Which place is cheaper, Rio de Janeiro or Puerto Princesa?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Puerto Princesa 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 Puerto Princesa 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: Puerto Princesa or Rio de Janeiro?
Puerto Princesa
The island of Palawan is known the Philippines' last frontier and its capital, Puerto Princesa, is considered the greenest city in the Philippines. With plenty of land that has yet to be explored and inundated with tourists, Puerto Princesa, also known as "The City of the Living God," is a nature buff's dream. Whether you want to swim with starfish, walk among the mangrove treetops, or visit the world's largest saltwater crocodile at the Palawan Nature Conservation Center, Puerto Princesa and its surrounding area offers plenty of opportunities to get into the great wide open.
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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Philippines, The Best 2-Week Tours in Philippines, The Best G Adventures Tours to Brazil, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Rio de Janeiro.
-
Puerto Princesa Prices
Philippines PricesRio de Janeiro Prices
Brazil Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPuerto Princesa $86Rio de Janeiro $115
The average daily cost (per person) in Puerto Princesa is $86, while the average daily cost in Rio de Janeiro is $115. 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 Puerto Princesa and Rio de Janeiro in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPuerto Princesa $24Rio de Janeiro $64
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPuerto Princesa $48Rio de Janeiro $128
Compare Hotels in Puerto Princesa and Rio de Janeiro
Looking for a hotel in Puerto Princesa 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: Puerto Princesa Hotel Prices and Rio de Janeiro Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Puerto Princesa $51Rio de Janeiro $7.65
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Princesa
Also for Puerto Princesa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 3day van transportation: airport transfer, city sightseeing van, beach transfers: $120
- Airport Transfers airport to city center hotel and cruise port: $20
- Honda Bay Island: Island Tour with Lunch & Transfer: $52
- Palawan: Private San Vicente Airport Transfers: $160
- Private Transfer from Puerto Princesa to El Nido: $203
- Private Transfer to El Nido: $169
- Private Transfers Puerto Princesa To Elnido: $260
- Private for your group - transfers Puerto princesa to elnido : $100
- PrivateTransfer from Puerto Princesa Port to Puerto Princesa city: $60
- Puerto Princesa City Van Transfers: $23
- Astoria Water Park Day Pass & Transfers: $232
- One-Way Transfer To/From El Nido: $16
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Rio de Janeiro
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Rio de Janeiro:
-
Taxi Ride$2.82
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rio de Janeiro
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rio de Janeiro:
- Two Brothers Trail- one of the best views of Rio (transfer is included): $54
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer Rio de Janeiro HTL-APT (SDU): $25
- Transfers Rio X Buzios : $184
- Transfer service to/from Rio and Angra dos Reis / Conceição de J.: $106
- Transfer service from / to Rio de Janeiro / Paraty: $150
- Transfer service from / to Buzios / Arraial do Cabo / Cabo Frio: $106
- Transfer of 4 Tickets in Rio de Janeiro: $37
- Transfer in Rio: $35
- Transfer from Rio de Janeiro Galeao International Airport: $32
- Transfer from Rio de Janeiro Airports to Hotels and Destinations: $48
- Transfer Rio to Búzios, Arraial Do Cabo, Cabo Frio, Angra dos Reis: $150
- Transfer International Airport GIG or SDU Rio de Janeiro: $58
Is it cheaper to fly into Puerto Princesa or Rio de Janeiro?
