A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Rio de Janeiro vs. Sucre for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Rio de Janeiro or Sucre?

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 Sucre 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 Sucre?

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.

Sucre

Sucre is famous for its gorgeous town center and delightful climate, making it for many Bolivia's most beautiful city. Also considered the symbolic heart of the nation, 'La ciudad blanca' or the white city has preserved stunning whitewashed buildings sheltering pretty patios and other beauties of colonial architecture. The city was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1991 and is under strict controls on development. It offers many attractions including historic buildings and a renowned theatre, but you can also wander around prehistoric sites and discover indigenous culture in the surrounding towns and countryside.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Brazil, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Rio de Janeiro, The Best 3-Day Tours from La Paz, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Bolivia.


Which place is cheaper, Sucre 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.

The average daily cost (per person) in Rio de Janeiro is $115, while the average daily cost in Sucre is $57. 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 Sucre in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Rio de Janeiro $64
    Sucre $11
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Rio de Janeiro $128
    Sucre $22
Compare Hotels in Rio de Janeiro and Sucre

Looking for a hotel in Rio de Janeiro or Sucre? 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.

Hotels in Rio de Janeiro


Hotels in Sucre


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 Sucre Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Rio de Janeiro $7.65
    Sucre $12
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:

  • TRANSFER VAN Rio de Janeiro x Búzios/Arraial do Cabo/Cabo Frio: $282
  • Private Transfer From Rio De Janeiro to Buzios: $249
  • Private Bilingual Transfer Angra dos Reis, Búzios or Paraty: $242
  • TRANSFER - CLUB MED Rio: $225
  • Private transfer Rio de Janeiro x Nova Friburgo: $222
  • Buzios Private Transfer to and from Rio de Janeiro: $200
  • TRANSFER 4 Passengers: Búzios/Angra dos Reis/Arraial do Cabo/Cabo Frio.: $200
  • Transfers Rio X Buzios : $184
  • Private Rio de Janeiro Layover Transfer & Tour from Airport: $180
  • Private Transfer from Rio de Janeiro cruise port to Rio de Janeiro city: $172
  • Rio to Buzios Private Transfer - by Alan Denis: $170
  • Private Transfer from Cabo Frio Port to Rio de Janeiro hotels: $166

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Sucre

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Sucre are as follows:


  • Taxi Ride
    $1.45

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sucre

Also for Sucre, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Departure Transfer from Sucre to Sucre Airport by MiniVan or Bus: $27
  • Private MiniVan or Bus Transfer from Sucre Airport SRE to Sucre: $28
  • Private transfer Sucre - Uyuni, stopover in Potosí Mines: $250

Is it cheaper to fly into Rio de Janeiro or Sucre?

Prices for flights to both Sucre 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 day
    Rio de Janeiro $34
    Sucre $32
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

Typical Food Prices in Sucre

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Sucre:


  • Dinner
    $4.48
  • Juice
    $0.87
  • Juice
    $1.01
  • Chocolate
    $1.73
  • Cappuccino
    $4.34

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sucre

For Sucre, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Traditional Bolivian Cooking Class w/ Cocktail Making by La Boca del Sapo, Sucre: $45
  • Ancestral Cooking Classes: $70

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Rio de Janeiro $21
    Sucre $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:

  • 2 Day Tour from Rio de Janeiro, Corcovado and Arraial do Cabo: $180
  • A Day in Arraial do Cabo Guided Tour: $77
  • Favelas do Vidigal or Rocinha's experience: $23
  • Ilha Grande Tour Full day - Rio de Janeiro by Rio Eco Trip: $105
  • One Day Guided Tour in Rio de Janeiro: $165
  • Samba Backstage Tour: Go Behind-the-Scenes of Carnival: $159
  • 1 Day Discovery Tour NO Rio DE Janeiro: $192
  • 1 day tour Rio de Janeiro to Christ and Cable car and much more: $115
  • 10 Hours Private City Tour in Rio de Janeiro - Chartered Tour: $300
  • 2 Days Tour in City Tour Express and Arraial do Cabo: $168
  • 2 Days in Rio: Cultural & Ecologic Tours: $290
  • 3 Hour Rocinha Favela Walking Tour with a Local Guide : $42

Tours and Activities in Sucre

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sucre.

  • Free Walking tour (History, culture and traditions): $0.50
  • Historical and Cultural Walking Tour in Sucre with Guide: $9.99
  • Walking tour in History, Culture & Amazing Views: $12
  • City Highlights Walking Tour: $14
  • Walking tour Sucre: $18
  • Behind: Textiles and History Walking Tour: $20
  • Night Walking Tour in the Old City (with 3 drinks): $24
  • Private City Walking Guided Tour: $37
  • Private Cultural Tour in Sucre with Visit to 3 Museums: $45
  • Sucre - Walking City Tour - Half Day - English Speaking guide: $64
  • JATUN YAMPARA - Nucleo Indigena, Agroartesanal - Half Day Tours: $66
  • Private Half Day Tour: Sucre Walking Tour with Hotel Pick up: $67

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Rio de Janeiro $12
    Sucre $13

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 Sucre, we can see that Rio de Janeiro is more expensive. And not only is Sucre much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Sucre would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sucre 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 Sucre.

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 Sucre Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Rio de Janeiro or Sucre?

Rio de Janeiro has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Sucre. When comparing the sizes of Rio de Janeiro and Sucre, 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.