Which place is cheaper, Lima 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 Lima?
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 Lima 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 Lima?
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.
Lima
Lima, the capital city of Peru, is likely to be your point of entry for the country. Lima was founded in 1535 and was the seat of the Spanish rule for 300 years. It's a surprisingly modern city despite its rich history, but many beautiful churches and colonial architecture remain today. There are also large slum areas that highlight the poverty that exists in the city. The city and its surrounding metropolitan area have a population of about 8.5 million people, many of whom came from the Andes Mountains in search of work. Unfortunately the work opportunities are limited and the poverty is obvious as you arrive in Lima.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to Brazil, The Best G Adventures Tours to Brazil, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Peru, and The Best Adventure Tours to Peru.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRio de Janeiro $105Lima $77
The average daily cost (per person) in Rio de Janeiro is $105, while the average daily cost in Lima is $77. 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 Lima in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRio de Janeiro $66Lima $49
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRio de Janeiro $132Lima $98
Compare Hotels in Rio de Janeiro and Lima
Looking for a hotel in Rio de Janeiro or Lima? 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 Lima Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Rio de Janeiro $7.97Lima $5.73
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:
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Rio de Janeiro City center - Airport (GIG): $13
- Rio Santos Dumont (SDU): Shuttle Transfer to/from Hotels: $15
- Rio Galeão Airport (GIG): Shuttle Transfer to/from Hotels: $15
- Private transfer Economico GIG Rio Galeao airport up to 3 pax to Zona Sul: $17
- Shared Transfer From or To Airport: $18
- Transfer service from / to Porto Maravilha - Zona Sul: $18
- Transfer in Private Minivan from Rio de Janeiro City Center -Airport (SDU): $19
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Rio de Janeiro City center - Airport (SDU): $19
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Rio de Janeiro Airport (SDU) - Rio City Center: $19
- Private One-way Airport Transfer (Galeao Airport To Rio): $20
- One Way Shared Transfer from Airport to hotels in Rio de Janeiro: $20
- Transfer service from / to International Airport (GIG) - Zona Sul: $21
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Lima are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$5.43
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Taxi Ride$5.43
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Short Taxi Ride$4.07
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lima
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lima:
- Airport Transfer Service in Lima: $95
- Assistance /Transfer Hotel - Airport Lima Airport : $40
- From The Larco Museum Complete Tour with transfers: $52
- Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM) to Lima - Arrival Private Transfer : $30
- Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM) to Lima - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $61
- Jorge Chavez International Airport: Private Transfer: $25
- Lima : Private transfer between airport to your destination: $29
- Lima Airport (LIM) to Miraflores - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $46
- Lima Airport Transfers: Lima City to Jorge Chavez Airport LIM in Standard Car: $27
- Lima Airport Transfers: Lima City to Jorge Chavez Airport LIM in Standard Van: $30
- Lima Airport: BUS Transfer to/from Lima city center: $6.00
- Lima Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Miraflores: $5.63
Is it cheaper to fly into Rio de Janeiro or Lima?
Prices for flights to both Lima 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 $20Lima $18
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
Typical Food Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lima are as follows:
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Lunch for Two$4.34
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Ice cream$3.53
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Coffee$2.99
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Donut$0.95
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lima
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Lima.
- Lima Market Food Tour: $33
- Lima Market Food Tour: $34
- Lima Market Food Tour - Taste 9 Popular Peruvian Snacks: $35
- Lima Street Food Tour: $40
- Lima Street Food Tour: $45
- Cooking Workshop and Water Circuit Tour: $45
- Street Food Tour in Miraflores District: $45
- Lima Food Tour: $45
- Barranco Tour with Dinner: $47
- Bohemian tour of Barranco with Dinner: $47
- Private Cooking Class With a Local Family in Lima: $48
- Lima Night Food Tour: $48
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Rio de Janeiro $22Lima $8.66
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Lima are as follows:
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Entrance to Museo Larco (for 2)$16
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Movie Tickets$2.31
Tours and Activities in Lima
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lima are as follows:
- Free Walking Tour of Lima: $2.00
- Customize your trip to Peru with Lima Experience: $12
- bike tour: $12
- Party tour Fridays Barranco / Saturdays Miraflores: $18
- Private Bike Tour in Lima: $19
- Miraflores and Barranco Private Bike Tour: $19
- Private Tour with guide in Museo de Arte de Lima - MALI: $20
- 2 Hour Guided Walking Tour in Barranco: $20
- Lima Downtown Tour from Miraflores in 3 hrs: $21
- Coffee tasting experience at Terrua Cafe: $25
- Historic Center Walking Tour with Pisco Sour Tasting: $25
- City Sightseeing Panoramic Bus Tour: $25
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRio de Janeiro $12Lima $5.63
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 Lima
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Lima are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine$7.30
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Beer$4.07
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Cocktail$3.26
Sample the Local Flavors in Lima
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Lima:
- Pub Crawl in Lima: $17
- Lima Pub Crawl - Party tour: Friday Barranco/Saturday miraflores: $18
- Exclusive Pub Crawl with 10+ benefits: $18
- Party Tour in Miraflores with Bar Crawl and Drinks: $18
- Party tour in Miraflores with Bar Crawl Lima: $20
- Local Wine Tour: $50
- Ballestas Islands + Huacachina Oasis + Wine Tour !! The best price: $226
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Rio de Janeiro and Lima, we can see that Rio de Janeiro is more expensive. And not only is Lima much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Lima would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lima 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 Lima.
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 Lima Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Rio de Janeiro or Lima?
Lima has a larger population, and is about 28% larger than the population of Rio de Janeiro. When comparing the sizes of Rio de Janeiro and Lima, 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 Lima?
Rio de Janeiro has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Lima experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or Lima in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Rio de Janeiro and Lima. Lima attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the summer, Rio de Janeiro is a little warmer than Lima. Typically, the summer temperatures in Rio de Janeiro in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Lima averages at about 18°C (64°F)in July.
Rio de Janeiro gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Rio de Janeiro usually receives more rain than Limain July. Rio de Janeiro gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Lima receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyRio de Janeiro 26°C (79°F)Lima 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or Lima in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Rio de Janeiro as well as Lima. The warm climate attracts visitors to Lima throughout the year.
In April, Rio de Janeiro is generally a little warmer than Limain October. Daily temperatures in Rio de Janeiro average around 25°C (77°F), and Lima fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
Rio de Janeiro receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Rio de Janeiro usually gets more rain in April than Limain October. Rio de Janeiro gets 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Lima receives 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberRio de Janeiro 25°C (77°F)Lima 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or Lima in the Winter?
Both Lima and Rio de Janeiro are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Lima because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Rio de Janeiro is around the same temperature as Lima in the winter. The daily temperature in Rio de Janeiro averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Lima fluctuates around 23°C (73°F)in January.
In July, Rio de Janeiro usually receives more rain than Limain January. Rio de Janeiro gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Lima 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)Lima 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or Lima in the Spring?
Both Lima and Rio de Janeiro during the spring are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lima year-round.
In the spring, Rio de Janeiro is around the same temperature as Lima. Typically, the spring temperatures in Rio de Janeiro in October average around 23°C (73°F), and Lima averages at about 22°C (72°F)in April.
Rio de Janeiro usually gets more rain in October than Limain April. Rio de Janeiro gets 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Lima receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilRio de Janeiro 23°C (73°F)Lima 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for Lima and Rio de Janeiro
| Rio de Janeiro | Lima | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 25°C (77°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| May | 23°C (73°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) |
| Nov | 24°C (75°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 169 mm (6.7 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 3 mm (0.1 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.