Which place is cheaper, Rio de Janeiro or Vang Vieng?
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 Vang Vieng or Rio de Janeiro?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Rio de Janeiro? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Vang Vieng or Rio de Janeiro?
Vang Vieng
Vang Vieng is a town in the Vientiane province of Laos that sits along the banks of the Nam Song River. With its beautifully carved karst topography cliffs towering over the winding river, the area has become very tourist-oriented for those seeking to explore the outdoor wonders. People from all over come to engage in the unique landscape-mountain biking, trekking, kayaking, caving, swimming, and rock climbing, amongst others.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Laos, The Best Budget Tours to Laos, The Best G Adventures Tours to Brazil, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Rio de Janeiro.
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Vang Vieng Prices
Laos PricesRio de Janeiro Prices
Brazil Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVang Vieng $18Rio de Janeiro $121
The average daily cost (per person) in Vang Vieng is $18, while the average daily cost in Rio de Janeiro is $121. 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 Vang Vieng and Rio de Janeiro in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVang Vieng $4.08Rio de Janeiro $67
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVang Vieng $8.16Rio de Janeiro $134
Compare Hotels in Vang Vieng and Rio de Janeiro
Looking for a hotel in Vang Vieng 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.
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: Vang Vieng Hotel Prices and Rio de Janeiro Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vang Vieng $2.99Rio de Janeiro $8.03
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vang Vieng
Also for Vang Vieng, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shared transfer from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang city: $20
- Vang Vieng Private Transfer: Hotel - Railway Station - Vientiane: $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$2.95
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rio de Janeiro
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rio de Janeiro:
- Executive Transfer in Rio de Janeiro Angra Paraty and Mangaratiba: $296
- Private Bilingual Transfer Rio de Janeiro x Paraty: $296
- TRANSFER 4 Passengers: Búzios/Angra dos Reis/Arraial do Cabo/Cabo Frio.: $270
- Sugarloaf Mountain Sunrise Experience with Breakfast & Transfer: $253
- Private Transfer | Round Trip: $250
- Rio Art Museum | Round Trip Transfer + 2 Tickets: $250
- Museum of Tomorrow - | Round Trip Transfer + 2 Tickets: $250
- Transfer service from / to Rio de Janeiro / Paraty: $239
- Private transfer from Rio de Janeiro x Angra dos Reis (4 max): $236
- Arrival Private Transfer from Rio GIG or SDU Airport to Paraty: $232
- TRANSFER ISLAND GRANDE Ground Transportation + Fast Boat: $225
- Private transfer Rio de Janeiro x Búzios: $223
Is it cheaper to fly into Vang Vieng or Rio de Janeiro?
Prices for flights to both Rio de Janeiro and Vang Vieng 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 dayVang Vieng $10Rio de Janeiro $35
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$0.79
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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.
- 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
- Carioca Kitchens Rio de Janeiro Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $95
- Rio Historic Downtown and Lapa Street Food Tour Full Meal: $95
- Roxy Show - Brazilian Rhythms with optional Barbecue Dinner: $101
- Folklore show Ginga Tropical with Optional Dinner: $107
- Brazilian Dinner Show: Cultural Experience in Rio de Janeiro: $115
- Samba Show Admission & Transfer with Dinner Option: $130
- Vegan Rio Cooking Class: Hands-On Moqueca & Caipirinhas: $130
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Vang Vieng $4.57Rio de Janeiro $22
Tours and Activities in Vang Vieng
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Vang Vieng.
