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

Should you visit Rio de Janeiro or Cordoba?

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 Cordoba 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 Cordoba?

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.

Cordoba

Cordoba is the capital of the Cordoba province and the second largest city in all of Argentina. The city is in a beautiful setting surrounded by valleys and hills. Within the city you will find many colonial buildings and beautiful architecture. Cordoba also has many universities and scientific institutes, giving it the nickname "La Docta." Because of the large number of students, Cordoba's population is young and active, which keeps the atmosphere light and fun.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to Brazil, The Best G Adventures Tours to Brazil, The Best Adventure Tours to Argentina, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Argentina.


Which place is cheaper, Cordoba or Rio de Janeiro?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Rio de Janeiro is $105, while the average daily cost in Cordoba is $8.40. 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 Cordoba in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Rio de Janeiro $66
    Cordoba $3.05
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Rio de Janeiro $132
    Cordoba $6.10
Compare Hotels in Rio de Janeiro and Cordoba

Looking for a hotel in Rio de Janeiro or Cordoba? 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 Rio de Janeiro


Hotels in Cordoba


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 Cordoba Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Rio de Janeiro $7.97
    Cordoba $2.08
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
    $2.93

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
  • 2025: Rio Carnival Parade at Sapucaí with Transfer Sector 7: $466
  • 2025 Sambadrome Carnival Parade: Transfer Included Sector 5: $466
  • Rio Carnival 2025: Sambadrome Parade + Transfer Sector 5: $466
  • Rio's 2025 Carnival Parade at Sapucaí + Transfer Sector 5: $466
  • Rio Carnival 2025: Sambadrome Parade + Transfer (Sector 7): $466
  • Rio: Sambadrome Carnival Parade + transfer 2025 Sector 7: $466
  • All Private Transfer from Rio de Janeiro to Ilha Grande: $275
  • From Private Transfer to Vila do Abraão: $244
  • Arrival Private Transfer: GIG or SDU Airport to Arraial do Cabo by Sedan Car: $241
  • From One-way Private Transfer to Búzios: $235
  • Transfer Rio x Búzios, ARRAIAL DO CABO AND ANGRA DOS REIS: $227

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cordoba

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Cordoba are as follows:


  • Taxi Ride
    $0.01

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cordoba

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

  • Transfer in private minivan from Cordoba to Ingeniero Ambrosio Taravella Airport: $61

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

Prices for flights to both Cordoba 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Rio de Janeiro $20
    Cordoba $3.83
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
    $0.59
  • Corn on the Cob
    $0.78
  • 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
  • Rio Bar Food Tour with a Local: $82
  • Dinner & Rio Scenarium Nightclub Admission with Transfer: $85
  • 9-Recipe Boozy Brazilian Cooking Class: $85
  • Rio Scenarium Entrance, Dinner, and Open Bar: $105
  • Brazilian Cooking Class: $129
  • Samba Show Admission & Transfer with Dinner Option: $130
  • Brazilian Cooking Class in Copacabana with Hotel Pickup: $140
  • Rio: Ginga Tropical Folkloric Show & Optional Dinner: $142
  • Samba Show Ginga Tropical with Optional Dinner : $143

Typical Food Prices in Cordoba

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Cordoba:


  • Empanadas
    $0.01
  • Sandwich
    $0.00
  • Ice Cream
    $0.00

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Rio de Janeiro $22
    Cordoba $1.88

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: $49
  • 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: $97
  • 14 - Guided Tour to Quadra Do Salgueiro with Samba Show: $75
  • 15 - Guided Tour to Santa Marta Favela: $150
  • 19 - Guided Tour to the Museum of Tomorrow and Olympic Boulevard: $90
  • 2 Days in Rio: Tijuca Forest & Two Brothers Hiking Tours: $273
  • 2 Hours Paradisiac Sailboat Tour in Rio de Janeiro: $273
  • 2 hours Hang Gliding Paragliding Full Package experience in Rio : $171
  • 20 - Guided Tour to AquaRio and Olympic Boulevard: $120
  • 25 - Full Day Tour to Angra dos Reis and Ilha Grande: $80

