Which place is cheaper, Santa Marta 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 Santa Marta?
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 Santa Marta 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 Santa Marta?
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.
Santa Marta
Santa Marta is a city in the Magdalena Department of Colombia's Costa Norte. Over the last decade, security has steadily been replacing the shadow of the Colombia's violent past. One destination in Colombia's northeast region is now attracting more international visitors: the coastal Caribbean area of Santa Marta. Established in 1525 by the Spanish as a base of conquest, Santa Marta sits at the foot of the world's highest coastal mountain range, the towering Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. It is South America's oldest European-founded town and the second most important colonial city on Colombia's Caribbean coast. While many travelers complain about Santa Marta's horrible traffic and unsightly urban sprawl, the city holds a numerous amounts of great hotels, bars and restaurants and holds a few fantastic destinations nearby to which you can go during the daytime.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Brazil, The Best Budget Tours to Brazil, The Best Eco Tours in Colombia, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Colombia.
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Rio de Janeiro Prices
Brazil PricesSanta Marta Prices
Colombia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRio de Janeiro $120Santa Marta $46
The average daily cost (per person) in Rio de Janeiro is $120, while the average daily cost in Santa Marta is $46. 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 Santa Marta in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRio de Janeiro $66Santa Marta $16
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRio de Janeiro $132Santa Marta $32
Compare Hotels in Rio de Janeiro and Santa Marta
Looking for a hotel in Rio de Janeiro or Santa Marta? 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 Santa Marta Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Rio de Janeiro $7.98Santa Marta $6.11
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$2.93
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rio de Janeiro
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rio de Janeiro:
- Visit to Madureira Park in Rio de Janeiro with Transfer: $66
- Two Brothers Trail- one of the best views of Rio (transfer is included): $56
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Rio de Janeiro APT-HTL (SDU): $75
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Rio de Janeiro APT-HTL (GIG): $75
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer Rio de Janeiro HTL-APT (SDU): $75
- Transfers Rio X Buzios: $190
- Transfer service from / to Rio de Janeiro / Paraty: $243
- Transfer service from / to Buzios / Arraial do Cabo / Cabo Frio: $184
- Transfer in Rio: $45
- Transfer from Santos Dumont Airport to Zona Sul Rio: $26
- Transfer from Rio’s Airports SDU or GIG to Hotels (Vice Versa): $120
- Transfer from Rio de Janeiro Galeao International Airport: $31
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Santa Marta
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Santa Marta:
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Gas$6.08
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santa Marta
Also for Santa Marta, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport to Zona Rodadero and Pozos Colorados – One-Way Transfer: $24
- Arrival or Departure Transfer: Simón Bolívar Airport: $14
- Boat transfer to Parque Tayrona Cabo San Juan: $82
- Cartagena to or from Santa Marta Private Transfer: $178
- Exclusive transfer Santa Marta - Cartagena: $229
- Private Transfer Santa Marta to Palomino (or vice versa): $154
- Private Transfer from Santa Marta Airport (SMR): $14
- Private Transfer from Santa Marta Airport SMR to Santa Marta Port: $70
- Private Transfer from Santa Marta Airport SMR to Santa Marta Port: $14
- Private Transfer from Santa Marta Cruise Port to Santa Marta city: $70
- Private Transfer from Santa Marta Port to Cartagena Airport (CTG): $214
- Private Transfer from Santa Marta Port to Santa Marta Airport SMR: $70
Is it cheaper to fly into Rio de Janeiro or Santa Marta?
Prices for flights to both Santa Marta 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 $35Santa Marta $20
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$0.59
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Corn on the Cob$0.78
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Hamburger$0.98
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.
