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

Should you visit Puerto Iguazu or Ilha Grande?

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

Should I visit Puerto Iguazu or Ilha Grande? 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 Ilha Grande?

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.

Ilha Grande

Ilha Grande is a large, beautiful, island located off the southeast coast of Brazil. The island has few inhabitants, resulting in mostly unadulterated beaches and landscapes. There are over a dozen trails and beaches to explore, some of which have been called the best beaches in Brazil. Due to the limited number of inhabitants, ATMs are sparse on the island, so be sure to have cash with you before getting there.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Argentina, The Best Eco Tours in Argentina, The Best Adventure Tours to Brazil, and The Best Eco Tours in Brazil.


Which place is cheaper, Ilha Grande 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
    Ilha Grande Prices
    Brazil Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Puerto Iguazu $57
    Ilha Grande $80

The average daily cost (per person) in Puerto Iguazu is $57, while the average daily cost in Ilha Grande is $80. 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 Ilha Grande in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Puerto Iguazu $41
    Ilha Grande $35
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Puerto Iguazu $82
    Ilha Grande $70
Compare Hotels in Puerto Iguazu and Ilha Grande

Looking for a hotel in Puerto Iguazu or Ilha Grande? 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 Ilha Grande


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Puerto Iguazu $3.07
    Ilha Grande $17

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Iguazu

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

  • Transfers IGR from the (ARG) to IGU (BRA) with PasseioTur: $80
  • Transfer In + Transfer Out IGR Airport Puerto Iguazú Hotels Selva de Iryapu: $145
  • One-Way or Round Trip Airport Transfer: $11
  • Puerto Iguazu Airport Shuttle Transfer: $17
  • Puerto Iguazu Airport Private Transfer: $22
  • Puerto Iguazu Airport (IGR) Private Transfer to Puerto Iguazu: $27
  • Puerto Iguazú Combo: Iguazu Falls 2 Day Tours + transfers: $100
  • Private Transfers Full Day Iguazú Falls: $130
  • Private Transfer from Puerto Iguazu Airport to Foz do Iguaçu: $78
  • Iguazu Falls 2-Day Tour with Airport Transfer: $348
  • Iguazú Falls Brazil & Argentina 3-Day In Transfer: $79
  • Brazilian Waterfalls Tour and Bird Park with Transfer: $102

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ilha Grande

Also for Ilha Grande, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Regular Transfer Angra dos Reis x Rio de Janeiro and Airports: $36
  • Private Transfer from GIG to anywhere in the City Angra dos Reis: $182
  • Private Transfer from Angra dos Reis to Airport GIG in Rio : $182
  • Private Transfer Angra dos Reis to Rio de Janeiro: $91
  • From Angra dos Reis: Shared Transfer to Rio de Janeiro: $46

Is it cheaper to fly into Puerto Iguazu or Ilha Grande?

Prices for flights to both Ilha Grande 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 $6.30
    Ilha Grande $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:

  • Madero Tango Iguazú - Premium Dinner (Foz do Iguaçu/Puerto Iguazú): $30
  • Madero Tango Show with Optional Dinner in Iguazu: $36
  • El Quincho Del Tio Querido - Dinner And Show from Foz do Iguaçu: $44
  • Argentine Experience: Immersive Dinner & Wine Pairing in Iguazú: $65
  • Iguazu Falls: The Argentine Experience Interactive Dinner: $65
  • Iguazu: The Argentine Experience Dinner with Wine Pairing: $69
  • Puerto Iguazú: Madero Tango Show with Optional Dinner: $98
  • Churrascaria Rafain - Show and Dinner : $117
  • Dinner Show Rafain Steakhouse from Puerto Iguazú Hotels Private Tour: $120
  • Experience Guamini Mision Dinner and Tango Show Gran Meliá Iguazú Exclusive: $155
  • Foz do Iguaçu: Argentinean Cooking Class: $157

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Puerto Iguazu $33
    Ilha Grande $6.36

Tours and Activities in Puerto Iguazu

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

  • 1 day- Tour on both sides of the waterfalls: $111
  • 1-Day Private Tour In the Iguacu Falls of Brazil and Argentina : $106
  • 2-Day Private Tour Both Waterfalls ARG/BRA: $182
  • 2Day Iguazu Tour HELICOPTER Ride & Airfare from Buenos Aires: $590
  • 3-Day Iguazu Falls Exploring Tour From Argentina and Brazil: $299
  • Argentina: Full-Day Iguazu Falls and Great Adventure Tour: $142
  • Argentine Falls Package with Great Adventure and Brazilian Falls: $250
  • Argentine Side Iguassu Falls Private Tour Hotels in Puerto Iguazú: $140
  • Argentinean Falls with Gran Aventura Boat Tour: $238
  • 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

Tours and Activities in Ilha Grande

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

  • Angra dos Reis Lagoons Shared Speedboat Tour: $78
  • Angra Dos Reis Daily Tour To Paradise. Boat Trip Lunch And Fruits Included: $67
  • Angra Super Blue Lagoon Speedboat Tour: $76
  • Angra dos Reis Island Hopping Speedboat Tour from Ilha Grande: $69
  • Boat Adventure through the Super Blue Lagoon in Angra dos Reis: $77
  • Boat Tour To The Beaches Of Angra Dos Reis: $18
  • Discover Angra’s Hidden Paradise Islands by Speedboat Tour: $78
  • Diving Adventures in Angra dos Reis: $177
  • From Ilha Grande - Paradise Island 7 h - Speedboat tour: $65
  • Full-Day Ilha Grande Northern Coast Speedboat Tour: $63
  • Half-Day Ilha Grande Schooner Tour: $42
  • Ilha Grande - From Abrãao: Lopes Mendes beach tour & trekking: $25

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Puerto Iguazu $7.86
    Ilha Grande $10


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