Which place is cheaper, Mazatlan 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 Mazatlan?
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 Mazatlan 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 Mazatlan?
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.
Mazatlan
Mazatlan is located on the Pacific coast in the Mexican state of Sinaloa. The city has a population of almost 500,000, making it the second largest city in the state. It is a popular tourist destination because of its beautiful beaches and resort hotels. Most people head to Mazatlan specifically for its beaches, but the city itself is somewhat large and diverse with many different cultures and ethnicities represented. Many foreigners come here not only to vacation, but also to retire. You'll meet people from all over Europe, as well as Canada and the United States.
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 Food and Culinary Tours in Mexico, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Mexico.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRio de Janeiro $105Mazatlan $79
The average daily cost (per person) in Rio de Janeiro is $105, while the average daily cost in Mazatlan is $79. 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 Mazatlan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRio de Janeiro $66Mazatlan $33
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRio de Janeiro $132Mazatlan $66
Compare Hotels in Rio de Janeiro and Mazatlan
Looking for a hotel in Rio de Janeiro or Mazatlan? 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 Mazatlan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Rio de Janeiro $7.97Mazatlan $21
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mazatlan
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Mazatlan:
- Mazatlan Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Mazatlan hotels: $236
- Mazatlan Intl Airport (MZT): Private Transfer to Mazatlan: $296
- Private Airport-Hotel Transfer: $119
- Private roundtrip airport to hotel transfer in Mazatlan: $262
- Round transfer airport to hotel in Mazatlán: $50
Is it cheaper to fly into Rio de Janeiro or Mazatlan?
Prices for flights to both Mazatlan 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 $20Mazatlan $34
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 Mazatlan
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Mazatlan.
- Mercado walking food tour: $78
- Mazatlan routes of taste food tour: $84
- Authentic Mexican Cooking Class in Mazatlan: $84
- Tacos, Beer and Mezcal Food Tour in Mazatlan: $96
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Rio de Janeiro $22Mazatlan $9.59
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 Mazatlan
Here are a few actual costs in Mazatlan for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Mazatlan Sightseeing and Golden Zone: $27
- Mazatlan City Sightseeing Tour with Shopping Time and Lunch: $40
- Mazatlan Sightseeing and Shopping Tour: $40
- Mazatlan Smart Bike Tour: $40
- El Faro Lighthouse Tour with Free Digital Photos: $47
- Mazatlan - City Tour: $47
- City Tour with Tequila Tasting & Beach Hotel Day Pass Included : $49
- Grand Aquarium Ticket and City Sightseeing Tour: $57
- Sensation Splash Party All Inclusive Mazatlan Bay Cruise: $57
- Beach Activities and All Inclusive Tour: $58
- Seafront Boardwalk Beer Bike Tour: $58
- Deer Island Eco Tour with Snorkeling and Hiking: $65
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRio de Janeiro $12Mazatlan $18
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 Mazatlan, we can see that Rio de Janeiro is more expensive. And not only is Mazatlan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Rio de Janeiro is in South America and Mazatlan is in North 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 Mazatlan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mazatlan 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 Mazatlan.
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 Mazatlan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Rio de Janeiro or Mazatlan?
Rio de Janeiro has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Mazatlan. When comparing the sizes of Rio de Janeiro and Mazatlan, 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 Mazatlan?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Rio de Janeiro is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Mazatlan has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or Mazatlan in the Summer?
Both Mazatlan and Rio de Janeiro are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Mazatlan in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.
In January, Rio de Janeiro is generally around the same temperature as Mazatlanin July. Daily temperatures in Rio de Janeiro average around 26°C (79°F), and Mazatlan fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Mazatlan. It's quite rainy in Rio de Janeiro. In January, Rio de Janeiro usually receives less rain than Mazatlanin July. Rio de Janeiro gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Mazatlan receives 199 mm (7.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyRio de Janeiro 26°C (79°F)Mazatlan 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or Mazatlan in the Autumn?
Both Mazatlan and Rio de Janeiro during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Mazatlan for the shopping scene during these months.
Rio de Janeiro is around the same temperature as Mazatlan in the autumn. The daily temperature in Rio de Janeiro averages around 25°C (77°F) in April, and Mazatlan fluctuates around 27°C (81°F)in October.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Rio de Janeiro. Rio de Janeiro usually gets more rain in April than Mazatlanin October. Rio de Janeiro gets 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Mazatlan receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberRio de Janeiro 25°C (77°F)Mazatlan 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or Mazatlan in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Rio de Janeiro and Mazatlan. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Mazatlan because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Rio de Janeiro is around the same temperature as Mazatlan. Typically, the winter temperatures in Rio de Janeiro in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Mazatlan averages at about 20°C (67°F)in January.
In July, Rio de Janeiro usually receives more rain than Mazatlanin January. Rio de Janeiro gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Mazatlan receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryRio de Janeiro 21°C (70°F)Mazatlan 20°C (67°F)
Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or Mazatlan in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Rio de Janeiro as well as Mazatlan. Additionally, the beaches are the main draw to Mazatlan this time of year.
In October, Rio de Janeiro is generally around the same temperature as Mazatlanin April. Daily temperatures in Rio de Janeiro average around 23°C (73°F), and Mazatlan fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
Rio de Janeiro usually gets more rain in October than Mazatlanin April. Rio de Janeiro gets 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Mazatlan receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilRio de Janeiro 23°C (73°F)Mazatlan 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for Mazatlan and Rio de Janeiro
| Rio de Janeiro | Mazatlan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 25°C (77°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| May | 23°C (73°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 199 mm (7.8 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 219 mm (8.6 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 227 mm (8.9 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Nov | 24°C (75°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 169 mm (6.7 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 18 mm (0.7 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.