Which place is cheaper, Saint John 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.
Jump to 
Should you visit Rio de Janeiro or Saint John?
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 Saint John 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 Saint John?
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.
Saint John
With the popularity of the Caribbean rising, many islands have become touristy and expensive – but not St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
At only nine miles long and five miles wide, St. John is the smallest of the Virgin Islands, and, many argue, the prettiest. It's the kind of place that has maintained it's cultural identity, but still welcomes visitors from all over the world. With a population of just 5,000, the residents of St. John know everyone and everything happening on the island.
This island is perfect for people who want an undisturbed island getaway at any price. Between resorts and campgrounds there is a spot for everyone on St. John.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Brazil, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Rio de Janeiro.
-
Rio de Janeiro Prices
Brazil PricesSaint John Prices
USVI Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRio de Janeiro $115Saint John $233
The average daily cost (per person) in Rio de Janeiro is $115, while the average daily cost in Saint John is $233. 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 Saint John in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRio de Janeiro $64Saint John $106
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRio de Janeiro $128Saint John $212
Compare Hotels in Rio de Janeiro and Saint John
Looking for a hotel in Rio de Janeiro or Saint John? 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
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Rio de Janeiro $7.65Saint John $49
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Rio de Janeiro
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Rio de Janeiro:
-
Taxi Ride$2.82
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rio de Janeiro
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rio de Janeiro:
- Airport Transfer: Rio de Janeiro to Airport GIG by Business Car: $113
- All-You-Can-Eat Brazilian Churrascaria in Rio de Janeiro with Transfer: $85
- Angra dos Reis Private Transfer from Rio de Janeiro : $122
- AquaRio Small Group Guided Tour with entrance and transfer: $90
- Arrival Transfer: Airport GIG to Rio de Janeiro by Business Van: $137
- Boat Party by Night in Rio de Janeiro Admission & Transfer : $68
- Buzios Private Transfer to and from Rio de Janeiro: $200
- Buzios Transfer From Rio de Janeiro: $40
- Cabo Frio Private Transfer From Rio de Janeiro : $124
- Cabo Frio Shared Transfer From Rio de Janeiro: $63
- Carnaval Party Tour and Samba Class in Rio with Transfer: $60
- Corcovado & Favela Tour with Transfer: $85
Is it cheaper to fly into Rio de Janeiro or Saint John?
Prices for flights to both Saint John 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
-
Food Meals for one dayRio de Janeiro $34Saint John $97
Typical Food Prices in Rio de Janeiro
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Rio de Janeiro:
-
Popcorn$0.56
-
Corn on the Cob$0.75
-
Hamburger$0.94
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 and Live Music in Rio de Janeiro: $46
- Hands-On Cooking Class in Rio: Iconic Street Foods & Caipirinhas: $75
- Authentic Brazilian BBQ & Wine: A Guided Dinner Experience in Rio: $79
- Roxy Show - Brazilian Rhythms with optional Barbecue Dinner: $85
- Food Tour Rio de Janeiro - The Best Typical Brazilian Dishes: $92
- Family Cooking Class in Rio Make 9 Brazilian Dishes Together: $95
- LGBTQ+ Cooking Class in Rio: Cook, Toast & Celebrate Together: $95
- Brazilian BBQ Cooking & Drinks Class + Patio Party in Copacabana: $95
- Dinner and Show at the Official Roxy Dinner Show - Rio de Janeiro: $122
- Brazilian Dinner Show: Cultural Experience in Rio de Janeiro: $126
- Samba Show Admission & Transfer with Dinner Option: $130
- Flavors of Cooking Class and Caipirinhas: $130
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Rio de Janeiro $21Saint John $23
Tours and Activities in Rio de Janeiro
Here are a few actual costs in Rio de Janeiro for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Rio de Janeiro (Urca) Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $4.51
- Salvador Sights Self Guided Tour (Pelourinho): $4.51
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Santa Teresa: the staircase: $6.99
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Imperial Rio: $10
- Rocinha Local Tour: $19
- Rocinha favela walking tour with a local guide: $20
- Favelas do Vidigal or Rocinha's experience: $23
- Tour of the Heart of Historic Rio de Janeiro : $23
- Rio de Janeiro Tour with App – No Guide, Start When You Want: $24
- Carnival Backstage Tour - Visit a traditional Samba School : $25
- Carnaval Experience: Backstage Tour at Samba City with Cocktail : $26
- Favela Tour Rio de Janeiro - Vidigal Walking Tour by Russo Guide: $29
Tours and Activities in Saint John
