Which place is cheaper, Rio de Janeiro or Zanzibar?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Zanzibar or Rio de Janeiro?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Zanzibar and Rio de Janeiro 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: Zanzibar or Rio de Janeiro?
Zanzibar
Just off the coast of Tanzania lies an entrancing archipelago known as Zanzibar. This gorgeous string of islands is the land of sultans, palaces beaches and spice-filled markets. Once an important trading center, many restorations have been done in recent years to restore Zanzibar to its ancient grandeur - earning its capital city UNESCO World Heritage status in 2000.
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 Eco Tours in Tanzania, The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania, The Best Contiki Tours to Brazil, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Brazil.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZanzibar $52Rio de Janeiro $105
The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $52, while the average daily cost in Rio de Janeiro is $105. 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 Zanzibar and Rio de Janeiro in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZanzibar $25Rio de Janeiro $66
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZanzibar $50Rio de Janeiro $132
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Rio de Janeiro
Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar 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: Zanzibar Hotel Prices and Rio de Janeiro Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zanzibar $11Rio de Janeiro $7.97
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zanzibar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:
- Airport - Hotels Transfer all over the Zanzibar Island: $60
- Airport /Hotel Transfers: $25
- Airport Pick-up Transfer To any Hotel In Zanzibar: $30
- Airport Transfer in Zanzibar for Departures: $55
- Airport to Stown Town or Stown Town To Airport transfer: $20
- Airport transfer to Nugwi, Paje and Kiwengwa Hotels : $45
- Airport transfer to/from Nungwi, Matemwe, Kiwengwa, East coat and South: $60
- Airport/Hotel Transfer: $25
- Airport/port Transfer : $70
- Arrival Private Transfer Zanzibar Airport ZNZ to Island by Minivan: $8.33
- Arrival Private Transfer from Airport to Kendwa Beach Zanzibar: $40
- Arrival Private Transfer from Airport to Nungwi Beach Zanzibar: $40
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:
- 2025 Sambadrome Carnival Parade: Transfer Included Sector 5: $467
- 2025: Rio Carnival Parade at Sapucaí with Transfer Sector 7: $467
- A transfer with safety and comfort in Rio: $45
- Airport Private Transfer - Premium Service: $65
- All Private Transfer from Rio de Janeiro to Ilha Grande: $275
- Angra dos Reis Private Transfer from Rio de Janeiro : $107
- Angra dos Reis Shared Transfer From Rio de Janeiro: $53
- Arraial do Cabo Private Transfer From Rio de Janeiro: $123
- Arraial do Cabo Shared Transfer From Rio de Janeiro: $54
- Arrival Private Transfer GIG or SDU Airport to Rio City by Minivan: $91
- Arrival Private Transfer from Rio Airports to Buzios by Minivan: $205
- Arrival Private Transfer from Rio Airports to Buzios by Sedan Car: $121
Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or Rio de Janeiro?
Prices for flights to both Rio de Janeiro and Zanzibar 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 dayZanzibar $17Rio de Janeiro $20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zanzibar
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zanzibar.
- Authentic Street Food Tours in Stone Town, Zanzibar: $40
- Zanzibar Traditional Cooking Class: $49
- Zanzibar Cooking Class [Swahili food test ] and Spice farm Private tour: $59
- Zanzibar Spice farm and Cooking Class: $60
- Spice Tour & Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $60
- Local Cooking Class with Spice Tour in Zanzibar: $60
- Walking Spice Farm with Local Cooking Class: $60
- Spice Farm tour & Local cooking lesson with Lunch: $64
- Spice Farm Tour with Traditional Cooking Lesson: $65
- Stone Town Private Food Tour with a Guide: $65
- Traditional Zanzibar Cooking Class including Spice Tour: $68
- Spice Farm Tour with Traditional Cooking Lesson: $77
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.
