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

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Should you visit Montevideo 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 Montevideo 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.

Where Should I go: Montevideo or Sao Paulo?

Montevideo

As the morning sun tinges the calm waters of the Rio de la Plata with a golden hue, the Rambla and its city awakens to life with new adventures for those near and far. From tanning on the luxurious beaches to peering into Uruguayan history at local museums, one can be far from bored while staying in Montevideo. Combining the quaintness of the countryside with the excitement of urban life, this city holds a unique trait that cannot easily be replicated.

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.

Which city is cheaper, Sao Paulo or Montevideo?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Montevideo is $50, while the average daily cost in Sao Paulo is $41. 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Montevideo and Sao Paulo in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Montevideo $31
    Sao Paulo $24
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Montevideo $62
    Sao Paulo $48
Compare Hotels in Montevideo and Sao Paulo

Looking for a hotel in Montevideo 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 Montevideo


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: Montevideo Hotel Prices and Sao Paulo Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Montevideo $5.79
    Sao Paulo $4.63

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montevideo

Also for Montevideo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private transfer: Montevideo Airport (MVD) to Montevideo: $622
  • Departure Private Transfer Montevideo to Montevideo Airport MVD in a Minibus: $217
  • PACK 3: Transfer in - Tour Montevideo - Punta del Este - Colonia - Transfer out: $190
  • Jose Ignacio: Private Transfer to Montevideo: $175
  • Transfer to Punta del Este or Jose Ignacio: $150
  • PACK 2: Transfer in - Tour Montevideo - Punta del Este - Transfer out: $110
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Montevideo Airport to Hotel: $70
  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Montevideo Airport: $70
  • Departure Private Transfer Montevideo to Montevideo Airport MVD in Business Car: $69
  • PACK 1: Transfer in - Tour Montevideo - Transfer out: $60
  • Best Private Arrival or Departure Airport Transfer in Montevideo: $50
  • Departure Private Transfer Montevideo to Montevideo Airport MVD in Sedan Car: $46

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sao Paulo

Also for Sao Paulo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Creative & Natural Transfer São Paulo-Paraty: $375
  • Private São Paulo Airport - Hotels Transfer In or Out: $200
  • Private Transfer from Congonhas Airport (CGH) to Campinas Airport (VCP): $190
  • Private Transfer from Sao Paulo City to Campinas Airport (VCP): $190
  • Private Transfer from Congonhas Airport (CGH) to Viracopos Airport (VCP): $190
  • Private Transfer from Congonhas Airport (CGH) to Santos Port: $190
  • Private Arrival Transfer: São Paulo Airport to Santos Cruise Terminal: $186
  • Private Departure Transfer from Santos Cruise Terminal to São Paulo Airport: $186
  • Private Transfer from Congonhas Airport (CGH) to Jundiai: $153
  • Private Transfer from Gru Airport to Port or City of Santos: $125
  • Low Cost Private Transfer From Governador André Franco Montoro International Airport to Guarulhos City - One Way: $122
  • Low Cost Private Transfer From Governador André Franco Montoro International Airport to São Paulo City - One Way: $122

Is it cheaper to fly into Montevideo or Sao Paulo?

Prices for flights to both Sao Paulo and Montevideo 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
    Montevideo $11
    Sao Paulo $12

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montevideo

For Montevideo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • The best Montevideo Dinner Show. Tango and Candombe.: $75
  • El Milongon Dinner & Show: Candombe, Tango & Folklore in Montevideo: $105

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:

  • Sao Paulo - Pinheiros Gourmet Food Tour (4 hours tour + 3 dishes included): $45
  • Brazilian Cooking Class: $79
  • Cooking Class in São Paulo: $268
  • Private Food Tour in São Paulo: $278

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Montevideo $16
    Sao Paulo $3.18

Tours and Activities in Montevideo

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Montevideo.

  • 2-day Uruguay Pass: City Tour Montevideo + Excursion to Punta del Este: $142
  • 2-day Uruguay Pass: Montevideo City Tour + Excursion to Colonia de Sacramento: $185
  • BEST Cruise Passanger - Shared Tours: $45
  • Best Private & Personalized City Tour for cruise passengers (full day): $170
  • Best Private Montevideo Shore Excursion: City Tour. Optional WineTasting Tour.: $145
  • Best-Tours: $1,090
  • Bouza Winery Tour from Montevideo with Tastings and Tapas (Esp, Eng, Port): $75
  • City Tour Montevideo: $25
  • City Tour Montevideo: $28
  • Colonia del Sacramento - Full day tour from Montevideo: $70
  • Colonia del Sacramento - Full day tour from Montevideo: $75
  • Discover Montevideo Private Tour with a Local: $75

Tours and Activities in Sao Paulo

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sao Paulo.

