Which place is cheaper, Rio de Janeiro or Chiang Mai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Chiang Mai or Rio de Janeiro?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Chiang Mai and Rio de Janeiro. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Chiang Mai or Rio de Janeiro?
Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is both the cultural center of northern Thailand and a launching point for trips into the rural areas, small towns, and lush jungles of the country's northern regions. Known for great food, historic temples, arts and crafts, and a lively night market, Chiang Mai is a very popular destination for travelers. In some areas, tourists and ex-pats dominate, but it's quite easy to get away from the tourist scene and into the real culture of Thailand, as Chiang Mai (and the surrounding countryside) is quite large.
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 G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket, The Best 10-Day Tours in Brazil, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Brazil.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChiang Mai $45Rio de Janeiro $106
The average daily cost (per person) in Chiang Mai is $45, 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 Chiang Mai and Rio de Janeiro in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChiang Mai $26Rio de Janeiro $67
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChiang Mai $52Rio de Janeiro $134
Compare Hotels in Chiang Mai and Rio de Janeiro
Looking for a hotel in Chiang Mai 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.
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: Chiang Mai Hotel Prices and Rio de Janeiro Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Chiang Mai $3.61Rio de Janeiro $8.04
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Chiang Mai
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Chiang Mai are as follows:
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Tuk Tuk Ride$1.09
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Moped Rental$4.89
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chiang Mai
Also for Chiang Mai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 2-Day Transfer Luang Prabang from Chiang Mai by Sleeper Bus : $83
- ATV Riding and Grand Canyon Chiang Mai Include Pickup Transfer: $90
- Chiang Mai #1 Way Private Car transfer to/from Bangkok City: $273
- Chiang Mai #Private Car transfer to/from Mae Sot: $196
- Chiang Mai : Sticky Waterfalls transfer: $23
- Chiang Mai Airport (CNX): One-Way Private Transfer: $12
- Chiang Mai Airport Arrival – Private Transfer from Airport to Four Seasons Hotel: $24
- Chiang Mai Airport CNX to Chiang Dao Private Arrival Transfer: $27
- Chiang Mai Airport CNX to Pai Resorts Round Trip Private Transfer: $154
- Chiang Mai Airport CNX to Pai Thermal Resorts Arrival Transfer: $77
- Chiang Mai Airport Departure – Private Transfer from Hotel to Airport: $13
- Chiang Mai Airport PRIVATE Arrival or Departure Transfer : $21
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Rio de Janeiro
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Rio de Janeiro:
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Taxi Ride$2.96
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rio de Janeiro
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rio de Janeiro:
- Private transfer to Ilha Grande.: $930
- From Private Transfer to São Paulo: $650
- Rio: Sambadrome Carnival Parade + transfer 2025 Sector 7: $471
- 2025: Rio Carnival Parade at Sapucaí with Transfer Sector 7: $471
- Rio Carnival 2025: Sambadrome Parade + Transfer Sector 5: $471
- 2025 Sambadrome Carnival Parade: Transfer Included Sector 5: $471
- Rio's 2025 Carnival Parade at Sapucaí + Transfer Sector 5: $471
- Rio Carnival 2025: Sambadrome Parade + Transfer (Sector 7): $471
- Helicopter Ride for 25 to 30min with Transfer service: $300
- All Private Transfer from Rio de Janeiro to Ilha Grande: $275
- TRANSFER VAN Rio de Janeiro x Búzios/Arraial/Cabo Frio/Angra: $272
- From Private Transfer to Vila do Abraão: $246
Is it cheaper to fly into Chiang Mai or Rio de Janeiro?
Prices for flights to both Rio de Janeiro and Chiang Mai 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 dayChiang Mai $10Rio de Janeiro $20
Typical Food Prices in Chiang Mai
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Chiang Mai:
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Sit Down Dinner (for One)$5.30
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Roti Snack (Bread)$0.65
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Casual Breakfast$1.09
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$5.43
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Mangoes$0.82
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Coffee$1.36
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chiang Mai
For Chiang Mai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cooking Evening Class Chiang Mai Visit Organic Garden and Market: $11
- Cooking Morning Class Chiang Mai Visit Organic Garden and Market : $11
- Traditional Khantoke Dinner and Show from Chiang Mai: $19
- Khantoke Dinner with Traditional Performance: $22
- Afternoon Cooking Class in Organic Garden in Chiang Mai: $22
- Evening Cooking Class in Organic Garden Chiang Mai: $22
- Half-Day Thai Cooking Class at Organic Farm in Chiang Mai: $22
- Cooking Class, Market and Thai Herbs Garden Tour: $25
- Authentic Easy Thai Recipes for Home-Style Cooking Half Day AM: $25
- Half Day Evening Cooking Class with Yummy Tasty Thai Cooking School: $25
- Half-Day Thai Cuisine Cooking Experience in Chiang Mai : $27
- Thai and Isaan Cooking Class & Local Market Tour: $27
Typical Food Prices in Rio de Janeiro
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Rio de Janeiro:
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Popcorn$0.59
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Corn on the Cob$0.79
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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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chiang Mai $13Rio de Janeiro $22
Typical Entertainment Prices in Chiang Mai
For Chiang Mai, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Thai Cooking Class$35
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Doi Suthep Entrance Ticket$1.63
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Kratong Lessons$2.72
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Pedicure$4.08
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Chiang Mai Museum (for Two)$4.89
Tours and Activities in Chiang Mai
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Chiang Mai.
