A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Brasilia vs. New Orleans for Food, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Brasilia or New Orleans?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Brasilia and New Orleans can help you decide which place is right for you.

Brasilia

Brasilia is a cultural, lively, and vibrant city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums. See Brasilia travel costs.

New Orleans

New Orleans is a fun-filled, festive, and vibrant city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. Other popular activities here include food, nightlife, and live music. See New Orleans travel costs.

Brasilia and New Orleans: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Brasilia or New Orleans?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in New Orleans than Brasilia. While Brasilia is larger than New Orleans, New Orleans has more sights and attractions for tourists. New Orleans is better known for its food, nightlife, music, historical sights, and quaint atmosphere, while Brasilia is more popular for its museums and attractions and shopping. New Orleans is more touristy than Brasilia and is popular for its jazz festivals, local cuisine, quaint balconies, and world class Mardi Gras parties. Also, New Orleans is famous for The French Quarter. Brasilia is well known for its modernist architecture, abundant green space, and planned layout.

The French Quarter

How is Brasilia different from New Orleans?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between New Orleans and Brasilia. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Brasilia or New Orleans?

Brasilia is a city with good options for its museums and history. However, New Orleans does not have museums and landmarks.

Brasilia is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are a variety of museums that highlight the city's rich history, modernist architecture, and diverse culture. Notable museums include the Museu Nacional, showcasing contemporary art, and the Museu de Arte de Brasília (MAB), which focuses on Brazilian art. The Memorial dos Povos Indígenas offers insight into indigenous cultures, while the Museu do Catetinho takes visitors through the early days of the city’s creation.

New Orleans does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Brasilia or New Orleans? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

New Orleans is renowned for its restaurant scene. Also, Brasilia is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

New Orleans has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. It has rapidly grown into one of the United State's most well known foodie destinations. It's the birthplace of bananas foster and popular for it's gumbo, crawfish etouffee, jambalaya, and red beans and rice. While there are a number of celebrity chefs from New Orleans, you'll also find many local restaurants that aren't as well known but are equally worth visiting.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Brasilia. The city's food scene is diverse, offering a mix of traditional Brazilian dishes and international cuisine. Since it is home to people from all over Brazil, you can find food from many different regions in one place. Popular dishes include Picanha (Brazilian steak), Feijoada (black bean and pork stew), and Tucunaré na Brasa (grilled fish).

Is Brasilia or New Orleans Better for Nightlife?

New Orleans is renowned for its evening party scene. Also, Brasilia is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

New Orleans is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. The nightlife scene is at its best during Mardi Gras. But year-round you'll find Bachelor and Bachelorette parties, spring breakers, and anyone who wants to enjoy a crazy time heads to New Orleans. New Orleans is a destination that attracts partiers any time of the year, and the French Quarter is the place to be if you're looking for a party.

If you're looking for night time activities Brasilia has a few options to choose from. The nightlife scene is more sophisticated and calm compared to other Brazilian capitals. It's not a party city by traditional standards, but it's ideal for those looking to enjoy good food, drinks, and live music in a more relaxed atmosphere. If you're looking for high-energy nightlife, the city might feel quieter, but it's still plenty of fun.

Is Brasilia or New Orleans Better for Music?

New Orleans is renowned for its music scene. However, Brasilia is not a live music destination.

In New Orleans you'll find nightly musicians performing at a variety of venues. The city is known for its music festivals that feature jazz, blues, and many other types of live music. The Jazz Festival is a great time to visit.

Brasilia is not a live music destination.

Is Brasilia or New Orleans Better for its Old Town?

New Orleans is well known for its historic old town charm. However, Brasilia does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of New Orleans. The French Quarter is filled with old architecture and beautiful historic landmarks.

Brasilia does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Brasilia or New Orleans?

Brasilia is an excellent place to visit for shopping. However, New Orleans is lacking in options for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Brasilia. There is a mix of modern malls, local markets, and high-end boutiques. The city is home to several large shopping centers, such as Shopping Iguatemi, ParkShopping, and Conjunto Nacional, which feature a variety of international brands, local shops, and food courts. For more traditional items, the Feira da Torre is a popular open-air market where you can find local crafts, souvenirs, and handmade goods.

If you're looking to go shopping, New Orleans has some nice offerings. New Orleans shopping is mostly centered around shopping malls and chain stores.

