A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Palma de Mallorca vs. Sao Paulo for Nightlife, Food, Families, and Backpackers

Should you visit Palma de Mallorca or Sao Paulo?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Palma de Mallorca or Sao Paulo, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Palma de Mallorca

Palma de Mallorca is a historic, beautiful, and stunning island. With stunning beauty, Palma de Mallorca attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the live music, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling. See Palma de Mallorca 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.

Palma de Mallorca and Sao Paulo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Palma de Mallorca or Sao Paulo?

You'll generally find more things to do in Sao Paulo than Palma de Mallorca. Sao Paulo is bigger than Palma de Mallorca, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Sao Paulo is better known for its museums and attractions, shopping, and big city activities, while Palma de Mallorca is more popular for its music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, hiking, and impressive beauty. Palma de Mallorca is more touristy than Sao Paulo and is known for its strikingly blue waters, sandy beaches, all-inclusive resorts, and vibrant towns. 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 Palma de Mallorca different from Sao Paulo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Palma de Mallorca or Sao Paulo?

Sao Paulo is a must-visit destination for its museums and history. However, Palma de Mallorca does not have 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

Palma de Mallorca does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Palma de Mallorca or Sao Paulo? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Palma de Mallorca and Sao Paulo offer a number of superb restaurants to choose from.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Palma de Mallorca. Food here is centered around pork, fish, and vegetables. It is flavored with garlic and olive oil and it offers that feeling of comfort that comes with home cooking.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Sao Paulo. 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 Palma de Mallorca or Sao Paulo Better for Nightlife?

Both Palma de Mallorca and Sao Paulo have amazing vibes after the sun sets.

Palma de Mallorca is a world class party destination. Head to Magaluf and Palma for the most popular places.

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.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Sao Paulo Better for Music?

Palma de Mallorca is a great island for its music scene. However, Sao Paulo is not a live music destination.

Palma de Mallorca has a thriving music scene. Live concerts, international DJs, and a diverse range of styles have put the island's music scene on the map.

Sao Paulo is not a live music destination.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Sao Paulo Better for Resorts?

Palma de Mallorca is a great island for its luxury resorts. However, Sao Paulo is not a resort destination.

Palma de Mallorca is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. Top resorts on the island include The St Regis Mardavall, Viva Cala Mesquida Resort and Spa, and Nixe Palace Hotel.

Sao Paulo is not a resort destination.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Sao Paulo Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Palma de Mallorca is a nice place to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Sao Paulo is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Palma de Mallorca has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. Head to Cala Santanyi on the south side of the island for the best snorkeling. For scuba diving, National Park of Cabrera is one of the most popular spots.

Sao Paulo is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Sao Paulo Better for Beaches?

Palma de Mallorca is a world-class destination for the beach. However, Sao Paulo is not a beach destination.

The beaches in Palma de Mallorca are among the best in the world. The island is lined with sandy beaches and rocky coves, which have contributed to it becoming one of Europe's most popular beach destinations.

Sao Paulo is not a beach destination.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Sao Paulo Better for its Old Town?

Palma de Mallorca is a nice place to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Sao Paulo does not have a historic old town.

Palma de Mallorca has an old town worth visiting. Alcudia is the best old town on the island. It has cobblestone streets and historic walls that give it charm and history.

Sao Paulo does not have a historic old town.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Sao Paulo Better for Hiking?

Palma de Mallorca is a nice place to visit for hiking. However, Sao Paulo is not a hiking destination.

Palma de Mallorca has hiking trails worth exploring. There are many beautiful hikes along the water and through the countryside that offer beautiful views and pass by quaint towns.

Sao Paulo is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Palma de Mallorca or Sao Paulo?

Sao Paulo is a must-visit destination for shopping. Also, Palma de Mallorca is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Sao Paulo. 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.

Palma de Mallorca offers some nice shopping areas. Head to Palma for some of the areas best shopping.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Sao Paulo More Beautiful?

Palma de Mallorca is a great island for its scenery and beauty. However, Sao Paulo is not a destination known for its beauty.

With stunning beauty, Palma de Mallorca attracts visitors from all around. With stunning blue water and beautiful countryside, Mallorca is a beautiful island to visit.

Sao Paulo is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Sao Paulo Better for Families?

Palma de Mallorca is a great island 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 Palma de Mallorca. The beaches are large and sandy with beautiful blue waters. There's also many activities that both adults and kids can enjoy around the island including waterparks, aquariums, and amusement areas.

