Which place is cheaper, Antigua Guatemala 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 Antigua Guatemala?
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 Antigua Guatemala 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 Antigua Guatemala?
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.
Antigua Guatemala
Before a disastrous earthquake in 1773, Antigua was the colonial capital of Guatemala. For 200 years it had reigned as so and today shows remnants of its glorious past with Spanish colonial buildings and other architectural landmarks still standing. Due to this large amount of preserved architecture, Antigua was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is now the most touristed city of Guatemala.
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 Adventure Tours to Guatemala, and The Best Eco Tours in Guatemala.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRio de Janeiro $105Antigua Guatemala $63
The average daily cost (per person) in Rio de Janeiro is $105, while the average daily cost in Antigua Guatemala is $63. 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 Antigua Guatemala in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRio de Janeiro $66Antigua Guatemala $22
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRio de Janeiro $132Antigua Guatemala $44
Compare Hotels in Rio de Janeiro and Antigua Guatemala
Looking for a hotel in Rio de Janeiro or Antigua Guatemala? 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 Antigua Guatemala Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Rio de Janeiro $7.97Antigua Guatemala $12
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:
- Private transfer to Ilha Grande.: $930
- From Private Transfer to São Paulo: $650
- Rio Carnival 2025: Sambadrome Parade + Transfer (Sector 7): $468
- Rio's 2025 Carnival Parade at Sapucaí + Transfer Sector 5: $468
- Rio: Sambadrome Carnival Parade + transfer 2025 Sector 7: $468
- 2025 Sambadrome Carnival Parade: Transfer Included Sector 5: $468
- Rio Carnival 2025: Sambadrome Parade + Transfer Sector 5: $468
- 2025: Rio Carnival Parade at Sapucaí with Transfer Sector 7: $468
- 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: $244
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Antigua Guatemala
Also for Antigua Guatemala, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From Guatemala City: One-way Shared Transfer to Antigua: $20
- Private Ground Transfer From Antigua To Guatemala City Airport: $23
- Private Transfer from Antigua Guatemala to Puerto Quetzal Port: $27
- Transfer Guatemala City to Aurora to Antigua Guatemala: $130
- Transfer from Antigua to the Airport: $80
Is it cheaper to fly into Rio de Janeiro or Antigua Guatemala?
Prices for flights to both Antigua Guatemala 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 $20Antigua Guatemala $14
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
Typical Food Prices in Antigua Guatemala
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Antigua Guatemala:
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Lunch$3.22
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Lunch$7.72
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Antigua Guatemala
For Antigua Guatemala, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Make your own Mayan Pepian - Cooking class: $69
- Antigua: Cooking Class with Local Family: $74
- Street Food Tour Around Antigua: $75
- Market food tour and tortilla workshop: $79
- Market and Mayan Cooking Class: $80
- Guatemalan Cooking Class & Market Tour: $85
- Foodie & street food tour: $85
- Authentic Guatemalan Cooking Class in Antigua: $90
- Private Cooking Class of Typical Guatemalan Dishes: $95
- Guatemalan Cooking Class and Market Tour: $98
- From Guatemala City: Guatemala Cooking Class Tour: $110
- Pacaya Volcano Luxury Sunset Horseback Riding Tour/ Dinner Cooked by-Lava Chef: $295
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Rio de Janeiro $22Antigua Guatemala $15
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
- 03 - Guided Tour to the Grande Rio Academics Barracão: $120
- 1 day tour Rio de Janeiro to Christ and Cable car and much more: $100
- 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 hours Hang Gliding Paragliding Full Package experience in Rio : $175
- 25 - Full Day Tour to Angra dos Reis and Ilha Grande: $80
- 26 - Guided Tour to Sugarloaf Mountain and Christ the Redeemer: $120
- 27 -Guided Tour to Christ the Redeemer and City in Rio de Janeiro: $75
Tours and Activities in Antigua Guatemala
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Antigua Guatemala.
- Artisan Shoemaking & Leather Craft Tour: $10
- Historical and Cultural Walking Tour of Antigua Guatemala : $20
- Half-Day Walking Tour: $20
- City Highlights Guided Walking Tour: $20
- Express tour in Antigua: $20
- Guided Walking Tour Legends of Antigua Guatemala: $20
- La Antigua Horror Stories Night Walking Tour: $20
- Walking Tour of the Wonders of La Antigua Guatemala: $20
- Guided Walking Tour in Antigua Guatemala: $20
- Chicken Bus Experience to San Juan del Obispo : $22
- Antigua Walking Tour: $23
- Antigua Walking Tour Morning and Afternoon: $25
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRio de Janeiro $12Antigua Guatemala $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
Sample the Local Flavors in Antigua Guatemala
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Antigua Guatemala:
- Macadamia Chocolate and Wine Tour on ATV or UTV: $85
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Rio de Janeiro and Antigua Guatemala, we can see that Rio de Janeiro is more expensive. And not only is Antigua Guatemala much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Rio de Janeiro is in South America and Antigua Guatemala is in Central 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 Antigua Guatemala would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Antigua Guatemala 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 Antigua Guatemala.
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 Antigua Guatemala Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Rio de Janeiro or Antigua Guatemala?
Rio de Janeiro has a larger population, and is about 150 times larger than the population of Antigua Guatemala. When comparing the sizes of Rio de Janeiro and Antigua Guatemala, 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.
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.