Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money · Updated October 2026
Foz do Iguaçu is easier to travel (2.6 vs 3.4). Biggest gap: rip-offs & haggling — Foz do Iguaçu 2 vs Santa Marta 3. Closer to 1 is easier. Difficulty ranking ›
| Item | Foz do Iguaçu | Santa Marta | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | R$ 32$5.93 | COL$ 17,000$4.15 | Santa Marta −30% |
| Street food1 item | R$ 12$2.22 | COL$ 6,000$1.46 | Santa Marta −34% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | R$ 75$13.9 | COL$ 45,000$11 | Santa Marta −21% |
| Coffeeone cup | R$ 12$2.22 | COL$ 6,000$1.46 | Santa Marta −34% |
| Beerone bottle | R$ 10$1.85 | COL$ 5,000$1.22 | Santa Marta −34% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | R$ 22$4.07 | COL$ 22,000$5.37 | Foz do Iguaçu −24% |
| Bottled water | R$ 3.5$0.65 | COL$ 2,000$0.49 | Santa Marta −25% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | R$ 6$1.11 | COL$ 2,500$0.61 | Santa Marta −45% |
| Taxi5 km in town | R$ 20$3.7 | COL$ 12,000$2.93 | Santa Marta −21% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | R$ 10$1.85 | COL$ 5,000$1.22 | Santa Marta −34% |
| Transitone ride | R$ 5$0.93 | COL$ 2,800$0.68 | Santa Marta −26% |
| Scooter rentalper day | R$ 80$14.8 | COL$ 90,000$22 | Foz do Iguaçu −33% |
| Hotel night3-star | R$ 280$51.9 | COL$ 180,000$43.9 | Santa Marta −15% |
| Studio rent (month) | R$ 1,500$278 | COL$ 1,300,000$317 | Foz do Iguaçu −12% |
| Laundry | R$ 40$7.41 | COL$ 6,000$1.46 | Santa Marta −80% |
| SIM card1 week data | R$ 35$6.48 | COL$ 20,000$4.88 | Santa Marta −25% |
| Haircutcut | R$ 40$7.41 | COL$ 20,000$4.88 | Santa Marta −34% |
| Massage1 hour | R$ 150$27.8 | COL$ 80,000$19.5 | Santa Marta −30% |
| Half-day tourper person | R$ 130$24.1 | COL$ 120,000$29.3 | Foz do Iguaçu −18% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | R$ 130$24.1 | COL$ 25,000$6.1 | Santa Marta −75% |
Reference prices start as estimates from published price levels; items with 3+ traveler reports use the median of real reports. Hostels and local eateries cut both by 30%+.
Santa Marta is 13% cheaper than Foz do Iguaçu. Daily budget $98.9 vs $79.4; a month $1,469 vs $1,375.
Foz do Iguaçu is easier: Foz do Iguaçu 2.6/5 vs Santa Marta 3.4/5 (average of rip-offs, language, transport, payments and safety).
With a short-term studio and living costs, Foz do Iguaçu is about $1,469 and Santa Marta about $1,375 per month.
They start as estimates informed by published price levels; any item with 3+ traveler reports switches to the median of real reports. Live reports are in the app.