Which place is cheaper, Acapulco de Juarez or Rio de Janeiro?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Rio de Janeiro or Acapulco de Juarez?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Rio de Janeiro and Acapulco de Juarez 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: Rio de Janeiro or Acapulco de Juarez?
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.
Acapulco de Juarez
Located on the southwestern Pacific Coast of Mexico is the beautiful beach city of Acapulco de Juarez. Acapulco is one of the original travel and resort destinations in Mexico, and it's still considered a popular spring break destination for Americans. Known as simply "Acapulco" to many travelers, this region is a popular spot for cruise lines to stop and timeshares to grow. Thanks to those cruise lines and timeshares, tourist activities like water parks and jet skis have experienced considerable growth.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Brazil, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Brazil, The Best 2-Week Tours in Mexico, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRio de Janeiro $105Acapulco de Juarez $81
The average daily cost (per person) in Rio de Janeiro is $105, while the average daily cost in Acapulco de Juarez 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 destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Rio de Janeiro and Acapulco de Juarez in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRio de Janeiro $66Acapulco de Juarez $39
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRio de Janeiro $132Acapulco de Juarez $78
Compare Hotels in Rio de Janeiro and Acapulco de Juarez
Looking for a hotel in Rio de Janeiro or Acapulco de Juarez? 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: Rio de Janeiro Hotel Prices and Acapulco de Juarez Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Rio de Janeiro $7.97Acapulco de Juarez $16
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$2.93
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: $468
- 2025: Rio Carnival Parade at Sapucaí with Transfer Sector 7: $468
- A transfer with safety and comfort in Rio: $45
- Airport Private Transfer - Premium Service: $65
- 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
- Arraial do Cabo Private Transfer From Rio de Janeiro: $123
- Arraial do Cabo Shared Transfer From Rio de Janeiro: $54
- Arrival Private Transfer GIG or SDU Airport to Rio City by Minivan: $91
- Arrival Private Transfer from Rio Airports to Angra dos Reis by Sedan Car: $116
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Acapulco de Juarez
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Acapulco de Juarez:
- Private - One Way or Round Trip Airport Transfer: $66
- Private Best Round Trip Airport - Hotel - Airport Transfer : $70
- Acapulco Airport Transfer: $10
- Acapulco hotels to Acapulco Airport (ACA) – Departure Private Transfer : $20
- Airport Transfer in Suburban: $65
- Private Airport Transfer &on 2nd Day 4Hr TourAll AttractionsCombo: $90
- Roundtrip Transfer Private Vehicle Acapulco Airport (ACA) - Bahia de Acapulco: $49
- Shared transfer from Acapulco Airport (ACA) - Acapulco: $6.00
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Acapulco Airport (ACA) -Bahía de Acapulco: $24
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Bahía de Acapulco - Acapulco Airport (ACA): $24
- Transfer in private minivan from Bahía de Acapulco -Acapulco Airport (ACA): $32
Is it cheaper to fly into Rio de Janeiro or Acapulco de Juarez?
Prices for flights to both Acapulco de Juarez and Rio de Janeiro 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 dayRio de Janeiro $20Acapulco de Juarez $29
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$0.78
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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.
- Waterfront Dinner & Live Music Experience: $46
- Barra da Tijuca Food Tour with Drinks: $72
- THE BEST FOOD TOUR: $79
- Feijoada Food Tour in Rio de Janeiro with Hotel pick-up and drop-off: $80
- Rio Bar Food Tour with a Local: $82
- Dinner & Rio Scenarium Nightclub Admission with Transfer: $85
- 9-Recipe Boozy Brazilian Cooking Class: $85
- Food Tour Rio de Janeiro - The Best Typical Brazilian Dishes: $92
- Rio Scenarium Entrance, Dinner, and Open Bar: $105
- Rio Scenarium: Fast Track Entrance, Dinner & Open Bar: $115
- Brazilian Cooking Class: $129
- Rio: Ginga Tropical Folkloric Show & Optional Dinner: $142
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Acapulco de Juarez
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Acapulco de Juarez.
