Which place is cheaper, Sao Paulo or Manila?
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 Manila or Sao Paulo?
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 Manila and Sao Paulo can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Manila or Sao Paulo?
Manila
A sprawling metropolis that is home to more than 12 million people, Manila is one huge, misunderstood concrete jungle, full of diverse cultures, traffic, pollution, restaurants, shopping malls, noise and nightlife. If you're looking to soak in culture and feel the vibe of a place rather than seeking a city that specifically caters to tourists, Manila is the place to be. Capital of the Philippines, Manila is also the center for education, business, and transportation.
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 2-Week Tours in Philippines, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Philippines, The Best 3-Day Tours from Manaus, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Brazil.
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Manila Prices
Philippines PricesSao Paulo Prices
Brazil Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayManila $106Sao Paulo $60
The average daily cost (per person) in Manila is $106, 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 Manila and Sao Paulo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personManila $54Sao Paulo $28
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomManila $108Sao Paulo $56
Compare Hotels in Manila and Sao Paulo
Looking for a hotel in Manila 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: Manila Hotel Prices and Sao Paulo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Manila $14Sao Paulo $5.76
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Manila
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Manila:
- Safe and secure Airport Transfer Best in Manila: $216
- Tagaytay-Pagsanjan Falls combo tour with transfers** updated 2024: $180
- Escape to Enchanting Hidden Valley Springs! with Transfers***: $170
- Amazing Pagsanjan Falls with Authentic filipino lunch Plus Transfers frm manila*: $139
- Private Arrival Transfer: Ninoy Aquino International Airport to Manila: $98
- Airport Transfer from Manila Airport: $96
- METRO MANILA AIRPORT TRANSFERS | VAN: $65
- Manila Int Airport (MNL) to Manila - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $53
- Transfers from Manila, Makati, Taguig and Pasay Hotel to Airport: $50
- Quality Safe and Reliable Manila Airport Transfers: $49
- Private Departure Transfer: All Hotels in Ortigas: $41
- Private Arrival Airport Transfer: All Hotels in Ortigas: $41
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sao Paulo
Also for Sao Paulo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Rio de Janeiro Airport (GIG) (SDU): $16
- Sao Paulo Airport (GRU) Private Transfer to Sao Paulo City/Hotels: $27
- Transfer CGH Airport Congonhas <> Sao Paulo city / Hotel: $38
- Private Arrival Transfer: Congonhas Airport to São Paulo Hotels: $39
- Private Departure Transfer: São Paulo Hotels to Congonhas Airport: $39
- Receptive and Transfer Airports, Cities and Coast: $42
- Private Arrival Transfer: Guarulhos International Airport to São Paulo Hotels: $47
- Transfer GRU airport Guarulhos <> Sao Paulo / Hotel / CGH airport: $65
- Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in Sao Paulo APT-HTL(GRU): $67
- Transfer (Taxi) airport to Sao Paulo: $77
- Sao Paulo Guarulhos Airport (GRU) to Sao Paulo Private Transfer: $79
- Private Transfer from Guarulhos to Santos: $80
Is it cheaper to fly into Manila or Sao Paulo?
Prices for flights to both Sao Paulo and Manila 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 dayManila $31Sao Paulo $24
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Manila
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Manila.
- Ugbo Manila Street Food Tour with Tuktuk Ride: $60
- ⭐ Manila Street Food Tour in the Downtown, Eat and Drink⭐: $64
- Manila Food Tour: Explore World's Oldest Chinatown: $65
- Manila Food Tour: Introduction to Philippine Street Food: $65
- Guided Food Tour of Binondo with Tastings: $65
- Street Food tour & Local Jeepney, Tuktuk Ride: $68
- Binondo Chinatown Food Tour with Free Food Samples: $70
- Manila Chinatown Food Tour with Local Guide: $73
- Authentic Manila Chinatown Food Tour Exploration : $75
- Intramuros and Chinatown Food Tour with Food Samples: $80
- Cultural Dance Show with Dinner in Manila: $120
- Day Tour in Manilas History and Savor a Cultural Dinner: $175
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.Manila $19Sao Paulo $3.89
Tours and Activities in Manila
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Manila are as follows:
- (Excursion) Day tour in Manila: $265
- A Day in Paradise at Villa Escudero Coconut Plantation Adventure: $150
- A Night in Old Intramuros Walking Tour: $24
- Active Taal Volcano Sightseeing & Pagsanjan Falls Day Tour (2in1): $135
- Amazing Taal Volcano Tour (Boat Included): $125
- Antipolo Day Tour with Cloud 9 and Pinto Art Museum: $82
- BAGUIO CITY DAY TOUR (FROM MANILA): $365
- BANAUE:BATAD Rice Terraces with Sagada 4D3N PRIVATE TOUR: $7,305
- Bataan Death March Memorial Historical Tour : $208
- Club Crawl and Party Experience at BGC: $73
- Discover Tagaytay's Countryside: Half-Day Sightseeing Tour : $85
- Experience Intramuros with Bamboo Bicycle - Ecotours: $37
Tours and Activities in Sao Paulo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sao Paulo.
