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

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. 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 Cultural Tours in Uruguay, The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay, The Best Luxury Tours to Brazil, and The Best Budget Tours to Brazil.


Which place 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 $65, while the average daily cost in Rio de Janeiro is $108. 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 Montevideo and Rio de Janeiro in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Montevideo $41
    Rio de Janeiro $68
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Montevideo $82
    Rio de Janeiro $136
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 $7.52
    Rio de Janeiro $8.15

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montevideo

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

  • Airport-Hotel or Hotel-Airport Transfers: $36
  • Arrival Private Transfer Montevideo Airport to Montevideo City in Business Car: $69
  • Carrasco Airport (MVD) to Montevideo - Arrival Private Transfer: $50
  • Carrasco Airport MVD to Montevideo Hotels Round Trip Transfer: $99
  • Carrasco International Airport (MVD) to Montevideo hotels - Round-Trip Transfer: $99
  • Departure Private Transfer Montevideo to Montevideo Airport MVD in Business Car: $69
  • Departure Private Transfer Montevideo to Montevideo Airport MVD in Sedan Car: $46
  • Private 1-Way or Round Trip MVD Airport Transfer: $45
  • Shared 1-Way or Round Trip MVD Airport Transfer: $35
  • Private Transfer from Carrasco Airport (MVD) to Montevideo Port: $26
  • Private Transfer from Carrasco Airport MVD to Punta Del Este Port: $73
  • Private Transfer from Montevideo Cruise Port to Montevideo city: $30

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
    $3.00

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rio de Janeiro

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rio de Janeiro:

  • From Private Transfer to São Paulo: $650
  • Rio Carnival 2025: Sambadrome Parade + Transfer (Sector 7): $476
  • Rio's 2025 Carnival Parade at Sapucaí + Transfer Sector 5: $476
  • Rio: Sambadrome Carnival Parade + transfer 2025 Sector 7: $476
  • 2025 Sambadrome Carnival Parade: Transfer Included Sector 5: $476
  • Rio Carnival 2025: Sambadrome Parade + Transfer Sector 5: $476
  • 2025: Rio Carnival Parade at Sapucaí with Transfer Sector 7: $476
  • 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: $249
  • Private Transfer Rio de Janeiro and Airports x Angra dos Reis (4 max): $247

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 $14
    Rio de Janeiro $21

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. El Milongon.: $85
  • El Milongon Dinner & Show: Candombe, Tango & Folklore in Montevideo: $98
  • Montevideo private city tour with dinner included and tango show: $200

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
    $0.60
  • Corn on the Cob
    $0.80
  • Hamburger
    $1.00

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: $47
  • Barra da Tijuca Food Tour with Drinks: $74
  • 9-Recipes Boozy Brazilian Cooking Class with Market Tour: $85
  • Dinner & Rio Scenarium Nightclub Admission with Transfer: $85
  • 9-Recipe Boozy Brazilian Cooking Class: $85
  • Copacabana Local Street Bars Food Tour: $93
  • Rio Bar Food Tour with a Local - All Included: $99
  • Rio Scenarium Entrance, Dinner, and Open Bar: $107
  • Rio Bar Food Tour with a Local: $114
  • Brazilian Cooking Class: $129
  • Samba Show Admission & Transfer with Dinner Option: $130
  • Rio: Ginga Tropical Folkloric Show & Optional Dinner: $142

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Montevideo $21
    Rio de Janeiro $22

Tours and Activities in Montevideo

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

  • Montevideo's Culture and History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.20
  • Skip the Line: Museo Andes 1972 Crash Memorial Admission Ticket: $8.00
  • Palacio Salvo Official Ticket with Guided Tour: $10
  • Half-day Regular City Tour at Montevideo : $25
  • Half-Day Sightseeing Tour: $25
  • Old City Walking Tour with Private Photographer: $30
  • Walking Tour of the City of Montevideo (Spanish and/or Portuguese): $30
  • Shared Montevideo Tour for Cruisers: $30
  • City Sightseeing Tour: $32
  • Walking Tour with Photographer and Audioguide: $33
  • Montevideo City Tour for Cruisers: $35
  • The Best Montevideo City Tour: $36

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: $51
  • Ilha Grande Tour Full day - Rio de Janeiro by Rio Eco Trip: $105
  • 03 - Guided Tour to the Grande Rio Academics Barracão: $120
  • 1 day tour Rio de Janeiro to Christ and Cable car and much more: $103
  • 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: $288
  • 2 Hours Paradisiac Sailboat Tour in Rio de Janeiro: $288
  • 2 Hours Tour with Parasailing in Rio de Janeiro: $110
  • 20 - Guided Tour to AquaRio and Olympic Boulevard: $120

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Montevideo -
    Rio de Janeiro $12

Sample the Local Flavors in Montevideo

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

  • Half Day Tour at Pizzorno Winery with Lunch and Wine Tasting: $120
  • Juanico Wine Tour Lunch: $132
  • The best wine tour: $140
  • Wine tour - Lunch & Tasting with Wine Explorers: $198
  • Wine Tasting & Countryside Lunch Experience: $210

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: $30
  • Rio: Pub Crawl in Lapa with Cachaça Tasting and Live Samba: $33
  • Petropolis City Tour with Imperial Museum and Optional Lunch & Bohemia Brewery: $40
  • Walking tour + Pub crawl in Lapa: $42
  • Petropolis Bohemia: Historic tour and visit to the Bohemian Brewery: $58
  • Petropolis City Tour + Bohemia Brewery + Lunch: $77
  • Petrópolis City and Brewery Bohemia Tour - Best of Rio's Mountains: $110
  • Rio: Sitio Burle Marx and Cachaça Distillery Private Tour: $134


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.

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


Which is Bigger, Montevideo or Rio de Janeiro?

Rio de Janeiro has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Montevideo. When comparing the sizes of Montevideo 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 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 daily temperature in Montevideo averages around 24°C (75°F) in January, and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates 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 average around 17°C (63°F), and Rio de Janeiro averages at 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. Daily temperatures in Montevideo average around 11°C (52°F), and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates 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 daily temperature in Montevideo averages around 17°C (63°F) in October, and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates 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)