Is Rio de Janeiro expensive to visit?
Rio de Janeiro is a moderately priced destination with an average daily cost of $111. Compared to the rest of South America, it is a moderately priced place to visit. It's ranked in the top 50% of cities in South America for its travel costs, comparable to places like Puerto Montt and Guayaquil.

The beaches of Rio
How expensive is Rio de Janeiro?
The average cost of traveling to Rio de Janeiro can vary widely based on many factors, but our calculations based on previous travlers show that the average daily cost is $111 (U.S. Dollars). Your travel style, accommodation preferences, dining choices, and trip duration can alter your individual budget, as you can find a wide array of accommodation, food, and entertainment options available for your visit. Sticking to mid-range hotels, affordable restaurants, and public transit when available can keep your costs close to this calculated average. See more travel costs for Rio de Janeiro here.
How expensive is a weekend trip (three days) to Rio de Janeiro?
Based on our calculations from previous travelers, a weekend trip to Rio de Janeiro will cost around $332 per person. This amount includes sightseeing activities, hotels, restaurants, local transportation, and other travel expenses. For two people, a weekend trip would cost $664.
How expensive is a one week (7-day) trip to Rio de Janeiro?
On average, a one week trip to Rio de Janeiro costs about $774 per person. This is based on the previous expenses of actual travelers, and includes accommodation, food, activities, local transportation, and more. For two people, a one week trip costs $1,548.
Is it expensive to backpack in Rio de Janeiro?
With more than 80 hostels in the area, Rio de Janeiro is a popular backpacker destination for travelers looking to stay on a tight budget and have a fun time along the way. Here, hostels cost an average of $20 per night for a dorm bed, with private rooms being more expensive. (See hostel prices in Rio de Janeiro here.) It's also common to see a wide range in prices, as the cheapest hostels here cost $0, but the most expensive can be more than $222 per night.
Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Rio de Janeiro.
- $21 for a dorm bed at Books Hostel
- $16 for a dorm bed at Discovery Hostel
- $29 for a dorm bed at Mango Tree Hostel Ipanema
Are hotels expensive in Rio de Janeiro?
From our analysis of hotel prices in Rio de Janeiro, we can see that they are somewhat more expensive in comparison to the rest of the world. On average, a night in a hotel room costs approximately $59. The area hosts around 25 five-star hotels, averaging $166 per night. For those with an eye on both comfort and economy, three-star hotels present a reasonable choice at an average of $72 per night, while two-star hotels offer an even more economical option at $48 per night.
Hotels by star rating in Rio de Janeiro
Rating | Number of Hotels | Average Hotel Price |
---|---|---|
5 stars | 25 | $166 |
4 stars | 95 | $80 |
3 stars | 253 | $72 |
2 stars | 209 | $48 |
1 star | 104 | $74 |
No rating | 94 | $68 |
How expensive are sightseeing activities in Rio de Janeiro?
Activities and things to do in Rio de Janeiro can vary in price depending on the type of activity, length, and location. Below are a number of popular activities to give you an idea of what to expect when visiting. Generally, previous travelers have spent $20 per day on sightseeing activities and things to do when visiting, which is more than the country's average of $14.
Name | Price | |
---|---|---|
Copacabana Beach | Free | more info |
Sugarloaf Mountain | R$135 | more info |
Christ the Redeemer | R$ 79 | more info |
Maracanã Stadium | R$ 30 | more info |
Botanical Garden (Jardim Botânico) | R$ 15 | more info |
Tijuca National Park | Free | more info |
Selarón Steps | Free | more info |
Sambadrome Marquês de Sapucaí | R$ | more info |
Barra da Tijuca Beach | Free | more info |
Museum of Tomorrow (Museu do Amanhã) | R$30 | more info |
Lapa Arches (Arcos da Lapa) | Free | more info |
Rio de Janeiro Cathedral (Catedral Metropolitana) | Free | more info |
Santa Teresa Neighborhood | Free | more info |
- From the Past to the Present: A Historical Walking Tour of Rio: $92
- Half Day Hiking Tour Morro Dois Irmaos and Favela Vidigal: $54
- Rio Favela Tour: $35
- Walking tour of the bohemian neighborhoods of Santa Teresa and Lapa: $71
- Maracanã Stadium: Live Football Match: Inc. Tickets and transport: $149
- PRIVATE CITY TOUR, spacious LAND CRUISER 4X4 up to 7 PASSENGERS: $106
- Half Day Private E-Bike Tour in Rio: $113
- City Tour Full VIP - Corcovado Train + Churrascaria Rodízio: $129
Is food expensive in Rio de Janeiro?
Food in Rio de Janeiro can vary in price depending on the restaurant and food options available. Generally, other travelers have spent $32 on food per person per day, which is more than the country's average of $30. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible.
- 3-Hour Brazilian Cooking Class in Rio de Janeiro : $160
- Folklore show Ginga Tropical with Optional Dinner : $127
- Authentic Samba Show in Rio de Janeiro with Dinner: $267
- Brazilian Show Experience with Dinner and Drink: $221
- Brazilian BBQ Cooking & Drinks Class + Patio Party in Copacabana: $95
- Dinner and Show at the Official Roxy Dinner Show - Rio de Janeiro: $151
Is transportation expensive in Rio de Janeiro?
Exploring local transportation in Rio de Janeiro shows that the price can vary greatly by the type of transportation used. On average, previous travelers have spent $7 per person per day, which is less than the country's average of $12. If you want to save money, use public transit as it's much cheaper than taxis or private drivers.
More for Rio de Janeiro
If you're planning a trip to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, check out these other informative travel guides.
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.