Which place is cheaper, Puerto Iguazu or Recife?
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 Recife or Puerto Iguazu?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Recife and Puerto Iguazu can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Recife or Puerto Iguazu?
Recife
One of the largest cities on Brazil's northeast coast, Recife is also the capital of the state of Pernambuco. The city gets its name from the Portuguese word for "reef," as it was built around a landscape of natural reef beaches. Many people visit to enjoy these beaches, experience the culture, and explore the history of this important Brazilian city.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Brazil, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Brazil, The Best Wildlife Tours to Argentina, and The Best Eco Tours in Argentina.
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Recife Prices
Brazil PricesPuerto Iguazu Prices
Argentina Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRecife $221Puerto Iguazu $59
The average daily cost (per person) in Recife is $221, while the average daily cost in Puerto Iguazu is $59. 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 Recife and Puerto Iguazu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRecife $89Puerto Iguazu $42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRecife $178Puerto Iguazu $84
Compare Hotels in Recife and Puerto Iguazu
Looking for a hotel in Recife or Puerto Iguazu? 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: Recife Hotel Prices and Puerto Iguazu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Recife $8.60Puerto Iguazu $3.22
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Recife
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Recife:
- Private Transfer from Olinda to Recife (REC) Airport: $50
- Private Transfer from Igarassu to Recife (REC) Airport: $110
- Departure Transfer from Olinda to Recife Airport: $100
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Iguazu
Also for Puerto Iguazu, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- One-Way or Round Trip Airport Transfer: $8.00
- One-Way or Round Trip Airport Transfer: $14
- Iguazu Falls Argentina Airport Roundtrip Transfer to Hotels: $22
- Puerto Iguazú Round-Trip Airport Transfer: $22
- Puerto Iguazu Airport Private Transfer: $23
- Private Transfer from Iguazú (IGR) Airport to Puerto Iguazú: $45
- Wanda Mines Guided Tour with Transfer / From Iguassu Falls: $56
- Iguazu Falls Saver Package! Both sides excursions & transfers: $79
- Private Transfer from Puerto Iguazu Airport to Foz do Iguaçu: $83
- Puerto Iguazú Combo: Iguazu Falls 2 Day Tours + transfers: $85
- Iguazú Falls Combo: Argentina & Brazil, with Transfers: $86
- Iguazú Falls Argentine and Brazilian Sides with Airport Transfers: $86
Is it cheaper to fly into Recife or Puerto Iguazu?
Prices for flights to both Puerto Iguazu and Recife 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 dayRecife $123Puerto Iguazu $6.59
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: $36
- 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
- Rafain Steakhouse Dinner & Show: $232
- Foz do Iguaçu: Argentinean Cooking Class: $244
- Puerto Iguazú: Romantic Dinner at Pristine Iguazú Camp: $306
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Recife $11Puerto Iguazu $35
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
- 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
- Iguazu Falls Argentine Side Tour & Ecological Train Ride: $55
- Iguazú Falls National Park Entry Ticket or Flexipass 3 days: $60
- Private Shopping Tour in Puerto Iguazú: $69
- Iguazu Falls, Argentina + Boat Option (Private Tour): $71
- Iguazu Falls Guided Tour Argentina side: $73
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRecife -Puerto Iguazu -
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Recife and Puerto Iguazu, we can see that Recife 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 Recife would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Recife 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 Recife Expensive? and Is Puerto Iguazu Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Recife or Puerto Iguazu?
Recife has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Puerto Iguazu. When comparing the sizes of Recife and Puerto Iguazu, 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.