Tours and Activities in Cordoba

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

  • Traditional Córdoba CityTour x 2 Pax: $45
  • Exploring Villa Carlos Paz: Guided Sightseeing Tour: $50
  • Alta Gracia: Unveiling Cordoba's Cultural Heritage Tour: $50
  • Cordoba City Tour: $50
  • Private Cordoba City Tour: $53
  • Córdoba: Villa Carlos Paz Tour: $59
  • Córdoba CityTour FULLDAY x 2 pax: $60
  • Caroya WineTour x 2 Pax: $60
  • Cordoba City Tour with Optional Jesuitic Square: $62
  • Full Day Tour to Punilla Valley from Cordoba: $75
  • La Cumbrecita and Villa General Belgrano Full Day Tour: $75
  • Full Day Jesuit Legacy Tour from Cordoba: $80

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Rio de Janeiro $12
    Cordoba $1.48

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: $29
  • Rio: Pub Crawl in Lapa with Cachaça Tasting and Live Samba: $33
  • Rio de Janeiro Pub Crawl (Lapa district): $35
  • Petropolis Bohemia: Historic tour and visit to the Bohemian Brewery: $55
  • Walking tour + Pub crawl + Samba in Lapa: $57
  • Rio: Sitio Burle Marx and Cachaça Distillery Private Tour: $131

Sample the Local Flavors in Cordoba

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cordoba:

  • Full-Day Private Colonia Caroya Wine Tour from Córdoba: $119
  • Wine Tour Privado - Colonia Caroya: $120
  • Wine Tour Privado - Calamuchita: $140


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Rio de Janeiro and Cordoba, we can see that Rio de Janeiro is more expensive. And not only is Cordoba much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cordoba would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cordoba 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 Cordoba.

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 Cordoba Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Rio de Janeiro or Cordoba?

Rio de Janeiro has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Cordoba. When comparing the sizes of Rio de Janeiro and Cordoba, 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 Cordoba?

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 Rio de Janeiro or Cordoba in the Summer?

Both Cordoba and Rio de Janeiro during the summer are popular places to visit.

In the summer, Rio de Janeiro is much warmer than Cordoba. Typically, the summer temperatures in Rio de Janeiro in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Cordoba averages at about 10°C (50°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Rio de Janeiro. Rio de Janeiro usually gets more rain in January than Cordoba. Rio de Janeiro gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Cordoba receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January
    Rio de Janeiro 26°C (79°F) 
    Cordoba 10°C (50°F)

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

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Rio de Janeiro and Cordoba.

In April, Rio de Janeiro is generally much warmer than Cordoba. Daily temperatures in Rio de Janeiro average around 25°C (77°F), and Cordoba fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

Rio de Janeiro gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Rio de Janeiro usually receives more rain than Cordoba. Rio de Janeiro gets 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Cordoba receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April
    Rio de Janeiro 25°C (77°F) 
    Cordoba 16°C (61°F)

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

The winter brings many poeple to Rio de Janeiro as well as Cordoba.

Rio de Janeiro is cooler than Cordoba in the winter. The daily temperature in Rio de Janeiro averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Cordoba fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Rio de Janeiro usually gets more rain in July than Cordoba. Rio de Janeiro gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Cordoba receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July
    Rio de Janeiro 21°C (70°F) 
    Cordoba 27°C (81°F)

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

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

In the spring, Rio de Janeiro is a little warmer than Cordoba. Typically, the spring temperatures in Rio de Janeiro in October average around 23°C (73°F), and Cordoba averages at about 19°C (66°F).

In October, Rio de Janeiro usually receives more rain than Cordoba. Rio de Janeiro gets 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Cordoba receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October
    Rio de Janeiro 23°C (73°F) 
    Cordoba 19°C (66°F)

Typical Weather for Cordoba and Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro Cordoba
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 26°C (79°F) 114 mm (4.5 in) 10°C (50°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Feb 27°C (81°F) 105 mm (4.1 in) 11°C (52°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Mar 26°C (79°F) 103 mm (4.1 in) 14°C (57°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Apr 25°C (77°F) 137 mm (5.4 in) 16°C (61°F) 50 mm (2 in)
May 23°C (73°F) 86 mm (3.4 in) 19°C (66°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Jun 22°C (72°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 24°C (75°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Jul 21°C (70°F) 56 mm (2.2 in) 27°C (81°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Aug 22°C (72°F) 51 mm (2 in) 28°C (82°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Sep 22°C (72°F) 87 mm (3.4 in) 25°C (77°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Oct 23°C (73°F) 88 mm (3.5 in) 19°C (66°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Nov 24°C (75°F) 96 mm (3.8 in) 14°C (57°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)
Dec 25°C (77°F) 169 mm (6.7 in) 11°C (52°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)