A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Accra vs. Rio de Janeiro for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Accra or Rio de Janeiro?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Accra or Rio de Janeiro, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Accra or Rio de Janeiro?

Accra

Accra is the capital city of Ghana, located on the Atlantic coast of West Africa. Popular attractions include the National Museum of Ghana, local beaches, markets, and cultural landmarks like those dedicated to Civil Rights activist W.E.B. DuBois.

Rio de Janeiro

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. It's also famous for Carnival, it's gorgeous beaches, and world-famous landmarks. Rio's appeal as a travel destination is apparent year round due to the great weather and plenty of fun activities. The city has a wonderful natural harbor that is surrounded by Sugar Loaf Mountain, Corcovado Peak, and the hills of Tijuca, creating an absolutely breathtaking and awe-inspiring setting.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Ghana, The Best Adventure Tours to Ghana, The Best 10-Day Tours in Brazil, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Brazil.


Which place is cheaper, Rio de Janeiro or Accra?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Accra is $37, while the average daily cost in Rio de Janeiro is $106. 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 Accra and Rio de Janeiro in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Accra $19
    Rio de Janeiro $67
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Accra $38
    Rio de Janeiro $134
Compare Hotels in Accra and Rio de Janeiro

Looking for a hotel in Accra or Rio de Janeiro? 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 Accra


Hotels in Rio de Janeiro


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: Accra Hotel Prices and Rio de Janeiro Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Accra $16
    Rio de Janeiro $8.04

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Accra

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Accra:

  • Accra Airport Hotel City Transfers: $58
  • Arrival Transfer From Accra Airport To Hotel: $100
  • Kotoka Airport Exclusive Wheelchair Accessible Transfers!: $130
  • Kotoka Airport Exclusive Wheelchair Accessible Transfers!: $115
  • Private Transfer from Kotoka Airport Accra Ghana (ACC) to Accra city: $109

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Rio de Janeiro

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Rio de Janeiro:


  • Taxi Ride
    $2.96

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rio de Janeiro

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rio de Janeiro:

  • Transfer in Private Vehicle from Rio de Janeiro City center - Airport (GIG): $13
  • Private transfer from Airport GIG to Rio City center-Copacabana: $15
  • Rio Galeão Airport (GIG): Shuttle Transfer to/from Hotels: $15
  • Rio Santos Dumont (SDU): Shuttle Transfer to/from Hotels: $15
  • Private transfer Economico GIG Rio Galeao airport up to 3 pax to Zona Sul: $18
  • Shared Transfer From or To Airport: $19
  • Transfer in Private Vehicle from Rio de Janeiro City center - Airport (SDU): $19
  • Transfer in Private Vehicle from Rio de Janeiro Airport (SDU) - Rio City Center: $19
  • Transfer in Private Minivan from Rio de Janeiro City Center -Airport (SDU): $19
  • Private One-way Airport Transfer (Galeao Airport To Rio): $20
  • One Way Shared Transfer from Airport to hotels in Rio de Janeiro: $20
  • Transfer service from / to International Airport (GIG) - Zona Sul: $21

Is it cheaper to fly into Accra or Rio de Janeiro?

Prices for flights to both Rio de Janeiro and Accra 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
    Accra $9.28
    Rio de Janeiro $20

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Accra

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Accra.

  • Private Ghanaian Cuisine Cooking Class: $40
  • Local Ghanaian Cooking Class in Accra to help support wellness community center: $45
  • Cooking Class: $75
  • Flavors of Ghana: Food Tour Experience.: $78
  • Authentic Ghanaian Cooking Lessons: $80
  • Home Cooking Class by Auntie K: $89
  • Cooking Class with Auntie KK in Osu: $89
  • Ghanaian Cooking Class Authentic Tour: $100
  • Savor & Learn: Authentic Ghanaian Cooking Experience: $128
  • Quad Biking, Landmark Tours and Dinner in Aburi: $204
  • Ghanaian Local Foods Cooking Class: $216

Typical Food Prices in Rio de Janeiro

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Rio de Janeiro:


  • Popcorn
    $0.59
  • Corn on the Cob
    $0.79
  • Hamburger
    $0.99

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rio de Janeiro

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Rio de Janeiro.

  • Waterfront Dinner & Live Music Experience: $46
  • Barra da Tijuca Food Tour with Drinks: $73
  • THE BEST FOOD TOUR: $80
  • Dinner & Rio Scenarium Nightclub Admission with Transfer: $85
  • 9-Recipe Boozy Brazilian Cooking Class: $85
  • Brazilian Meats and Snacks + South American Wines Guided Dinner: $89
  • Food Tour Rio de Janeiro - The Best Typical Brazilian Dishes: $92
  • Rio Scenarium Entrance, Dinner, and Open Bar: $106
  • Rio Bar Food Tour with a Local: $113
  • Rio Scenarium: Fast Track Entrance, Dinner & Open Bar: $115
  • Brazilian Cooking Class: $129
  • Samba Show Admission & Transfer with Dinner Option: $130

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Accra $3.32
    Rio de Janeiro $22

Tours and Activities in Accra

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Accra are as follows:

  • Quabus Accra City Tour : $20
  • Makola Market Walking Tour: $41
  • Makola Market Walking Tour: $58
  • 1 Day Accra City Tour: $71
  • Accra Central: Street Food Walking Tour with Akosua Serwaa: $72
  • Walking Tour of Accra: $75
  • Accra City Tour Experience: $75
  • Experience Ghana in a Tailored Accra City Tour.: $79
  • Accra Detailed City Tour: $80
  • Experience the Beauty, History and the Culture Of Accra in a Day: $80
  • Accra City Tour Experience: $80
  • The Agbogbloshie (Accra E-waste and Recycling experience) Private Tour: $85

