Which place is cheaper, Montanita 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 Montanita?
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 Montanita 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 Montanita?
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.
Montanita
Montanita is a small village located on Manglaralto parish along the southern coast of Ecuador. The Pacific Coast of Ecuador is lined with beach towns, either small villages with local fisherman or larger towns more set up for foreign travellers like Montanita. With one of the best beaches in Ecuador, one of the best surf breaks in the region, and a great laid-back atmosphere Montanita is a great little getaway, especially for the hippies of the world. It has also become a popular weekend destination for English teachers and Spanish students coming from Guayaquil and Quito. The beachfront village of Montanita has a laid-back atmosphere and steady stream of cosmopolitan backpackers, with as many South Americans as gringos.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to Brazil, The Best G Adventures Tours to Brazil, The Best G Adventures Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Ecuador.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRio de Janeiro $105Montanita $96
The average daily cost (per person) in Rio de Janeiro is $105, while the average daily cost in Montanita is $96. 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 Montanita in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRio de Janeiro $66Montanita $41
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRio de Janeiro $132Montanita $82
Compare Hotels in Rio de Janeiro and Montanita
Looking for a hotel in Rio de Janeiro or Montanita? 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 $7.97Montanita $39
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:
- From Private Transfer to São Paulo: $650
- 2025: Rio Carnival Parade at Sapucaí with Transfer Sector 7: $466
- 2025 Sambadrome Carnival Parade: Transfer Included Sector 5: $466
- Rio Carnival 2025: Sambadrome Parade + Transfer Sector 5: $466
- Rio's 2025 Carnival Parade at Sapucaí + Transfer Sector 5: $466
- Rio Carnival 2025: Sambadrome Parade + Transfer (Sector 7): $466
- Rio: Sambadrome Carnival Parade + transfer 2025 Sector 7: $466
- All Private Transfer from Rio de Janeiro to Ilha Grande: $275
- From Private Transfer to Vila do Abraão: $244
- Arrival Private Transfer: GIG or SDU Airport to Arraial do Cabo by Sedan Car: $241
- From One-way Private Transfer to Búzios: $235
- Transfer Rio x Búzios, ARRAIAL DO CABO AND ANGRA DOS REIS: $227
Is it cheaper to fly into Rio de Janeiro or Montanita?
Prices for flights to both Montanita 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 $20Montanita $28
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
- Rio Bar Food Tour with a Local: $82
- Dinner & Rio Scenarium Nightclub Admission with Transfer: $85
- 9-Recipe Boozy Brazilian Cooking Class: $85
- Rio Scenarium Entrance, Dinner, and Open Bar: $105
- Brazilian Cooking Class: $129
- Samba Show Admission & Transfer with Dinner Option: $130
- Brazilian Cooking Class in Copacabana with Hotel Pickup: $140
- Rio: Ginga Tropical Folkloric Show & Optional Dinner: $142
- Samba Show Ginga Tropical with Optional Dinner : $143
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Rio de Janeiro $22Montanita $31
Tours and Activities in Rio de Janeiro
Here are a few actual costs in Rio de Janeiro for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Favelas do Vidigal or Rocinha's experience: $49
- Ilha Grande Tour Full day - Rio de Janeiro by Rio Eco Trip: $105
- 03 - Guided Tour to the Grande Rio Academics Barracão: $120
- 1 day tour Rio de Janeiro to Christ and Cable car and much more: $97
- 14 - Guided Tour to Quadra Do Salgueiro with Samba Show: $75
- 15 - Guided Tour to Santa Marta Favela: $150
- 19 - Guided Tour to the Museum of Tomorrow and Olympic Boulevard: $90
- 2 Days in Rio: Tijuca Forest & Two Brothers Hiking Tours: $273
- 2 Hours Paradisiac Sailboat Tour in Rio de Janeiro: $273
- 2 hours Hang Gliding Paragliding Full Package experience in Rio : $171
- 20 - Guided Tour to AquaRio and Olympic Boulevard: $120
- 25 - Full Day Tour to Angra dos Reis and Ilha Grande: $80
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRio de Janeiro $12Montanita $7.86
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:
- Pub Crawl in Lapa: $29
- Rio: Pub Crawl in Lapa with Cachaça Tasting and Live Samba: $33
- 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: $57
- Rio: Sitio Burle Marx and Cachaça Distillery Private Tour: $131
When comparing the travel costs between Rio de Janeiro and Montanita, we can see that Rio de Janeiro is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in South America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
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 Montanita Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Rio de Janeiro or Montanita?
Rio de Janeiro has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Montanita experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or Montanita in the Summer?
Both Montanita and Rio de Janeiro during the summer are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montanita year-round.
Rio de Janeiro is around the same temperature as Montanita in the summer. The daily temperature in Rio de Janeiro averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Montanita fluctuates around 25°C (78°F)in July.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Rio de Janeiro. Rio de Janeiro usually gets more rain in January than Montanitain July. Rio de Janeiro gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Montanita receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyRio de Janeiro 26°C (79°F)Montanita 25°C (78°F)
Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or Montanita in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Rio de Janeiro and Montanita. Montanita attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the autumn, Rio de Janeiro is around the same temperature as Montanita. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Rio de Janeiro in April average around 25°C (77°F), and Montanita averages at about 26°C (78°F)in October.
Rio de Janeiro gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Rio de Janeiro usually receives more rain than Montanitain October. Rio de Janeiro gets 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Montanita receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberRio de Janeiro 25°C (77°F)Montanita 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or Montanita in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Rio de Janeiro as well as Montanita. The warm climate attracts visitors to Montanita throughout the year.
In July, Rio de Janeiro is generally cooler than Montanitain January. Daily temperatures in Rio de Janeiro average around 21°C (70°F), and Montanita fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
Rio de Janeiro usually gets less rain in July than Montanitain January. Rio de Janeiro gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Montanita receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryRio de Janeiro 21°C (70°F)Montanita 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or Montanita in the Spring?
Both Montanita and Rio de Janeiro are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Montanita because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Rio de Janeiro is cooler than Montanita in the spring. The daily temperature in Rio de Janeiro averages around 23°C (73°F) in October, and Montanita fluctuates around 27°C (81°F)in April.
In October, Rio de Janeiro usually receives more rain than Montanitain April. Rio de Janeiro gets 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Montanita receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilRio de Janeiro 23°C (73°F)Montanita 27°C (81°F)
Typical Weather for Montanita and Rio de Janeiro
| Rio de Janeiro | Montanita | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Apr | 25°C (77°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| May | 23°C (73°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Nov | 24°C (75°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 169 mm (6.7 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 15 mm (0.6 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.