Should you visit Salto or Rio de Janeiro?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Salto or Rio de Janeiro, this travel cost comparison can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
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 $49, while the average daily cost in Rio de Janeiro is $76. 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. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Salto and Rio de Janeiro in more detail.
Accommodation
A hotel room in Salto is about $42 This assumes double occupancy and modest accommodations.
The average price for accommodation for two people in Rio de Janeiro is $96. This is for two people sharing a typical double occupancy hotel room.
Food
Food in Salto costs travelers about $17 per day on average. Restaurants can vary significantly in price, so choose wisely if you're trying to save money. Fast food and street stalls are typically your cheapest options, which sit down restaurants can be significantly more expensive.
The average traveler spends about $15 per day in Rio de Janeiro for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
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Food
Meals for one day
Salto $17
Rio de Janeiro $15
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
$0.54
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Corn on the Cob
$0.72
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Hamburger
$0.90
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.
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Food Tour Rio de Janeiro:
$30
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Cooking Class for Cacao Lovers:
$51
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Feijoada Food Tour in Rio de Janeiro with Hotel pick-up and drop-off:
$55
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Plant-based Brazilian Flavours Cooking Class:
$56
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Dinner & Rio Scenarium Nightclub Admission with Transfer:
$60
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Private Tour in Rio Scenarium with Dinner:
$65
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Skip the line: Samba Show Admission & Transfer with Dinner Option:
$70
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Dinner and Brazilian Music Show in Rio Scenarium:
$70
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Small-Group Boozy 7-Recipe Brazilian Cooking Class:
$75
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Brazilian Food And Caipirinhas Cooking Class:
$75
-
Food Tour Experience in Rio de Janeiro (Small Groups or Private):
$80
-
Secret Food Tours Rio de Janeiro:
$82
Local Transportation
While taxis and private drivers typically cost much more than public transportation, people usually spend around $15 per day to get around in Salto.
While taxis and private drivers typically cost much more than public transportation, people usually spend around $5.89 per day to get around in Rio de Janeiro.
Typical Local Transportation prices in Rio de Janeiro
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Rio de Janeiro:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rio de Janeiro
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rio de Janeiro:
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ARMORED Airport Transfer - Rio de Janeiro (COVID-19 Prepared):
$387
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Airport transfer: Rio de Janeiro - Buzios / Ilha Grande:
$242
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All-You-Can-Eat Brazilian Churrascaria in Rio de Janeiro with Transfer:
$55
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Angra dos Reis Private Transfer from Rio de Janeiro:
$115
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Angra dos Reis Shared Transfer From Rio de Janeiro:
$61
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Angra dos Reis to Daily Transfer:
$54
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AquaRio Aquarium Guided Tour, Admission & Transfer:
$58
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Arraial do Cabo Private Transfer From Rio de Janeiro:
$115
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Arraial do Cabo Shared Transfer From Rio de Janeiro:
$52
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Arrival Private Transfer GIG or SDU Airport to Rio City by Minivan:
$144
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Arrival Private Transfer Galeão Airport GIG to Rio City by Business Car:
$135
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Arrival Private Transfer Galeão Airport GIG to Rio City by Luxury Van:
$98
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.
Entertainment
Activities, things to do, and other forms of entertainment usually cost around $12 per person, per day in Salto. This cost includes the price of admission tickets to attractions and museums as well as daily tours.
Activities, things to do, and other forms of entertainment usually cost around $16 per person, per day in Rio de Janeiro. This cost includes the price of admission tickets to attractions and museums as well as daily tours.
Tours and Activities in Rio de Janeiro
Here are a few actual costs in Rio de Janeiro for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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Rio Line Panoramic City Tour - Boulevard Route:
$10
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Inside Rio Photography Walking Tour:
$10
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Hiking Tour to Pedra do Telégrafo (Telegraph Stone):
$12
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Carnival Backstage Tour - Visit a traditional Samba School:
$16
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Rocinha Lucky Tour:
$16
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Rio Street Art Experience 2 Hours:
$19
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Half-Day Downtown Walking Tour:
$19
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2 Hour Vidigal Favela Tour Discovery the Most Laidback Favela:
$19
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Favela Tour -The path of Michael Jackson in Rio:
$20
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Historical Downtown and Lapa - Walking Tour:
$20
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Private Walking and Cultural Tour Rocinha-Rio de Janeiro:
$25
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Boat Tour Guanabara Bay - Rio de Janeiro - Sightseeing:
$25
Alcohol
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Salto may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $9.32 per day on alcoholic beverages.
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Rio de Janeiro may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $8.94 per day on alcoholic beverages.
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:
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Pub Crawl Rio de Janeiro:
$11
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Skip the line: Ipanema Pub Crawl:
$28
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Beautiful Imperial Petropolis City Tour Optional Lunch & Bohemia Brewery:
$34
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Rio By Night Tour: Pub Crawl Experiencing Music, Dancing, Drinks & Local Culture:
$105
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Petrópolis City and Brewery Bohemia Tour - Best of Rio's Mountains:
$135
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Rio: Sitio Burle Marx and Cachaça Distillery Private Tour:
$160
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.
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