Which place is cheaper, Foz do Iguacu 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 Foz do Iguacu?
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 Foz do Iguacu 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 Foz do Iguacu?
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.
Foz do Iguacu
Foz do Iguacu is a larger city in Brazil that is most famous for the Iguacu Falls. The city serves as an entry point for Paraguay and Argentina as well. The obvious reason to visit the city is to see the beautiful falls, and together with Ciudad del Este, Paraguay and Puerto Iguazu, Argentina, it makes up one of the largest tourism sights in South America.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to Brazil, The Best G Adventures Tours to Brazil, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Rio de Janeiro, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Foz Do Iguacu.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRio de Janeiro $105Foz do Iguacu $66
The average daily cost (per person) in Rio de Janeiro is $105, while the average daily cost in Foz do Iguacu is $66. 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 Foz do Iguacu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRio de Janeiro $66Foz do Iguacu $29
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRio de Janeiro $132Foz do Iguacu $58
Compare Hotels in Rio de Janeiro and Foz do Iguacu
Looking for a hotel in Rio de Janeiro or Foz do Iguacu? 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 Foz do Iguacu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Rio de Janeiro $7.97Foz do Iguacu $13
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: $467
- 2025: Rio Carnival Parade at Sapucaí with Transfer Sector 7: $467
- 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
- 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 Buzios by Minivan: $205
- Arrival Private Transfer from Rio Airports to Buzios by Sedan Car: $121
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Foz do Iguacu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Foz do Iguacu:
- Foz do Iguaçu Airport Private Transfer : $20
- Foz do Iguaçu Airport Shared Transfer: $7.00
- IGU Airport Transfers: $17
- Private E Bike Tour Iguaçu Waterfalls + Transfers + Tickets: $131
- Private Transfer from IGU to Any Point within Foz Do Iguaçu City: $80
- Private transfer from Foz do Iguaçu airport and bus station: $22
- Roundtrip Airport Transfer in Foz do Iguaçu: $48
- Shared Roundtrip Transfers with Brazilian and Argentinian sides: $120
- Transfer Cataratas Argentina: $19
- Transfer IN IGU & Iguassu Falls Brazilian side & Macuco Boat Safari: $220
Is it cheaper to fly into Rio de Janeiro or Foz do Iguacu?
Prices for flights to both Foz do Iguacu 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 $20Foz do Iguacu $22
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: $45
- Barra da Tijuca Food Tour with Drinks: $71
- 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: $81
- 9-Recipe Boozy Brazilian Cooking Class: $85
- Dinner & Rio Scenarium Nightclub Admission with Transfer: $85
- Copacabana Local Street Bars Food Tour: $88
- Food Tour Rio de Janeiro - The Best Typical Brazilian Dishes: $92
- Rio Bar Food Tour with a Local - All Included: $99
- Rio Scenarium Entrance, Dinner, and Open Bar: $103
- Rio Scenarium: Fast Track Entrance, Dinner & Open Bar: $115
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Foz do Iguacu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Foz do Iguacu.
