Which place is cheaper, Rio de Janeiro or Rabat?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Rabat 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 Rabat 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: Rabat or Rio de Janeiro?
Rabat
While not high on the tourist destination list, Rabat is a quiet gem of a city with stunning colonial architecture and palm-lined streets. This political capital is a laid-back, pleasant alternative to the more cosmopolitan Casablanca.
Located on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the river Bou Regreg, Rabat plus the city of Temera are home to a combined metropolitan population of 2.6 million.
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 2-Week Tours in Morocco, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Morocco, The Best 10-Day Tours in Brazil, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Brazil.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRabat $43Rio de Janeiro $106
The average daily cost (per person) in Rabat is $43, while the average daily cost in Rio de Janeiro is $106. 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 Rabat and Rio de Janeiro in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRabat $27Rio de Janeiro $67
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRabat $54Rio de Janeiro $134
Compare Hotels in Rabat and Rio de Janeiro
Looking for a hotel in Rabat 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.
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: Rabat Hotel Prices and Rio de Janeiro Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Rabat $2.10Rio de Janeiro $8.04
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Rabat
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Rabat:
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Taxi to Sale$3.48
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rabat
Also for Rabat, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer From Rabat To Fez: $110
- From Rabat : Private Transfer to Fes via Meknes & volubilis : $154
- One-Way Transfer from Rabat to Fez via meknes & volubilis : $198
- Private Transfer From Rabat Airport to Rabat City: $32
- Private Transfer from Rabat (RBA) Airport to Bouznika: $88
- Private Transfer from Rabat (RBA) Airport to El Jadida: $263
- Private Transfer from Rabat (RBA) Airport to Fes: $274
- Private Transfer from Rabat (RBA) Airport to Kenitra: $110
- Private Transfer from Rabat (RBA) Airport to Larache: $256
- Private Transfer from Rabat (RBA) Airport to Meknes: $197
- Private Transfer from Rabat (RBA) Airport to Temara: $66
- Private Transfer from Rabat City to Rabat (RBA) Airport: $44
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Rio de Janeiro
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Rio de Janeiro:
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Taxi Ride$2.96
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rio de Janeiro
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rio de Janeiro:
- Private transfer to Ilha Grande.: $930
- From Private Transfer to São Paulo: $650
- Rio: Sambadrome Carnival Parade + transfer 2025 Sector 7: $471
- 2025: Rio Carnival Parade at Sapucaí with Transfer Sector 7: $471
- Rio Carnival 2025: Sambadrome Parade + Transfer Sector 5: $471
- 2025 Sambadrome Carnival Parade: Transfer Included Sector 5: $471
- Rio's 2025 Carnival Parade at Sapucaí + Transfer Sector 5: $471
- Rio Carnival 2025: Sambadrome Parade + Transfer (Sector 7): $471
- 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: $246
Is it cheaper to fly into Rabat or Rio de Janeiro?
Prices for flights to both Rio de Janeiro and Rabat 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
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Food Meals for one dayRabat $12Rio de Janeiro $20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rabat
For Rabat, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Small Group Cooking Classes with Tour of Rabat : $45
- Join Best Moroccan Cooking Class with Chef Khadija ( Over 35 years Experience ): $49
- Cooking Class in a Family Home: $66
- Walking Food Tour: $76
- Rabat Food Tour in the Old Town: $76
- Rabat Food Tour Like a Local: $76
- Rabat Family Cooking Class: $76
- Traditional Moroccan Cooking Class in Rabat with a Local Family: $110
- Private Market Tour and Authentic Moroccan Cooking Lesson with a Rabat Local: $120
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$0.59
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Corn on the Cob$0.79
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Hamburger$0.99
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: $46
- Barra da Tijuca Food Tour with Drinks: $73
- THE BEST FOOD TOUR: $80
- Dinner & Rio Scenarium Nightclub Admission with Transfer: $85
- 9-Recipe Boozy Brazilian Cooking Class: $85
- Brazilian Meats and Snacks + South American Wines Guided Dinner: $89
- Food Tour Rio de Janeiro - The Best Typical Brazilian Dishes: $92
- Rio Scenarium Entrance, Dinner, and Open Bar: $106
- Rio Bar Food Tour with a Local: $113
- Rio Scenarium: Fast Track Entrance, Dinner & Open Bar: $115
- Brazilian Cooking Class: $129
- Samba Show Admission & Transfer with Dinner Option: $130
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Rabat $2.83Rio de Janeiro $22
Tours and Activities in Rabat
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Rabat.
