Should you visit Montevideo or Rio de Janeiro?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel cost comparison between Montevideo and Rio de Janeiro can help. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Montevideo
As the morning sun tinges the calm waters of the Rio de la Plata with a golden hue, the Rambla and its city awakens to life with new adventures for those near and far. From tanning on the luxurious beaches to peering into Uruguayan history at local museums, one can be far from bored while staying in Montevideo. Combining the quaintness of the countryside with the excitement of urban life, this city holds a unique trait that cannot easily be replicated.
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. The peak time to visit is during the city's famous Carnival festival, which is one of the most famous festivals in the world. However, Rio's appeal as a travel destination is apparent year around. The city has a wonderful natural harbour that is surrounded by Sugar Loaf Mountain, Corcovado Peak, and the hills of Tijuca, creating an absolutely breathtaking and awe-inspiring setting. And you can't miss the beach, either!
Which city is cheaper, Rio de Janeiro or Montevideo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Montevideo is $46, while the average daily cost in Rio de Janeiro is $81. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Montevideo and Rio de Janeiro in more detail.
Accommodation
Travelers usually pay around $56 for a double occupancy room in Montevideo If you want to be in a premiere location or have high end amenities, you can expect to pay a bit more.
The average price for accommodation for two people in Rio de Janeiro is $100. This is for two people sharing a typical double occupancy hotel room.
Food
Food in Montevideo costs travelers about $9.73 per day on average. Restaurants can vary significantly in price, so choose wisely if you're trying to save money. Fast food and street stalls are typically your cheapest options, which sit down restaurants can be significantly more expensive.
The average traveler spends about $15 per day in Rio de Janeiro for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
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Food
Meals for one day
Montevideo $9.73
Rio de Janeiro $15
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montevideo
For Montevideo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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The best Montevideo Dinner Show. Tango and Candombe.:
$75
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El Milongon Dinner & Show: Candombe, Tango & Folklore in Montevideo:
$105
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
$0.57
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Corn on the Cob
$0.76
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Hamburger
$0.95
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.
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Food Tour Rio de Janeiro:
$30
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Cooking Class for Cacao Lovers:
$51
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Feijoada Food Tour in Rio de Janeiro with Hotel pick-up and drop-off:
$55
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Plant-based Brazilian Flavours Cooking Class:
$56
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Dinner & Rio Scenarium Nightclub Admission with Transfer:
$60
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Private Tour in Rio Scenarium with Dinner:
$65
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Skip the line: Samba Show Admission & Transfer with Dinner Option:
$70
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Dinner and Brazilian Music Show in Rio Scenarium:
$70
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Small-Group Boozy 7-Recipe Brazilian Cooking Class:
$75
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Brazilian Food And Caipirinhas Cooking Class:
$75
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Food Tour Experience in Rio de Janeiro (Small Groups or Private):
$80
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Secret Food Tours Rio de Janeiro:
$82
Local Transportation
Montevideo's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $5.29 per person, per day on transportation in Montevideo.
While taxis and private drivers typically cost much more than public transportation, people usually spend around $6.22 per day to get around in Rio de Janeiro.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montevideo
Also for Montevideo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Airport-Hotel or Hotel-Airport Transfers:
$28
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Best Private Arrival or Departure Airport Transfer in Montevideo:
$50
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Departure Private Transfer Montevideo to Montevideo Airport MVD in Business Car:
$69
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Departure Private Transfer Montevideo to Montevideo Airport MVD in Sedan Car:
$46
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Departure Private Transfer Montevideo to Montevideo Airport MVD in a Minibus:
$217
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Montevideo Airport Transfers:
$25
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PACK 1: Transfer in - Tour Montevideo - Transfer out:
$60
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PACK 2: Transfer in - Tour Montevideo - Punta del Este - Transfer out:
$110
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PACK 3: Transfer in - Tour Montevideo - Punta del Este - Colonia - Transfer out:
$190
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Private Airport Transfer: Carrasco International Airport (MVD) to Montevideo:
$40
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Private Airport Transfer: Montevideo to Carrasco International Airport (MVD):
$40
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Private Arrival Transfer: Montevideo Airport to Hotel:
$70
Typical Local Transportation prices in Rio de Janeiro
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Rio de Janeiro:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rio de Janeiro
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rio de Janeiro:
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Private Transfer: Rio de Janeiro to Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport (SDU):
$622
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Private Transfer: Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport (SDU) to Rio de Janeiro:
$622
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Tandem Skydiving with Transfers:
$617
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Arrival Private Transfer: GIG or SDU Airport to Arraial do Cabo by Minivan:
$481
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Arrival Private Transfer: Rio GIG or SDU Airport to Angra dos Reis by Minivan:
$458
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Arrival Private Transfer Rio Airport to Buzios or Cabo Frio by Minivan:
$428
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ARMORED Airport Transfer - Rio de Janeiro (COVID-19 Prepared):
$387
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Rio de Janeiro Airport to Búzios Transfer:
$360
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Private Transfer to Paraty:
$341
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Buzios Day Trip from Rio de Janeiro Including Airport Transfer:
$310
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Rio de Janeiro & Angra Private Transfer Business Sedan:
$310
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Private Transfer from Rio to Búzios:
$300
Is it cheaper to fly into Montevideo or Rio de Janeiro?