- Scavenger Hunt City Tour for Your Smartphone: $7.73
- Chiang Mai Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.84
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Art in Paradise Illusion Museum Entry Ticket: $11
- Mae Ping River Cruise: $12
- Old City and Temples Guided Walking Tour: $14
- Local Food and Markets Guided Walking Tour: $14
- Skip the Line: Chiang Mai Art in Paradise Admission Ticket: $14
- Tweechol Botanic Garden Half Day Adventure : $15
- Chiang Mai Michelin Food Walking Tour with Professional Tour Guide: $15
- Chiang Mai Old City & Temples Guided Walking Tour - 2 Hrs: $15
- Circuit Karting Experience at Chiang Mai Circuit - Go Kart: $16
Tours and Activities in Rio de Janeiro
Here are a few actual costs in Rio de Janeiro for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Ilha Grande Tour Full day - Rio de Janeiro by Rio Eco Trip: $105
- 10-hour Private Tour Rio In One Day: Christ, Sugarloaf, Selarón, Downtown: $260
- 14 - Guided Tour to Quadra Do Salgueiro with Samba Show: $75
- 15 - Guided Tour to Santa Marta Favela: $150
- 16 - Guided Tour to Favela da Rocinha: $75
- 19 - Guided Tour to the Museum of Tomorrow and Olympic Boulevard: $90
- 2 Days in Rio: Tijuca Forest & Two Brothers Hiking Tours: $276
- 2 hours Hang Gliding Paragliding Full Package experience in Rio : $177
- 21 - Guided Tour to the Imperial City of Petrópolis with Lunch: $80
- 25 - Full Day Tour to Angra dos Reis and Ilha Grande: $80
- 27 -Guided Tour to Christ the Redeemer and City in Rio de Janeiro: $75
- 3 Hour Boat Tour in Rio de Janeiro: $68
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayChiang Mai $6.73Rio de Janeiro $12
Typical Alcohol Prices in Chiang Mai
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Chiang Mai are as follows:
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Wine$2.72
Sample the Local Flavors in Chiang Mai
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Chiang Mai:
- Chiang Mai Pub Crawl: The Best Bars & Pubs in Chiang Mai!: $9.55
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 Chiang Mai and Rio de Janeiro, we can see that Rio de Janeiro is more expensive. And not only is Chiang Mai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Chiang Mai is in Asia 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 Chiang Mai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chiang Mai 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 Chiang Mai.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Chiang Mai Expensive? and Is Rio de Janeiro Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Chiang Mai or Rio de Janeiro?
Rio de Janeiro has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Chiang Mai. When comparing the sizes of Chiang Mai 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 Chiang Mai or Rio de Janeiro?
Rio de Janeiro has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Chiang Mai experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Chiang Mai or Rio de Janeiro in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Chiang Mai as well as Rio de Janeiro. Chiang Mai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In July, Chiang Mai is generally a little warmer than Rio de Janeiroin January. Daily temperatures in Chiang Mai average around 30°C (86°F), and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
It's quite rainy in Rio de Janeiro. Chiang Mai receives a lot of rain in the summer. Chiang Mai usually gets more rain in July than Rio de Janeiroin January. Chiang Mai gets 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain this time of the year. June to September in Chiang Mai is the rainy season.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryChiang Mai 30°C (86°F)Rio de Janeiro 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Chiang Mai or Rio de Janeiro in the Autumn?
Both Rio de Janeiro and Chiang Mai are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Chiang Mai throughout the year.
Chiang Mai is a little warmer than Rio de Janeiro in the autumn. The daily temperature in Chiang Mai averages around 29°C (83°F) in October, and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 25°C (77°F)in April.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Rio de Janeiro. It's quite rainy in Chiang Mai. In October, Chiang Mai usually receives less rain than Rio de Janeiroin April. Chiang Mai gets 122 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Chiang Mai is November to February.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilChiang Mai 29°C (83°F)Rio de Janeiro 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Chiang Mai or Rio de Janeiro in the Winter?
Both Rio de Janeiro and Chiang Mai during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Chiang Mai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the winter, Chiang Mai is a little warmer than Rio de Janeiro. Typically, the winter temperatures in Chiang Mai in January average around 23°C (74°F), and Rio de Janeiro averages at about 21°C (70°F)in July.
Chiang Mai usually gets less rain in January than Rio de Janeiroin July. Chiang Mai gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year. November to February is the dry season in Chiang Mai.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyChiang Mai 23°C (74°F)Rio de Janeiro 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Chiang Mai or Rio de Janeiro in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Chiang Mai and Rio de Janeiro. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Chiang Mai year-round.
Chiang Mai can become quite hot in the spring. In April, Chiang Mai is generally a little warmer than Rio de Janeiroin October. Daily temperatures in Chiang Mai average around 31°C (88°F), and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
In April, Chiang Mai usually receives less rain than Rio de Janeiroin October. Chiang Mai gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the spring. Also, June to September is the rainy season in Chiang Mai.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberChiang Mai 31°C (88°F)Rio de Janeiro 23°C (73°F)
Typical Weather for Rio de Janeiro and Chiang Mai
| Chiang Mai | Rio de Janeiro | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (74°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (78°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (83°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) |
| Apr | 31°C (88°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) |
| May | 31°C (87°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (85°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (85°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (83°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (75°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 169 mm (6.7 in) |
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.