Which place is cheaper, Saint John's 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 Saint John's?
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's 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's?
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's
If you've been to St. John's, Antigua, you were likely on a cruise - which means you likely did not have enough time to truly experience the magic of this tiny island getaway.
St. Johns is the capital of the tiny islands of Antigua and Barbuda. Located on Antigua, this tropical city lives up to its status as a tropical paradise. With 365 beaches on the island, you can enjoy the luxury of lounging in the sand every day of the year.
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.
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Rio de Janeiro Prices
Brazil PricesSaint John's Prices
Antigua and Barbuda Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRio de Janeiro $115Saint John's $272
The average daily cost (per person) in Rio de Janeiro is $115, while the average daily cost in Saint John's is $272. 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's in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRio de Janeiro $64Saint John's $120
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRio de Janeiro $128Saint John's $240
Compare Hotels in Rio de Janeiro and Saint John's
Looking for a hotel in Rio de Janeiro or Saint John's? 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 $7.65Saint John's $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$2.82
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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint John's
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Saint John's:
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Local Bus$1.52
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Taxi From Airport$6.99
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint John's
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Saint John's:
- 3-Hours Eye-Opening Stingray City Antigua - Transfer R/T included: $133
- Antigua - VIP Fast Track On Arrival ONLY And Round Trip Transfer : $109
- Antigua Airport Private Roundtrip Transfer to and from Royalton Antigua Resort: $60
- Antigua V.C. Bird Airport (ANU) to Island - Round-Trip Transfer : $93
- Antigua to Antigua V.C. Bird Airport (ANU) - Departure Transfer: $64
- Antigua&Barbuda Airport (ANU) to Antigua&Barbuda Private Transfer: $46
- Biggvee Airport Roundtrip Transfer: $70
- Biggvee Premium Airport One Way Transfer: $200
- Crystal Kayak & Snorkel Eco Tour (with transfer): $99
- JTAT Private Transfers & Tours, Saint John's, Antigua and Barbuda: $160
- Private Airport Transfers to Antigua and Barbuda: $60
- Private Antigua Airport Roundtrip Transfer to Hammock Cove: $90
Is it cheaper to fly into Rio de Janeiro or Saint John's?
Prices for flights to both Saint John's 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 $34Saint John's $117
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$0.56
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Corn on the Cob$0.75
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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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint John's
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Saint John's.
- City Lime Food Tour: Taste our culture on Antigua's only food tour in the city!: $105
- Discover the Flavors of St. Johns Food Tour: $125
- Private Art Tour or Food Tour: $150
- Nicole's Table - Cooking with Rum: $165
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Rio de Janeiro $21Saint John's $103
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Saint John's
Here are a few typical costs in Saint John's for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Entrance to the Museum of Antigua & Barbu$3.00
Tours and Activities in Saint John's
Here are a few actual costs in Saint John's for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- City of St John's Sightseeing Tour: $59
- Shore Excursion: City of St John's Sightseeing Tour: $59
- Cultural and Historical Home Tour in The Antiguan Experience : $66
- Half Day Historical Tour in Antigua with Beach: $70
- Glenmon taxi and tours: $70
- Nightlife Tour of Antigua and Barbuda: $80
- SoCoHo Eco Kayak and Snorkel Tour: $85
- Antigua Round Island Tour: $85
- Biggvee Bus Adventure: $90
- Clear Kayak Tour in Mangrove Antigua: $90
- Trek Tours Hiking Experience in Antigua: $90
- Circumnavigate Tour: $95
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRio de Janeiro $12Saint John's $18
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's, we can see that Saint John's 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's 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's would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint John's 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's Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Rio de Janeiro or Saint John's?
Rio de Janeiro has a larger population, and is about 250 times larger than the population of Saint John's. When comparing the sizes of Rio de Janeiro and Saint John's, 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 Saint John's?
Rio de Janeiro has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Saint John's experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or Saint John's in the Summer?
Both Saint John's and Rio de Janeiro are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Rio de Janeiro for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Plenty of visitors come to Saint John's because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Rio de Janeiro is generally around the same temperature as Saint John'sin July. Daily temperatures in Rio de Janeiro average around 26°C (79°F), and Saint John's fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint John's. It's quite rainy in Rio de Janeiro. In January, Rio de Janeiro usually receives less rain than Saint John'sin July. Rio de Janeiro gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Saint John's receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyRio de Janeiro 26°C (79°F)Saint John's 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or Saint John's in the Autumn?
Both Saint John's and Rio de Janeiro during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Rio de Janeiro in the autumn 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's year-round.
Rio de Janeiro is around the same temperature as Saint John's in the autumn. The daily temperature in Rio de Janeiro averages around 25°C (77°F) in April, and Saint John's fluctuates around 27°C (80°F)in October.
Saint John's 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 less rain in April than Saint John'sin October. Rio de Janeiro gets 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Saint John's receives 228 mm (9 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.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberRio de Janeiro 25°C (77°F)Saint John's 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or Saint John's in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Rio de Janeiro and Saint John's. Most visitors come to Rio de Janeiro for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Saint John's attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the winter, Rio de Janeiro is cooler than Saint John's. Typically, the winter temperatures in Rio de Janeiro in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Saint John's averages at about 24°C (76°F)in January.
In July, Rio de Janeiro usually receives less rain than Saint John'sin January. Rio de Janeiro gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Saint John's receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryRio de Janeiro 21°C (70°F)Saint John's 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or Saint John's in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Rio de Janeiro as well as Saint John's. The spring months attract visitors to Rio de Janeiro because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John's throughout the year.
In October, Rio de Janeiro is generally cooler than Saint John'sin April. Daily temperatures in Rio de Janeiro average around 23°C (73°F), and Saint John's fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
It's quite rainy in Saint John's. Rio de Janeiro usually gets less rain in October than Saint John'sin April. Rio de Janeiro gets 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Saint John's receives 123 mm (4.8 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.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilRio de Janeiro 23°C (73°F)Saint John's 26°C (78°F)
Typical Weather for Saint John's and Rio de Janeiro
| Rio de Janeiro | Saint John's | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Apr | 25°C (77°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 123 mm (4.8 in) |
| May | 23°C (73°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 228 mm (9 in) |
| Nov | 24°C (75°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 220 mm (8.7 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 169 mm (6.7 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 137 mm (5.4 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.