- Sao Paulo Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Downtown-Center History Walking Tour - in English: $31
- São Paulo: 2 Hour Immersion Waling Tour in Paulista Avenue: $34
- São Paulo Must-see Attractions Walking Tour with a Guide: $48
- Boat Trip Billings Dam and Experience Bororé Island: $50
- São Paulo: 2 Hours - Liberdade "Street Food" Tour - In English: $55
- Sao Paulo, Pinheiros - Food & Graffiti Tour - In English: $65
- São Paulo Highlights Walking Tour with a Guide: $66
- City Tour Meet São Paulo Half-Day: $68
- Sao Paulo Culture Walking Tour: $69
- Shared tour of the tourist attractions of São Paulo: $77
- São Paulo’s Full Day City Tour: Main City Sights in 7 Hours – (Shared Group): $79
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayManila $9.90Sao 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 Manila and Sao Paulo, we can see that Manila is more expensive. And not only is Sao Paulo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Manila 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 Manila would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Manila 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 Manila Expensive? and Is Sao Paulo Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Manila or Sao Paulo?
Manila has a larger population, and is about 4% larger than the population of Sao Paulo. When comparing the sizes of Manila 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 Manila or Sao Paulo?
Sao Paulo has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Manila experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Manila or Sao Paulo in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Manila as well as Sao Paulo. Manila attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Sao Paulo for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
Manila is around the same temperature as Sao Paulo in the summer. The daily temperature in Manila averages around 27°C (80°F) in July, and Sao Paulo fluctuates around 25°C (77°F)in January.
It's quite rainy in Sao Paulo. Manila receives a lot of rain in the summer. Manila usually gets more rain in July than Sao Pauloin January. Manila gets 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain this time of the year. October to March in Sao Paulo is the rainy season.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryManila 27°C (80°F)Sao Paulo 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Manila or Sao Paulo in the Autumn?
Both Sao Paulo and Manila are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Manila throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Sao Paulo in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Manila is a little warmer than Sao Paulo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Manila in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Sao Paulo averages at about 22°C (72°F)in April.
It's quite rainy in Manila. In October, Manila usually receives more rain than Sao Pauloin April. Manila gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Sao Paulo is June to August.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilManila 26°C (79°F)Sao Paulo 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Manila or Sao Paulo in the Winter?
Both Sao Paulo and Manila during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Manila because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, most visitors come to Sao Paulo for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
In January, Manila is generally a little warmer than Sao Pauloin July. Daily temperatures in Manila average around 24°C (76°F), and Sao Paulo fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
Manila usually gets less rain in January than Sao Pauloin July. Manila gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year. June to August is the dry season in Sao Paulo.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyManila 24°C (76°F)Sao Paulo 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Manila or Sao Paulo in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Manila and Sao Paulo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Manila year-round. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Sao Paulo because of the activities around the city.
Manila is a little warmer than Sao Paulo in the spring. The daily temperature in Manila averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Sao Paulo fluctuates around 21°C (70°F)in October.
In April, Manila usually receives less rain than Sao Pauloin October. Manila gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the spring. Also, October to March is the rainy season in Sao Paulo.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberManila 29°C (84°F)Sao Paulo 21°C (70°F)
Typical Weather for Sao Paulo and Manila
| Manila | Sao Paulo | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (80°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 303 mm (11.9 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (80°F) | 408 mm (16.1 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (80°F) | 452 mm (17.8 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (80°F) | 357 mm (14.1 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 50 mm (2 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.