Is Sao Paulo expensive to visit?
While Sao Paulo is a popular place for travelers, it is also somewhat affordable and less expensive to visit. The average daily cost is $64, which is one of the many reasons for its popularity with tourists. When compared to other destinations in South America, many visitors find it to be a reasonably affordable destination. It's in the top 25% of places in South America for its affordability, and our cost analysis found it to be comparable to Arequipa and Cordoba.
Sao Paulo, Brazil
How expensive is Sao Paulo?
For a trip to Sao Paulo, travelers spend on average $64 per day (U.S. Dollars). This is according to our calculations from previous visitors. As this is an average cost, your individual spending may vary, especially since there's a wide range of accommodation, food, transportation, and entertainment options here. If you stick to moderately-priced hotels and restaurants, as well as take advantage of some of free things to do in the area, you can stick close to the average budget. See more travel costs for Sao Paulo here to see how all of the average spending costs pan out.
How expensive is a weekend trip (three days) to Sao Paulo?
On average, a weekend trip to Sao Paulo costs about $191 per person. This is based on the previous expenses of actual travelers, and includes accommodation, food, activities, local transportation, and more. For two people, a weekend trip costs $381.
How expensive is a one week (7-day) trip to Sao Paulo?
A one week trip to Sao Paulo costs about $445 per person on average, based on the previous expenses of other travelers. This includes accommodation, sightseeting activities, transportation, food, and nightlife. For two people, a one week trip costs $890.
Is it expensive to backpack in Sao Paulo?
With more than 80 hostels in the area, Sao Paulo is a popular backpacker destination for travelers looking to stay on a tight budget and have a fun time along the way. Here, hostels cost an average of $15 per night for a dorm bed, with private rooms being more expensive. (See hostel prices in Sao Paulo here.) It's also common to see a wide range in prices, as the cheapest hostels here cost $0, but the most expensive can be more than $92 per night.
Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Sao Paulo.
- $17 for a dorm bed at O de Casa Hostel Bar
- $16 for a dorm bed at Vila Rock Hostel
- $13 for a dorm bed at Brazilodge All Suites Hostel
Are hotels expensive in Sao Paulo?
When we look at our analysis of hotel prices in Sao Paulo, we find them to be somewhat lower in price in comparison to the rest of the world. The average nightly cost for a hotel room here is approximately $39. The area boasts about 18 five-star hotels with an average rate of $171 per night. For those seeking a balance between comfort and affordability, three-star hotels offer an average rate of $43 per night, while two-star hotels provide an even more budget-friendly option at $24 per night.
Hotels by star rating in Sao Paulo
| Rating | Number of Hotels | Average Hotel Price |
|---|---|---|
| 5 stars | 18 | $171 |
| 4 stars | 87 | $67 |
| 3 stars | 175 | $43 |
| 2 stars | 177 | $24 |
| 1 star | 29 | $44 |
| No rating | 42 | $42 |
How expensive are sightseeing activities in Sao Paulo?
In Sao Paulo, the cost of activities and things to do can vary by the type of activity, its length, and the location. To provide an estimate of what to expect during your visit, below are several popular activities that are common in the area. On average, previous travelers have spent around $4 per day on sightseeing and entertainment, which is less than the country's average of $16.
| Name | Price | |
|---|---|---|
| Ibirapuera Park (Parque Ibirapuera) | Free | more info |
| Museum of Art of São Paulo (MASP) | R$50 | more info |
| São Paulo Zoo (Zoológico de São Paulo) | R$ 40 | more info |
| Municipal Market of São Paulo (Mercadão) | Free | more info |
| Football Museum (Museu do Futebol) | R$20 | more info |
| Museum of the Portuguese Language | R$ 20 | more info |
| Beco do Batman | Free | more info |
| Liberdade Neighborhood | Free | more info |
| Paulista Avenue (Avenida Paulista) | Free | more info |
| São Paulo Cathedral (Catedral da Sé) | Free | more info |
| Municipal Theatre of São Paulo | R$30 | more info |
| Copan Building | Free | more info |
| Pátio do Colégio | R$10 | more info |
| Pinacoteca do Estado | R$20 | more info |
| Sala São Paulo | R$30 | more info |
- Hiking Ecotour Jaraguá Park – Incredible Rain Forest Landscapes In São Paulo: $175
- Downtown Photo Tour: $150
- LGBTQIA+ Private Tour: Explore São Paulo With A Local Gay-Friendly Guide: $196
- Private Sao Paulo Architecture Tour – The Most Diverse Styles, Shapes & Sizes: $191
- Historical and Cultural Tour of the Center DE São Paulo: $39
- 5-hour Private Street Art Tour Of São Paulo – The Coolest Urban Art Scenes: $155
- 4 Hour Private Tour - São Paulo: $128
- 4-Hour Private Tour in Sao Paulo: $300
Is food expensive in Sao Paulo?
In Sao Paulo, the cost of food can vary by the type of restaurant and food options available. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible. On average, previous travelers have spent around $26 per day on food, which is less than the country's average of $34.
- São Suppers Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $95
- 4h Cooking Class in São Paulo with 9 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $89
- Street Food Tour in São Paulo with a Local Guide: $73
- Dinner at Terraço Italia Restaurant in São Paulo: $223
Is transportation expensive in Sao Paulo?
Exploring local transportation in Sao Paulo shows that the price can vary greatly by the type of transportation used. On average, previous travelers have spent $6 per person per day, which is less than the country's average of $13. If you want to save money, use public transit as it's much cheaper than taxis or private drivers.
More for Sao Paulo
If you're planning a trip to Sao Paulo, Brazil, check out these other informative travel guides.
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
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.