Which place is cheaper, Salento 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 Salento?
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 Salento 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 Salento?
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.
Salento
Founded in 1850, Salento is one of the oldest towns in Quindio. This colonial Colombian town has retained much of its old world charm, with its colorful buildings, large square and, of course, the obligatory church. Because the main route between Cali and Bogota which used to pass through Salento was diverted, the town didn't develop as quickly as others in the Quindio region. This gave Salento the opportunity to evolve into a thriving community of craftsmen and artisans as well as remaining one of the region's most prolific coffee producers. Salento is located 24 km northeast of the departmental capital Armenia. However, unlike its colorful neighbor, Armenia itself has very little to offer tourists. Salento attracts those wishing to learn about the coffee regions and for those who simply admire breathtaking scenery, and especially the stunning Cocora Valley.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Brazil, The Best Budget Tours to Brazil, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Colombia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia.
-
Rio de Janeiro Prices
Brazil PricesSalento Prices
Colombia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRio de Janeiro $122Salento $41
The average daily cost (per person) in Rio de Janeiro is $122, while the average daily cost in Salento is $41. 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 Salento in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRio de Janeiro $67Salento $12
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRio de Janeiro $134Salento $24
Compare Hotels in Rio de Janeiro and Salento
Looking for a hotel in Rio de Janeiro or Salento? 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 Salento Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Rio de Janeiro $8.10Salento $15
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$2.98
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rio de Janeiro
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rio de Janeiro:
- Private Transfer to Rio de Janeiro Airport (GIG): $18
- Private Airport Transfer with Meet & Greet: $19
- Rio Santos Dumont (SDU): Shuttle Transfer to/from Hotels: $19
- Rio Galeão Airport (GIG): Shuttle Transfer to/from Hotels: $19
- Private Transfer to/from GIG Airport: $20
- Private Transfer to Rio de Janeiro Airport (SDU): $20
- Private Transfer from Rio de Janeiro Airport (SDU): $20
- Shared Transfer From Rio De Janeiro Airport to Hotels: $26
- 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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Salento
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Salento:
- Private Pereira Airport Transfer: To/From Salento: $54
Is it cheaper to fly into Rio de Janeiro or Salento?
Prices for flights to both Salento 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 $35Salento $17
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$0.60
-
Corn on the Cob$0.79
-
Hamburger$0.99
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: $0.20
- Rio's Vegan Cooking Class: Hands-On Moqueca & Caipirinhas: $50
- Vegan Rio Cooking Class: Hands-On Moqueca & Caipirinhas: $55
- Scenarium Nightclub Entry with Dinner Option: $64
- Brazilian Breakfast Cooking Class in Rio: Bake and Blend: $68
- Feijoada Food Tour with Transfers: $72
- Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $79
- Brazilian Churrascaria Guided Dinner n Rio with Wine Pairing: $79
- Food Tour Rio de Janeiro - The Best Typical Brazilian Dishes: $79
- Rio: Copacabana Food Tour with 7 Tastings & a Secret Dish: $80
- Rio: Roxy Dinner Show – Aquele Abraço Show Ticket: $81
- Hands-On Cooking Class in Rio: Iconic Street Foods & Caipirinhas: $85
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Salento
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Salento.
- Cooking Stories - Cocinando Historias: $46
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Rio de Janeiro $22Salento $12
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: $4.55
- Rio de Janeiro(Ipanema-Copacabana)Scavenger Hunt Self-Guided Tour: $4.55
- Salvador Sights Self Guided Tour (Pelourinho): $4.57
- Rio de Janeiro Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.00
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Santa Teresa: the staircase: $6.49
- 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: $7.43
- Discover A Guided Tour: $8.29
- A Self-Guided Black History Audio Tour of Rio de Janeiro’s Little Africa: $12
- Free walking tour around Histórico Rio Downtow and Lapa: $12
- Rio Experience: Caipirinha Workshop (2 Caipis) + Funk Class: $12
Tours and Activities in Salento
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Salento are as follows:
- Coffee Tour Salento-Ocaso Farm- English Tour: $15
- Coffee Tour at Finca El Ocaso Finca Tradicional-Español: $15
- Coffee tour in the heart of the coffee region: $30
- Guided Walking Tour with Photography Museum Visit: $46
- Coffee Master Roasting, Brewing and Tasting Tour: $50
- Coffee Farm Shared Tour: $51
- Santa Rita Waterfall and Salento Private Tour: $60
- Tour Valle del Cocora and Salento, including a typical lunch: $61
- From Cocora Valley Shared Tour: $63
- Armenia, Quindio: Coffee Tour, Transportation, and Quimbaya Gold Museum: $64
- Salento & Cocora Valley Tour: $75
- Private Colombian Coffee Farm Tour with Tastings in Armenia: $78
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayRio de Janeiro $12Salento $12
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: Pub crawl at clubs and bars in Copacabana. Live music, shots and more: $19
- Rocinha Funk Party Pub Crawl with Drinks: $23
- Rio: The madness is here. Fun pub crawl in Lapa: $25
- Rio: More than a Pub Crawl - an authentic nighttime experience: $27
- Pedra do Sal Bar Crawl: $29
- Rio: Pub Crawl in Pedra do Sal. Night with live music, dancing, shots: $30
- Rio: Pub Crawl in Pedra do Sal w/ live samba and caipirinhas: $30
- Rio: Pub Crawl in Lapa with Cachaça Tasting and Live Samba: $33
- More than a Pub Crawl: An Authentic Night Experience in Rio: $33
- Pub Crawl Lapa: $35
- Dance the Night Away at a Pedra do Sal Bar Crawl: $39
- Petropolis City Tour with Imperial Museum and Optional Lunch & Bohemia Brewery: $47
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Rio de Janeiro and Salento, we can see that Rio de Janeiro is more expensive. And not only is Salento much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Salento would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Salento 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 Salento.
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 Salento Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Rio de Janeiro or Salento?
Rio de Janeiro has a larger population, and is about 1460 times larger than the population of Salento. When comparing the sizes of Rio de Janeiro and Salento, 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.