Which place is cheaper, Sao Paulo or Coimbra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Coimbra or Sao Paulo?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Coimbra or Sao Paulo? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Coimbra or Sao Paulo?
Coimbra
Coimbra is located in Central Portugal in the Centro Region. It's the third largest city in the country with about 460,000 people living in the entire region. It is also where you'll find the University of Coimbra, which is one of the oldest universities in Europe and the oldest academic institution in the Portuguese speaking world. During the High Middle Ages, Coimbra served as the nation's capital and there are archaeological structures that date back to the Roman era.
Sao Paulo
With a population of around 11 million, and 20 million in the metropolitan area, Sao Paulo is the largest city in Brazil. It's also one of the wealthiest cities in the southern hemisphere, although you don't have to look far to see the income disparities and inequalities that exist. The city is diverse and culturally rich, with excellent food, music, and entertainment.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Portugal, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Portugal, The Best 3-Day Tours from Manaus, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Brazil.
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Coimbra Prices
Portugal PricesSao Paulo Prices
Brazil Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCoimbra €138Sao Paulo €51
The average daily cost (per person) in Coimbra is €138, while the average daily cost in Sao Paulo is €51. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Coimbra and Sao Paulo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCoimbra €44Sao Paulo €24
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCoimbra €88Sao Paulo €48
Compare Hotels in Coimbra and Sao Paulo
Looking for a hotel in Coimbra or Sao Paulo? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Coimbra Hotel Prices and Sao Paulo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Coimbra €11Sao Paulo €4.90
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Coimbra
Also for Coimbra, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer Coimbra to Aveiro Costa Nova : $298
- Private Transfer Coimbra to Take Christ's Convent : $274
- Fátima Private Transfer to/from Lisbon: $161
- Transfers Aveiro or Coimbra to Lisbon Airport: $159
- Private transfer in Coimbra City : $95
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sao Paulo
Also for Sao Paulo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in Sao Paulo APT-HTL(GRU): $67
- Transfer to Guarulhos Airport - up to 4 passengers sedan: $130
- Transfer from São Paulo to Port of Santos: $230
- Transfer GRU airport Guarulhos <> Sao Paulo / Hotel / CGH airport: $65
- Transfer CGH Airport Congonhas <> Sao Paulo city / Hotel: $38
- Transfer (Taxi) airport to Sao Paulo: $77
- Sao Paulo Guarulhos Airport GRU to Sao Paulo RoundTrip Transfer : $158
- Sao Paulo Airport (GRU) Private Transfer to Sao Paulo City/Hotels: $27
- Receptive and Transfer Airports, Cities and Coast: $42
- Private Transfer from Sao Paulo hotels to Santos Cruise Port: $170
- Private Transfer from Sao Paulo city hotels to Santos Cruise Port: $138
- Private Transfer from Sao Paulo City to Congonhas (CGH) Airport: $123
Is it cheaper to fly into Coimbra or Sao Paulo?
Prices for flights to both Sao Paulo and Coimbra change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayCoimbra €83Sao Paulo €21
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Coimbra
For Coimbra, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Tomar Cooking Class & Garden-to-Table Meal with Lake Views: $142
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sao Paulo
For Sao Paulo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Make 9 Brazilian Faves in a 4-Hour Cooking Workshop in Sao Paulo: $85
- Authentic Brazilian Cooking Experience in SP: Feijoada & Moqueca: $189
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Coimbra €18Sao Paulo €3.31
Tours and Activities in Coimbra
For Coimbra, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2 Hours Private Walking Tour in Coimbra : $218
- A tour between Cascades and Schist Villages, Piodão: $155
- An adventure through the Forest and Palace of Bussaco - Coimbra: $89
- An adventure through the Schist Villages of Lousã: $89
- An adventure through the Schist Villages of Lousã (with walk): $155
- Arista Tour - Penacova Windmills and Landscapes (noon): $89
- Buggy Tour in Serra da Lousã 2Hours: $143
- Buracas do Casmilo Private Hiking Tour from Coimbra: $101
- Coimbra Adventure Discovery and Learning with a Local: $42
- Coimbra City Tour : $24
- Coimbra Downhill Tour Highlights History and Student Traditions: $5.96
- Coimbra Downtown Walking Tour with uptown insights : $5.96
Tours and Activities in Sao Paulo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sao Paulo.
