Budget for Rio de Janeiro varies widely by standing and season. Reference budget of €100 per person per day corresponds to a comfortable stay in 3* hotel in Copacabana or Ipanema in low season.
Accommodation is the major item (40-55% of budget). Hostels in 4-8 bed dorms cost €15-30/night (Books Hostel in Lapa, Lemon Spirit in Copacabana, Selina Lapa, Stone of Brazil), pousadas (guesthouses) €40-80/night, 3* hotels €70-130/night (Atlantico Praia, Copa Sul, Astoria in Copacabana), 4* hotels €130-220/night (Pestana Rio Atlantica, Hilton Copacabana, Praia Ipanema), 5* hotels €200-500/night (Belmond Copacabana Palace 1923 monument, Fasano Ipanema, Janeiro, Hotel Emiliano Copacabana). Absolute luxury 5* royal: Belmond Copacabana Palace Royal Suite €1,500-3,000/night.
Food represents 15-20% of budget. Options: per kilo buffet €10-20/meal (very good, everywhere), lanchonete (snack-bar) sandwiches and juices €5-10/meal, decent local restaurant €25-40/meal, gourmet restaurant €50-100/meal (Aprazível in Santa Teresa, Lasai Botafogo, CT Boucherie Leblon). Drinks: caipirinha €6-12, canned beer €3-5, natural juices €3-5. Beach: coconut juice €3, biscoito de polvilho €1, grilled queijo coalho €3, sandwich natural €4-6.
Activities represent 15-20% of budget. Christ the Redeemer €25, Sugarloaf €25, Tijuca forest €5, favela tour €35-50, Municipal Theatre €5 visit + shows €20-100, samba in Lapa €10-25 entry + drinks, capoeira/samba/cooking classes €30-60/hour, Pedra Bonita paragliding €90-150, Rio helicopter flight €200-400/person (ecologically controversial). Maracanã match €8-30 standard seat, €50-150 premium seat.
Transport represents 10-15% of budget. Rio metro (lines 1, 2, 4 connecting Ipanema-Copacabana-Centro-Saens Peña, 7 BRL ticket ≈ €1.2, safe by day), Uber and 99 (€5-15/ride in city, often half hailed taxi price), official taxis (€4-15/ride, yellow with blue stripe), buses (5-7 BRL, avoid evening and centre — theft risk), VLT (modern Centro tram 5 BRL). No useful car rental in Rio (rare parking, difficult urban driving, permanent traffic jams — except for Búzios/Paraty excursions).
Tips: 10% at restaurant (often included as "serviço" on bill — verify), €1-2 per bag at hotel, €5-10/day for hotel staff at end of stay. BRL cash recommended for small purchases and non-Uber taxis.
Read also
- Rio and Southeast — The complete region: Rio, Búzios, Paraty and the Costa Verde.
- Búzios — Chic beach resort 2h30 from Rio: 23 beaches, tropical Saint-Tropez atmosphere.
- Paraty — Colonial UNESCO 1667 village 4h from Rio: tropical bay, schooner excursion.
- Brazil — Complete country-continent guide: regions, formalities, best time.