Which place is cheaper, San Pedro 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 San Pedro?
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 San Pedro 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 San Pedro?
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.
San Pedro
San Pedro is the largest town on Ambergris Caye, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Belize. Here you can find a tropical paradise with warm weather, clear blue waters, plenty of activities such as snorkeling and scuba diving, and a host of hotels, restaurants, and other amenities.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Brazil, The Best Budget Tours to Brazil, The Best Budget Tours to Belize, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Belize.
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Rio de Janeiro Prices
Brazil PricesSan Pedro Prices
Belize Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRio de Janeiro $122San Pedro $164
The average daily cost (per person) in Rio de Janeiro is $122, while the average daily cost in San Pedro is $164. 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 San Pedro in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRio de Janeiro $67San Pedro $66
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRio de Janeiro $134San Pedro $132
Compare Hotels in Rio de Janeiro and San Pedro
Looking for a hotel in Rio de Janeiro or San Pedro? 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 $8.10San Pedro $34
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$2.98
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rio de Janeiro
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rio de Janeiro:
- Private Transfer to/from GIG Airport: $18
- 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 Rio de Janeiro Airport (SDU): $20
- Private Transfer from Rio de Janeiro Airport (SDU): $20
- 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
Is it cheaper to fly into Rio de Janeiro or San Pedro?
Prices for flights to both San Pedro 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 $35San Pedro $69
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$0.60
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Corn on the Cob$0.79
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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
- Rio Afro-Brazilian Street Food Tour: $61
- 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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Pedro
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in San Pedro.
- Overwater Fry Jacks Cooking Class at The Mayan: $39
- Overwater Ceviche Cooking Class at The Mayan: $39
- Belizean Bites Lunch Food Tour in San Pedro: $69
- Savor Belize Dinner Food Tour in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye: $86
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Rio de Janeiro $22San Pedro $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:
- Rio de Janeiro(Ipanema-Copacabana)Scavenger Hunt Self-Guided Tour: $4.55
- Rio de Janeiro (Urca) Scavenger Hunt and Sights 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
- Yup Star Observation Wheel Ticket: $18
Tours and Activities in San Pedro
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for San Pedro are as follows:
- 3 Hours Barrier Reef Tour in Caye Caulker, Belize: $59
- Snorkeling Tour at the Great Barrier Reef of Belize: $60
- Belize Adventure Sailing Sunset: $65
- Caye Caulker Tiki Boat Sunset Cruise: $65
- Caye Caulker Marine Reserve 3 Stops Snorkeling Adventure: $65
- Ambergris Caye Food and History Tour: $75
- Mexico Rocks Snorkel Adventure from Ambergris Caye, San Pedro: $77
- Ambergris Caye Sunset Sail Tour on the 40' Sirena Azul Sailboat: $85
- Belizean Food Experience: $89
- Hol Chan Marine Reserve Snorkel Tour on the 40' Sirena Azul Sailboat: $99
- Hol Chan Full-Day Bucket List Snorkeling and Marine Life Tour: $110
- Belize Hol Chan Marine Reserve & Shark Ray Alley Snorkel Tour - Ambergris Caye: $113
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRio de Janeiro $12San Pedro $16
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
- 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: Botafogo Bar Crawl - Eat & Drink like a Local: $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
- Dance the Night Away at a Pedra do Sal Bar Crawl: $39
- Petropolis City Tour with Imperial Museum and Optional Lunch & Bohemia Brewery: $47
- Rio de Janeiro - Wine Tasting of Brazilian Wines: $51
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Rio de Janeiro and San Pedro, we can see that San Pedro 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 San Pedro 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 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 San Pedro would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Pedro 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 San Pedro Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Rio de Janeiro or San Pedro?
Rio de Janeiro has a larger population, and is about 720 times larger than the population of San Pedro. When comparing the sizes of Rio de Janeiro and San Pedro, 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 San Pedro?
Rio de Janeiro has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but San Pedro experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or San Pedro in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Rio de Janeiro and San Pedro. Most visitors come to Rio de Janeiro for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. San Pedro attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Rio de Janeiro is generally around the same temperature as San Pedroin July. Daily temperatures in Rio de Janeiro average around 26°C (79°F), and San Pedro fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
San Pedro receives a lot of rain in the summer. Rio de Janeiro gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Rio de Janeiro usually receives less rain than San Pedroin July. Rio de Janeiro gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while San Pedro receives 243 mm (9.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyRio de Janeiro 26°C (79°F)San Pedro 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or San Pedro in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Rio de Janeiro as well as San Pedro. The autumn months attract visitors to Rio de Janeiro because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Pedro throughout the year.
Rio de Janeiro is around the same temperature as San Pedro in the autumn. The daily temperature in Rio de Janeiro averages around 25°C (77°F) in April, and San Pedro fluctuates around 26°C (80°F)in October.
It's quite rainy in San Pedro. Rio de Janeiro receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Rio de Janeiro usually gets less rain in April than San Pedroin October. Rio de Janeiro gets 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while San Pedro receives 255 mm (10 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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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberRio de Janeiro 25°C (77°F)San Pedro 26°C (80°F)
Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or San Pedro in the Winter?
Both San Pedro and Rio de Janeiro are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Rio de Janeiro this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to San Pedro because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the winter, Rio de Janeiro is cooler than San Pedro. Typically, the winter temperatures in Rio de Janeiro in July average around 21°C (70°F), and San Pedro averages at about 24°C (74°F)in January.
It rains a lot this time of the year in San Pedro. In July, Rio de Janeiro usually receives less rain than San Pedroin January. Rio de Janeiro gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while San Pedro receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryRio de Janeiro 21°C (70°F)San Pedro 24°C (74°F)
Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or San Pedro in the Spring?
Both San Pedro and Rio de Janeiro during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Rio de Janeiro for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Pedro year-round.
In October, Rio de Janeiro is generally cooler than San Pedroin April. Daily temperatures in Rio de Janeiro average around 23°C (73°F), and San Pedro fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
Rio de Janeiro usually gets more rain in October than San Pedroin April. Rio de Janeiro gets 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while San Pedro receives 52 mm (2 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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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilRio de Janeiro 23°C (73°F)San Pedro 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for San Pedro and Rio de Janeiro
| Rio de Janeiro | San Pedro | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 25 mm (1 in) |
| Apr | 25°C (77°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| May | 23°C (73°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.2 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 243 mm (9.6 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 187 mm (7.4 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 255 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 24°C (75°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 169 mm (6.7 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 138 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.