Which place is cheaper, Puerto Montt 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 Puerto Montt?
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 Puerto Montt 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 Puerto Montt?
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.
Puerto Montt
The Lake District is a region of snow capped volcanoes, pale green lakes and endless miles of virgin and ancient forests. Found 1,016 km away from Santiago de Chile, Puerto Montt is famous for its beautiful lakes and its germanic architecture, old wooden houses and its legendary Iglesia Catedral, found on the town's main square, la Plaza de Armas. The monument, entirely built with alerce (cypress) wood, is the oldest building of the city. The capital of the Lake Region is a good starting point for many memorable excursions in the area.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to Brazil, The Best G Adventures Tours to Brazil, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Chile, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Chile.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRio de Janeiro $105Puerto Montt $89
The average daily cost (per person) in Rio de Janeiro is $105, while the average daily cost in Puerto Montt is $89. 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 Puerto Montt in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRio de Janeiro $66Puerto Montt $61
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRio de Janeiro $132Puerto Montt $122
Compare Hotels in Rio de Janeiro and Puerto Montt
Looking for a hotel in Rio de Janeiro or Puerto Montt? 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 Puerto Montt Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Rio de Janeiro $7.97Puerto Montt $6.43
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:
- 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
- Transfer service from / to Porto Maravilha - Zona Sul: $18
- Shared Transfer From or To Airport: $18
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Rio de Janeiro Airport (SDU) - Rio City Center: $19
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Rio de Janeiro City center - Airport (SDU): $19
- Transfer in Private Minivan from Rio de Janeiro City Center -Airport (SDU): $19
- One Way Shared Transfer from Airport to hotels in Rio de Janeiro: $20
- Transfer service from / to International Airport (GIG) - Zona Sul: $21
- Private Transfer: Rio de Janeiro to Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport (SDU): $21
- Private Transfer: Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport (SDU) to Rio de Janeiro: $21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Montt
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Montt:
- 4 Days Tour Los Lagos Region with Transfer Chiloe and Peulla: $177
- Private Transfer from Puerto Airport (PMC) to Puerto Montt Port: $30
- Private Transfer from Puerto Montt Port to Puerto Airport (PMC): $27
- Private Transfer from Puerto Montt Port to Puerto Airport (PMC): $30
- Puerto Airport (PMC) to Frutillar - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $41
- Puerto Montt Airport (PMC) to Frutillar: Roundtrip Transfer: $46
- Puerto Montt Airport (PMC) to Puerto Varas - Round-Trip Transfer: $65
- Puerto Montt Airport (PMC) to Puerto Varas City- Arrival Transfer: $33
- Puerto Montt Airport Arrival Transfer to Hotel in Puerto Varas: $24
- Puerto Montt Airport to Puerto Varas - RoundTrip Private Transfer: $41
- Puerto Montt Airport(PMC) to Frutillar - Arrival Private Transfer: $21
- Puerto Montt Airport(PMC) to Frutillar - Arrival Private Transfer: $23
Is it cheaper to fly into Rio de Janeiro or Puerto Montt?
Prices for flights to both Puerto Montt 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 $20Puerto Montt $21
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 $22Puerto Montt $14
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: $7.66
- Rio de Janeiro (Urca) Scavenger Hunt and Self-Guided Tour: $7.66
- Rio de Janeiro(Ipanema-Copacabana)Scavenger Hunt Self-Guided Tour: $7.85
- Rio de Janeiro Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Rio de Janeiro Night Experience: Funk Class + 2 Caipirinhas: $9.14
- Hiking Experience to Pedra do Telégrafo: $9.74
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Imperial Rio: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour-Story of Bossanova: Rhythm and soul of Rio: $10
- Favela tour in copacabana with local guide!: $10
- Ticket to the match at maracanã of Flamengo: $10
- Soccer match at maracanã stadium with tickets, meat & drink: $10
Tours and Activities in Puerto Montt
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Puerto Montt are as follows:
- Frutillar Tour: $31
- Half day Llanquihue and Frutillar City tour : $44
- Private Tour: Puerto Montt Sightseeing: $47
- Frutillar & Llanquihue Tour from Puerto Montt: $56
- Osorno Volcano and Petrohué Falls Guided Tour: $62
- Osorno Volcano Tour+Petrohue Falls / Cruises / Spanish: $68
- Alerce Andino National Park/Alerce Millenario/Cruises: $77
- Excursion City tour Puerto Varas / Llanquihue and Frutillar: $77
- Private. City Tour Puerto Montt and Puerto Varas: $92
- Austral / Hornopiren Road Tour: $102
- Frutillar & Llanquihue Private Tour from Puerto Montt: $128
- 6 Hours Shared Tour in Calbuco and Millennial Forest : $130
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRio de Janeiro $12Puerto Montt $4.49
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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Rio de Janeiro and Puerto Montt, we can see that Rio de Janeiro is more expensive. And not only is Puerto Montt much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Puerto Montt would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Puerto Montt 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 Puerto Montt.
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 Puerto Montt Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Rio de Janeiro or Puerto Montt?
Rio de Janeiro has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Puerto Montt. When comparing the sizes of Rio de Janeiro and Puerto Montt, 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 Puerto Montt?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.
Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or Puerto Montt in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Rio de Janeiro and Puerto Montt.
In January, Rio de Janeiro is generally much warmer than Puerto Montt. Daily temperatures in Rio de Janeiro average around 26°C (79°F), and Puerto Montt fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
Rio de Janeiro gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Rio de Janeiro usually receives more rain than Puerto Montt. Rio de Janeiro gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Puerto Montt receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JanuaryRio de Janeiro 26°C (79°F)Puerto Montt 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or Puerto Montt in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Rio de Janeiro as well as Puerto Montt.
Rio de Janeiro is much warmer than Puerto Montt in the autumn. The daily temperature in Rio de Janeiro averages around 25°C (77°F) in April, and Puerto Montt fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
It's quite rainy in Puerto Montt. Rio de Janeiro receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Rio de Janeiro usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Puerto Montt. Rio de Janeiro gets 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Puerto Montt receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures AprilRio de Janeiro 25°C (77°F)Puerto Montt 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or Puerto Montt in the Winter?
Both Puerto Montt and Rio de Janeiro are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.
In the winter, Rio de Janeiro is much warmer than Puerto Montt. Typically, the winter temperatures in Rio de Janeiro in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Puerto Montt averages at about 7°C (45°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Puerto Montt. In July, Rio de Janeiro usually receives less rain than Puerto Montt. Rio de Janeiro gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Puerto Montt receives 229 mm (9 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JulyRio de Janeiro 21°C (70°F)Puerto Montt 7°C (45°F)
Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or Puerto Montt in the Spring?
Both Puerto Montt and Rio de Janeiro during the spring are popular places to visit.
In October, Rio de Janeiro is generally much warmer than Puerto Montt. Daily temperatures in Rio de Janeiro average around 23°C (73°F), and Puerto Montt fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
Puerto Montt gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Rio de Janeiro usually gets less rain in October than Puerto Montt. Rio de Janeiro gets 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Puerto Montt receives 121 mm (4.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures OctoberRio de Janeiro 23°C (73°F)Puerto Montt 11°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Puerto Montt and Rio de Janeiro
| Rio de Janeiro | Puerto Montt | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Apr | 25°C (77°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| May | 23°C (73°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 224 mm (8.8 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 229 mm (9 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 209 mm (8.2 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Nov | 24°C (75°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 169 mm (6.7 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 103 mm (4.1 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.