- Vegan Rio Cooking Class: Hands-On Moqueca & Caipirinhas: $55
- Guided Dinner in Rio at a Restaurant of Your Choice: $70
- Brazilian Breakfast Cooking Class in Rio: Bake and Blend: $75
- Roxy Dinner Show: That Embrace Show: $79
- Rio de Janeiro Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $81
- Rio: Copacabana Food Tour with 7 Tastings and Local Flavors: $81
- Hands-On Cooking Class in Rio: Iconic Street Foods & Caipirinhas: $85
- Brazilian Churrascaria Guided Dinner in Rio with Wine Pairing: $89
- Rio Roots Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $89
- Food Tour Rio de Janeiro - The Best Typical Brazilian Dishes: $92
- Rio Historic Downtown & Lapa Street Food Tour (Full Meal): $94
- Carioca Kitchens Rio de Janeiro Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $95
Typical Food Prices in Santa Marta
For Santa Marta, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Breakfast$3.65
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santa Marta
For Santa Marta, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Santa Marta Street Food Tour: 7 Tastings with a Local Guide: $39
- Santa Marta Walking Food Tour: $65
- Food Tour in Santa Marta Old City: $69
- SamarioCaribeño Chef's Table Cooking Lesson and Breakfast: $87
- Flavors of Colombia - Santa Marta Street Food Tour: $114
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Rio de Janeiro $22Santa Marta $16
Tours and Activities in Rio de Janeiro
Here are a few actual costs in Rio de Janeiro for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 1 Day Discovery Tour NO Rio DE Janeiro: $64
- 1 day tour Rio de Janeiro to Christ and Cable car and much more: $120
- 10-hour Private Tour Rio In One Day: Christ, Sugarloaf, Selarón, Downtown: $229
- 12 Beaches Easy Bike Tour Rio de Janeiro: $78
- 2 Days Tour in City Tour Express and Arraial do Cabo: $198
- 3 Hour Rocinha Favela Walking Tour with a Local Guide: $50
- 4 horas - Tour private: Corcovado e praias: $220
- 4-Hour Private Guided Tour in Rio de Janeiro: $95
- 4-hour Sum-up Of Rio de Janeiro "Private Tour" – Optional Airport & Port Pick-up: $149
- 4x4 Jeep Jungle Tour Rio de Janeiro: $52
- 5-Hour Rio's Essential Sights: Private Tour – Optional Airport & Port Pick-ups: $154
- 6-Hour Private Guided Tour in Rio de Janeiro: $125
Tours and Activities in Santa Marta
For Santa Marta, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Skip the Line: Santa Marta Marine World Aquarium Admission Ticket and Guide: $8.80
- Mariposario Sierra Nevada Entry Ticket: $8.97
- Tour in Chiva Rumbera Music Party and Fun in Santa Marta: $15
- Chiva Rumbera VIP Night Tour + Beer: $17
- Patrimonial Walking Tour: Hidden Stories of Santa Marta: $18
- A Pearl In The Caribbean-walking tour in English: $18
- Santa Marta Graffiti Tour: Urban Art & Culture: $18
- Full City of Santa Marta Tour and its Charms: $20
- Historic Center Bike Tour: $20
- BE RELAX TOUR - Bahia Concha: $22
- SANTAMARTA: Panoramic History and Culture City Tour by Chiva: $25
- Historic Center Bike Sightseeing Tour with a Local Guide: $25
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRio de Janeiro $12Santa Marta $7.78
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:
- Lapa by Night: Samba, Cachaça & The Ultimate Rio Pub Crawl: $30
- Dance the Night Away at a Pedra do Sal Bar Crawl: $38
- More than a Pub Crawl: An Authentic Night Experience in Rio: $40
- Petropolis City Tour with Imperial Museum and Optional Lunch & Bohemia Brewery: $47
- Botafogo Bar Crawl Eat and Drink Like a Local: $50
- Rio Pub Crawl with Caipirinhas & Bar Bites: $95
- 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: $177
Typical Alcohol Prices in Santa Marta
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Santa Marta from other travelers:
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Beer$0.67
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Beer$2.74
Sample the Local Flavors in Santa Marta
Also in Santa Marta, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Thursday Night Bar Crawl in Santa Marta, Colombia: $24
- Friday Night Bar Crawl in Santa Marta, Colombia: $25
- Saturday Night Bar Crawl in Santa Marta, Colombia: $25
- Bar Crawl In Santa Marta: $125
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Rio de Janeiro and Santa Marta, we can see that Rio de Janeiro is more expensive. And not only is Santa Marta much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Santa Marta would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Santa Marta 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 Santa Marta.
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 Santa Marta Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Rio de Janeiro or Santa Marta?
Rio de Janeiro has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Santa Marta. When comparing the sizes of Rio de Janeiro and Santa Marta, 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.