Which place is cheaper, Manaus or Rio de Janeiro?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Rio de Janeiro or Manaus?
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 Manaus 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 Manaus?
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.
Manaus
Manaus is a Brazilian city, capital of the state of Amazonas, and is located on the Rio Negro a few miles before it meets the Rio Solimões to form the Amazon River. The city is a major departure point for those visiting the Amazon Rainforest, though there are a few sights worth seeing within the city itself as well.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Brazil, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Rio de Janeiro, The Best 3-Day Tours from Foz Do Iguacu, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Manaus.
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Rio de Janeiro Prices
Brazil PricesManaus Prices
Brazil Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRio de Janeiro $121Manaus $69
The average daily cost (per person) in Rio de Janeiro is $121, while the average daily cost in Manaus is $69. 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 Manaus in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRio de Janeiro $67Manaus $43
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRio de Janeiro $134Manaus $86
Compare Hotels in Rio de Janeiro and Manaus
Looking for a hotel in Rio de Janeiro or Manaus? 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 Manaus Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Rio de Janeiro $8.03Manaus $8.00
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$2.95
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rio de Janeiro
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rio de Janeiro:
- Visit to Madureira Park in Rio de Janeiro with Transfer: $66
- Two Brothers Trail- one of the best views of Rio (transfer is included): $56
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Rio de Janeiro APT-HTL (SDU): $75
- Transfer: Galeão Airport(GIG) to Rio de Janeiro City: $29
- Transfer service to/from Rio and Angra dos Reis / Conceição de J.: $207
- Transfer service from / to Rio de Janeiro / Paraty: $243
- Transfer service from / to Buzios / Arraial do Cabo / Cabo Frio: $185
- Transfer in Rio: $45
- Transfer from Rio’s Airports SDU or GIG to Hotels (Vice Versa): $120
- Transfer from Rio de Janeiro to Ilha Grande with SpeedBoat: $81
- Transfer from Rio de Janeiro Galeao International Airport: $31
- Transfer from Rio de Janeiro Airports to Hotels and Destinations: $50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Manaus
Also for Manaus, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 24-hour Hotel Transfer to Manaus Airport: $19
- 24-hour airport to hotel transfer in Manaus: $19
- 24-hour transfer from airport to hotel in Manaus: $20
- Manaus Airport: 1-Hour Shared Transfer to Manaus Hotels: $46
- Manaus private Airport transfer: $60
- Manaus to Manaus Airport (MAO) - Departure Private Transfer: $31
- Manaus to Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) - Departure Private Transfer: $35
- Manaus to Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) -Departure Private Transfer: $54
- One Way Shared Transfer from hotels to Manaus airport: $57
- Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) to Manaus - Arrival Private Transfer: $35
- Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) to Manaus - RoundTrip Private Transfer: $108
- Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) to Manaus -Round-Trip Private Transfer: $70
Is it cheaper to fly into Rio de Janeiro or Manaus?
Prices for flights to both Manaus 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 $35Manaus $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$0.79
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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.
- Guided Dinner in Rio at a Restaurant of Your Choice: $70
- Brazilian Breakfast Cooking Class in Rio: Bake and Blend: $75
- Rio Roots Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $89
- Brazilian Churrascaria Guided Dinner in Rio with Wine Pairing: $89
- Food Tour Rio de Janeiro - The Best Typical Brazilian Dishes: $92
- Carioca Kitchens Rio de Janeiro Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $95
- Rio Historic Downtown and Lapa Street Food Tour Full Meal: $95
- Roxy Show - Brazilian Rhythms with optional Barbecue Dinner: $102
- Folklore show Ginga Tropical with Optional Dinner: $107
- Brazilian Dinner Show: Cultural Experience in Rio de Janeiro: $115
- Vegan Rio Cooking Class: Hands-On Moqueca & Caipirinhas: $130
- Samba Show Admission & Transfer with Dinner Option: $130
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Manaus
For Manaus, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Food Tour: $70
- Regional Food Tour with Tasting of Typical Dishes: $93
- Dinner with Boi-Bumbá Show and Transfers: $117
- Folklore Amazonian Dinner Show: $120
- Amazonian Food Tour with Local Guide: $156
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Rio de Janeiro $22Manaus -
Tours and Activities in Rio de Janeiro
Here are a few actual costs in Rio de Janeiro for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 1 day tour Rio de Janeiro to Christ and Cable car and much more: $121
- 10-hour Private Tour Rio In One Day: Christ, Sugarloaf, Selarón, Downtown: $229
- 2 Day Tour from Rio de Janeiro, Corcovado and Arraial do Cabo: $212
- 3 Hour Rocinha Favela Walking Tour with a Local Guide: $46
- 4 horas - Tour private: Corcovado e praias: $220
- 4-Hour Private Guided Tour in Rio de Janeiro: $95
- 4-hour Sum-up Of Rio de Janeiro "Private Tour" – Optional Airport & Port Pick-up: $149
- 4x4 Jeep Jungle Tour Rio de Janeiro: $52
- 5-Hour Rio's Essential Sights: Private Tour – Optional Airport & Port Pick-ups: $154
- 6-Hour Private Guided Tour in Rio de Janeiro: $125
- 8 Hour Private Tour by Car in Rio de Janeiro: $271
- 8-Hour Private Guided Tour in Rio de Janeiro: $134