- Waterfront Dinner & Live Music Experience: $45
- Barra da Tijuca Food Tour with Drinks: $71
- THE BEST FOOD TOUR: $79
- Feijoada Food Tour in Rio de Janeiro with Hotel pick-up and drop-off: $80
- Rio Bar Food Tour with a Local: $81
- 9-Recipe Boozy Brazilian Cooking Class: $85
- Dinner & Rio Scenarium Nightclub Admission with Transfer: $85
- Copacabana Local Street Bars Food Tour: $88
- Food Tour Rio de Janeiro - The Best Typical Brazilian Dishes: $92
- Rio Bar Food Tour with a Local - All Included: $99
- Rio Scenarium Entrance, Dinner, and Open Bar: $103
- Rio Scenarium: Fast Track Entrance, Dinner & Open Bar: $115
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zanzibar $13Rio de Janeiro $22
Tours and Activities in Zanzibar
Here are a few actual costs in Zanzibar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Africa's Paradises Full Sightseeing Package Tours: $15
- Zanzibar Stone Town Historical City Tour: $20
- Stone Town tour: $20
- Stone Town Historical Walking Tour: $20
- Stone Town Tour in Zanzibar.: $23
- Stone Town Tour without transport: $24
- Stone Town Private Walking Tour: $25
- Stonetown City (Walking Tour): $25
- Zanzibar Tours & Taxi Services : $25
- Stone Town Walking Tour: $25
- Private Guided Stone Town Tour of Zanzibar: $25
- Fair Tourism In Paje: $27
Tours and Activities in Rio de Janeiro
Here are a few actual costs in Rio de Janeiro for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Santa Teresa: the staircase: $6.99
- Rio de Janeiro (Ipanema & Copacabana) Self-Guided Tour: $7.68
- Rio de Janeiro (Urca) Scavenger Hunt and Self-Guided Tour: $7.68
- Salvador Sights Self Guided Tour (Pelourinho): $7.87
- Rio de Janeiro(Ipanema-Copacabana)Scavenger Hunt Self-Guided Tour: $7.87
- Rio de Janeiro (Urca) Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.87
- Rio de Janeiro Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Hiking Experience to Pedra do Telégrafo: $9.81
- A Self-Guided Black History Audio Tour of Rio de Janeiro’s Little Africa: $9.99
- Favela tour in copacabana with local guide!: $10
- Ticket to the match at maracanã of Flamengo: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour-Story of Bossanova: Rhythm and soul of Rio: $10
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZanzibar $6.91Rio de Janeiro $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Zanzibar
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Zanzibar:
- Pub Crawl & Club Experience: $30
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:
- Rio: Pub Crawl in Lapa with Cachaça Tasting and Live Samba: $27
- Pub Crawl in Lapa: $29
- Rio de Janeiro Pub Crawl (Lapa district): $35
- Petropolis Bohemia: Historic tour and visit to the Bohemian Brewery: $55
- Walking tour + Pub crawl + Samba in Lapa: $64
- Petropolis City Tour + Bohemia Brewery + Lunch: $77
- Petrópolis City and Brewery Bohemia Tour - Best of Rio's Mountains: $110
- Rio: Sitio Burle Marx and Cachaça Distillery Private Tour: $129
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zanzibar and Rio de Janeiro, we can see that Rio de Janeiro is more expensive. And not only is Zanzibar much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Zanzibar is in Africa 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 Zanzibar would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Zanzibar 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 Zanzibar.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Zanzibar Expensive? and Is Rio de Janeiro Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or Rio de Janeiro?
Rio de Janeiro has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Zanzibar. When comparing the sizes of Zanzibar 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 Zanzibar or Rio de Janeiro?
Rio de Janeiro has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Zanzibar experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Zanzibar or Rio de Janeiro in the Summer?
Both Rio de Janeiro and Zanzibar are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Zanzibar throughout the year.
Zanzibar is around the same temperature as Rio de Janeiro in the summer. The daily temperature in Zanzibar averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F)in January.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Rio de Janeiro. In July, Zanzibar usually receives less rain than Rio de Janeiroin January. Zanzibar gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryZanzibar 25°C (77°F)Rio de Janeiro 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Rio de Janeiro in the Autumn?
Both Rio de Janeiro and Zanzibar during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Zanzibar because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the autumn, Zanzibar is around the same temperature as Rio de Janeiro. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Zanzibar in October average around 25°C (78°F), and Rio de Janeiro averages at about 25°C (77°F)in April.
Rio de Janeiro gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Zanzibar usually gets less rain in October than Rio de Janeiroin April. Zanzibar gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilZanzibar 25°C (78°F)Rio de Janeiro 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Rio de Janeiro in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Zanzibar and Rio de Janeiro. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Zanzibar year-round.
In January, Zanzibar is generally a little warmer than Rio de Janeiroin July. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 28°C (82°F), and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
In January, Zanzibar usually receives more rain than Rio de Janeiroin July. Zanzibar gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyZanzibar 28°C (82°F)Rio de Janeiro 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Rio de Janeiro in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Zanzibar as well as Rio de Janeiro. Zanzibar attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Zanzibar is a little warmer than Rio de Janeiro in the spring. The daily temperature in Zanzibar averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 23°C (73°F)in October.
Zanzibar receives a lot of rain in the spring. Zanzibar usually gets more rain in April than Rio de Janeiroin October. Zanzibar gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberZanzibar 27°C (81°F)Rio de Janeiro 23°C (73°F)
Typical Weather for Rio de Janeiro and Zanzibar
| Zanzibar | Rio de Janeiro | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (83°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 269 mm (10.6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) |
| May | 26°C (78°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (76°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (78°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 116 mm (4.6 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.