A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Hoi An vs. Sao Paulo for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Backpackers

Should you visit Hoi An or Sao Paulo?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Hoi An and Sao Paulo. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Hoi An

Hoi An is a quaint, peaceful, and beautiful town. With stunning beauty, Hoi An attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and beaches. See Hoi An travel costs.

Sao Paulo

Sao Paulo is a dynamic, vibrant, and colorful city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums. See Sao Paulo travel costs.

Hoi An and Sao Paulo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Hoi An or Sao Paulo?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Sao Paulo than Hoi An, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Sao Paulo is better known for its museums and attractions, nightlife, and big city activities, while Hoi An is more popular for its food, beaches, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Hoi An is more touristy than Sao Paulo and is known for its peaceful and traditional old town, its unique culinary traditions, and its affordable custom made clothing. Sao Paulo is well known for its large size, vibrant neighborhoods, and world-class nightlife scene. Also, Sao Paulo is famous for Ibirapuera Park.

How is Hoi An different from Sao Paulo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Sao Paulo and Hoi An. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Hoi An or Sao Paulo?

Sao Paulo is terrific for its museums and history. Also, Hoi An is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

Travelers visit Sao Paulo from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. While many visitors overlook Sao Paulo for other destinations in Brazil, those that do visit will be rewarded with a large number of museums and sights. It's the largest city in South America, and there's plenty to do. Highlights include Museu de Arte, Museu de Arte, Museu de Arte Contemporânea, and the cathedral

Hoi An offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The old town is like a living museum. It's pedestrian-friendly and filled with beautiful yellow buildings. Highlights of the town include the Phung Hung House, Fukian Assembly Hall, and the Hoi An Museum.

Is the Food Better in Hoi An or Sao Paulo? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Hoi An is a world-class destination for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Sao Paulo is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Hoi An is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. The local cuisine is truly unique from the rest of Vietnam. It's considered to be a culinary city with interesting recipes that depend on local ingredients that can't be found outside of the region. Specialty dishes of the city include Cao Lầu (pork and rice noodles), Bánh Bao Bánh Vạc (white rose dumplings), and Cơm Gà Hoi An (Hoi An chicken rice).

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Sao Paulo makes for a great culinary experience. The city offers a huge mix of fine dining restaurants, street food vendors, family-friendly restaurants, and large local markets. The cuisine has many influences such as the Portuguese, West Africa, and even the Middle East. Popular dishes include the street food coxinha, feijoada (black bean and beef stew), and cachooro-quente (local hot dogs).

Is Hoi An or Sao Paulo Better for Nightlife?

Sao Paulo is terrific for nightlife. However, Hoi An is lacking in options for nightlife and partying.

Sao Paulo is a must-see party destination. As the economic hub for Brazil, you'll find tons of bars, clubs, and venues throughout the city. The best neighborhood for a party is Vila Madalena, which is filled with restaurants and bars. For live music and food trucks, check out Rua Augusta. There are also many different neighborhoods in this megacity, and many have a lively energy and plenty to do at night. Every night you should be able to find something different to do.

Hoi An is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. It's definitely not your typical backpacker party town, and the city is quietly beautiful in the evening. Many of the bars in the old town close before midnight, but there are some places outside of the area if you're looking for something more lively.

Is Hoi An or Sao Paulo Better for Beaches?

Hoi An is a nice place to visit for the beach. However, Sao Paulo is not a beach destination.

Hoi An has a beach worth visiting. There is a long stretch of sandy beach in the area, that can be broken into five different sections. Some areas are privately owned, but there is still plenty of public beach to choose from. An Bang Beach is the most developed and popular beach in the area. Coconut Beach is the most luxurious, and Ha My Beach is similar to An Bang, but smaller.

Sao Paulo is not a beach destination.

Is Hoi An or Sao Paulo Better for its Old Town?

Hoi An is a world-class destination for its historic old town charm. However, Sao Paulo does not have a historic old town.

The historic old town of Hoi An is revered around the world. The charming old town is recognizable for its striking yellow color and its many tailor shops. It feels like a living museum, and the evening hours are particularly special with the town's lanterns lighting the way.

Sao Paulo does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Hoi An or Sao Paulo?

Shoppers can find a variety of world-class stores in both Hoi An and Sao Paulo.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Hoi An. It is considered to be one of the best and most affordable cities in the world for tailor made clothing. Pop in a shop and have your measurements made. You can pick out a design and in a day or two return for your custom made outfit. It's a truly unique shopping experience.

The abundance of shops in Sao Paulo make it a world-class shopping destination. The shopping opportunities are diverse, from megamalls to local markets, and international boutiques. There are many great neighborhoods for shopping, like Jardins, where you'll find high end stores. The main shopping street is Rua Oscar Freire. Downtown Sao Paulo has a mix of retail stores and market stalls that sell everything from cheap fashion to inexpensive odds and ins.

Is Hoi An or Sao Paulo More Beautiful?

Hoi An is a great town for its scenery and beauty. However, Sao Paulo is not a destination known for its beauty.

With stunning beauty, Hoi An attracts visitors from all around. The city is beautiful during the day with its traditional architecture, as well as at night when it is lit with lanterns.

Sao Paulo is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Hoi An or Sao Paulo Better for Families?

Hoi An is a great town for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Sao Paulo is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Hoi An. Kids will appreciate the thrill of a visit to Ba Na Hills, which is a theme park with roller coasters, zip lines, and more. Near the city you'll also find ancient ruins, outdoor activities, hands-on classes, and, of course, the impressive old town.

Sao Paulo is a family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy a visit to the zoo or one of the kid-friendly museums around town. There are also a number of parks, some kid-friendly restaurants, and even an amusement park.

Is Hoi An or Sao Paulo Better for Couples?

