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

Should you visit Kyoto or Sao Paulo?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Kyoto and Sao Paulo can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Kyoto

Kyoto is a traditional, historic, and cultural city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Many visitors also come to Kyoto because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Kyoto travel costs.

Sao Paulo

Sao Paulo is a vibrant, colorful, and cultural city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Sao Paulo travel costs.

Kyoto and Sao Paulo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kyoto or Sao Paulo?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Sao Paulo than Kyoto, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Sao Paulo is more popular for its nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Kyoto is known for its historical sights and impressive beauty. Kyoto is more touristy than Sao Paulo and is popular for its Buddhist temples, cultural activities, and rich history. Sao Paulo is popular for its large size, vibrant neighborhoods, and world-class nightlife scene. It is also home to Ibirapuera Park.

How is Kyoto different from Sao Paulo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Plenty of people visit the first-rate sights and museums in both Kyoto and Sao Paulo.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Kyoto are among the most recognizable in the world. With its long-running history, there are many traditional buildings and temples in town. Nijo Castle is stunning to explore, but also make sure you visit the Fushimi-Inari Taisha Shrine, the Golden Pavilion, and Kiyomizu-dera Temple.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Sao Paulo has many famous sights for visitors. 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

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

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at high quality restaurants in both Kyoto and Sao Paulo.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Kyoto. The local cuisine is as beautiful as it is delicious. There is a long running history to many of the dishes, and the recipes are expertly prepared by world class chefs at many of the restaurants. You can enjoy everything from a tea ceremony to multi-course meals, referred to as kyo kaiseki.

Sao Paulo has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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 Kyoto or Sao Paulo Better for Nightlife?

Sao Paulo is renowned for nightlife and partying. Also, Kyoto is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

Sao Paulo is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Kyoto has a few options to choose from. While it isn't known for its wild nightlife scene, there is a relaxed and active energy in the evenings here. You can visit the beautiful Arashiyama Kimono Forest or explore some of the riverfront areas such as Kamo Riverside.

Is Kyoto or Sao Paulo Better for its Old Town?

Kyoto 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 Kyoto is revered around the world. This is among the most historic cities in Japan and there are many traditional buildings and temples. Higashiyama is filled with interesting districts and it has many UNESCO World Heritage temples.

Sao Paulo does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Kyoto or Sao Paulo?

Sao Paulo is renowned for its shopping opportunities. Also, Kyoto is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

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.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Kyoto. There's a mix of modern shopping venues and traditional boutiques. Shijo Street is a popular shopping area, as is the area around JR Kyoto Station.

Is Kyoto or Sao Paulo More Beautiful?

Kyoto is a world-class destination for its scenery and beauty. However, Sao Paulo is not a destination known for its beauty.

Many visitors also come to Kyoto because of it's amazing beauty. It's one of the most historical cities in Japan and it has many beautiful Buddhist temples, gardens, and imperial palaces. It's particularly striking during the cherry blossom season.

Sao Paulo is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Kyoto or Sao Paulo Better for Families?

Kyoto is a great city 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 Kyoto. Kids will enjoy exploring Nijo Castle as much as adults. If the weather isn't great, you can head to the Kyoto International Manga Museum which is a bit like a library and is perfect for Manga fans. There are also markets to explore such as the Nishiki Markets, which are lined with shops and restaurants.

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 Kyoto or Sao Paulo Better for Couples?

Kyoto is a world-class destination for couples. Also, Sao Paulo is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Kyoto has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. This is one of the most historic cities in Japan, and it has many romantic neighborhoods where you can enjoy the atmosphere. Visit Sanneizaka Slope for its traditional shops and restaurants or take a ride on the Sagano Romantic Train. Other romantic highlights include Kimono Forest, which is an art exhibit, and Suzumushidera Temple.

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 Kyoto or Sao Paulo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Kyoto is a great city for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Sao Paulo is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Kyoto. It's a popular destination in Japan and there are plenty of hostels and free activities that backpackers can enjoy.

