COST OF TRAVEL – PRICES IN RIO DE JANEIRO

We know how hard it can be to budget and plan a trip to a new country. Prices online can vary and it can be hard to find a fixed range of prices for anything further than a hotel and flight. That is why we have created this Cost of Travel series where we ask travel experts and expats the travel costs and prices in their favourite countries and homes. 

This week, we have Mal from Raw Mal Roams sharing the prices in Rio De Janeiro. 

The exchange rate at the time of publishing (May 2019): $1 USD = £0.78 = 4 R (Brazilian Real)

Introduction to Rio De Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro is such an exciting and vibrant city. It’s got a stunning coastline with the iconic Sugar Loaf Mountain and the most beautiful beaches in the world including Copacabana and Ipanema beach. And not to mention that Rio is the home to the spectacular Christ the Redeemer, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World!

A great time to visit Rio is during the famous Carnival that takes place every year around February March time. Immerse yourself in one of the many events and parties that take place during the Carnival time and feel the authentic Rio!

Accommodation

The best areas to stay in Rio are Copacabana and Ipanema neighbourhoods. They are clean, trendy and safe. And on top of that, they are both very central to all Rio’s top attractions.

Luxury hotels in Rio de Janeiro – starting from $155

Miramar Hotel by Windsor

If you are looking for some luxury then look no further. Miramar Hotel is situated right on Copacabana beach. The hotel is decorated with noble materials like marbles and crystals and every room has a Butler Service!

Middle range hotel- starting from $105

Windsor California

This hotel is also located on Copacabana beach. It offers great breakfast and comfortable rooms. The best part is the rooftop swimming pool with great views of Copacabana beach. All this for a very affordable price!

Budget Hotel – starting from $65

Merlin Copacabana Hotel

This hotel is a great budget option to stay in Copacabana. It is located just a few minutes’ walk from the beach. It’s got a swimming pool and a small gym.

Transport costs

Public transport in Rio is very cheap.

My recommended mode of transport is UBER because it’s safe, affordable and very convenient.

• Average UBER ride – R22
• UBER ride Copacabana to Airport (approx 1-hour ride) – R50
• UBER Copacabana to Christ the Redeemer – R30
• Average TAXI fare – R50
• Single Metro Ticket – R8
• Single Bus Ticket – R4
• Return Bus Ticket Rio to Buzios – R138

Food and drink costs

All examples below are from middle range restaurants and cafes around the touristy places in Rio per person:

• Breakfast Cost – R10 – 15
• Lunch – R15 – 25
• Dinner at Fast Food Restaurant – R25
• Dinner – at a sit down restaurant in a middle range restaurant in Copacabana: Vegan/vegetarian meal at a restaurant – R20-30 or Meat/fish meal- R40-50
• Acai Bowl (street food) – R15

Drinks:

• Beer – R10
• Cocktail – R25
• Soft Drink – R10
• Fresh coconut on the beach – R5

Activities and attractions

Attraction	Cost
Christ the Redeemer Entrance + Train Ticket	R70
Botanical Gardens Entrance	R15
Sugar Loaf Mountain Return Cable Car	R99
Museu Nacional De Belas Artes	R8
Favela + Tijuaca tour with a local guide	R110
Helicopter Tour (taken from the Sugar Loaf Mountain)	R250
Carnival Ticket for Preliminary Show	R60

Miscellaneous costs

Sun chair/ parasol hire on the beach – R10 – 50

Bottle of water 1.5m – R4

Beer 4 pack from a supermarket – R20

Rio is an incredible place to explore and visit. Make the most of your time with this Rio itinerary or explore the city like a local.

Helpful Resources

Travel essentials:

• We LOVE this camera for our travel photography.
• For a cheap, easy and compact camera, we use this to vlog and take photographs. 
• We use this travel drone (but make sure to check drone laws in your chosen destination first). 
• This is our favourite travel insurance because it covers so many activities and travel situations that could arise on longer trips but also offer year coverage.

What to pack

• No matter where we travel to, I always take these trusty hand sanitizers and a mini first aid kit. 
• We love these toiletry bags (especially great for smaller bathrooms) and choose a laptop bag like this as our hand luggage. 
• We keep our devices charged on long travel days with these lightweight battery packs and bring these worldwide travel adaptors on all our trips. 
• I still struggle not to overpack so stick to using an expandable suitcase like these and always take my trusty luggage scales to avoid being charged at the airport.