Comparison · Buenos Aires vs Rio de Janeiro · Argentina / Brazil
Buenos Aires vs Rio de Janeiro
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
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Quick answer
Choose Buenos Aires for Tango and Steak and Malbec; choose Rio de Janeiro for Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain, beaches and a milder winter. Day-to-day costs are similar, and the two are about 1,968 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 1,968 km
- Less expensive
- About the same
- Best time for Buenos Aires
- March–May and October–November
- Best time for Rio de Janeiro
- April–June and August–October
Side by side
| Buenos Aires | Rio de Janeiro | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Argentina | Brazil |
| Known for | Tango, Steak and Malbec and Recoleta Cemetery | Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain and Copacabana and Ipanema |
| Best time to visit | March–May and October–November | April–June and August–October |
| Ideal stay | 5 days | 5 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $110–$220 | $110–$220 |
| Cost level | Moderately priced | Moderately priced |
| Warmest month | January, 30°C (86°F) | January, 30°C (86°F) |
| Coldest month | July, 15°C (59°F) | June, 25°C (77°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 10 | 10 |
| Day trips in our guide | 5 | 6 |
| Beaches | — | Copacabana |
| Airports | EZE, AEP | GIG, SDU |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Buenos Aires for…
Tango and Steak and Malbec. Buenos Aires spreads along the Río de la Plata in a grid of barrios, each with its own character: the colonial streets of San Telmo, the mansions and cemetery of Recoleta, the boutiques and restaurants of Palermo and the government buildings around Plaza de…
Choose Rio de Janeiro for…
Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain, beaches and a milder winter. Rio de Janeiro wraps around Guanabara Bay between forested granite mountains and Atlantic beaches. Most visitors stay in the Zona Sul — Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon or Botafogo — and split their days between the beach, the two great viewpoints of Christ the…
Top sights compared
| # | Buenos Aires | Rio de Janeiro |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Recoleta Cemetery | Christ the Redeemer |
| 2 | Plaza de Mayo and Casa Rosada | Sugarloaf Mountain |
| 3 | Teatro Colón | Copacabana Beach |
| 4 | Caminito, La Boca | Ipanema Beach |
| 5 | La Bombonera and the Boca Juniors museum | Arpoador Rock |
Food compared
| Buenos Aires | Rio de Janeiro |
|---|---|
| Asado and bife de chorizo | Feijoada |
| Empanadas | Biscoito Globo and iced mate |
| Choripán | Açaí bowl |
| Provoleta | Cheese bread |
Which is cheaper?
Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro cost about the same: a mid-range day is roughly $110–$220 in Buenos Aires and $110–$220 in Rio de Janeiro (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Buenos Aires on a budget.
Can you visit both?
They are about 1,968 km apart, so combining them means a flight. With 11 days or more it works; otherwise pick one.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Buenos Aires or Rio de Janeiro cheaper?
Neither is clearly cheaper: a mid-range day costs about $110–$220 in Buenos Aires and $110–$220 in Rio de Janeiro (estimates).
+Is Buenos Aires or Rio de Janeiro better for a first trip?
Pick Buenos Aires for Tango and Steak and Malbec, or Rio de Janeiro for Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain, beaches and a milder winter.
+How far is Buenos Aires from Rio de Janeiro?
About 1,968 km in a straight line.