A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Buzios vs. Castro for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Buzios or Castro?

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

Should I visit Buzios or Castro? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Buzios or Castro?

Buzios

Initially a fishing village, Armação dos Buzios is a small beach resort town about three hours from Rio de Janeiro by bus. Buzios is a common weekend getaway destination for Cariocas. With 23 beaches, visitors from all over come to swim, snorkel, surf and enjoy sun and sand.

Castro

The capital of Chiloe, modern and dynamic, has succeeded in keeping its authenticity even though it now has many gigantic supermarkets, hotels and other touristic infrastructures. It is located on the island's eastern coast, halfway between Ancud in the north and Quellon in the south, and is a convenient base for exploring the stunning sites in the region of Chiloe Island. The tourist information is located on the town square in front of the church.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Rio de Janeiro, The Best 3-Day Tours from Foz Do Iguacu, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Chile, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Chile.


Which place is cheaper, Castro or Buzios?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Buzios is $79, while the average daily cost in Castro is $86. 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 Buzios and Castro in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Buzios $38
    Castro $36
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Buzios $76
    Castro $72
Compare Hotels in Buzios and Castro

Looking for a hotel in Buzios or Castro? 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 Buzios


Hotels in Castro


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: Castro Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Buzios $19
    Castro $20

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Buzios

Also for Buzios, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Arraial do Cabo Shared Transfer to Rio de Janeiro: $52
  • Beach Resorts to Cabo Frio Airport (CFB) - Departure Transfer : $29
  • Beach Resorts to Cabo Frio Airport (CFB) - Private Transfer: $25
  • Departure Private Transfer Arraial do Cabo to GIG or SDU Airport by Sedan Car: $241
  • Departure Transfer from Buzios or to Rio Airports by Minivan: $219
  • Executive private transfer from GIG Rio Galeao airport up to 3 pax to Buzios: $101
  • Executive private transfer from GIG Rio Galeao airport up to 4 pax to Buzios: $111
  • Private Transfer Buzios to Rio de Janeiro: $91
  • Private Transfer from Buzios Cruise Port to Cabo Frio city hotels: $36
  • Private Transfer from Buzios Cruise Port to Cabo Frio hotels: $41
  • Private Transfer from Buzios Cruise Port to Rio de Janeiro hotels: $29
  • Private Transfer from Buzios Cruise Port to Rio de Janeiro hotels: $32

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Castro

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Castro:

  • Chiloe Airport Private Transfer: $44

Is it cheaper to fly into Buzios or Castro?

Prices for flights to both Castro and Buzios 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
    Buzios $24
    Castro $35

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Buzios $27
    Castro $20

Tours and Activities in Buzios

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Buzios.

  • Tour of the most beautiful beaches and islands of Buzios by Buziana Tour: $12
  • Buggy Ride in Buzios by Buziana Tour: $16
  • Tour of Bugre in Arraial (Buggy): $21
  • Catamaran Boat Tour in Búzios: $24
  • Boat Tour in Arraial do Cabo: $24
  • Half-Day Schooner Sightseeing Trip in Buzios Peninsula Beaches: $29
  •  Trolley Tour Through the City Buzios: $29
  • 3-hour Small Group Buzios Peninsula Open Air Trolley Tour: $33
  • Tour in Boat Tour in Buzios: $37
  • From Buzios To Arraial With Photos On A Private Tour!: $51
  • Schooner Tour in Buzios - Departure from Buzios: $51
  • Hiking Adventures in Buzios: $51

Tours and Activities in Castro

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

  • Bosque Piedra Reserve Tour: $106
  • Castro Sightseeing Tour in Chiloe: $51
  • Dalcahue and Quinchao Island Full Day Tour in Chiloe: $110
  • Dock of Souls Trekking in Chiloe Private Tour: $169
  • From Puerto Varas: Chiloe Island Full-day Tour: $65
  • Full Day Private Chiloe National Park Tour Following "The Darwin´s Route" : $179
  • Lemuy Island Tour from Castro: $178
  • Lemuy Island in Chiloe Full Day Private Tour: $146
  • Pier of Light Full Day Tour in Chiloe: $140
  • Private Half Day Tour in Patrimonial Castro: $30

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Buzios $18
    Castro $17


When comparing the travel costs between Buzios and Castro, we can see that Castro is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in South America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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


Which is Bigger, Buzios or Castro?

Castro has a larger population, and is about 28% larger than the population of Buzios. When comparing the sizes of Buzios and Castro, 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.