market Tour: $72
  • Learn to Cook Like a Local: Private Cooking Class in a Viña del Mar Home: $102

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Puerto Iguazu $2.73
    Valparaiso $18

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: $24
  • Puerto Iguazú: Iguazú Biocenter Tour: $25
  • Iguazu Falls Brazilian Side Tour: $30
  • Argentinian Iguazu Falls Full Day Tour: $31
  • Ciudad del Este Shopping Tour: $32
  • Half-Day Iguazú Forest Adventure: $38
  • Brazilian Side of Iguazu Falls Half-Day Sightseeing Tour : $41
  • From San Ignacio Ruins and Wanda Mines Tour: $46
  • Full-Day Tour to Iguazu Falls : $49
  • Brazilian Side of Iguazu Falls Tour from Puerto Iguazu: $55
  • Iguazu Falls: Argentine Side Tour from Puerto Iguazu: $55

Typical Entertainment Prices in Valparaiso

Here are a few typical costs in Valparaiso for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Boat Tour
    $4.10

Tours and Activities in Valparaiso

Here are a few actual costs in Valparaiso for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 2 Hour Walking Tour in Valparaiso: $35
  • 3-Hour Bike Tour along the Coast of Viña del Mar and Valparaíso: $55
  • Cruise Port to Valparaiso & Casablanca: Drop-off in Santiago: $150
  • Famous Valparaíso! Premium Walking Tour with a Native Guide: $35
  • Famous Viña del Mar! Premium Walking Tour with a Native Guide: $35
  • Gastronomic Tour Valparaiso Visit Mani Restorans Ceviche Empanada: $60
  • Guided Panoramic Tour in Valparaíso: $40
  • Half-Day Chilean Pacific Coast Tour: Viña del Mar, Reñaca and Concón: $87
  • Half-Day Valparaiso City Highlights Tour: $87
  • Neruda Museums Isla Negra & La Sebastiana Valparaiso City Tour: $259
  • PRIVATE TOUR: Pre-Post Cruise Viña del Mar Valparaiso and Casablanca Winery tour: $155
  • Pre or Post Valparaiso Cruise with Santiago City Tour and optional Vineyard: $98

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Puerto Iguazu $1.31
    Valparaiso $7.61

Typical Alcohol Prices in Valparaiso

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Valparaiso are as follows:


  • Beer
    $0.97

Sample the Local Flavors in Valparaiso

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Valparaiso:

  • Private Wine Tour in Valparaíso: $166
  • Santiago: Valparaíso Walking Tour & Casablanca Wine Tasting: $255
  • Isla Negra Museum Tour & CasaBlanca Wine Tour: $289


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Puerto Iguazu and Valparaiso, we can see that Valparaiso 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 Valparaiso would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Valparaiso 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 Valparaiso Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Puerto Iguazu or Valparaiso?

Valparaiso has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Puerto Iguazu. When comparing the sizes of Puerto Iguazu and Valparaiso, 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.