- Nam Song River Kayak Tour: $18
- Tham Nangfar and Tham Nam Day Tour with Kayaking: $24
- Get Your Laos–China Train Ticket Fast – No Waiting, No Worries: $30
- Blue Lagoon and Countryside Bike Tour with Lunch: $38
- One Day Guided Tour: Kayaking, Zipline & Tubing In The Cave from Vang Vieng: $50
- Vang Vieng Zipline & Kayaking Cave Adventure: $50
- Kayaking&Zipline&Cave Tubing&cave tour: $51
- Vang Vieng Day Tour: Zipline, Water Cave, Kayak & Blue Lagoon 3: $52
- Vang Vieng Tour B - Nam Xay Viewpoint Hike & Blue Lagoon 1 Tour: $55
- Laos: Jungle Zipline and Caving Tour: $58
- Vangvieng Climbing & Ballon Adventure: $60
- Vang Vieng Kayaking Fun Rapid and Float Tour: $65
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: $65
- 10-hour Private Tour Rio In One Day: Christ, Sugarloaf, Selarón, Downtown: $229
- 12 Beaches Easy Bike Tour Rio de Janeiro: $77
- 2 Days Tour in City Tour Express and Arraial do Cabo: $200
- 3 Hour Rocinha Favela Walking Tour with a Local Guide: $45
- 4-Hour Guided Kayak Experience in Rio de Janeiro: $75
- 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
- 6-Hour Private Guided Tour in Rio de Janeiro: $125
- 6-hour Classic Rio de Janeiro Private Tour – Optional Airport & Port Pick-ups: $169
- 8 Hour Private Tour by Car in Rio de Janeiro: $266
- 8-Hour Private Guided Tour in Rio de Janeiro: $134
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVang Vieng $1.07Rio de Janeiro $12
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
- Petropolis City Tour with Imperial Museum and Optional Lunch & Bohemia Brewery: $47
- Brazilian Wine Tasting Evening: $123
- Rio: Sitio Burle Marx and Cachaça Distillery Private Tour: $175
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vang Vieng and Rio de Janeiro, we can see that Rio de Janeiro is more expensive. And not only is Vang Vieng much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Vang Vieng is in Asia and Rio de Janeiro is in South 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 Vang Vieng would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Vang Vieng 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 Vang Vieng.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Vang Vieng Expensive? and Is Rio de Janeiro Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Vang Vieng or Rio de Janeiro?
Rio de Janeiro has a larger population, and is about 240 times larger than the population of Vang Vieng. When comparing the sizes of Vang Vieng and Rio de Janeiro, 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 Vang Vieng or Rio de Janeiro?
Rio de Janeiro has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Vang Vieng experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Rio de Janeiro in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Vang Vieng as well as Rio de Janeiro. Vang Vieng attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Rio de Janeiro for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
Vang Vieng is cooler than Rio de Janeiro in the summer. The daily temperature in Vang Vieng averages around 22°C (72°F) in July, and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F)in January.
It's quite rainy in Rio de Janeiro. Vang Vieng usually gets less rain in July than Rio de Janeiroin January. Vang Vieng gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryVang Vieng 22°C (72°F)Rio de Janeiro 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Rio de Janeiro in the Autumn?
Both Rio de Janeiro and Vang Vieng are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vang Vieng throughout the year. Also, 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.
In the autumn, Vang Vieng is around the same temperature as Rio de Janeiro. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Vang Vieng in October average around 23°C (73°F), and Rio de Janeiro averages at about 25°C (77°F)in April.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Rio de Janeiro. In October, Vang Vieng usually receives less rain than Rio de Janeiroin April. Vang Vieng gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Rio de Janeiro is May to November. The rainy season in Rio de Janeiro is December to April.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilVang Vieng 23°C (73°F)Rio de Janeiro 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Rio de Janeiro in the Winter?
Both Rio de Janeiro and Vang Vieng during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Vang Vieng because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Rio de Janeiro this time of year.
In January, Vang Vieng is generally a little warmer than Rio de Janeiroin July. Daily temperatures in Vang Vieng average around 24°C (75°F), and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
Vang Vieng usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Rio de Janeiroin July. Vang Vieng gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyVang Vieng 24°C (75°F)Rio de Janeiro 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Rio de Janeiro in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Vang Vieng and Rio de Janeiro. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vang Vieng year-round. Also, many travelers come to Rio de Janeiro for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
Vang Vieng is around the same temperature as Rio de Janeiro in the spring. The daily temperature in Vang Vieng averages around 23°C (73°F) in April, and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 23°C (73°F)in October.
Vang Vieng gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Vang Vieng usually receives more rain than Rio de Janeiroin October. Vang Vieng gets 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the spring. May to November in Rio de Janeiro is the dry season. Also, December to April is the rainy season in Rio de Janeiro.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberVang Vieng 23°C (73°F)Rio de Janeiro 23°C (73°F)
Typical Weather for Rio de Janeiro and Vang Vieng
| Vang Vieng | Rio de Janeiro | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) |
| Apr | 23°C (73°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) |
| May | 23°C (73°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 22°C (72°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (73°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 169 mm (6.7 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.