Is Brasilia or New Orleans Better for Families?

Brasilia is a city with good options for its kid-friendly activities. However, New Orleans is lacking in options for its family-friendly activities.

Brasilia is a family-friendly city. While it doesn't have as many theme parks as some of the other large cities in Brazil, there are a number of activities that families can enjoy. There's the Parque da Cidade, where children can ride bikes and play on playgrounds. There's also Nicolândia, a small amusement park with exciting rides. At the Brasília Zoo, kids can see native animals like jaguars, toucans, and capybaras while learning about Brazil's wildlife. The Planetarium of Brasília is a great spot for young space enthusiasts, featuring interactive exhibits and fascinating star shows.

New Orleans doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. While there are some family-friendly activities in New Orleans like a zoo and several great parks, the city is more known for its parties and nightlife scene. Particularly during certain seasons, most people choose to visit New Orleans without kids.

Is Brasilia or New Orleans Better for Couples?

Both Brasilia and New Orleans are notable destinations to visit as a couple.

Brasilia is a good city for couples to visit. There are sunset boat rides on Paranoá Lake. If you enjoy culture, you can visit the National Museum or admire the stunning architecture of the Cathedral of Brasília. A romantic dinner at a lakeside restaurant in Pontão do Lago Sul is perfect for a night out with delicious food and a relaxing atmosphere. For nature lovers, a peaceful walk or picnic at Jardim Botânico de Brasília provides a lovely escape from the city.

New Orleans is a nice destination for couples. Couples who enjoy a lively evening, fun festivals, and exploring absolutely amazing restaurants will enjoy a visit to New Orleans. It has a festive and unique atmosphere any time of the year. There are also nice hotels and beautiful parks.

Is Brasilia or New Orleans Better for Students?

New Orleans is very good for students. However, Brasilia is not popular with students.

New Orleans is popular with students. Students head to New Orleans to enjoy spring break and Mardi Gras.

Brasilia is not popular with students.

Is Brasilia or New Orleans Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Brasilia is a city with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, New Orleans is lacking in options for its public transit.

Brasilia has some public transit options. The public transit system is relatively limited compared to larger Brazilian cities, but it still offers a few options for getting around. The Metro is an efficient choice for traveling through central areas, with two main lines that connect key neighborhoods like Asa Norte and Plano Piloto. There are also buses that are more comprehensive.

Public transit is generally limited in New Orleans. The city has streetcar lines and bus lines that you can use, but you'll want to have a car if you want to venture outside of these main areas.

Is Brasilia or New Orleans a more walkable city?

New Orleans is very good for its ease of walking around. However, Brasilia is not particularly known for its walkability.

New Orleans is a somewhat walkable city. If you stick to the French Quarter and downtown areas, most things are walkable in New Orleans.

Brasilia is generally not a very walkable city. The city isn't particularly walkable because it is very spread out.

For even more information, also check out Is Brasilia Worth Visiting? and Is New Orleans Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in New Orleans or Brasilia?

How long in Brasilia or New Orleans?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Brasilia and New Orleans. In our opinion, New Orleans has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in New Orleans than Brasilia. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Brasilia, and 2-3 days is enough time in New Orleans.

Families should spend more time in Brasilia than New Orleans. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Brasilia, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in New Orleans than Brasilia. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in New Orleans that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in New Orleans than Brasilia if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in New Orleans.

One day in Brasilia or New Orleans?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the lively city of Brasilia. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

The city of New Orleans offers nightlife and live music. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Brasilia or New Orleans?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the vibrant destination of Brasilia. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

New Orleans is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in New Orleans, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Brasilia or New Orleans?

The lively city of Brasilia offers shopping and museums. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

New Orleans is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Brasilia or New Orleans?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Brasilia. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

New Orleans is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Brazil, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Brazil, The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America, and The Best Photography Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Brasilia and New Orleans, we can see that New Orleans is more expensive. And not only is Brasilia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Brasilia is in South America and New Orleans is in North 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 Brasilia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Brasilia 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 New Orleans would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in New Orleans than you might in Brasilia.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Brasilia Expensive? and Is New Orleans Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Brasilia or New Orleans?

Brasilia has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of New Orleans. When comparing the sizes of Brasilia and New Orleans, 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.