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

Should you visit Buzios or Nassau?

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

Should I visit Buzios or Nassau? 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 Nassau?

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.

Nassau

There are few vacation destinations more famous than the Bahamian city of Nassau. This capital city is full of laid back locals, relaxed tourists and the iconic pastel pink government houses.

As the largest city in the Bahamas, Nassau can hold plenty of people. Not only are there hundreds of tourists on any given day, the city is also home to 260,000 people – that is 80 percent of the Bahamas' total population.

Founded around 1650, Nassau's location made it a great spot on the trade route. So great, in fact, that it also became a popular destination for pirates – including the infamous Blackbeard.

Pack light because it's going to be pretty steamy in Nassau. The climate is essentially identical to southern Florida. It is warm and humid all year with the occasional cold snap in the winter.

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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Bahamas, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Bahamas.


Which place is cheaper, Nassau or Buzios?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Buzios is $94, while the average daily cost in Nassau is $227. 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 Nassau in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Buzios $37
    Nassau $108
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Buzios $74
    Nassau $216
Compare Hotels in Buzios and Nassau

Looking for a hotel in Buzios or Nassau? 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 Nassau


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: Nassau Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Buzios $19
    Nassau $32

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Buzios

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

  • Beach Resorts to Cabo Frio Airport (CFB) - Private Transfer: $44
  • Beach Resorts to Cabo Frio Airport (CFB) - Departure Transfer: $44
  • Tour in Buzios City Tour, Lunch and Transfer: $60
  • Cabo Frio Airport (CFB) to Beach Resorts - Round-Trip Transfer: $89
  • Private Transfer from Cabo Frio Airport (CFB) to Buzios Port: $116
  • Private Transfer from Buzios Port to Cabo Frio Airport (CFB): $116
  • Private transfer Buzios in Rio to the SDU Airport: $189
  • Private Transfer from GIG Airport to City Buzios in Rio: $230

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nassau

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Nassau are as follows:


  • Water Taxi
    $8.00
  • Taxi to Cable Beach
    $25
  • Taxi from Airport
    $30

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nassau

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Nassau:

  • Nassau Roundtrip Airport Transfer to Paradise Island: $360
  • Nassau Roundtrip Transfer by Limousine to Paradise Island: $335
  • Round Trip Airport to/from Hotel Private Transfers: $301
  • Round-Trip Private Transfer: $300
  • Luxury Airport Transfer in Nassau – VIP Mercedes Sprinter Service: $250
  • Private Bahamian Baking Class and Transfers with Chef Gabbi: $210
  • Private SUV One way Airport Transfer/Grocery & Liquor stop included: $200
  • Airport Transfer: $190
  • Private Roundtrip Sedan Airport Transfer to Eastern District: $185
  • Nassau Airport (NAS) to Nassau hotels -Round-Trip Private Transfer: $164
  • One-Way Private Airport to Hotel Transfer Service: $162
  • Private Roundtrip Sedan Airport Transfer to Downtown Nassau: $159

Is it cheaper to fly into Buzios or Nassau?

Prices for flights to both Nassau 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 $41
    Nassau $91

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nassau

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

  • Conch Salad Cooking Lesson and Tasting in Nassau: $80
  • Sunset Dinner Cruise: $119
  • Nassau Sunset Dinner Cruise: $129
  • Dinner and Dancing: $130
  • All Inclusive Sunset Dinner Cruise in Nassau Bahamas: $138
  • Experience Breakfast,Lunch or Dinner in the sky of Nassau Bahamas: $176
  • NEW! Authentic Bahamian Cooking and Cocktails with Transfers: $179

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Buzios $26
    Nassau $37

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
  • Two Floor Boat Tour with Toboágua Arraial do Cabo: $14
  • Boat Tour Open Bar A Floor Arraial do Cabo: $14
  • Escuna Tour in Búzios Viva Water: $16
  • Stand up paddle experience: $16
  • Buggy Ride in Buzios by Buziana Tour: $20
  • Tour of Bugre in Arraial (Buggy): $21
  • Boat Tour in Arraial do Cabo: $24
  • Catamaran Boat Tour in Búzios: $31
  • Half-Day Schooner Sightseeing Trip in Buzios Peninsula Beaches: $34
  • Tour in Boat Tour in Buzios: $38
  • 3-hour Small Group Buzios Peninsula Open Air Trolley Tour: $39

Typical Entertainment Prices in Nassau

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Nassau are as follows:


  • Jet Ski
    $50
  • 4 Hr Kayak Tour
    $70
  • 1/2 Day Snorkel Trip
    $75

Tours and Activities in Nassau

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

  • 1.5 Hour Bahamas Special City Tour and Nassau City Tour Package: $250
  • 2 Hours Sip and Snorkeling Experience in Bahamas: $150
  • 3 Islands Tour, Swim with Pigs, Turtles, Snorkelling & lunch: $175
  • 3-Hour ATV Tour of New Providence (Inclusive of water & local deserts): $190
  • 4-Island Tour Swimming Pigs, turtles, snorkeling , rose island,: $175
  • ATV Guided Historical Site Tours Nassau: $158
  • ATV Half Day City Tour in Guided Tour With Free Samples: $200
  • ATV Tour of Nassau (Drive Your Own ATV-Driver 21yr+ with license): $119
  • Atlantis Bridge Speed Boat Adventure: $90
  • Atv Guided Tours Nassau Bahamas: $250
  • Audio Driving Tour Around St. Simons Island: $9.99
  • Bahamas Adventure: Pigs, Reef, Turtles, and Beach with Lunch: $299

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Buzios $17
    Nassau $19

Typical Alcohol Prices in Nassau

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Nassau are as follows:


  • Cocktail
    $6.50

Sample the Local Flavors in Nassau

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Nassau:

  • Bottle Your Own at John Watling's Distillery: $20
  • Bahamian Mixology Experience at John Watling Distillery: $80
  • Rum Tasting Experience at John Watling's Distillery: $80
  • Mixology Experience at John Watling's Distillery: $80
  • Rum Tasting Experience at John Watling's Distillery: $80


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Buzios and Nassau, we can see that Nassau is more expensive. And not only is Buzios much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Buzios is in South America and Nassau is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Buzios would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Buzios 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 Nassau would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nassau than you might in Buzios.

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


Which is Bigger, Buzios or Nassau?

Nassau has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Buzios. When comparing the sizes of Buzios and Nassau, 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.