Daily costs per person in Brazilian reais. Rio is surprisingly affordable if you eat local, use metro and Uber, and take advantage of the city's many free experiences.
Daily cost breakdown
Currency: BRL (R$) (1 USD ≈ 5.8 BRL)
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Splurge | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | R$50–120 | R$200–450 | R$700+ | Hostels → boutique hotels → beachfront luxury |
| Food | R$40–80 | R$100–200 | R$300+ | Beach vendors & PF → restaurants → fine dining |
| Transport | R$15–30 | R$50–100 | R$150+ | Metro/bus → Uber → private driver |
| Activities | R$0–30 | R$80–200 | R$350+ | Free sites & beaches → museums & tours → hang gliding |
| Drinks | R$15–30 | R$40–80 | R$120+ | Beach caipirinhas → botecos → rooftop bars |
| Daily Total | R$120–290 | R$470–1,030 | R$1,620+ | $21–50 → $81–178 → $279+ |
Money-saving tips
Beach vendor culture
Copacabana and Ipanema vendors sell açaí (R$15–25), coconut water (R$8–10), sandwiches, and caipirinhas (R$15–20). Beach chairs and umbrellas rent for R$15–20. You can spend an entire day at the beach for R$50.
Prato feito & quilo
Prato feito (PF, plate of the day) at any boteco costs R$20–35 for rice, beans, meat, salad, and farofa. Pay-by-weight (quilo) buffets cost R$30–50 for a heaping plate. Both are where cariocas eat daily.
Metro Rio
MetrôRio single ride R$6.90. Rechargeable Giro card from any station. The metro covers Copacabana, Ipanema, Botafogo, Centro, and connects to buses for outer areas. Clean, air-conditioned, and safe.
Free experiences
Arpoador sunset, Copacabana boardwalk, Escadaria Selarón, Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil, Parque Lage (free gardens at the foot of Corcovado), Pedra do Sal samba nights, and Prainha beach all cost nothing.
Uber everywhere
Uber is cheap and safe in Rio — a 20-minute ride costs R$15–30. Use it at night instead of walking. The 99 app (local alternative) is equally good. Both are much cheaper than licensed taxis.
Church concerts
Free classical music concerts happen regularly in Centro churches — Candelária, São José, and São Francisco de Paula. Check listings at CCBB or ask at the tourist office in Praça XV.
