Comparison · Montevideo vs Rio de Janeiro · Uruguay / Brazil
Montevideo 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
Photo: Eduardo Ruggieri, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Choose Montevideo for Rambla waterfront, Asado and parrillas and a short break; choose Rio de Janeiro for Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain, free sights and a milder winter. Day-to-day costs are similar, and the two are about 1,834 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 1,834 km
- Less expensive
- About the same
- Best time for Montevideo
- November–March
- Best time for Rio de Janeiro
- April–June and August–October
Side by side
| Montevideo | Rio de Janeiro | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Uruguay | Brazil |
| Known for | Rambla waterfront, Asado and parrillas and Chivito sandwich | Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain and Copacabana and Ipanema |
| Best time to visit | November–March | April–June and August–October |
| Ideal stay | 3 days | 5 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $130–$230 | $110–$220 |
| Cost level | Expensive | Moderately priced |
| Warmest month | January, 28°C (82°F) | January, 30°C (86°F) |
| Coldest month | July, 14°C (57°F) | June, 25°C (77°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 7 | 10 |
| Day trips in our guide | 5 | 6 |
| Beaches | Playa Pocitos | Copacabana |
| Airports | MVD | GIG, SDU |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Montevideo for…
Rambla waterfront, Asado and parrillas and a short break. Uruguay's capital lines the north shore of the Río de la Plata, with a waterfront promenade, the Rambla, running for over 20 km past city beaches from the old port to Carrasco. The Ciudad Vieja and the Centro around Plaza Independencia hold the art deco and…
Choose Rio de Janeiro for…
Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain, free sights 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
| # | Montevideo | Rio de Janeiro |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Rambla | Christ the Redeemer |
| 2 | Plaza Independencia and Artigas Mausoleum | Sugarloaf Mountain |
| 3 | Palacio Salvo | Copacabana Beach |
| 4 | Teatro Solís | Ipanema Beach |
| 5 | Mercado del Puerto | Arpoador Rock |
Food compared
| Montevideo | Rio de Janeiro |
|---|---|
| Chivito | Feijoada |
| Asado | Biscoito Globo and iced mate |
| Choripán | Açaí bowl |
| Medio y medio | Cheese bread |
Which is cheaper?
Montevideo and Rio de Janeiro cost about the same: a mid-range day is roughly $130–$230 in Montevideo and $110–$220 in Rio de Janeiro (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Rio de Janeiro on a budget.
Can you visit both?
They are about 1,834 km apart, so combining them means a flight. With 9 days or more it works; otherwise pick one.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Montevideo or Rio de Janeiro cheaper?
Neither is clearly cheaper: a mid-range day costs about $130–$230 in Montevideo and $110–$220 in Rio de Janeiro (estimates).
+Is Montevideo or Rio de Janeiro better for a first trip?
Pick Montevideo for Rambla waterfront, Asado and parrillas and a short break, or Rio de Janeiro for Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain, free sights and a milder winter.
+How far is Montevideo from Rio de Janeiro?
About 1,834 km in a straight line.