Which place is cheaper, Manaus or Brasilia?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Brasilia or Manaus?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Brasilia and Manaus can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Brasilia or Manaus?
Brasilia
The capital city of Brazil, Brasilia is a uniquely-planned city that was constructed in four years from 1956-1960 in the shape of a large bird or airplane. Renowned for its modern architecture, the city listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and attracts architecture aficionados worldwide.
Manaus
Manaus is a Brazilian city, capital of the state of Amazonas, and is located on the Rio Negro a few miles before it meets the Rio Solimões to form the Amazon River. The city is a major departure point for those visiting the Amazon Rainforest, though there are a few sights worth seeing within the city itself as well.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Brazil, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Brazil, The Best Jungle Trekking Tours in Brazil, and The Best Luxury Tours to Brazil.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBrasilia $83Manaus $59
The average daily cost (per person) in Brasilia is $83, while the average daily cost in Manaus is $59. 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 Brasilia and Manaus in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBrasilia $35Manaus $42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBrasilia $70Manaus $84
Compare Hotels in Brasilia and Manaus
Looking for a hotel in Brasilia or Manaus? 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.
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: Brasilia Hotel Prices and Manaus Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Brasilia $22Manaus $7.94
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Manaus
Also for Manaus, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Manaus to Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) -Departure Private Transfer: $21
- 24-hour hotel transfer - airport in Manaus: $17
- 24-hour private group transfer service airport -> hotel: $97
- Manaus Airport (MAO) to Manaus hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $24
- Manaus Airport(MAO) to Manaus hotels- Round-Trip Private Transfer: $48
- Manaus hotels to Manaus Airport(MAO) - Departure Private Transfer: $24
- Manaus private Airport transfer: $30
- Manaus to Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) - Departure Private Transfer: $23
- Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) to Manaus - Arrival Private Transfer: $23
- Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) to Manaus -Round-Trip Private Transfer: $46
- Private 24-hour transfer from the Hotel to the Airport in Manaus: $18
- Private Transfer - Airport - Hotel / Hotel - Airport: $35
Is it cheaper to fly into Brasilia or Manaus?
Prices for flights to both Manaus and Brasilia 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
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Food Meals for one dayBrasilia $32Manaus $12
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Manaus
For Manaus, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Folklore Amazonian Dinner Show: $42
- Food Tour: $50
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Brasilia $19Manaus -
Tours and Activities in Manaus
For Manaus, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Walking Tours in Manaus: $15
- Like a Local Customized Guided Welcome Tour: $30
- City Tour in Manaus at Teatro Amazonas and Praça da Matriz: $50
- MUSA and INPA Museums with Observation Tower Tour: $50
- Manaus City Tour e Musa: $50
- Half-Day City Tour: $54
- Full-Day Tour on the Amazon River: $55
- Amazon Negro River Half-Day Expedition Tour: $55
- Manaus Sightseeing Tour: $64
- Solimoes River Piranha Fishing and Alligator Watching Tour: $66
- Amazon Waterfalls Tour: $70
- Tour to Presidente Figueiredo Waterfalls: $70
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBrasilia $14Manaus $2.84
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Brasilia and Manaus, we can see that Brasilia is more expensive. And not only is Manaus much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Manaus would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Manaus 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 Brasilia would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Brasilia than you might in Manaus.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Brasilia Expensive? and Is Manaus Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Brasilia or Manaus?
Brasilia has a larger population, and is about 38% larger than the population of Manaus. When comparing the sizes of Brasilia and Manaus, 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.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.