Prices for flights to both Rio de Janeiro and Puerto Princesa 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
-
Food Meals for one dayPuerto Princesa $34Rio de Janeiro $34
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Puerto Princesa
For Puerto Princesa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Firefly Watching Paddle Boat Tour & Dinner: $27
- Jungle Firefly Watching Boat Tour & Dinner: $32
- Firefly Watching Bay Cruise with Dinner: $34
- Firefly Watching with Dinner: $39
- Firefly Watching Tour with Dinner: $53
- Seafood Lunch or Dinner with transfers: $59
- Underground River with Dinner at Kalui: $80
- Underground River and Firefly Watching with Dinner: $87
- Balayong People's Park with Dinner and Show: $116
Typical Food Prices in Rio de Janeiro
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Rio de Janeiro:
-
Popcorn$0.56
-
Corn on the Cob$0.75
-
Hamburger$0.94
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 and Live Music in Rio de Janeiro: $46
- Hands-On Cooking Class in Rio: Iconic Street Foods & Caipirinhas: $75
- Authentic Brazilian BBQ & Wine: A Guided Dinner Experience in Rio: $79
- Roxy Show - Brazilian Rhythms with optional Barbecue Dinner: $85
- Food Tour Rio de Janeiro - The Best Typical Brazilian Dishes: $92
- Family Cooking Class in Rio Make 9 Brazilian Dishes Together: $95
- LGBTQ+ Cooking Class in Rio: Cook, Toast & Celebrate Together: $95
- Brazilian BBQ Cooking & Drinks Class + Patio Party in Copacabana: $95
- Dinner and Show at the Official Roxy Dinner Show - Rio de Janeiro: $122
- Brazilian Dinner Show: Cultural Experience in Rio de Janeiro: $126
- Samba Show Admission & Transfer with Dinner Option: $130
- Flavors of Cooking Class and Caipirinhas: $130
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Puerto Princesa $6.77Rio de Janeiro $21
Tours and Activities in Puerto Princesa
For Puerto Princesa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- PPS CITY TOUR: $13
- Puerto Princesa; Half day City tour: $13
- Cathedral and Baker's Hill Tour: $14
- Puerto Princesa City Tour with Snacks: $14
- Half Day City Tour with Butterfly Garden: $14
- Half-Day City Tour with Optional Massage: $14
- Half-day Puerto Princesa City Tour: $15
- City tour of Puerto Princesa Palawan Philippines : $20
- 2in1 City tour and museum with pick up at hotel or cruise port: $25
- Puerto Princesa Half Day City Tour (shared tour): $27
- Half-Day City Tour from Puerto Princesa: $27
- Shared Half City Tour with SPA: $30
Tours and Activities in Rio de Janeiro
Here are a few actual costs in Rio de Janeiro for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2 Day Tour from Rio de Janeiro, Corcovado and Arraial do Cabo: $180
- A Day in Arraial do Cabo Guided Tour: $77
- Favelas do Vidigal or Rocinha's experience: $23
- Ilha Grande Tour Full day - Rio de Janeiro by Rio Eco Trip: $105
- One Day Guided Tour in Rio de Janeiro: $165
- Samba Backstage Tour: Go Behind-the-Scenes of Carnival: $159
- 1 Day Discovery Tour NO Rio DE Janeiro: $192
- 1 day tour Rio de Janeiro to Christ and Cable car and much more: $115
- 10 Hours Private City Tour in Rio de Janeiro - Chartered Tour: $300
- 2 Days Tour in City Tour Express and Arraial do Cabo: $168
- 2 Days in Rio: Cultural & Ecologic Tours: $290
- 3 Hour Rocinha Favela Walking Tour with a Local Guide : $42
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayPuerto Princesa $14Rio 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:
- Petropolis City Tour with Imperial Museum and Optional Lunch & Bohemia Brewery: $40
- Rio de Janeiro Pub Crawl (Lapa district): $40
- Rio Pub Crawl: Taste Caipirinhas & Local Bar Snacks: $95
- Petrópolis City and Brewery Bohemia Tour - Best of Rio's Mountains: $110
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Puerto Princesa and Rio de Janeiro, we can see that Rio de Janeiro is more expensive. And not only is Puerto Princesa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Puerto Princesa 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 Puerto Princesa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Puerto Princesa 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 Puerto Princesa.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Puerto Princesa Expensive? and Is Rio de Janeiro Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Puerto Princesa or Rio de Janeiro?
Rio de Janeiro has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Puerto Princesa. When comparing the sizes of Puerto Princesa 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.
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.