A Travel Price Comparison for Brazil Fortaleza vs. Rio de Janeiro for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Fortaleza or Rio de Janeiro?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Fortaleza and Rio de Janeiro can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Fortaleza or Rio de Janeiro?

Fortaleza

A major city on Brazil's northeastern coast and the capital city of Ceara state, Fortaleza is best characterized by its city landscape lined with beaches and palm trees. It also features some great seafood as well as long-standing folk traditions in culture and dance.

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.

Which place is cheaper, Rio de Janeiro or Fortaleza?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Fortaleza is $72, while the average daily cost in Rio de Janeiro is $110. 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 Fortaleza and Rio de Janeiro in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Fortaleza $31
    Rio de Janeiro $69
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Fortaleza $62
    Rio de Janeiro $138
Compare Hotels in Fortaleza and Rio de Janeiro

Looking for a hotel in Fortaleza 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 Fortaleza


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: Fortaleza Hotel Prices and Rio de Janeiro Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Fortaleza $22
    Rio de Janeiro $8.31

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Fortaleza

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

  • 4x4 Private Transfer Service : $188
  • 4x4 Transfer Private Service Fortaleza - Jericoacoara: $209
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Fortaleza Airport FOR to Fortaleza by Minivan: $51
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Fortaleza Airport FOR to Fortaleza by Sedan Car: $41
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Fortaleza Airport FOR to Jericoacoara by Minivan: $336
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Fortaleza Airport FOR to Jericoacoara by Sedan Car: $253
  • Beach Park Transfer from Fortaleza: $17
  • Cumbuco Private Transfer From Fortaleza: $51
  • Cumbuco Shared Transfer From Fortaleza: $44
  • Departure Private Transfer: Fortaleza City to Fortaleza Airport FOR by Minivan: $51
  • Departure Private Transfer: Fortaleza City to Fortaleza Airport FOR by Sedan Car: $41
  • Departure Private Transfer: Jericoacoara to Fortaleza Airport FOR by Minivan: $336

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
    $3.06

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rio de Janeiro

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rio de Janeiro:

  • 5-Day Rio de Janeiro Highlights Tour - Hotel & transfer included: $1,800
  • Rio: Premium Carnival Seating with Food, Drinks, & Transfer: $1,133
  • Private VIP Paradise Ilha Grande Speed Boat and Transfer from Rio: $788
  • VIP Transfer Rio de Janeiro x Ilha Grande (15 max): $782
  • TRANSFER VAN Rio de Janeiro x Sao Paulo: $700
  • From Private Transfer to São Paulo: $650
  • Arrival Private Transfer: GIG or SDU Airport to Arraial do Cabo by Minivan: $481
  • Private Transfer Rio de Janeiro x Buzios or Arraial do Cabo or Cabo Frio 15max: $475
  • Private Transfer Rio de Janeiro and Airports x Paraty (15 max): $475
  • TRANSFER - Rio de Janeiro x São Paulo (4 passengers): $463
  • Arrival Private Transfer: Rio GIG or SDU Airport to Angra dos Reis by Minivan: $458
  • EXECUTIVE Airport ROUNDTRIP Transfer - Paraty (COVID-19 Prepared): $450

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

Prices for flights to both Rio de Janeiro and Fortaleza 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
    Fortaleza $25
    Rio de Janeiro $21

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Fortaleza

For Fortaleza, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Thematic Show with Rotation of Pizzas in Aquiraz: $29

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
    $0.61
  • Corn on the Cob
    $0.82
  • Hamburger
    $1.02

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: $41
  • Waterfront Dinner and Live Music in Rio de Janeiro: $41
  • Food Tour Copacabana: $51
  • 3-Hour Shared Food Tour in Copacabana: $51
  • Feijoada Food Tour in Rio de Janeiro with Hotel pick-up and drop-off: $80
  • 9-Recipe Boozy Brazilian Cooking Class: $85
  • Dinner & Rio Scenarium Nightclub Admission with Transfer: $85
  • 9-Recipes Boozy Brazilian Cooking Class with Market Tour: $85
  • Food Tour Experience in Rio de Janeiro (Small Groups or Private): $86
  • Rio Scenarium: Fast Track Entrance, Dinner & Open Bar: $92
  • Rio Scenarium Entrance, Dinner, and Open Bar: $93
  • Copacabana Local Street Bars Food Tour: $94

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Fortaleza $16
    Rio de Janeiro $23

Tours and Activities in Fortaleza

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

  • Full Day Tour to Cumbuco From Fortaleza: $12
  • Cumbuco Beach Tour: $12
  • One Day Bus Tour of Fortaleza and Cumbuco Beach: $13
  • 3 Beaches in 1 Day Tour Leaving Fortaleza: $14
  • Lagoinha Beach Tour: $15
  • Águas Belas Tour: $16
  • Cumbuco Beach with City Tour from Fortaleza: $16
  • Lagoinha Beach Tour: $18
  • Tour 3 beaches in 1 day: $18
  • Canoe Quebrada Full Day Tour - Departure from Fortaleza by Vitorino Turismo: $20
  • Canoa Quebrada Beach Tour with Nettour: $21
  • Fortaleza City Tour : $22