- High Divers DeLuxe Three Course Dinner +Three Drinks plus SUNSET: $49
- Cliff Divers Exhibition 2 Drinks + Tacos al Pastor Dinner & Beer: $55
- Cliff Diver De Luxe 3 Course Dinner at "La Quebrada" in Acapulco: $56
- Cliff Divers Show With Dinner At Acapulco: $72
- Wrestling-Lucha Libre Experience Tacos Beer Dinner Only SUNDAY: $84
- Off the Beaten Path Mexican Cooking Class Lagoon Boatride &Lunch: $89
- Hands ON - Mex Cooking Class Experience - City Market & Lunch : $90
- Hands On Mexican Cooking Class with Food Tasting & Market Visit: $100
- Mexican Fiesta Show & Dinner: $115
- Bella Vista PRIVATE Al Fresco 3 Course Dinner Cliff Diver3Drinks: $191
- Super DeLuxe Bella Vista Dinner &1 Drink +2 Drinks at CliffDivers: $193
- Divers Show and Luxury Dinner in Acapulco: $199
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Rio de Janeiro $22Acapulco de Juarez $18
Tours and Activities in Rio de Janeiro
Here are a few actual costs in Rio de Janeiro for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Santa Teresa: the staircase: $6.99
- Rio de Janeiro (Urca) Scavenger Hunt and Self-Guided Tour: $7.65
- Rio de Janeiro (Ipanema & Copacabana) Self-Guided Tour: $7.65
- Rio de Janeiro(Ipanema-Copacabana)Scavenger Hunt Self-Guided Tour: $7.83
- Salvador Sights Self Guided Tour (Pelourinho): $7.83
- Rio de Janeiro (Urca) Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.84
- Rio de Janeiro Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Hiking Experience to Pedra do Telégrafo: $9.97
- A Self-Guided Black History Audio Tour of Rio de Janeiro’s Little Africa: $9.99
- Self-Guided Audio Tour-Story of Bossanova: Rhythm and soul of Rio: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Imperial Rio: $10
- Ticket to the match at maracanã of Flamengo: $10
Tours and Activities in Acapulco de Juarez
Here are a few actual costs in Acapulco de Juarez for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Kayaks Tour to El Morro Islet: $25
- Sunset Adventures: $30
- Acapulco City Tour : $35
- Small-Group or Private All Inclusive 4 Hours City Tour & Divers: $36
- 4hr City Tour For Cruises or Hotels Diver Peace Chapel & Mural: $40
- 4Hrs City Tour Exclusively for Hotels, Divers, Chapel & Mural.: $44
- Combo 6 Hr Tour All City Highlights Divers Baby Turtle Release: $46
- 4-6Hrs Acapulco City Tour With a Fun Guide. Diver Show, Mex Lunch: $47
- 6Hr Cruisers or Hotels High Diver Peace Chapel BabyTurtleRelease: $50
- Acapulco Malibu, Avenida Kids Tour : $50
- 6Hr Cruise or Hotels City Tour, Divers, Baby Turtles Peace Chapel: $51
- 6Hr City Tour Cruise or Hotel Turtle Nesting High Diver & Market: $51
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRio de Janeiro $12Acapulco de Juarez $11
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: $28
- Pub Crawl in Lapa: $29
- Rio de Janeiro Pub Crawl (Lapa district): $35
- Walking tour + Pub crawl + Samba in Lapa: $64
- 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: $131
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Rio de Janeiro and Acapulco de Juarez, we can see that Rio de Janeiro is more expensive. And not only is Acapulco de Juarez much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Rio de Janeiro is in South America and Acapulco de Juarez is in North 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 Acapulco de Juarez would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Acapulco de Juarez 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 Acapulco de Juarez.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Rio de Janeiro Expensive? and Is Acapulco de Juarez Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Rio de Janeiro or Acapulco de Juarez?
Rio de Janeiro has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Acapulco de Juarez. When comparing the sizes of Rio de Janeiro and Acapulco de Juarez, 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 Rio de Janeiro or Acapulco de Juarez?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Rio de Janeiro is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Acapulco de Juarez has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or Acapulco de Juarez in the Summer?
Both Acapulco de Juarez and Rio de Janeiro are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Acapulco de Juarez in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.
Rio de Janeiro is around the same temperature as Acapulco de Juarez in the summer. The daily temperature in Rio de Janeiro averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Acapulco de Juarez fluctuates around 29°C (83°F)in July.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Acapulco de Juarez. It's quite rainy in Rio de Janeiro. In January, Rio de Janeiro usually receives less rain than Acapulco de Juarezin July. Rio de Janeiro gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Acapulco de Juarez receives 209 mm (8.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyRio de Janeiro 26°C (79°F)Acapulco de Juarez 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or Acapulco de Juarez in the Autumn?
Both Acapulco de Juarez and Rio de Janeiro during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Acapulco de Juarez for the shopping scene during these months.
In the autumn, Rio de Janeiro is cooler than Acapulco de Juarez. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Rio de Janeiro in April average around 25°C (77°F), and Acapulco de Juarez averages at about 28°C (83°F)in October.
Acapulco de Juarez gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Rio de Janeiro. Rio de Janeiro usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Acapulco de Juarezin October. Rio de Janeiro gets 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Acapulco de Juarez receives 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberRio de Janeiro 25°C (77°F)Acapulco de Juarez 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or Acapulco de Juarez in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Rio de Janeiro and Acapulco de Juarez. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Acapulco de Juarez because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In July, Rio de Janeiro is generally cooler than Acapulco de Juarezin January. Daily temperatures in Rio de Janeiro average around 21°C (70°F), and Acapulco de Juarez fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
In July, Rio de Janeiro usually receives more rain than Acapulco de Juarezin January. Rio de Janeiro gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Acapulco de Juarez receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryRio de Janeiro 21°C (70°F)Acapulco de Juarez 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or Acapulco de Juarez in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Rio de Janeiro as well as Acapulco de Juarez. Also, the beaches are the main draw to Acapulco de Juarez this time of year.
Rio de Janeiro is cooler than Acapulco de Juarez in the spring. The daily temperature in Rio de Janeiro averages around 23°C (73°F) in October, and Acapulco de Juarez fluctuates around 27°C (81°F)in April.
Rio de Janeiro usually gets more rain in October than Acapulco de Juarezin April. Rio de Janeiro gets 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Acapulco de Juarez receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilRio de Janeiro 23°C (73°F)Acapulco de Juarez 27°C (81°F)
Typical Weather for Acapulco de Juarez and Rio de Janeiro
| Rio de Janeiro | Acapulco de Juarez | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 25°C (77°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| May | 23°C (73°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 271 mm (10.7 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 209 mm (8.2 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 312 mm (12.3 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 341 mm (13.4 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 24°C (75°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 169 mm (6.7 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 14 mm (0.6 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.