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

Should you visit Rio de Janeiro or Galapagos Islands?

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 Galapagos Islands 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 Galapagos Islands?

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.

Galapagos Islands

The Galapagos Islands are a small archipelago of islands belonging to Ecuador in the eastern Pacific Ocean. The Galapagos archipelago is world-renowned for its unique and fearless wildlife, much of which was inspiration for Charles Darwin's Theory of Natural Selection. Thanks to a lack of natural predators, friendly wildlife such as sea lions and gigantic sea tortoises let visitors get up close. This archipelago of about 19 islands and many smaller islets found over 620 miles off Ecuador's coast in the Pacific Ocean is a double World Heritage site, where both land and sea are protected. Each island boasts its own unique landscape, ranging from black, volcanic rocks to white sand beaches and gemstone-blue waters. There is no bad time to visit the Galapagos Islands but the busiest months for tourism tend to be June, July and August, as well as mid-December to mid-January. This is when prices are at their highest.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Brazil, The Best Budget Tours to Brazil, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Ecuador, and The Best Honeymoon Tours in Ecuador.


Which place is cheaper, Galapagos Islands 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 $108, while the average daily cost in Galapagos Islands is $138. 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 Galapagos Islands in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Rio de Janeiro $68
    Galapagos Islands $65
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Rio de Janeiro $136
    Galapagos Islands $130
Compare Hotels in Rio de Janeiro and Galapagos Islands

Looking for a hotel in Rio de Janeiro or Galapagos Islands? 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 Galapagos Islands


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Rio de Janeiro $8.15
    Galapagos Islands $54
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
    $3.00

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
  • Rio Carnival 2025: Sambadrome Parade + Transfer (Sector 7): $476
  • Rio's 2025 Carnival Parade at Sapucaí + Transfer Sector 5: $476
  • Rio: Sambadrome Carnival Parade + transfer 2025 Sector 7: $476
  • 2025 Sambadrome Carnival Parade: Transfer Included Sector 5: $476
  • Rio Carnival 2025: Sambadrome Parade + Transfer Sector 5: $476
  • 2025: Rio Carnival Parade at Sapucaí with Transfer Sector 7: $476
  • 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: $249
  • Private Transfer Rio de Janeiro and Airports x Angra dos Reis (4 max): $247

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Galapagos Islands

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

  • Private Transfer from Baltra Airport to Hotels in Santa Cruz Island: $144
  • Private Transfer from Hotels in Santa Cruz to Baltra Airport: $138
  • Transfer from Santa Cruz Island to Isabela Island: $55
  • Transfer from Santa Cruz Island to Isabela Island: $60
  • Transfer from Santa Cruz Island to San Cristobal Island: $48
  • Transfer from Santa Cruz Island to San Cristobal Island: $60
  • Transfer in + Visit to the giant turtle nature reserve: $205

Is it cheaper to fly into Rio de Janeiro or Galapagos Islands?

Prices for flights to both Galapagos Islands 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 $21
    Galapagos Islands $33
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
    $0.60
  • Corn on the Cob
    $0.80
  • Hamburger
    $1.00

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: $47
  • Barra da Tijuca Food Tour with Drinks: $74
  • 9-Recipes Boozy Brazilian Cooking Class with Market Tour: $85
  • Dinner & Rio Scenarium Nightclub Admission with Transfer: $85
  • 9-Recipe Boozy Brazilian Cooking Class: $85
  • Copacabana Local Street Bars Food Tour: $93
  • Rio Bar Food Tour with a Local - All Included: $99
  • Rio Scenarium Entrance, Dinner, and Open Bar: $107
  • Rio Bar Food Tour with a Local: $114
  • Brazilian Cooking Class: $129
  • Samba Show Admission & Transfer with Dinner Option: $130
  • Rio: Ginga Tropical Folkloric Show & Optional Dinner: $142

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Rio de Janeiro $22
    Galapagos Islands $35

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: $51
  • 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: $103
  • 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: $288
  • 2 Hours Paradisiac Sailboat Tour in Rio de Janeiro: $288
  • 2 Hours Tour with Parasailing in Rio de Janeiro: $110
  • 20 - Guided Tour to AquaRio and Olympic Boulevard: $120

Tours and Activities in Galapagos Islands

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

  • Private Tour Sighting Giant Tortoises and Lava Tunnels: $36
  • Isabela Island Wetlands Walking Tour: $40
  • Bay Tour in Santa Cruz - Galapagos Islands: $60
  • Isabela Island Tour in Galapagos with Kayak and Snorkeling: $64
  • FERRY TICKET From: Isabela / To: Santa Cruz (AM): $65
  • FERRY TICKET From: Santa Cruz / To: San Cristobal (PM): $65
  • Hiking Tour to Sierra Negra Volcano: $67
  • Half Day Bay Tour in Santa Cruz Island: $70
  • Private BiciTour Giant Tortoises and Lava Tunnel in Galapagos: $90
  • Half Day Tour in Sierra Negra Volcano & Lava Fields: $90
  • Kayaking Experience in Franklin Bay: $95
  • Tintoreras Islet Tour from Isabela - Hiking & Snorkeling in Galapagos Islands: $99

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Rio de Janeiro $12
    Galapagos Islands $15

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: $30
  • Rio: Pub Crawl in Lapa with Cachaça Tasting and Live Samba: $33
  • Petropolis City Tour with Imperial Museum and Optional Lunch & Bohemia Brewery: $40
  • Walking tour + Pub crawl in Lapa: $42
  • Petropolis Bohemia: Historic tour and visit to the Bohemian Brewery: $58
  • 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: $134


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Rio de Janeiro and Galapagos Islands, we can see that Galapagos Islands is more expensive. And not only is Rio de Janeiro much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Rio de Janeiro would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Rio de Janeiro 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 Galapagos Islands would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Galapagos Islands than you might in Rio de Janeiro.

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 Galapagos Islands Expensive?.