Tours and Activities in Manaus
For Manaus, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Amazon Negro River Half-Day Expedition Tour: $55
- Full-Day Tour on the Amazon River: $55
- Half-Day City Tour: $56
- Guided Walking Tour with Museum Entry: $58
- Meeting of the Waters & Pink Dolphin Tour with Lunch: $65
- MUSA and INPA Museums with Observation Tower Tour: $65
- Manaus City Tour e Musa: $65
- The Heart of the Amazon in One Day (The Most Complete Tour): $70
- Manaus Sightseeing Tour: $74
- Private Tour in Science Forest and Amazonas Theater: $75
- Manaus City Tour: $77
- Amazon Museum Guided Tour with Biologist Guide: $80
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRio de Janeiro $12Manaus $2.86
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:
- Lapa by Night: Samba, Cachaça & The Ultimate Rio Pub Crawl: $30
- Petropolis City Tour with Imperial Museum and Optional Lunch & Bohemia Brewery: $47
- Rio Pub Crawl with Caipirinhas & Bar Bites: $95
- Petrópolis City and Brewery Bohemia Tour - Best of Rio's Mountains: $110
- Rio: Sitio Burle Marx and Cachaça Distillery Private Tour: $178
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Rio de Janeiro and Manaus, we can see that Rio de Janeiro is more expensive. And not only is Manaus much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Manaus would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Manaus 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 Manaus.
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 Manaus Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Rio de Janeiro or Manaus?
Rio de Janeiro has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Manaus. When comparing the sizes of Rio de Janeiro and Manaus, 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 Manaus?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.
Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or Manaus in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Rio de Janeiro as well as Manaus. Many travelers come to Rio de Janeiro for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
In January, Rio de Janeiro is generally around the same temperature as Manaus. Daily temperatures in Rio de Janeiro average around 26°C (79°F), and Manaus fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
It's quite rainy in Manaus. Rio de Janeiro receives a lot of rain in the summer. Rio de Janeiro usually gets less rain in January than Manaus. Rio de Janeiro gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Manaus receives 264 mm (10.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JanuaryRio de Janeiro 26°C (79°F)Manaus 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or Manaus in the Autumn?
Both Manaus and Rio de Janeiro are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Rio de Janeiro in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Rio de Janeiro is around the same temperature as Manaus in the autumn. The daily temperature in Rio de Janeiro averages around 25°C (77°F) in April, and Manaus fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Manaus. It's quite rainy in Rio de Janeiro. In April, Rio de Janeiro usually receives less rain than Manaus. Rio de Janeiro gets 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Manaus receives 311 mm (12.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Rio de Janeiro is May to November. The rainy season in Rio de Janeiro is December to April.
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Autumn Average Temperatures AprilRio de Janeiro 25°C (77°F)Manaus 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or Manaus in the Winter?
Both Manaus and Rio de Janeiro during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Rio de Janeiro for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
In the winter, Rio de Janeiro is cooler than Manaus. Typically, the winter temperatures in Rio de Janeiro in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Manaus averages at about 28°C (82°F).
Rio de Janeiro usually gets less rain in July than Manaus. Rio de Janeiro gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Manaus receives 85 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JulyRio de Janeiro 21°C (70°F)Manaus 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or Manaus in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Rio de Janeiro and Manaus. The spring months attract visitors to Rio de Janeiro because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
In October, Rio de Janeiro is generally cooler than Manaus. Daily temperatures in Rio de Janeiro average around 23°C (73°F), and Manaus fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
Manaus receives a lot of rain in the spring. In October, Rio de Janeiro usually receives less rain than Manaus. Rio de Janeiro gets 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Manaus receives 113 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the spring. May to November in Rio de Janeiro is the dry season. Also, December to April is the rainy season in Rio de Janeiro.
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Spring Average Temperatures OctoberRio de Janeiro 23°C (73°F)Manaus 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for Manaus and Rio de Janeiro
| Rio de Janeiro | Manaus | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 264 mm (10.4 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 290 mm (11.4 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 335 mm (13.2 in) |
| Apr | 25°C (77°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 311 mm (12.3 in) |
| May | 23°C (73°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 279 mm (11 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 85 mm (3.4 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) |
| Nov | 24°C (75°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 174 mm (6.8 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 169 mm (6.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 220 mm (8.6 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.