- SUP Adventure Rabat (kayaking, stand up paddle , boating) VIP: $15
- Rabat old Medina ,Hassan Tower and Kasbah Oudaya Walking tour : $40
- Private Cultural Walking Tour of Rabat with Licensed Tour Guide: $43
- Rabat tour ;Small Group Guided Walking tour in the City of Light: $44
- Private Boat Tour of the Bouregreg River, a Traditional Boat: $45
- Private Walking Guided Cultural Stroll with Licensed Tour Expert: $53
- Private Boat Guided Tour in Rabat: $60
- Private Guided City Walking Tour: $62
- 4WD adventure Todra Gorge to Dades Valley - Aventures Verticales Maroc: $63
- Private Guided Boat Tour in Rabat: $70
- Best of Rabat Tour (half-day): $78
- Private Boat Exploration Tour In Rabat: $83
Tours and Activities in Rio de Janeiro
Here are a few actual costs in Rio de Janeiro for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Ilha Grande Tour Full day - Rio de Janeiro by Rio Eco Trip: $105
- 10-hour Private Tour Rio In One Day: Christ, Sugarloaf, Selarón, Downtown: $260
- 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: $276
- 2 hours Hang Gliding Paragliding Full Package experience in Rio : $177
- 21 - Guided Tour to the Imperial City of Petrópolis with Lunch: $80
- 25 - Full Day Tour to Angra dos Reis and Ilha Grande: $80
- 27 -Guided Tour to Christ the Redeemer and City in Rio de Janeiro: $75
- 3 Hour Boat Tour in Rio de Janeiro: $68
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRabat -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:
- Rio: Pub Crawl in Lapa with Cachaça Tasting and Live Samba: $33
- Pub Crawl in Lapa: $34
- 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: $60
- Walking tour + Pub crawl + Samba in Lapa: $65
- 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: $132
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Rabat and Rio de Janeiro, we can see that Rio de Janeiro is more expensive. And not only is Rabat much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Rabat is in Africa and Rio de Janeiro is in South America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Rabat would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Rabat 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 Rabat.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Rabat Expensive? and Is Rio de Janeiro Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Rabat or Rio de Janeiro?
Rio de Janeiro has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Rabat. When comparing the sizes of Rabat 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 Rabat or Rio de Janeiro?
Rio de Janeiro has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Rabat experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Rabat or Rio de Janeiro in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Rabat as well as Rio de Janeiro. Rabat attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the summer, Rabat is cooler than Rio de Janeiro. Typically, the summer temperatures in Rabat in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Rio de Janeiro averages at about 26°C (79°F)in January.
It's quite rainy in Rio de Janeiro. Rabat usually gets less rain in July than Rio de Janeiroin January. Rabat gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryRabat 23°C (73°F)Rio de Janeiro 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Rabat or Rio de Janeiro in the Autumn?
Both Rio de Janeiro and Rabat are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Rabat throughout the year.
In October, Rabat is generally cooler than Rio de Janeiroin April. Daily temperatures in Rabat average around 20°C (67°F), and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Rio de Janeiro. In October, Rabat usually receives less rain than Rio de Janeiroin April. Rabat gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilRabat 20°C (67°F)Rio de Janeiro 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Rabat or Rio de Janeiro in the Winter?
Both Rio de Janeiro and Rabat during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Rabat because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Rabat is much colder than Rio de Janeiro in the winter. The daily temperature in Rabat averages around 13°C (56°F) in January, and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 21°C (70°F)in July.
Rabat usually gets more rain in January than Rio de Janeiroin July. Rabat gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyRabat 13°C (56°F)Rio de Janeiro 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Rabat or Rio de Janeiro in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Rabat and Rio de Janeiro. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Rabat year-round.
In the spring, Rabat is cooler than Rio de Janeiro. Typically, the spring temperatures in Rabat in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Rio de Janeiro averages at about 23°C (73°F)in October.
In April, Rabat usually receives less rain than Rio de Janeiroin October. Rabat gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberRabat 16°C (60°F)Rio de Janeiro 23°C (73°F)
Typical Weather for Rio de Janeiro and Rabat
| Rabat | Rio de Janeiro | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 13°C (56°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) |
| Feb | 14°C (57°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Mar | 15°C (59°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Jun | 20°C (69°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (73°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Oct | 20°C (67°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Nov | 16°C (62°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
| Dec | 14°C (57°F) | 102 mm (4 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.