Here are a few actual costs in Saint John for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- St. John: A Private Island Adventure Tour & Trunk Bay Beach: $627
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayRio de Janeiro $12Saint John $44
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:
- Petropolis City Tour with Imperial Museum and Optional Lunch & Bohemia Brewery: $40
- Rio de Janeiro Pub Crawl (Lapa district): $40
- Rio Pub Crawl: Taste Caipirinhas & Local Bar Snacks: $95
- Petrópolis City and Brewery Bohemia Tour - Best of Rio's Mountains: $110
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Rio de Janeiro and Saint John, we can see that Saint John is more expensive. And not only is Rio de Janeiro much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Rio de Janeiro is in South America and Saint John is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Rio de Janeiro would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Rio de Janeiro 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 Saint John would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint John than you might in Rio de Janeiro.
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 Saint John Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Rio de Janeiro or Saint John?
Rio de Janeiro has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Saint John experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or Saint John in the Summer?
Both Saint John and Rio de Janeiro are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Rio de Janeiro this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to Saint John because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the summer, Rio de Janeiro is around the same temperature as Saint John. Typically, the summer temperatures in Rio de Janeiro in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Saint John averages at about 29°C (83°F)in July.
It's quite rainy in Rio de Janeiro. In January, Rio de Janeiro usually receives more rain than Saint Johnin July. Rio de Janeiro gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyRio de Janeiro 26°C (79°F)Saint John 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or Saint John in the Autumn?
Both Saint John and Rio de Janeiro during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Rio de Janeiro for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John year-round.
In April, Rio de Janeiro is generally cooler than Saint Johnin October. Daily temperatures in Rio de Janeiro average around 25°C (77°F), and Saint John fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
Saint John gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Rio de Janeiro. Rio de Janeiro usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Saint Johnin October. Rio de Janeiro gets 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year. May to November is the dry season in Rio de Janeiro. December to April is the rainy season in Rio de Janeiro.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberRio de Janeiro 25°C (77°F)Saint John 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or Saint John in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Rio de Janeiro and Saint John. Many visitors come to Rio de Janeiro in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Saint John attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Rio de Janeiro is cooler than Saint John in the winter. The daily temperature in Rio de Janeiro averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Saint John fluctuates around 26°C (78°F)in January.
In July, Rio de Janeiro usually receives more rain than Saint Johnin January. Rio de Janeiro gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryRio de Janeiro 21°C (70°F)Saint John 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or Saint John in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Rio de Janeiro as well as Saint John. Most visitors come to Rio de Janeiro for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John throughout the year.
In the spring, Rio de Janeiro is cooler than Saint John. Typically, the spring temperatures in Rio de Janeiro in October average around 23°C (73°F), and Saint John averages at about 27°C (80°F)in April.
Rio de Janeiro usually gets more rain in October than Saint Johnin April. Rio de Janeiro gets 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, May to November in Rio de Janeiro is the dry season. December to April in Rio de Janeiro is the rainy season.
-
Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilRio de Janeiro 23°C (73°F)Saint John 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint John and Rio de Janeiro
| Rio de Janeiro | Saint John | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 25°C (77°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 23°C (73°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 24°C (75°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 169 mm (6.7 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 71 mm (2.8 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.