Tours and Activities in Rio de Janeiro

Here are a few actual costs in Rio de Janeiro for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Self-Guided Audio Tour - Santa Teresa: the staircase: $6.99
  • Rio de Janeiro (Ipanema & Copacabana) Self-Guided Tour: $7.73
  • Rio de Janeiro (Urca) Scavenger Hunt and Self-Guided Tour: $7.73
  • Salvador Sights Self Guided Tour (Pelourinho): $7.78
  • Rio de Janeiro (Urca) Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.89
  • Rio de Janeiro Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
  • A Self-Guided Black History Audio Tour of Rio de Janeiro’s Little Africa: $9.99
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour-Story of Bossanova: Rhythm and soul of Rio: $10
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour - Imperial Rio: $10
  • Hiking Experience to Pedra do Telégrafo: $10
  • Favela tour in copacabana with local guide!: $10
  • Ticket to the match at maracanã of Flamengo: $10

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Accra $4.76
    Rio de Janeiro $12

Sample the Local Flavors in Rio de Janeiro

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Rio de Janeiro:

  • Rio: Pub Crawl in Lapa with Cachaça Tasting and Live Samba: $33
  • Pub Crawl in Lapa: $34
  • Rio de Janeiro Pub Crawl (Lapa district): $35
  • Petropolis City Tour with Imperial Museum and Optional Lunch & Bohemia Brewery: $40
  • Petropolis Bohemia: Historic tour and visit to the Bohemian Brewery: $60
  • Walking tour + Pub crawl + Samba in Lapa: $65
  • Petropolis City Tour + Bohemia Brewery + Lunch: $77
  • Petrópolis City and Brewery Bohemia Tour - Best of Rio's Mountains: $110
  • Brazilian Wine Tasting Evening: $110
  • Rio: Sitio Burle Marx and Cachaça Distillery Private Tour: $132


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Accra and Rio de Janeiro, we can see that Rio de Janeiro is more expensive. And not only is Accra much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Accra is in Africa and Rio de Janeiro is in South America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Accra would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Accra 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 Rio de Janeiro would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rio de Janeiro than you might in Accra.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Accra Expensive? and Is Rio de Janeiro Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Accra or Rio de Janeiro?

Rio de Janeiro has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Accra. When comparing the sizes of Accra and Rio de Janeiro, 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.


When is the best time to visit Accra or Rio de Janeiro?

Rio de Janeiro has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Accra experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Accra or Rio de Janeiro in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Accra and Rio de Janeiro. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Accra year-round.

In the summer, Accra is around the same temperature as Rio de Janeiro. Typically, the summer temperatures in Accra in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Rio de Janeiro averages at about 26°C (79°F)in January.

Rio de Janeiro receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Accra usually receives less rain than Rio de Janeiroin January. Accra gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Accra 25°C (77°F) 
    Rio de Janeiro 26°C (79°F)

Should I visit Accra or Rio de Janeiro in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Accra as well as Rio de Janeiro. Accra attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In October, Accra is generally around the same temperature as Rio de Janeiroin April. Daily temperatures in Accra average around 26°C (79°F), and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

It's quite rainy in Rio de Janeiro. Accra usually gets less rain in October than Rio de Janeiroin April. Accra gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Accra 26°C (79°F) 
    Rio de Janeiro 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Accra or Rio de Janeiro in the Winter?

Both Rio de Janeiro and Accra are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Accra throughout the year.

Accra is a little warmer than Rio de Janeiro in the winter. The daily temperature in Accra averages around 27°C (81°F) in January, and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 21°C (70°F)in July.

In January, Accra usually receives less rain than Rio de Janeiroin July. Accra gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Accra 27°C (81°F) 
    Rio de Janeiro 21°C (70°F)

Should I visit Accra or Rio de Janeiro in the Spring?

Both Rio de Janeiro and Accra during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Accra because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the spring, Accra is a little warmer than Rio de Janeiro. Typically, the spring temperatures in Accra in April average around 28°C (82°F), and Rio de Janeiro averages at about 23°C (73°F)in October.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Accra. Accra usually gets more rain in April than Rio de Janeiroin October. Accra gets 117 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Accra 28°C (82°F) 
    Rio de Janeiro 23°C (73°F)

Typical Weather for Rio de Janeiro and Accra

Accra Rio de Janeiro
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 27°C (81°F) 18 mm (0.7 in) 26°C (79°F) 114 mm (4.5 in)
Feb 28°C (82°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 27°C (81°F) 105 mm (4.1 in)
Mar 28°C (82°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 26°C (79°F) 103 mm (4.1 in)
Apr 28°C (82°F) 117 mm (4.6 in) 25°C (77°F) 137 mm (5.4 in)
May 27°C (81°F) 120 mm (4.7 in) 23°C (73°F) 86 mm (3.4 in)
Jun 26°C (79°F) 281 mm (11.1 in) 22°C (72°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Jul 25°C (77°F) 86 mm (3.4 in) 21°C (70°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Aug 24°C (75°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 22°C (72°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Sep 25°C (77°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 22°C (72°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
Oct 26°C (79°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 23°C (73°F) 88 mm (3.5 in)
Nov 27°C (81°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 24°C (75°F) 96 mm (3.8 in)
Dec 27°C (81°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 25°C (77°F) 169 mm (6.7 in)