Rio de Janeiro is in the state of the same name (RJ), while Ubatuba is on the North Coast of São Paulo (SP): different regions of Brazil. Rio de Janeiro: mountains, sea and rainforest inside the same city; Ubatuba: more than a hundred beaches between the Serra do Mar and the ocean. For this month's weather, Rio de Janeiro has the edge. Driving from São Paulo, Ubatuba costs less. The two are about 310 km (193 mi) apart, 5h00 by car; you can combine them in a single trip.
The average nightly rate is around R$ 341 in Rio de Janeiro and R$ 417 in Ubatuba; what changes in practice is each place's season. Check current prices for your dates before deciding.
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Frequently asked questions
Rio de Janeiro or Ubatuba: which is better?
Rio de Janeiro is in the state of the same name (RJ), while Ubatuba is on the North Coast of São Paulo (SP): different regions of Brazil. Rio de Janeiro: mountains, sea and rainforest inside the same city; Ubatuba: more than a hundred beaches between the Serra do Mar and the ocean. For this month's weather, Rio de Janeiro has the edge. Driving from São Paulo, Ubatuba costs less. The two are about 310 km (193 mi) apart, 5h00 by car; you can combine them in a single trip.
What is the best time to visit Rio de Janeiro and Ubatuba?
The best time to visit Rio de Janeiro is from May to September; for Ubatuba, it is from May to August, based on INMET's climate normals (temperature and rainfall for each month). If your trip already has a date, check each destination's page for your month.
Which of the two is cheaper to get to?
By car, leaving from São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro is 430 km (267 mi) and costs about R$ 334 each way (fuel plus tolls); leaving from São Paulo, Ubatuba is 225 km (140 mi) and costs about R$ 145 each way (fuel plus tolls). The calculation assumes a car that gets 11 km/L. Lodging and activities vary with each place's season.
Where does it rain less, Rio de Janeiro or Ubatuba?
Averaged over the year, Rio de Janeiro has 10 rainy days a month and Ubatuba has 13. Rio de Janeiro is the drier of the two over the year as a whole, but what decides the trip is the month: the rainiest month in Rio de Janeiro is January and in Ubatuba, January. For temperature, both have the same average high, 27°.
How many days should you spend in Rio de Janeiro and in Ubatuba?
To see the main sights without rushing, Rio de Janeiro calls for 4–5 days and Ubatuba, 4–5 days. Since the two are 310 km (193 mi) from each other, anyone with 8 days or more can combine them in a single trip.
Rio de Janeiro or Ubatuba with kids?
Both work with kids: Rio de Janeiro (urban beach, trails in Tijuca, and iconic viewpoints) and Ubatuba (more than a hundred beaches, surf, and Atlantic Forest). The choice usually comes down to getting there, not to infrastructure. With small children, weather matters: Rio de Janeiro has fewer rainy days over the year.
Can you visit Rio de Janeiro and Ubatuba on the same trip?
Yes. The two are about 310 km (193 mi) apart, 5h00 by car. Combining them in a single itinerary is common, with a few days in each.
What should you not miss in each?
In Rio de Janeiro: Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain, Ipanema Beach. In Ubatuba: Praia de Itamambuca, Praia do Félix, Praia Vermelha do Norte. These are the sights that show up most in first-trip itineraries for each destination; the full guide to each has the whole list.