Prices for flights to both Rio de Janeiro and Montevideo 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.
Entertainment
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Montevideo can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $15 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Activities, things to do, and other forms of entertainment usually cost around $17 per person, per day in Rio de Janeiro. This cost includes the price of admission tickets to attractions and museums as well as daily tours.
Tours and Activities in Montevideo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Montevideo.
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Ramble through Montevideo's culture and history with this audio walking tour:
$5.20
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Skip the Line: Museo Andes 1972 Crash Memorial Admission Ticket:
$8.00
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Half-Day Shared City Tour of Montevideo AM:
$19
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Tour Montevideo Panoramico:
$23
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Walking Tour Parque Rodo: Idiosyncrasy and art of Uruguay:
$25
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City Tour Montevideo:
$25
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City Tour Montevideo:
$28
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Montevideo Tourist Bus:
$31
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The Best Montevideo City Tour:
$33
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Full-Day City Tour of Punta del Este from Montevideo:
$33
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From Punta del Este Full-Day Tour:
$39
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Montevide Bike Tour:
$40
Tours and Activities in Rio de Janeiro
Here are a few actual costs in Rio de Janeiro for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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2 Days in Rio: Cultural & Ecologic Tours:
$284
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2 Days in Rio: Tijuca Forest & Two Brothers Hiking Tours:
$265
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2 Hour Vidigal Favela Tour Discovery the Most Laidback Favela:
$19
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3 Hour Sailing Experience in Rio:
$39
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3-Day Customizable Tour of Rio de Janeiro:
$365
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4 horas - Tour private: Corcovado e praias:
$154
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4 hours - Tour Private: Pão de Açúcar e Catedral Metropolitana:
$154
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4-Day Private Guided Tour from Rio de Janeiro to São Paulo – Coastal Trip:
$990
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4-Days Ilha Grande Experience - Unlocking Brazil's 'Garden of Eden':
$1,025
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4-Hour Urban Arts Walking Tour:
$43
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4-hour Rio Downtown Sites & Bites Small Group Tour:
$62
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4-hour Sum-up Of Rio de Janeiro "Private Tour" – Optional Airport & Port Pick-up:
$92
Alcohol
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Rio de Janeiro may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $9.43 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Sample the Local Flavors in Montevideo
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Montevideo:
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Wine Tasting Tour - from Montevideo:
$75
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Private Winery Tour + Wine Tasting (Minimum 4 people):
$80
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Montevideo and Wine Tasting Tour - for cruise passengers:
$89
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Wine tasting - Uruguayan Tannat in Montevideo:
$103
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Private Visit to Uruguayan Winery + Lunch + Wine tasting (minimum 5 people):
$105
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Juanico Wine Tour Lunch:
$120
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Pack 5: Tour Montevideo, Punta del Este & Wine Tasting Tour:
$145
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Guided Private Wine Tour with Tasting and Lunch:
$182
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Private Wine Tours by Wine Explorers Uruguay:
$205
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Private Montevideo Wine Tour & Flight Tour:
$259
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:
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Pub Crawl Rio de Janeiro:
$11
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Skip the line: Ipanema Pub Crawl:
$28
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Beautiful Imperial Petropolis City Tour Optional Lunch & Bohemia Brewery:
$34
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Rio By Night Tour: Pub Crawl Experiencing Music, Dancing, Drinks & Local Culture:
$105
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Petrópolis City and Brewery Bohemia Tour - Best of Rio's Mountains:
$135
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Rio: Sitio Burle Marx and Cachaça Distillery Private Tour:
$160
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montevideo and Rio de Janeiro, we can see that Rio de Janeiro is more expensive. And not only is Montevideo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Montevideo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Montevideo 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 Montevideo.
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