Sao Paulo is a good city 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 Kyoto or Sao Paulo Better for Students?

Kyoto is a great city for its student-friendly activities. Also, Sao Paulo is not as popular, but is still a nice city for students.

Kyoto is a great city to visit as a student. It's a great student city with world class universities and a large student population.

Sao Paulo is a good city to visit for students. 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.

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

Sao Paulo is renowned for its public transit. Also, Kyoto is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Sao Paulo has a great public transit system. 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.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Kyoto. The city has an extensive system of trains, subways, and buses that make it easy to get around.

Is Kyoto or Sao Paulo a more walkable city?

Kyoto 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.

Kyoto is a very easy city to get around on foot. It's one of the most walkable cities in Japan and there are many sidewalks and pedestrian-friendly areas.

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 Kyoto Worth Visiting? and Is Sao Paulo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Sao Paulo or Kyoto?

How long in Kyoto or Sao Paulo?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Kyoto 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 Kyoto.

One day in Kyoto or Sao Paulo?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Kyoto. 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.

Each neighborhood in Sao Paulo has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Kyoto or Sao Paulo?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the fascinating destination of Kyoto. 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 city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Sao Paulo. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Kyoto or Sao Paulo?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the traditional city of Kyoto. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Most people head to the area for the museums. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Sao Paulo is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the big city destination of Sao Paulo. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Kyoto or Sao Paulo?

Kyoto 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.

You'll find food and shopping around the colorful big city of Sao Paulo. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo, 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 Kyoto and Sao Paulo, we can see that Kyoto is more expensive. And not only is Sao Paulo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kyoto 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 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 Kyoto would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kyoto 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 Kyoto Expensive? and Is Sao Paulo Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Kyoto or Sao Paulo?

Sao Paulo has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Kyoto. When comparing the sizes of Kyoto 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 Kyoto 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 Kyoto has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Kyoto or Sao Paulo in the Summer?

Both Sao Paulo and Kyoto during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Kyoto for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Sao Paulo because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Kyoto is around the same temperature as Sao Paulo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kyoto in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Sao Paulo averages at about 25°C (77°F)in January.

Sao Paulo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Kyoto. Kyoto usually gets more rain in July than Sao Pauloin January. Kyoto gets 236 mm (9.3 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain this time of the year. October to March is the rainy season in Sao Paulo.

Should I visit Kyoto or Sao Paulo in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Kyoto and Sao Paulo. The autumn months attract visitors to Kyoto because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Sao Paulo this time of year.

In October, Kyoto is generally cooler than Sao Pauloin April. Daily temperatures in Kyoto average around 18°C (64°F), and Sao Paulo fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

Kyoto gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Kyoto usually receives more rain than Sao Pauloin April. Kyoto gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the autumn. June to August in Sao Paulo is the dry season.

Should I visit Kyoto or Sao Paulo in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Kyoto as well as Sao Paulo. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Kyoto this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Sao Paulo for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Kyoto in the winter. Kyoto is much colder than Sao Paulo in the winter. The daily temperature in Kyoto averages around 5°C (40°F) in January, and Sao Paulo fluctuates around 19°C (66°F)in July.

Kyoto usually gets more rain in January than Sao Pauloin July. Kyoto gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to August in Sao Paulo is the dry season.

Should I visit Kyoto or Sao Paulo in the Spring?

Both Sao Paulo and Kyoto are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Kyoto for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Sao Paulo in the spring for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Kyoto is cooler than Sao Paulo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kyoto in April average around 14°C (58°F), and Sao Paulo averages at about 21°C (70°F)in October.

It's quite rainy in Kyoto. In April, Kyoto usually receives more rain than Sao Pauloin October. Kyoto gets 153 mm (6 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the spring. The rainy season in Sao Paulo is October to March.

Typical Weather for Sao Paulo and Kyoto