A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Montevideo vs. Rio de Janeiro for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Montevideo 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 Montevideo 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: Montevideo or Rio de Janeiro?

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 $50, while the average daily cost in Rio de Janeiro is $83. 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. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Montevideo and Rio de Janeiro in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Montevideo $31
    Rio de Janeiro $52
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Montevideo $62
    Rio de Janeiro $104
Compare Hotels in Montevideo and Rio de Janeiro

Looking for a hotel in Montevideo 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 Montevideo


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: Montevideo Hotel Prices and Rio de Janeiro Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Montevideo $5.77
    Rio de Janeiro $6.38

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montevideo

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

  • Airport-Hotel or Hotel-Airport Transfers: $28
  • Best Private Arrival or Departure Airport Transfer in Montevideo: $50
  • Departure Private Transfer Montevideo to Montevideo Airport MVD in Business Car: $69
  • Departure Private Transfer Montevideo to Montevideo Airport MVD in Sedan Car: $46
  • Departure Private Transfer Montevideo to Montevideo Airport MVD in a Minibus: $217
  • Jose Ignacio: Private Transfer to Montevideo: $175
  • Montevideo Airport Transfers: $25
  • Private 1-Way or Round Trip MVD Airport Transfer: $45
  • Shared 1-Way or Round Trip MVD Airport Transfer: $23
  • Transfer to Punta del Este or Jose Ignacio: $150
  • PACK 1: Transfer in - Tour Montevideo - Transfer out: $60
  • PACK 2: Transfer in - Tour Montevideo - Punta del Este - Transfer out: $110

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
    $2.94

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rio de Janeiro

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rio de Janeiro:

  • Private Transfer: Rio de Janeiro to Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport (SDU): $622
  • Private Transfer: Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport (SDU) to Rio de Janeiro: $622
  • Arrival Private Transfer: GIG or SDU Airport to Arraial do Cabo by Minivan: $481
  • Arrival Private Transfer: Rio GIG or SDU Airport to Angra dos Reis by Minivan: $458
  • Arrival Private Transfer Rio Airport to Buzios or Cabo Frio by Minivan: $428
  • ARMORED Airport Transfer - Rio de Janeiro (COVID-19 Prepared): $387
  • Buzios Day Trip from Rio de Janeiro Including Airport Transfer: $310
  • LOW COST Airport ROUNDTRIP Transfer - Paraty (COVID-19 Prepared): $255
  • Arrival Private Transfer: GIG or SDU Airport to Arraial do Cabo by Sedan Car: $242
  • Buzios Minivan Private Transfer to and from Rio de Janeiro: $240
  • Arrival Private Transfer Rio Airport to Buzios or Cabo Frio by Sedan Car: $223
  • Low Cost Private Transfer From Tom Jobim International Airport to São João de Meriti City - One Way: $188

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.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Montevideo $11
    Rio de Janeiro $16

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montevideo

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

  • The best Montevideo Dinner Show. Tango and Candombe.: $75
  • 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:


  • Popcorn
    $0.59
  • Corn on the Cob
    $0.78
  • Hamburger
    $0.98

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.

  • Food Tour Rio de Janeiro: $30
  • Cooking Class for Cacao Lovers: $51
  • Feijoada Food Tour in Rio de Janeiro with Hotel pick-up and drop-off: $55
  • Plant-based Brazilian Flavours Cooking Class: $56
  • Dinner & Rio Scenarium Nightclub Admission with Transfer: $60
  • Private Tour in Rio Scenarium with Dinner: $65
  • Skip the line: Samba Show Admission & Transfer with Dinner Option: $70
  • Dinner and Brazilian Music Show in Rio Scenarium: $70
  • Rio Scenarium Entrance, Dinner, and Open Bar: $72
  • Small-Group Boozy 7-Recipe Brazilian Cooking Class: $75
  • Food Tour Experience in Rio de Janeiro (Small Groups or Private): $80
  • Samba Show Ginga Tropical with Optional Dinner: $86

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Montevideo $16
    Rio de Janeiro $17

Tours and Activities in Montevideo

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

  • Ramble through Montevideo's culture and history with this audio walking tour: $5.20
  • Palacio Salvo Official Ticket with Guided Tour: $7.50
  • Skip the Line: Museo Andes 1972 Crash Memorial Admission Ticket: $8.00
  • Half-Day Shared City Tour of Montevideo AM: $19
  • Tour Montevideo Panoramico: $23
  • Walking Tour Parque Rodo: Idiosyncrasy and art of Uruguay: $25
  • City Tour Montevideo: $25
  • City Tour Montevideo: $28
  • Montevideo Tourist Bus: $31
  • Full-Day City Tour of Punta del Este from Montevideo: $33
  • The Best Montevideo City Tour: $33
  • 3-Hour Bike Tour: $37

