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

South America / Comparisons /
Jump to  down-arrow

Should you visit Salto or Rio de Janeiro?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Salto or Rio de Janeiro, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Salto or Rio de Janeiro?

Salto

Salto is in the citrus growing region of Northern Interior Uruguay, on the east bank of the Rio Uruguay. It is closely connected to the neighboring Argentinian city of Concordia that lies across the river on the western bank. Salto is Uruguay's second-largest city and the most northerly crossing point to Argentina. Salto is a very picturesque city that has a relaxing feel the entire year. However, people mostly come here for the nearby hot springs and the recreation area above the enormous Salto Grande hydroelectric dam.

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. The peak time to visit is during the city's famous Carnival festival, which is one of the most famous festivals in the world. However, Rio's appeal as a travel destination is apparent year around. The city has a wonderful natural harbour that is surrounded by Sugar Loaf Mountain, Corcovado Peak, and the hills of Tijuca, creating an absolutely breathtaking and awe-inspiring setting. And you can't miss the beach, either!

Which city is cheaper, Rio de Janeiro or Salto?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Salto is $56, while the average daily cost in Rio de Janeiro is $83. 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Salto and Rio de Janeiro in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Salto $24
    Rio de Janeiro $52
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Salto $48
    Rio de Janeiro $104
Compare Hotels in Salto and Rio de Janeiro

Looking for a hotel in Salto or Rio de Janeiro? 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 Salto


Hotels in Rio de Janeiro


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: Salto Hotel Prices and Rio de Janeiro Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Salto $17
    Rio de Janeiro $6.38

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
    $2.94

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rio de Janeiro

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rio de Janeiro:

  • ARMORED Airport Transfer - Rio de Janeiro (COVID-19 Prepared): $387
  • All-You-Can-Eat Brazilian Churrascaria in Rio de Janeiro with Transfer: $55
  • Angra dos Reis Private Transfer from Rio de Janeiro: $115
  • Angra dos Reis Shared Transfer From Rio de Janeiro: $61
  • AquaRio Aquarium Guided Tour, Admission & Transfer: $58
  • Armação dos Búzios: Shared/Private Transfer to/from Rio: $29
  • Arraial do Cabo Private Transfer From Rio de Janeiro: $115
  • Arraial do Cabo Shared Transfer From Rio de Janeiro: $52
  • Arrival Private Transfer GIG or SDU Airport to Rio City by Minivan: $144
  • Arrival Private Transfer Galeão Airport GIG to Rio City by Business Car: $135
  • Arrival Private Transfer Galeão Airport GIG to Rio City by Luxury Van: $98
  • Arrival Private Transfer Rio Airport to Buzios or Cabo Frio by Minivan: $428

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

Prices for flights to both Rio de Janeiro and Salto 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
    Salto $20
    Rio de Janeiro $16

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
    $0.59
  • Corn on the Cob
    $0.78
  • 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.

  • Food Tour Rio de Janeiro: $30
  • Cooking Class for Cacao Lovers: $51
  • Feijoada Food Tour in Rio de Janeiro with Hotel pick-up and drop-off: $55
  • Plant-based Brazilian Flavours Cooking Class: $56
  • Dinner & Rio Scenarium Nightclub Admission with Transfer: $60
  • Private Tour in Rio Scenarium with Dinner: $65
  • Skip the line: Samba Show Admission & Transfer with Dinner Option: $70
  • Dinner and Brazilian Music Show in Rio Scenarium: $70
  • Rio Scenarium Entrance, Dinner, and Open Bar: $72
  • Small-Group Boozy 7-Recipe Brazilian Cooking Class: $75
  • Food Tour Experience in Rio de Janeiro (Small Groups or Private): $80
  • Samba Show Ginga Tropical with Optional Dinner: $86

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Salto $14
    Rio de Janeiro $17

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 Line Panoramic City Tour - Boulevard Route: $10
  • Inside Rio Photography Walking Tour: $10
  • Hiking Tour to Pedra do Telégrafo (Telegraph Stone): $12
  • Carnival Backstage Tour - Visit a traditional Samba School: $16
  • Rocinha Lucky Tour: $16
  • Rio Street Art Experience 2 Hours: $19
  • Christ the Redeemer and Escadaria Selarón Half-Day Tour: $19
  • 2 Hour Vidigal Favela Tour Discovery the Most Laidback Favela: $19
  • Rio: Christ the Redeemer Official Ticket with Van Transport: $20
  • Historical Downtown and Lapa - Walking Tour: $20
  • Favela Tour -The path of Michael Jackson in Rio: $20
  • Rio: Christ the Redeemer Official Ticket by Cog Train: $25

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Salto $11
    Rio de Janeiro $9.68

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:

  • Pub Crawl Rio de Janeiro: $11
  • Pub Crawl in Lapa: $19
  • Skip the line: Ipanema Pub Crawl: $28
  • Beautiful Imperial Petropolis City Tour Optional Lunch & Bohemia Brewery: $34
  • Rio By Night Tour: Pub Crawl Experiencing Music, Dancing, Drinks & Local Culture: $105
  • Petrópolis City and Brewery Bohemia Tour - Best of Rio's Mountains: $135
  • Rio: Sitio Burle Marx and Cachaça Distillery Private Tour: $160

About these numbers

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Salto and Rio de Janeiro, we can see that Rio de Janeiro is more expensive. And not only is Salto much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Salto would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Salto 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 Salto.