Hoi An is a great town for couples. Also, Sao Paulo is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Hoi An is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. This charming city has a lot of character and some of Vietnam's best restaurants. The city is also known for its tailor made clothes, so make sure you do some shopping while you're in town.

Sao Paulo is a nice destination for couples. The city is filled with culture and you'll find many great activities that will make for an exciting couples trip. There are parks and museums, bars and restaurants, and theaters where you can see a show. Many couples enjoy a visit to the Botanical Garden of Sao Paulo or a stroll through Ibirapuera Park. You can watch the sunset with a view of the city from one of the many rooftop bars and then enjoy some samba dancing on the town.

Is Hoi An or Sao Paulo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Hoi An is a world-class destination for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Sao Paulo is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Hoi An, as it is a very popular town for budget travelers. It's solidly on the backpacker trail, and you'll find many visitors who come for the beautiful culture and fascinating setting.

Sao Paulo is a good town to visit for backpackers. While it's overlooked by many travelers, backpackers who linger for awhile will enjoy the city's authenticity and cultural scene. There are also a number of hostels around town.

Is Hoi An or Sao Paulo Better for Students?

Sao Paulo is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Hoi An is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Sao Paulo. The city is large with a diverse population and plenty to offer students. There are good educational institutions and a great international vibe as well.

Hoi An is not popular with students.

Is Hoi An or Sao Paulo Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Sao Paulo is terrific for times when you don't have a car. Also, Hoi An is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

The thorough and effecient public transit system of Sao Paulo can take you anywhere. It's a huge city, so you'll likely make use of the metro during your trip. There are six lines to the metro system and they provide convenient access to many of the city's top attractions. The city also has many bus routes as well.

You'll find some public transit in Hoi An, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Biking, taxis, and motorbikes are the most popular ways to explore the area.

Is Hoi An or Sao Paulo a more walkable city?

Hoi An is a world-class destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Sao Paulo is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its walkability.

Hoi An is a very easy town to get around on foot. There are "walking hours" when motorized vehicles aren't allowed in the old town, and this is a particularly good time to explore on foot.

Sao Paulo is very walkable. It's a megacity that has a wide range of neighborhoods. The city center is generally very walkable, but because of its size, you'll want to have an itinerary planned out for each day.

For even more information, also check out Is Hoi An Worth Visiting? and Is Sao Paulo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Sao Paulo or Hoi An?

How long in Hoi An or Sao Paulo?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Hoi An and Sao Paulo. In our opinion, Hoi An has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Hoi An than Sao Paulo. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Couples should spend more time in Hoi An than Sao Paulo. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Hoi An that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Hoi An than Sao Paulo 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 Hoi An.

One day in Hoi An or Sao Paulo?

You'll find shopping and museums around the town of Hoi An. Visiting the old town is also a must. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Sao Paulo is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Hoi An or Sao Paulo?

You'll find museums and food around the peaceful destination of Hoi An. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Sao Paulo is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Hoi An or Sao Paulo?

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the peaceful town of Hoi An. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Sao Paulo. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Hoi An or Sao Paulo?

Hoi An is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the cultural big city of Sao Paulo. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Vietnam, The Best Historical Tours in Vietnam, The Best 3-Day Tours from Manaus, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Brazil.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hoi An and Sao Paulo, we can see that Sao Paulo is more expensive. And not only is Hoi An much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Hoi An 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 Hoi An would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hoi An 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 Hoi An.

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

Which is Bigger, Hoi An or Sao Paulo?

Sao Paulo has a larger population, and is about 310 times larger than the population of Hoi An. When comparing the sizes of Hoi An 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 Hoi An or Sao Paulo?

Sao Paulo has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Hoi An experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Hoi An or Sao Paulo in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Hoi An and Sao Paulo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Hoi An year-round. Also, most visitors come to Sao Paulo for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Hoi An is generally a little warmer than Sao Pauloin January. Daily temperatures in Hoi An average around 29°C (85°F), and Sao Paulo fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

Sao Paulo receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Hoi An usually receives less rain than Sao Pauloin January. Hoi An gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain each month for the summer. February to July in Hoi An is the dry season. Also, September to January is the rainy season in Hoi An. Also, October to March is the rainy season in Sao Paulo.

Should I visit Hoi An or Sao Paulo in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Hoi An as well as Sao Paulo. Hoi An attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Sao Paulo because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Hoi An is a little warmer than Sao Paulo in the autumn. The daily temperature in Hoi An averages around 25°C (78°F) in October, and Sao Paulo fluctuates around 22°C (72°F)in April.

Hoi An receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Hoi An usually gets more rain in October than Sao Pauloin April. Hoi An gets 613 mm (24.1 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.

Should I visit Hoi An or Sao Paulo in the Winter?

Both Sao Paulo and Hoi An are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Hoi An throughout the year. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Sao Paulo this time of year.

In the winter, Hoi An is a little warmer than Sao Paulo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hoi An in January average around 22°C (71°F), and Sao Paulo averages at about 19°C (66°F)in July.

It's quite rainy in Hoi An. In January, Hoi An usually receives more rain than Sao Pauloin July. Hoi An gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the winter. The dry season in Hoi An is February to July. The rainy season in Hoi An is September to January. The dry season in Sao Paulo is June to August.

Should I visit Hoi An or Sao Paulo in the Spring?

Both Sao Paulo and Hoi An during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Hoi An because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Sao Paulo for the activities around the city.

In April, Hoi An is generally a little warmer than Sao Pauloin October. Daily temperatures in Hoi An average around 26°C (80°F), and Sao Paulo fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

Hoi An usually gets less rain in April than Sao Pauloin October. Hoi An gets 33 mm (1.3 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.

Typical Weather for Sao Paulo and Hoi An