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

Should you visit Piriapolis or Rio de Janeiro?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Piriapolis or Rio de Janeiro, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Piriapolis or Rio de Janeiro?

Piriapolis

Piriapolis is a small beach town between Montevideo and Punta del Este in Uruguay. It is a more laid back version of Punta del Este with fewer fancy restaurants and clubs but it has perhaps more charm, with its grand old hotel and beachfront promenade backed by small mountains. The rather old-school coastal resort is vaguely reminiscent of a Mediterranean beach town.

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


Which place is cheaper, Rio de Janeiro or Piriapolis?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Piriapolis is $69, 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 Piriapolis and Rio de Janeiro in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Piriapolis $28
    Rio de Janeiro $68
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Piriapolis $56
    Rio de Janeiro $136
Compare Hotels in Piriapolis and Rio de Janeiro

Looking for a hotel in Piriapolis 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 Piriapolis


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: Piriapolis Hotel Prices and Rio de Janeiro Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Piriapolis $32
    Rio de Janeiro $8.15

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:

  • 2025 Sambadrome Carnival Parade: Transfer Included Sector 5: $476
  • 2025: Rio Carnival Parade at Sapucaí with Transfer Sector 7: $476
  • A transfer with safety and comfort in Rio: $45
  • Airport Private Transfer - Premium Service: $65
  • Airport Transfer: Rio de Janeiro to Airport GIG by Luxury Van: $126
  • All Private Transfer from Rio de Janeiro to Ilha Grande: $275
  • All-You-Can-Eat Brazilian Churrascaria in Rio de Janeiro with Transfer: $80
  • Angra dos Reis Private Transfer from Rio de Janeiro : $107
  • Angra dos Reis Shared Transfer From Rio de Janeiro: $53
  • AquaRio Small Group Guided Tour with entrance and transfer: $60
  • Arraial do Cabo Private Transfer From Rio de Janeiro: $123
  • Arraial do Cabo Shared Transfer From Rio de Janeiro: $54

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

Prices for flights to both Rio de Janeiro and Piriapolis 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
    Piriapolis $24
    Rio de Janeiro $21

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.
    Piriapolis $6.05
    Rio de Janeiro $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:

  • A Self-Guided Black History Audio Tour of Rio de Janeiro’s Little Africa: $5.99
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour - Santa Teresa: the staircase: $6.99
  • Rio de Janeiro (Ipanema & Copacabana) Self-Guided Tour: $7.80
  • Rio de Janeiro (Urca) Scavenger Hunt and Self-Guided Tour: $7.80
  • Rio de Janeiro(Ipanema-Copacabana)Scavenger Hunt Self-Guided Tour: $7.96
  • Rio de Janeiro (Urca) Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.96
  • Salvador Sights Self Guided Tour (Pelourinho): $7.96
  • Rio de Janeiro Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour - Imperial Rio: $10
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour-Story of Bossanova: Rhythm and soul of Rio: $10
  • Hiking Experience to Pedra do Telégrafo: $10
  • Favela tour in copacabana with local guide!: $10

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Piriapolis $8.33
    Rio de Janeiro $12

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 Piriapolis and Rio de Janeiro, we can see that Rio de Janeiro is more expensive. And not only is Piriapolis much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Piriapolis would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Piriapolis 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 Piriapolis.

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


Which is Bigger, Piriapolis or Rio de Janeiro?

Rio de Janeiro has a larger population, and is about 760 times larger than the population of Piriapolis. When comparing the sizes of Piriapolis 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 Piriapolis or Rio de Janeiro?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.

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

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

Piriapolis is cooler than Rio de Janeiro in the summer. The daily temperature in Piriapolis averages around 23°C (73°F) in January, and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Rio de Janeiro. In January, Piriapolis usually receives less rain than Rio de Janeiro. Piriapolis gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January
    Piriapolis 23°C (73°F) 
    Rio de Janeiro 26°C (79°F)

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

Both Rio de Janeiro and Piriapolis during the autumn are popular places to visit.

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

Rio de Janeiro gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Piriapolis usually gets less rain in April than Rio de Janeiro. Piriapolis gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


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

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

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Piriapolis and Rio de Janeiro.

In July, Piriapolis is generally much colder than Rio de Janeiro. Daily temperatures in Piriapolis average around 10°C (50°F), and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

In July, Piriapolis usually receives more rain than Rio de Janeiro. Piriapolis gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July
    Piriapolis 10°C (50°F) 
    Rio de Janeiro 21°C (70°F)

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

The spring brings many poeple to Piriapolis as well as Rio de Janeiro.

Piriapolis is cooler than Rio de Janeiro in the spring. The daily temperature in Piriapolis averages around 16°C (61°F) in October, and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

Piriapolis usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Rio de Janeiro. Piriapolis gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October
    Piriapolis 16°C (61°F) 
    Rio de Janeiro 23°C (73°F)

Typical Weather for Rio de Janeiro and Piriapolis

Piriapolis Rio de Janeiro
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 23°C (73°F) 75 mm (3 in) 26°C (79°F) 114 mm (4.5 in)
Feb 22°C (72°F) 85 mm (3.3 in) 27°C (81°F) 105 mm (4.1 in)
Mar 20°C (68°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 26°C (79°F) 103 mm (4.1 in)
Apr 17°C (63°F) 84 mm (3.3 in) 25°C (77°F) 137 mm (5.4 in)
May 14°C (57°F) 91 mm (3.6 in) 23°C (73°F) 86 mm (3.4 in)
Jun 11°C (52°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 22°C (72°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Jul 10°C (50°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 21°C (70°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Aug 11°C (52°F) 94 mm (3.7 in) 22°C (72°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Sep 13°C (55°F) 93 mm (3.7 in) 22°C (72°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
Oct 16°C (61°F) 85 mm (3.3 in) 23°C (73°F) 88 mm (3.5 in)
Nov 19°C (66°F) 87 mm (3.4 in) 24°C (75°F) 96 mm (3.8 in)
Dec 21°C (70°F) 67 mm (2.6 in) 25°C (77°F) 169 mm (6.7 in)