Which place is cheaper, Rosario 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 Rosario?
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 Rosario 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 Rosario?
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.
Rosario
Rosario is the third largest city in Argentina. Located at the Parana river and known for its rich architectural heritage and beautiful riverside scenery, Rosario is the birthplace of the Argentinian flag as well as two of the nation's most famous icons, Che Guevara and Lionel Messi. Rosario is still an important river port but has done a great job of regenerating its center, which now has a vibrant cultural and night life. The abandoned buildings of the long riverbank have been converted into galleries, restaurants, skateparks and river beaches, which buzz with life in summer. Dynamic and confident without being showy, culturally rich and the best urban location to cool off in the boiling summers, Rosario is easily overlooked but not to be missed.
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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in Argentina, and The Best Adventure Tours to Argentina.
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Rio de Janeiro Prices
Brazil PricesRosario Prices
Argentina Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRio de Janeiro $111Rosario $77
The average daily cost (per person) in Rio de Janeiro is $111, while the average daily cost in Rosario is $77. 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 Rosario in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRio de Janeiro $61Rosario $59
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRio de Janeiro $122Rosario $118
Compare Hotels in Rio de Janeiro and Rosario
Looking for a hotel in Rio de Janeiro or Rosario? 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 Rosario Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Rio de Janeiro $7.33Rosario $3.93
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$2.70
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rio de Janeiro
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rio de Janeiro:
- Rio Carnival 2026: Sambadrome Parade + Transfer: $1,584
- Rio's 2026 Carnival Parade at Sapucaí + Transfer: $1,578
- Rio: Sambadrome Carnival Parade + transfer 2026: $1,573
- Rio: Premium Carnival Seating with Food, Drinks, & Transfers: $1,534
- Carnival Parade at the Sapucaí 2026 with transfer: $1,530
- Experience Rio Carnival in Costume with Parade Transfer: $792
- Rio Carnival Parade Custom Costume with Roundtrip Transfer: $792
- Rio Carnival Parade: Costume Experience + Transfer Included: $786
- 45-Min Helicopter Tour with Transfer: $436
- 30-Min Helicopter Ride with Transfers: $316
- Private Departure Transfer from Rio de Janeiro to RIOgaleão - Tom Jobim Airport: $298
- Private Transfer From Rio De Janeiro to Buzios: $239
Is it cheaper to fly into Rio de Janeiro or Rosario?
Prices for flights to both Rosario 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 $32Rosario $8.24
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$0.54
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Corn on the Cob$0.72
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Hamburger$0.90
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.
- Barra da Tijuca Walk & Food Tour with Drinks: $0.19
- Waterfront Dinner and Live Music in Rio de Janeiro: $46
- Waterfront Dinner & Live Music Experience: $59
- The Best Food Tour: Taste the Most Authentic Flavours of Rio: $79
- Rio Scenarium Entrance, Dinner, and Open Bar: $92
- Food Tour Rio de Janeiro - The Best Typical Brazilian Dishes: $92
- 9-Recipe Boozy Brazilian Cooking Class: $95
- Boteco Food Tour Rio with a Local: $99
- Dinner and Show at the Official Roxy Dinner Show - Rio de Janeiro: $107
- Brazilian Music at Rio Scenarium with Dinner: $111
- Brazilian Cooking Class: $111
- Brazilian Cooking Class with Hotel Pickup: $114
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Rio de Janeiro $20Rosario $33
Tours and Activities in Rio de Janeiro
Here are a few actual costs in Rio de Janeiro for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- A Day in Arraial do Cabo Guided Tour: $93
- Favelas do Vidigal or Rocinha's experience: $22
- 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: $111
- 10-hour Private Tour Rio In One Day: Christ, Sugarloaf, Selarón, Downtown: $239
- 15 - Guided Tour to Santa Marta Favela: $150
- 16 - Guided Tour to Favela da Rocinha: $75
- 19 - Guided Tour to the Museum of Tomorrow: $90
- 2 Days Private Tour in Rio de Janeiro: $359
- 2 Days Tour in City Tour Express and Arraial do Cabo: $220
- 2 Days in Rio: Tijuca Forest & Two Brothers Hiking Tours: $258
Tours and Activities in Rosario
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Rosario.
- Newell's Old Boys Football Match and Messi Tour: $130
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRio de Janeiro $11Rosario $9.43
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: Lapa Pub Crawl with Live Samba and Shots: $23
- Pub Crawl Lapa: $25
- Rio: Pub Crawl in Lapa with Cachaça Tasting and Live Samba: $26
- Rio de Janeiro - Wine Tasting of Brazilian Wines: $37
- Rio de Janeiro Pub Crawl (Lapa district): $40
- Petropolis City Tour with Imperial Museum and Optional Lunch & Bohemia Brewery: $40
- Petropolis Bohemia: Historic tour and visit to the Bohemian Brewery: $59
- Pub Crawl in Lapa with Authentic Brazilian Bar Food: $69
- Petrópolis City and Brewery Bohemia Tour - Best of Rio's Mountains: $110
- Brazilian Wine Tasting Evening: $123
- Rio: Sitio Burle Marx and Cachaça Distillery Private Tour: $125
- Rio: Sitio Burle Marx and Cachaça Distillery Private Tour: $144
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Rio de Janeiro and Rosario, we can see that Rio de Janeiro is more expensive. And not only is Rosario much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Rosario would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Rosario 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 Rosario.
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 Rosario Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Rio de Janeiro or Rosario?
Rio de Janeiro has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Rosario. When comparing the sizes of Rio de Janeiro and Rosario, 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.