- São Paulo: 2 Hour Immersion Waling Tour in Paulista Avenue: $34
- 4 Hour Private Tour - São Paulo: $142
- 4-Hour Private Tour in Sao Paulo: $300
- 4-hour Sum-up Private Tour Of São Paulo Including Its Major Attractions : $134
- 5-hour Pelé Private Tour: The King of Football : $162
- 5-hour Private Street Art Tour Of São Paulo – The Coolest Urban Art Scenes: $176
- 5-hour Private Tour Of São Paulo With Its Main Sights – Optional Airport Pickup: $162
- 5h City Tour (pick up & delivery within SaoPaulo city): $240
- 6 Hour Ayrton Senna Tour – The Greatest Formula 1 Drivers of all Time: $193
- 6-Hour Classic Half-Day Private Tour of São Paulo – Optional Airport Pickup : $178
- 6-Hour Private Layover Tour in São Paulo from GRU & CGH Airports: $178
- 7-hour Private Tour Overview Of São Paulo – Optional For GRU Airport Pickup: $192
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCoimbra €12Sao Paulo €2.88
Sample the Local Flavors in Coimbra
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Coimbra:
- Port Wine Tasting in Coimbra: $72
- Self-drive Wine Tour in Bairrada Region: $251
Sample the Local Flavors in Sao Paulo
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Sao Paulo:
- Fine wine tastings in São Roque - Tour with local guides: $192
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Coimbra and Sao Paulo, we can see that Coimbra is more expensive. And not only is Sao Paulo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Coimbra is in Europe and Sao Paulo is in South 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 Sao Paulo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sao Paulo 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 Coimbra would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Coimbra than you might in Sao Paulo.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Coimbra Expensive? and Is Sao Paulo Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Coimbra or Sao Paulo?
Sao Paulo has a larger population, and is about 90 times larger than the population of Coimbra. When comparing the sizes of Coimbra and Sao Paulo, 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.
When is the best time to visit Coimbra or Sao Paulo?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Sao Paulo is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Coimbra has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Coimbra or Sao Paulo in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Coimbra and Sao Paulo. Also, many visitors come to Sao Paulo in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
Coimbra is around the same temperature as Sao Paulo in the summer. The daily temperature in Coimbra averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Sao Paulo fluctuates around 25°C (77°F)in January.
Sao Paulo receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Coimbra usually receives less rain than Sao Pauloin January. Coimbra gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain each month for the summer. Also, October to March is the rainy season in Sao Paulo.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryCoimbra 23°C (73°F)Sao Paulo 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Coimbra or Sao Paulo in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Coimbra as well as Sao Paulo. Also, most visitors come to Sao Paulo for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.
In the autumn, Coimbra is cooler than Sao Paulo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Coimbra in October average around 18°C (65°F), and Sao Paulo averages at about 22°C (72°F)in April.
Coimbra receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Coimbra usually gets more rain in October than Sao Pauloin April. Coimbra gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to August in Sao Paulo is the dry season.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilCoimbra 18°C (65°F)Sao Paulo 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Coimbra or Sao Paulo in the Winter?
Both Sao Paulo and Coimbra are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Sao Paulo because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Coimbra is generally much colder than Sao Pauloin July. Daily temperatures in Coimbra average around 11°C (51°F), and Sao Paulo fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
It's quite rainy in Coimbra. In January, Coimbra usually receives more rain than Sao Pauloin July. Coimbra gets 139 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the winter. The dry season in Sao Paulo is June to August.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyCoimbra 11°C (51°F)Sao Paulo 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Coimbra or Sao Paulo in the Spring?
Both Sao Paulo and Coimbra during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the activities around the city are the main draw to Sao Paulo this time of year.
Coimbra is cooler than Sao Paulo in the spring. The daily temperature in Coimbra averages around 15°C (59°F) in April, and Sao Paulo fluctuates around 21°C (70°F)in October.
Coimbra usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Sao Pauloin October. Coimbra gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year. October to March is the rainy season in Sao Paulo.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberCoimbra 15°C (59°F)Sao Paulo 21°C (70°F)
Typical Weather for Sao Paulo and Coimbra
| Coimbra | Sao Paulo | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 11°C (51°F) | 139 mm (5.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Feb | 12°C (53°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Mar | 13°C (56°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (59°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| May | 17°C (63°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (73°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (71°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 18°C (65°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Nov | 14°C (57°F) | 128 mm (5 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Dec | 11°C (52°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
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.