When is the best time to visit Salto or Rio de Janeiro?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.

Should I visit Salto or Rio de Janeiro in the Summer?

Both Rio de Janeiro and Salto are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.

Salto is around the same temperature as Rio de Janeiro in the summer. The temperature in Salto is usually 25°C (77°F) in January, and Rio de Janeiro stays around 26°C (79°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Rio de Janeiro. It's quite rainy in Salto. In January, Salto usually receives around the same amount of rain as Rio de Janeiro. Salto gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January
    Salto 25°C (77°F) 
    Rio de Janeiro 26°C (79°F)

Should I visit Salto or Rio de Janeiro in the Autumn?

Both Rio de Janeiro and Salto during the autumn are popular places to visit.

In the autumn, Salto is cooler than Rio de Janeiro. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Salto in April are around 19°C (65°F), and Rio de Janeiro is about 25°C (77°F).

Rio de Janeiro gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Salto. Salto usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Rio de Janeiro. Salto gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April
    Salto 19°C (65°F) 
    Rio de Janeiro 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Salto or Rio de Janeiro in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Salto and Rio de Janeiro.

In July, Salto is generally much colder than Rio de Janeiro. Temperatures in Salto average around 12°C (54°F), and Rio de Janeiro stays around 21°C (70°F).

In July, Salto usually receives more rain than Rio de Janeiro. Salto gets 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July
    Salto 12°C (54°F) 
    Rio de Janeiro 21°C (70°F)

Should I visit Salto or Rio de Janeiro in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Salto as well as Rio de Janeiro.

Salto is cooler than Rio de Janeiro in the spring. The temperature in Salto is usually 18°C (64°F) in October, and Rio de Janeiro stays around 23°C (73°F).

Salto receives a lot of rain in the spring. Salto usually gets more rain in October than Rio de Janeiro. Salto gets 117 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October
    Salto 18°C (64°F) 
    Rio de Janeiro 23°C (73°F)

Typical Weather for Rio de Janeiro and Salto

Salto Rio de Janeiro
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 25°C (77°F) 116 mm (4.6 in) 26°C (79°F) 114 mm (4.5 in)
Feb 24°C (75°F) 127 mm (5 in) 27°C (81°F) 105 mm (4.1 in)
Mar 22°C (71°F) 155 mm (6.1 in) 26°C (79°F) 103 mm (4.1 in)
Apr 19°C (65°F) 131 mm (5.2 in) 25°C (77°F) 137 mm (5.4 in)
May 15°C (59°F) 94 mm (3.7 in) 23°C (73°F) 86 mm (3.4 in)
Jun 12°C (54°F) 86 mm (3.4 in) 22°C (72°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Jul 12°C (54°F) 68 mm (2.7 in) 21°C (70°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Aug 13°C (56°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 22°C (72°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Sep 15°C (59°F) 103 mm (4.1 in) 22°C (72°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
Oct 18°C (64°F) 117 mm (4.6 in) 23°C (73°F) 88 mm (3.5 in)
Nov 20°C (69°F) 127 mm (5 in) 24°C (75°F) 96 mm (3.8 in)
Dec 23°C (74°F) 119 mm (4.7 in) 25°C (77°F) 169 mm (6.7 in)


Budget Your Trip

Budget Your Trip has average travel costs for thousands of cities around the world, all provided by other travelers. You can also register to organize your spending by category and location with graphs, maps, charts, and tables.
Sign Up

More City Comparisons
Recife vs. Salto
Recife vs. Rio de Janeiro
Fortaleza vs. Salto
Fortaleza vs. Rio de Janeiro
Puerto Iguazu vs. Salto
Puerto Iguazu vs. Rio de Janeiro
Mar del Plata vs. Salto
Mar del Plata vs. Rio de Janeiro
La Plata vs. Salto
La Plata vs. Rio de Janeiro
Buenos Aires, Argentina vs. Salto
Buenos Aires, Argentina vs. Rio de Janeiro
Asuncion vs. Salto
Asuncion vs. Rio de Janeiro
Salto vs. Punta del Este
Salto vs. Piriapolis
Salto vs. Montevideo
Salto vs. Colonia del Sacramento
Salto vs. Sao Paulo
Salto vs. Salvador
Salto vs. Ilha Grande
Salto vs. Foz do Iguacu
Salto vs. Florianopolis
Salto vs. Curitiba
Salto vs. Brasilia
Salto vs. Buzios
Salto vs. Quito
Salto vs. Montanita
Share This Page
Pin This Page
Salto vs. Rio de Janeiro Travel Comparison

Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.