How expensive is Rio de Janeiro? How much money do I need for Rio de Janeiro?
How much does a trip to Rio de Janeiro cost? Is Rio de Janeiro expensive? The average Rio de Janeiro trip cost is broken down by category here. All of these Rio de Janeiro prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.
Accommodation Budget in Rio de Janeiro
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price for one person for accommodation in Rio de Janeiro is R$268. For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price for a hotel room in Rio de Janeiro is R$536.
How much do vacation rentals cost in Rio de Janeiro? Prices vary by location, date, size of the place, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Food Budget in Rio de Janeiro
Calculated from travelers like you
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While meal prices in Rio de Janeiro can vary, the average cost of food in Rio de Janeiro is R$65 per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Rio de Janeiro should cost around R$26 per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Rio de Janeiro is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
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Food2
Meals for one day
R$65
Typical prices for Food in Rio de Janeiro are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Rio de Janeiro, but your costs will vary based on your travel style.
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Popcorn
R$3.00
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Corn on the Cob
R$4.00
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Hamburger
R$5.00
Transportation Budget in Rio de Janeiro
Calculated from travelers like you
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The cost of a taxi ride in Rio de Janeiro is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent R$25 per person, per day, on local transportation in Rio de Janeiro.
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Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
R$25
How much does it cost to go to Rio de Janeiro? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend SkyScanner because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Rio de Janeiro will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend SkyScanner because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Typical prices for Transportation in Rio de Janeiro are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Rio de Janeiro, but your costs will vary based on your travel style.
Entertainment Budget in Rio de Janeiro
Calculated from travelers like you
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Entertainment and activities in Rio de Janeiro typically cost an average of R$72 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
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Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
R$72
Tips and Handouts Budget in Rio de Janeiro
Calculated from travelers like you
Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps Budget in Rio de Janeiro
Calculated from travelers like you
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Unfortunately, bad things can happen on a trip. Well, you've just got to deal with it! The average price for a scam, robbery, or mishap in Rio de Janeiro is R$35.
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Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps1
R$35
Alcohol Budget in Rio de Janeiro
Calculated from travelers like you
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The average person spends about R$15 on alcoholic beverages in Rio de Janeiro per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
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Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
R$15
Water Budget in Rio de Janeiro
Calculated from travelers like you
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On average, people spend R$6.84 on bottled water in Rio de Janeiro per day. The public water in Rio de Janeiro is not usually considered safe to drink.
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Water2
Bottled water for one day
R$6.84
Last Updated: Dec 7, 2019
Rio de Janeiro On a Budget
The beaches of Rio
Rio de Janeiro is the most popular travel destination in Brazil. It is the second largest city in Brazil and the sixth largest in the Americas. A portion of the city has been designated a World Heritage Site. The peak time to visit is during the city's famous Carnival festival, which is
one of the most famous festivals in the world. However, Rio's appeal as a travel destination is apparent year around. The city has a wonderful natural harbour that is surrounded by Sugar Loaf Mountain, Corcovado Peak, and the hills of Tijuca, creating an absolutely breathtaking and awe-inspiring setting. And you can't miss the beach, either!
Rio has a climate that is similar to a tropical monsoon climate. Between the months of December and March, extended periods of heavy rain are not uncommon. Temperatures in the inland areas can climb above 100 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer months and highs are typically in the low 80s.
Sights
Rio is known for its beaches. They are wide and beautiful with soft white sand. The main beaches are between Leme and Barra and there are many services available to visitors. There are also beaches on the island of Paqueta such as Praia da Moreninha that are worth visiting.
In addition to the many popular beaches, Rio de Janeiro has some great sights that you should make a point of visiting. The
Streetcar of Santa Teresa passes through a very scenic neighborhood. Parque Lage is a small park with a mansion that has been converted to a school for fine arts. Jardim Botanico is the botanical gardens that have existed since the 1800s and the National Museum of History is downtown and covers a range of information about Brazil history.
One of the most recognizable spots in Rio is on Corcovado Hill. The landmark statue of Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer) is truly amazing and the view is breathtaking. There are several ways to reach the top of the hill but the most popular is the funicular train.
Neighborhoods
There are four main districts in Rio de Janeiro. Centro has the business and financial districts as well as some interesting museums and sights. The South Zone has many upscale neighborhoods and many of the tourist areas including Copacabana, as well as Sugar Loaf and Corcovado Mountains. The North Zone has the stadium, zoo, and a handful of other interesting sights. The West Zone is a growing suburban area that is most popular for its beaches. This is also the area that will house most of the 2016 Olympics.
Activities
Carnival is easily the most famous event in Rio. This is the most crowded, but interesting time to visit the city. The event lasts two weeks and includes many parades and events that go well into the night. The streets are filled with music, dancing, and festivities and it truly is a once in a lifetime experience.
Other activities in and around Rio include hang gliding, paragliding, hiking, and dance lessons.
Food and Dining
Rio de Janeiro has a wide diversity of food options. Local food is often available at buffet style restaurants (comida a kilo). Prices are by weight. There are also all-you-can-eat restaurants that serve grilled meats and vegetables. Servers bring the dishes to tables on skewers. This style of cooking, called rodizio, is also available for seafood, pizza, and snacks.
Brazilian specialties often include seafood such as shrimp, lobster, calamari, and shellfish. Juice bars have also becoming very common and fruit juices are available of all types.
Dias Ferreira Street, in Leblon, is the city's trendy
restaurant row. Restaurants are a little more expensive in this area, but are usually quite good.
Transportation
While there is a metro and bus system, generally the easiest way to travel through Rio de Janeiro is with a taxi. Official taxis must be yellow with a blue stripe down its side. Cars that travel special routes, such as to the airport, may be a different style. Generally the prices for taxis in the city are reasonable, but distances may be far. It's also possible to hire a taxi for a day's tour. This will typical cost around US$20.
Buses are the cheapest way around town and they are relatively convenient in the city's South Zone. This is where you'll find the most bus routes with the greatest frequency. Buses also have their own designated bus lanes so travel times can be shorter. During the night hours buses are less common and not as safe.
The Metro Rio is safe and comfortable. There are two lines, Line 1 (Orange) and Line 2 (Green). Some stations run buses into the nearby neighborhoods, making the system slightly more convenient, even if you're not in walking distance. The last car of each train has a pink window sticker during rush hours to indicate that the car is women only.
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