A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Goa vs. Sao Paulo for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Goa or Sao Paulo?

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

Should I visit Goa 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: Goa or Sao Paulo?

Goa

Goa is a small but important state located on the west coast of India known as a popular beach resort and vacation area.

A large Portuguese influence can be found in Goa in the form of architecture as well as the cuisine, as it was formerly a Portuguese colony. Because of Goa's Portuguese history, there is a distribution of religion among the people, making it quite different than other states in India. About sixty-five percent of the population is Hindu, while about twenty-four percent is Catholic. Goa is one of the most peaceful states in India, with a very low crime rate. The best time to visit Goa is between November and February, as this is when the weather is most comfortable.

This is a popular tourist destination both for the Indian population as well as for tourists from around the world. The warm climate, beautiful beaches, friendly people, fun activities, and cultural diversity make it a popular destination for many types of travelers.

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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Mumbai, The Best 2-Week Tours from New Delhi, The Best 3-Day Tours from Manaus, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Brazil.


Which place is cheaper, Sao Paulo or Goa?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Goa is $36, while the average daily cost in Sao Paulo is $60. 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 Goa and Sao Paulo in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Goa $15
    Sao Paulo $28
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Goa $30
    Sao Paulo $56
Compare Hotels in Goa and Sao Paulo

Looking for a hotel in Goa 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.

Hotels in Goa


Hotels in Sao Paulo


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: Sao Paulo Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Goa $5.02
    Sao Paulo $5.76

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 Goa or Sao Paulo?

Prices for flights to both Sao Paulo and Goa 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Goa $15
    Sao Paulo $24

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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Goa $11
    Sao Paulo $3.89

Tours and Activities in Goa

For Goa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Agra: Private Taj Mahal and Agra Local City Tour By Tuk-Tuk: $27
  • Agra: Taj Mahal & Agra Fort Skip-the-Line Tour-All Inclusive: $6.76
  • Kerala:- 04 Days, Munnar, Periyar, Kumarakom & Boat Cruise: $514

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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Goa $12
    Sao Paulo $3.38

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 Goa and Sao Paulo, we can see that Sao Paulo is more expensive. And not only is Goa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Goa is in Asia 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 Goa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Goa 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 Sao Paulo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sao Paulo than you might in Goa.

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


Which has a larger population, Goa or Sao Paulo?

Sao Paulo has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Goa. When comparing the sizes of Goa 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.