Tours and Activities in Rio de Janeiro

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

  • 2 Days in Rio: Cultural & Ecologic Tours: $284
  • 2 Days in Rio: Tijuca Forest & Two Brothers Hiking Tours: $265
  • 2 Hour Vidigal Favela Tour Discovery the Most Laidback Favela: $19
  • 3 Hour Sailing Experience in Rio: $39
  • 3-Day Customizable Tour of Rio de Janeiro: $365
  • 4 horas - Tour private: Corcovado e praias: $154
  • 4 hours - Tour Private: Pão de Açúcar e Catedral Metropolitana: $154
  • 4-Day Private Guided Tour from Rio de Janeiro to São Paulo – Coastal Trip: $990
  • 4-Days Ilha Grande Experience - Unlocking Brazil's 'Garden of Eden': $1,025
  • 4-hour Rio Downtown Sites & Bites Small Group Tour: $62
  • 4-hour Sum-up Of Rio de Janeiro "Private Tour" – Optional Airport & Port Pick-up: $92
  • 6-hour Classic Rio de Janeiro "Private City Tour" – Optional For Airport Pick-up: $123

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Montevideo -
    Rio de Janeiro $9.68

Sample the Local Flavors in Montevideo

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Montevideo:

  • Wine Tasting Tour - from Montevideo: $75
  • Private Winery Tour + Wine Tasting (Minimum 4 people): $80
  • Montevideo and Wine Tasting Tour - for cruise passengers: $89
  • Wine tasting - Uruguayan Tannat in Montevideo: $103
  • Private Visit to Uruguayan Winery + Lunch + Wine tasting (minimum 5 people): $105
  • Juanico Wine Tour Lunch: $120
  • Pack 5: Tour Montevideo, Punta del Este & Wine Tasting Tour: $145
  • Guided Private Wine Tour with Tasting and Lunch: $182
  • Wine Tasting & Countryside Lunch Experience: $200
  • Full-Day Wine Tasting and Vineyard Tour: $200
  • Private Wine Tours by Wine Explorers Uruguay: $205
  • 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:

  • Pub Crawl Rio de Janeiro: $11
  • Pub Crawl in Lapa: $19
  • Skip the line: Ipanema Pub Crawl: $28
  • Beautiful Imperial Petropolis City Tour Optional Lunch & Bohemia Brewery: $34
  • Rio By Night Tour: Pub Crawl Experiencing Music, Dancing, Drinks & Local Culture: $105
  • Petrópolis City and Brewery Bohemia Tour - Best of Rio's Mountains: $135
  • Rio: Sitio Burle Marx and Cachaça Distillery Private Tour: $160

About these numbers

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.


When is the best time to visit Montevideo 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 Montevideo or Rio de Janeiro in the Summer?

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

Montevideo is around the same temperature as Rio de Janeiro in the summer. The temperature in Montevideo is usually 24°C (75°F) in January, and Rio de Janeiro stays around 26°C (79°F).

It's quite rainy in Rio de Janeiro. Montevideo usually gets less rain in January than Rio de Janeiro. Montevideo gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January
    Montevideo 24°C (75°F) 
    Rio de Janeiro 26°C (79°F)

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

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

In the autumn, Montevideo is cooler than Rio de Janeiro. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Montevideo in April are around 17°C (63°F), and Rio de Janeiro is about 25°C (77°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Rio de Janeiro. It's quite rainy in Montevideo. In April, Montevideo usually receives less rain than Rio de Janeiro. Montevideo gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April
    Montevideo 17°C (63°F) 
    Rio de Janeiro 25°C (77°F)

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

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

In July, Montevideo is generally much colder than Rio de Janeiro. Temperatures in Montevideo average around 11°C (52°F), and Rio de Janeiro stays around 21°C (70°F).

Montevideo usually gets more rain in July than Rio de Janeiro. Montevideo gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July
    Montevideo 11°C (52°F) 
    Rio de Janeiro 21°C (70°F)

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

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

Montevideo is cooler than Rio de Janeiro in the spring. The temperature in Montevideo is usually 17°C (63°F) in October, and Rio de Janeiro stays around 23°C (73°F).

Montevideo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Montevideo usually receives more rain than Rio de Janeiro. Montevideo gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October
    Montevideo 17°C (63°F) 
    Rio de Janeiro 23°C (73°F)

Typical Weather for Rio de Janeiro and Montevideo

Montevideo Rio de Janeiro
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (75°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 26°C (79°F) 114 mm (4.5 in)
Feb 23°C (73°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 27°C (81°F) 105 mm (4.1 in)
Mar 21°C (70°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 26°C (79°F) 103 mm (4.1 in)
Apr 17°C (63°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 25°C (77°F) 137 mm (5.4 in)
May 14°C (57°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 23°C (73°F) 86 mm (3.4 in)
Jun 11°C (52°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 22°C (72°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Jul 11°C (52°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 21°C (70°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Aug 12°C (54°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 22°C (72°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Sep 14°C (57°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 22°C (72°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
Oct 17°C (63°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 23°C (73°F) 88 mm (3.5 in)
Nov 19°C (66°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 24°C (75°F) 96 mm (3.8 in)
Dec 22°C (72°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 25°C (77°F) 169 mm (6.7 in)


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Montevideo vs. Rio de Janeiro Travel Comparison

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