Which place is cheaper, Leon 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 Leon?
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 Leon 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 Leon?
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.
Leon
Leon is one of the oldest city's in Nicaragua and you can see hints of its colonial past in the architecture around town. Tourism is not a major part of the economy in Leon, but the city is gaining popularity with budget travelers and backpackers and more recently tour groups are including Leon in their itinerary.
With a population of just over 200,000, Leon is the second largest city in Nicaragua, after Managua. During the university season the population grows dramatically as there is a heavy presence of students in Leon. It is a popular university town, and this young population gives the city plenty of energy and entertainment.
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 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua, and The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRio de Janeiro $105Leon $59
The average daily cost (per person) in Rio de Janeiro is $105, while the average daily cost in Leon is $59. 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 Leon in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRio de Janeiro $66Leon $16
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRio de Janeiro $132Leon $32
Compare Hotels in Rio de Janeiro and Leon
Looking for a hotel in Rio de Janeiro or Leon? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Rio de Janeiro $7.97Leon $1.51
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: $468
- 2025: Rio Carnival Parade at Sapucaí with Transfer Sector 7: $468
- 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
- All-You-Can-Eat Brazilian Churrascaria in Rio de Janeiro with Transfer: $80
- 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 Angra dos Reis by Sedan Car: $116
Is it cheaper to fly into Rio de Janeiro or Leon?
Prices for flights to both Leon 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 $20Leon $12
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Leon
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Leon.
- Tlakualli Food Tour: $19
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Rio de Janeiro $22Leon $5.81
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 (Urca) Scavenger Hunt and Self-Guided Tour: $7.65
- Rio de Janeiro (Ipanema & Copacabana) Self-Guided Tour: $7.65
- Rio de Janeiro(Ipanema-Copacabana)Scavenger Hunt Self-Guided Tour: $7.83
- Salvador Sights Self Guided Tour (Pelourinho): $7.83
- Rio de Janeiro (Urca) Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.84
- Rio de Janeiro Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Hiking Experience to Pedra do Telégrafo: $9.97
- A Self-Guided Black History Audio Tour of Rio de Janeiro’s Little Africa: $9.99
- Self-Guided Audio Tour-Story of Bossanova: Rhythm and soul of Rio: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Imperial Rio: $10
- Ticket to the match at maracanã of Flamengo: $10
Tours and Activities in Leon
Here are a few actual costs in Leon for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Half Day Private Tour of Cerro Negro's Volcano Boarding: $35
- Leon City Walking Private Tour : $48
- Rum Tour & Chorotega Museum Experience: $62
- Hike El Hoyo Volcano "Private Tour" : $67
- Old Leon and Asososca Lagoon Private Tour: $82
- Volcano Boarding Private Tour : $84
- Kayak Private tour at Juan Venado Island: $92
- Telica Sunset Tour : $93
- Horseback Riding Private Tour : $103
- Half-Day Leon City Tour: $135
- Somoto Canyon "Private Tour from Leon" : $154
- 6 Hours Sunset Private Guided Tour of Telica Volcano in León: $163
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRio de Janeiro $12Leon $3.53
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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Rio de Janeiro and Leon, we can see that Rio de Janeiro is more expensive. And not only is Leon much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Rio de Janeiro is in South America and Leon 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 Leon would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Leon 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 Leon.
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 Leon Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Rio de Janeiro or Leon?
Rio de Janeiro has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Leon. When comparing the sizes of Rio de Janeiro and Leon, 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 Leon?
Rio de Janeiro has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Leon experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or Leon in the Summer?
Both Leon and Rio de Janeiro are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Leon because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the summer, Rio de Janeiro is around the same temperature as Leon. Typically, the summer temperatures in Rio de Janeiro in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Leon averages at about 27°C (81°F)in July.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Leon. It's quite rainy in Rio de Janeiro. In January, Rio de Janeiro usually receives less rain than Leonin July. Rio de Janeiro gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Leon receives 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyRio de Janeiro 26°C (79°F)Leon 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or Leon in the Autumn?
Both Leon and Rio de Janeiro during the autumn are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Leon year-round.
In April, Rio de Janeiro is generally around the same temperature as Leonin October. Daily temperatures in Rio de Janeiro average around 25°C (77°F), and Leon fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
Leon gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Rio de Janeiro. Rio de Janeiro usually gets less rain in April than Leonin October. Rio de Janeiro gets 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Leon receives 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberRio de Janeiro 25°C (77°F)Leon 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or Leon in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Rio de Janeiro and Leon. Leon attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Rio de Janeiro is cooler than Leon in the winter. The daily temperature in Rio de Janeiro averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Leon fluctuates around 26°C (79°F)in January.
In July, Rio de Janeiro usually receives more rain than Leonin January. Rio de Janeiro gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Leon receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryRio de Janeiro 21°C (70°F)Leon 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or Leon in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Rio de Janeiro as well as Leon. The warm climate attracts visitors to Leon throughout the year.
In the spring, Rio de Janeiro is cooler than Leon. Typically, the spring temperatures in Rio de Janeiro in October average around 23°C (73°F), and Leon averages at about 29°C (84°F)in April.
Rio de Janeiro usually gets more rain in October than Leonin April. Rio de Janeiro gets 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Leon receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilRio de Janeiro 23°C (73°F)Leon 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for Leon and Rio de Janeiro
| Rio de Janeiro | Leon | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 25°C (77°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| May | 23°C (73°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 144 mm (5.7 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) |
| Nov | 24°C (75°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) | 31°C (88°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 169 mm (6.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 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.