Which place is cheaper, Roatan 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 Roatan?
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 Roatan 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 Roatan?
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.
Roatan
Your next great vacation lies just thirty miles off the north coast of Honduras. Right above the world's largest coral reef is the island of Roatan. As a popular tourist attraction and standard cruise destination, it's not uncommon to see tons of Americans during your trip. In fact, the cruising industry has had huge impact on the island's culture. While ships are in port, traffic will be heavier and prices may go up. Because of the growth of tourism, most locals speak both Spanish and English.
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 Adventure Tours to Honduras, and The Best Adventure Tours to Honduras.
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Rio de Janeiro Prices
Brazil PricesRoatan Prices
Honduras Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRio de Janeiro $120Roatan $42
The average daily cost (per person) in Rio de Janeiro is $120, while the average daily cost in Roatan is $42. 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 Roatan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRio de Janeiro $66Roatan $10
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRio de Janeiro $132Roatan $20
Compare Hotels in Rio de Janeiro and Roatan
Looking for a hotel in Rio de Janeiro or Roatan? 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 $7.93Roatan $17
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$2.92
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rio de Janeiro
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rio de Janeiro:
- GIG Airport Private Transfer to/from City Center: $14
- Private Transfer from Rio de Janeiro Airport (SDU): $16
- Transfer from Santos Dumont Airport to Zona Sul Rio: $26
- Private Transfer Economic GIG / SDU up to 4 pax to South Zone: $26
- One Way Shared Transfer from Airport to hotels in Rio de Janeiro: $27
- Private transfer Minivan GIG Rio Galeao airport up to 6 pax to Zona Sul: $28
- Transfer: Galeão Airport(GIG) to Rio de Janeiro City: $29
- Roundtrip Private Transfer Rio de Janeiro Airport (SDU): $31
- Transfer from Rio de Janeiro Galeao International Airport: $31
- Roundtrip Private Transfer Rio de Janeiro Airport (GIG): $35
- Private One Way Airport Transfer Rio to Galeao Airport: $36
- Private One-way Airport Transfer From Galeao Airport To Rio: $36
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Roatan
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Roatan are as follows:
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Water Taxi$3.91
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Roatan
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Roatan:
- Airport, Hotel or Cruise Port, Ferry Roatan Private Transfer: $35
- Discover Scuba Diving in Roatan at Upachaya with Private Transfer: $150
- King Kong Extreme Zipline, City Tour and Transfer: $80
- Let's Go Native Roatan City Cultural Tour, Transfer: $80
- Mahogany Bay Cruise Port to Roatan - Arrival Private Transfer: $57
- Mahogany Bay Cruise Port to Roatan Island hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $62
- Mahogany Bay Cruise Port to Roatan Island hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $123
- Mayan Eden Eco Park, Chocolate Factory & Transfer: $59
- Private Transfer from Honduras Roatan Airport (RTB) to Roatan Hotels: $154
- Roatan East End Cultural Experience, Island Lunch & Private Transfer: $95
- Roatan West Bay Beach Break with Roundtrip Transfer: $75
- Roatan Zipline, Monkey, Macaws & Sloths Eco Park, Snorkeling, Transfer: $120
Is it cheaper to fly into Rio de Janeiro or Roatan?
Prices for flights to both Roatan 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 $35Roatan $15
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$0.58
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Corn on the Cob$0.78
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Hamburger$0.97
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
- Rio de Janeiro Market Food Tour and Local Tasting Experience: $71
- Brazilian Breakfast Cooking Class in Rio: Bake and Blend: $75
- Rio Historic Downtown and Lapa Street Food Tour Full Meal: $80
- Rio: Copacabana Food Tour with 7 Tastings and Local Flavors: $81
- Rio de Janeiro Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $82
- Hands-On Cooking Class in Rio: Iconic Street Foods & Caipirinhas: $85
- Brazilian Churrascaria Guided Dinner in Rio with Wine Pairing: $89
- Rio Roots Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $89
- Food Tour Rio de Janeiro - The Best Typical Brazilian Dishes: $92
- Roxy Show - Brazilian Rhythms with optional Barbecue Dinner: $101
- Folklore show Ginga Tropical with Optional Dinner: $107
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Roatan
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Roatan.
- Cooking classes from a Local!: $300
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Rio de Janeiro $22Roatan $25
Tours and Activities in Rio de Janeiro
Here are a few actual costs in Rio de Janeiro for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Salvador Pelourinho Self-Guided Walking Tour: $4.95
- Ipanema Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $4.95
- Rio de Janeiro Urca Self-Guided Walking Tour: $4.95
- Rio de Janeiro Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.00
- Self-Guided Audio Tour-Story of Bossanova: Rhythm and soul of Rio: $6.72
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Imperial Rio: $6.72
- Rio de Janeiro Audio Guided Walking Tour 3h00 and 24 reviews: $7.28
- A Self-Guided Black History Audio Tour of Rio de Janeiro’s Little Africa: $12
- Authentic Rocinha Favela Walking Experience with a Local Guide: $19
- Self-Guided Tour of Rio's Journey from Colonialism to Democracy: $20
- Football Tour at Maracanã Pre game with Caipirinha and Fans: $28
- Vidigal: Tour with Local Guide: $29
Tours and Activities in Roatan
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Roatan are as follows:
- Custom Private Roatan Shuttle Tour: Explore at Your Own Pace: $30
- Roatan Island Tours, Sightseeing and Shopping Adventures: $39
- Roatán Ron and Chocolate Custom Tour.: $40
- Roatan Zipline & Eco walk/Suspension Bridge Combo Tours: $45
- Roatan Beach and Tour: $45
- Customizable Best Of Roatan Island Tour in Honduras: $45
- Private Customize Roatán Island Tour chocolate Rum local guide: $48
- Canopy Adventure in Roatán: $48
- Private Roatan Sightseeing Tour: $49
- Roatan VIP Free-Style Private Tour: $49
- Extreme Zip Line Adventure at Mahogany Bay: $49
- Cruise Travelers West Bay Beach Break with Island Tour in Roatan: $50
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRio de Janeiro $12Roatan $6.49
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:
- Lapa by Night: Samba, Cachaça & The Ultimate Rio Pub Crawl: $30
- More than a Pub Crawl: An Authentic Night Experience in Rio: $40
- 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: $177
Sample the Local Flavors in Roatan
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Roatan:
- Bar Crawl Tour in West End Village by Pedibike- Let the Good Times Roll: $80
- Roatan ATV Adventure, Island Tour and Craft Brewery Experience: $130
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Rio de Janeiro and Roatan, we can see that Rio de Janeiro is more expensive. And not only is Roatan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Rio de Janeiro is in South America and Roatan is in Central 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 Roatan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Roatan 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 Roatan.
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 Roatan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Rio de Janeiro or Roatan?
Rio de Janeiro has a larger population, and is about 800 times larger than the population of Roatan. When comparing the sizes of Rio de Janeiro and Roatan, 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.
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.