  • 2-Hour Boat and Stand Up Paddle Board Adventure in São Paulo, Brazil: $275
  • 3 Beaches Hiking Santo Amaro Island - Paradise Route Tour from São Paulo: $85
  • 4 Hour Customized "Private Tour" Drinking, Dining and Entertainment: $400
  • 4-Day Private Guided Tour From São Paulo To Rio de Janeiro – Coastal Trip: $990
  • 4-hour Private Tour - Hidden Gems and Top Sights of São Paulo: $105
  • 4-hour Sum-up Private Tour Of São Paulo Including Its Major Attractions: $87
  • 4WD One Day Tour visiting Water Fall and the Big Stone from Sao Paulo: $270
  • 5-hour Private Street Art Tour Of São Paulo – The Coolest Urban Art Scenes: $106
  • 5-hour Private Tour Of São Paulo With Its Main Sights – Optional Airport Pickup: $97
  • 5h City Tour (pick up & delivery within SaoPaulo city): $189
  • 7-hour Private Tour Overview Of São Paulo – Optional For GRU Airport Pickup: $134
  • 8-Day São Paulo Tour: From City to Beaches, Waterfalls & Caves: $2,490

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Montevideo -
    Sao Paulo $2.76

Sample the Local Flavors in Montevideo

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Montevideo:

  • Wine Tasting Tour - from Montevideo: $75
  • Private Winery Tour + Wine Tasting (Minimum 4 people): $80
  • Montevideo and Wine Tasting Tour - for cruise passengers: $89
  • Wine tasting - Uruguayan Tannat in Montevideo: $103
  • Private Visit to Uruguayan Winery + Lunch + Wine tasting (minimum 5 people): $105
  • Juanico Wine Tour Lunch: $120
  • Pack 5: Tour Montevideo, Punta del Este & Wine Tasting Tour: $145
  • Guided Private Wine Tour with Tasting and Lunch: $182
  • Wine Tasting & Countryside Lunch Experience: $200
  • Full-Day Wine Tasting and Vineyard Tour: $200
  • Private Wine Tours by Wine Explorers Uruguay: $205
  • Private Montevideo Wine Tour & Flight Tour: $259

Sample the Local Flavors in Sao Paulo

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Sao Paulo:

  • 4 Hours Pub Crawl in Vila Madalena: $69

About these numbers

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montevideo and Sao Paulo, we can see that Montevideo is more expensive. And not only is Sao Paulo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Montevideo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Montevideo than you might in Sao Paulo.


When is the best time to visit Montevideo or Sao Paulo?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.

Should I visit Montevideo or Sao Paulo in the Summer?

Both Sao Paulo and Montevideo are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.

Montevideo is around the same temperature as Sao Paulo in the summer. The temperature in Montevideo is usually 24°C (75°F) in January, and Sao Paulo stays around 25°C (77°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sao Paulo. In January, Montevideo usually receives less rain than Sao Paulo. Montevideo gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January
    Montevideo 24°C (75°F) 
    Sao Paulo 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Montevideo or Sao Paulo in the Autumn?

Both Sao Paulo and Montevideo during the autumn are popular places to visit.

In the autumn, Montevideo is cooler than Sao Paulo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Montevideo in April are around 17°C (63°F), and Sao Paulo is about 22°C (72°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Montevideo. Montevideo usually gets more rain in April than Sao Paulo. Montevideo gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April
    Montevideo 17°C (63°F) 
    Sao Paulo 22°C (72°F)

Should I visit Montevideo or Sao Paulo in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Montevideo and Sao Paulo.

In July, Montevideo is generally much colder than Sao Paulo. Temperatures in Montevideo average around 11°C (52°F), and Sao Paulo stays around 19°C (66°F).

In July, Montevideo usually receives more rain than Sao Paulo. Montevideo gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July
    Montevideo 11°C (52°F) 
    Sao Paulo 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Montevideo or Sao Paulo in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Montevideo as well as Sao Paulo.

Montevideo is cooler than Sao Paulo in the spring. The temperature in Montevideo is usually 17°C (63°F) in October, and Sao Paulo stays around 21°C (70°F).

Montevideo receives a lot of rain in the spring. Montevideo usually gets more rain in October than Sao Paulo. Montevideo gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October
    Montevideo 17°C (63°F) 
    Sao Paulo 21°C (70°F)

Typical Weather for Sao Paulo and Montevideo

Montevideo Sao Paulo
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (75°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 25°C (77°F) 170 mm (6.7 in)
Feb 23°C (73°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 25°C (77°F) 170 mm (6.7 in)
Mar 21°C (70°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 24°C (75°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)
Apr 17°C (63°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 22°C (72°F) 50 mm (2 in)
May 14°C (57°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 21°C (70°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Jun 11°C (52°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 19°C (66°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Jul 11°C (52°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 19°C (66°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Aug 12°C (54°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 19°C (66°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Sep 14°C (57°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 21°C (70°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Oct 17°C (63°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 21°C (70°F) 90 mm (3.5 in)
Nov 19°C (66°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 23°C (73°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Dec 22°C (72°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 24°C (75°F) 150 mm (5.9 in)


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Montevideo vs. Sao Paulo Travel Comparison

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