Which place is cheaper, La Paz or Rio de Janeiro?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Rio de Janeiro and La Paz 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.
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.
La Paz, the administrative capital of Bolivia, has a breathtaking setting. The city is the highest national capital in the world, with an altitude ranging from about 4,058 m (13,313 ft) above sea level in El Alto, where the airport is located, to 3,100 m (10,170 ft) in the lower residential area. The dynamic and chaotic city was built in a canyon created by the Choqueyapu River. La Paz is now a fusion of architectural styles, cultures and beliefs, welcoming everyday new boutique hotels, modern shops, delicious restaurants and reinventing standing establishments. However, generally speaking, Bolivia remains more a backpacker hit than a mainstream tourist destination.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to Brazil, The Best G Adventures Tours to Brazil, The Best Luxury Tours to Bolivia, and The Best Budget Tours to Bolivia.
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 La Paz is $44. 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 La Paz in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Rio de Janeiro or La Paz? 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.
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Rio de Janeiro:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rio de Janeiro:
Some typical examples of transportation costs in La Paz are as follows:
Also for La Paz, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both La Paz 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.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Rio de Janeiro:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Rio de Janeiro.
For La Paz, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
For La Paz, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Here are a few actual costs in Rio de Janeiro for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
For La Paz, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Rio de Janeiro:
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in La Paz:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Rio de Janeiro and La Paz, we can see that Rio de Janeiro is more expensive. And not only is La Paz much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to La Paz would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in La Paz 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 La Paz.
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 La Paz Expensive?.
Rio de Janeiro has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of La Paz. When comparing the sizes of Rio de Janeiro and La Paz, 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.