- Official Entrance: Dinner with Latin American Show at Rafain Steakhouse: $51
- Rafain dinner Samba Show: $94
- Transport to Acaray Casino + dinner (optional): $100
- Dinner Show - Rafain Steakhouse : $100
- Dinner Show at Rafain in Foz do Iguaçu: $113
- Dinner Show Rafain Steakhouse Belmond Hotel Cataratas : $135
- Foz do Iguacu Dancing Musical Show with Dinner and Pickup: $208
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Rio de Janeiro $22Foz do Iguacu $24
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 (Ipanema & Copacabana) Self-Guided Tour: $7.68
- Rio de Janeiro (Urca) Scavenger Hunt and Self-Guided Tour: $7.68
- Salvador Sights Self Guided Tour (Pelourinho): $7.87
- Rio de Janeiro(Ipanema-Copacabana)Scavenger Hunt Self-Guided Tour: $7.87
- Rio de Janeiro (Urca) Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.87
- Rio de Janeiro Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Hiking Experience to Pedra do Telégrafo: $9.81
- A Self-Guided Black History Audio Tour of Rio de Janeiro’s Little Africa: $9.99
- Favela tour in copacabana with local guide!: $10
- Ticket to the match at maracanã of Flamengo: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour-Story of Bossanova: Rhythm and soul of Rio: $10
Tours and Activities in Foz do Iguacu
Here are a few actual costs in Foz do Iguacu for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Humming Bird Garden Experience in Iguazu: $5.00
- Iguazú Casino Tour : $17
- Exclusive Bike Experience at Iguazu Falls: $25
- Bird Park Tour: $25
- Iguassu Falls Shopping Tour: $34
- Foz Do Iguaçu City Tour: $34
- Iguazu Falls National Park Tour - full day tour Argentinean side: $34
- Tour Tour, pick up at Foz do Iguaçu airport (IGU): $40
- Itaipu Dam Half-Day Sightseeing Panoramic Tour from Foz do Iguaçu: $42
- Itaipu Hydroelectric Dam - Tickets Included: $43
- Paraguay Guided Shopping Tour from Foz do Iguacu: $44
- City Tour with Buddhist Temple and Muslim Mosque: $48
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRio de Janeiro $12Foz do Iguacu $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: $27
- Pub Crawl in Lapa: $29
- 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: $64
- 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: $129
Typical Alcohol Prices in Foz do Iguacu
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Foz do Iguacu from other travelers:
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Beer$0.88
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Rio de Janeiro and Foz do Iguacu, we can see that Rio de Janeiro is more expensive. And not only is Foz do Iguacu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Foz do Iguacu would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Foz do Iguacu 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 Foz do Iguacu.
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 Foz do Iguacu Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Rio de Janeiro or Foz do Iguacu?
Rio de Janeiro has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Foz do Iguacu. When comparing the sizes of Rio de Janeiro and Foz do Iguacu, 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 Foz do Iguacu?
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 Rio de Janeiro or Foz do Iguacu in the Summer?
Both Foz do Iguacu and Rio de Janeiro are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.
In January, Rio de Janeiro is generally around the same temperature as Foz do Iguacu. Daily temperatures in Rio de Janeiro average around 26°C (79°F), and Foz do Iguacu fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Foz do Iguacu. It's quite rainy in Rio de Janeiro. In January, Rio de Janeiro usually receives around the same amount of rain as Foz do Iguacu. Rio de Janeiro gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Foz do Iguacu receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JanuaryRio de Janeiro 26°C (79°F)Foz do Iguacu 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or Foz do Iguacu in the Autumn?
Both Foz do Iguacu and Rio de Janeiro during the autumn are popular places to visit.
Rio de Janeiro is around the same temperature as Foz do Iguacu in the autumn. The daily temperature in Rio de Janeiro averages around 25°C (77°F) in April, and Foz do Iguacu fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Rio de Janeiro. Rio de Janeiro usually gets more rain in April than Foz do Iguacu. Rio de Janeiro gets 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Foz do Iguacu receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures AprilRio de Janeiro 25°C (77°F)Foz do Iguacu 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or Foz do Iguacu in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Rio de Janeiro and Foz do Iguacu.
In the winter, Rio de Janeiro is a little warmer than Foz do Iguacu. Typically, the winter temperatures in Rio de Janeiro in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Foz do Iguacu averages at about 18°C (64°F).
In July, Rio de Janeiro usually receives more rain than Foz do Iguacu. Rio de Janeiro gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Foz do Iguacu receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JulyRio de Janeiro 21°C (70°F)Foz do Iguacu 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or Foz do Iguacu in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Rio de Janeiro as well as Foz do Iguacu.
In October, Rio de Janeiro is generally around the same temperature as Foz do Iguacu. Daily temperatures in Rio de Janeiro average around 23°C (73°F), and Foz do Iguacu fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
It's quite rainy in Foz do Iguacu. Rio de Janeiro usually gets less rain in October than Foz do Iguacu. Rio de Janeiro gets 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Foz do Iguacu receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures OctoberRio de Janeiro 23°C (73°F)Foz do Iguacu 24°C (75°F)
Typical Weather for Foz do Iguacu and Rio de Janeiro
| Rio de Janeiro | Foz do Iguacu | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Apr | 25°C (77°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| May | 23°C (73°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Nov | 24°C (75°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 169 mm (6.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 100 mm (3.9 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.