Tours and Activities in Rio de Janeiro

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

  • Favelas do Vidigal or Rocinha's experience: $52
  • Ilha Grande Tour Full day - Rio de Janeiro by Rio Eco Trip: $105
  • 1 day tour Rio de Janeiro to Christ and Cable car and much more: $105
  • 1–Day Arraial & Búzios Tour: Paradise in the Coast of Rio de Janeiro: $590
  • 10-hour Private Tour Rio In One Day: Christ, Sugarloaf, Selarón, Downtown: $249
  • 2 Days in Rio: Cultural & Ecologic Tours: $314
  • 2 Days in Rio: Tijuca Forest & Two Brothers Hiking Tours: $293
  • 2 Hours Paragliding or Hang Gliding Experience in Rio de Janeiro: $161
  • 2 Hours Tour with Parasailing in Rio de Janeiro: $110
  • 2–Day Private Tour of Arraial do Cabo and Búzios with Pick Up: $940
  • 2-Day Private Tour of Rio de Janeiro and Petropolis: $384
  • 20-Minute Helicopter Tour in Rio de Janeiro: $199

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Fortaleza $10
    Rio de Janeiro $13

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:

  • Pub Crawl in Lapa: $27
  • 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: $59
  • 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: $130
  • Rio: Sitio Burle Marx and Cachaça Distillery Private Tour: $237

How are these travel costs calculated?

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Fortaleza and Rio de Janeiro, we can see that Rio de Janeiro is more expensive. And not only is Fortaleza much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Fortaleza would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Fortaleza 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 Fortaleza.

Which is Bigger, Fortaleza or Rio de Janeiro?

Rio de Janeiro is bigger, and its population is about 2.5 times larger than the population of Fortaleza. When comparing the population of Fortaleza vs. 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 and the activities that interest you.


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

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.

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

The summer brings many poeple to Fortaleza as well as Rio de Janeiro.

In the summer, Fortaleza is around the same temperature as Rio de Janeiro. Typically, the summer temperatures in Fortaleza in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Rio de Janeiro averages at about 26°C (79°F).

It's quite rainy in Rio de Janeiro. Fortaleza receives a lot of rain in the summer. Fortaleza usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Rio de Janeiro. Fortaleza gets 119 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January
    Fortaleza 28°C (82°F) 
    Rio de Janeiro 26°C (79°F)

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

Both Rio de Janeiro and Fortaleza are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.

In April, Fortaleza is generally around the same temperature as Rio de Janeiro. Daily temperatures in Fortaleza average around 27°C (80°F), and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Rio de Janeiro. It's quite rainy in Fortaleza. In April, Fortaleza usually receives more rain than Rio de Janeiro. Fortaleza gets 356 mm (14 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April
    Fortaleza 27°C (80°F) 
    Rio de Janeiro 25°C (77°F)

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

Both Rio de Janeiro and Fortaleza during the winter are popular places to visit.

Fortaleza is a little warmer than Rio de Janeiro in the winter. The daily temperature in Fortaleza averages around 26°C (79°F) in July, and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

Fortaleza usually gets more rain in July than Rio de Janeiro. Fortaleza gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July
    Fortaleza 26°C (79°F) 
    Rio de Janeiro 21°C (70°F)

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

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Fortaleza and Rio de Janeiro.

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

In October, Fortaleza usually receives less rain than Rio de Janeiro. Fortaleza gets 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.


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

Typical Weather for Rio de Janeiro and Fortaleza

Fortaleza Rio de Janeiro
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 28°C (82°F) 119 mm (4.7 in) 26°C (79°F) 114 mm (4.5 in)
Feb 27°C (81°F) 205 mm (8.1 in) 27°C (81°F) 105 mm (4.1 in)
Mar 27°C (80°F) 323 mm (12.7 in) 26°C (79°F) 103 mm (4.1 in)
Apr 27°C (80°F) 356 mm (14 in) 25°C (77°F) 137 mm (5.4 in)
May 27°C (80°F) 256 mm (10.1 in) 23°C (73°F) 86 mm (3.4 in)
Jun 26°C (80°F) 142 mm (5.6 in) 22°C (72°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Jul 26°C (79°F) 95 mm (3.7 in) 21°C (70°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Aug 27°C (80°F) 22 mm (0.9 in) 22°C (72°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 23 mm (0.9 in) 22°C (72°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 13 mm (0.5 in) 23°C (73°F) 88 mm (3.5 in)
Nov 28°C (82°F) 12 mm (0.5 in) 24°C (75°F) 96 mm (3.8 in)
Dec 28°C (82°F) 44 mm (1.7 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.
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Fortaleza vs. Rio de Janeiro Travel Comparison

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