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 Palma de Mallorca or Sao Paulo Better for Couples?

Palma de Mallorca and Sao Paulo are both notable to visit as a couple.

Palma de Mallorca is a nice destination for couples. With beautiful beaches and a fun Spanish flare, Mallorca makes for a memorable honeymoon.

Sao Paulo makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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 Palma de Mallorca or Sao Paulo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Palma de Mallorca is a great island 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 Palma de Mallorca. There is no shortage of hostels in Mallorca so it's easy to find an affordable place to stay and a young crowd to hang out with.

Sao Paulo is a good island 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 Palma de Mallorca or Sao Paulo Better for Students?

Sao Paulo is a nice place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Palma de Mallorca 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.

Palma de Mallorca is not popular with students.

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

Sao Paulo is a must-visit destination for times when you don't have a car. Also, Palma de Mallorca is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Sao Paulo has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. 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 Palma de Mallorca, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is an efficient bus system that can get you around the island, but trips are less frequent on weekends. Pick up the Intermodal Card which can get you from town to town.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Sao Paulo a more walkable city?

Sao Paulo is an excellent place to visit for its walkability. Also, Palma de Mallorca is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

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.

Palma de Mallorca is a somewhat walkable place. It is a larger island that is not walkable, but Palma is generally a walkable area. If you stay in the central area you should be fine to explore on foot but if you want to get out into more rural areas, you'll need access to some type of transportation.

For even more information, also check out Is Palma de Mallorca Worth Visiting? and Is Sao Paulo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Sao Paulo or Palma de Mallorca?

How long in Palma de Mallorca or Sao Paulo?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Palma de Mallorca and Sao Paulo. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Palma de Mallorca than in Sao Paulo. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Palma de Mallorca, and 2-3 days is enough time in Sao Paulo.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Palma de Mallorca 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 Palma de Mallorca.

One day in Palma de Mallorca or Sao Paulo?

You'll find nightlife and live music around the island of Palma de Mallorca. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. 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.

When visiting Sao Paulo, people usually allow for lots of time. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It offers something for everyone.

A weekend in Palma de Mallorca or Sao Paulo?

You'll find live music and food around the stunning destination of Palma de Mallorca. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from.

When visiting Sao Paulo, people usually allow for lots of time. Your budget might influence how long you stay. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here.

Five days in Palma de Mallorca or Sao Paulo?

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the beautiful island of Palma de Mallorca. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this island makes for a great vacation. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this island has to offer.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the cultural big city of Sao Paulo. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

A week in Palma de Mallorca or Sao Paulo?

Palma de Mallorca is a popular choice for travelers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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.

Sao Paulo is a popular choice for travelers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Spain, The Best Tours for Seniors to Spain, 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 Palma de Mallorca and Sao Paulo, we can see that Palma de Mallorca is more expensive. And not only is Sao Paulo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Palma de Mallorca is in Europe 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 Palma de Mallorca would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Palma de Mallorca 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 Palma de Mallorca Expensive? and Is Sao Paulo Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Palma de Mallorca or Sao Paulo?

Sao Paulo has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Palma de Mallorca. When comparing the sizes of Palma de Mallorca 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 Palma de Mallorca 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 Palma de Mallorca has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Palma de Mallorca or Sao Paulo in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Palma de Mallorca and Sao Paulo. The summer months attract visitors to Palma de Mallorca because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Sao Paulo this time of year.

In July, Palma de Mallorca is generally around the same temperature as Sao Pauloin January. Daily temperatures in Palma de Mallorca average around 24°C (76°F), and Sao Paulo fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

Sao Paulo receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Palma de Mallorca usually receives less rain than Sao Pauloin January. Palma de Mallorca gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain each month for the summer. Also, October to March is the rainy season in Sao Paulo.

Should I visit Palma de Mallorca or Sao Paulo in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Palma de Mallorca as well as Sao Paulo. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Palma de Mallorca this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Sao Paulo for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Palma de Mallorca is cooler than Sao Paulo in the autumn. The daily temperature in Palma de Mallorca averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Sao Paulo fluctuates around 22°C (72°F)in April.

Palma de Mallorca usually gets more rain in October than Sao Pauloin April. Palma de Mallorca gets 58 mm (2.3 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 Palma de Mallorca or Sao Paulo in the Winter?

Both Sao Paulo and Palma de Mallorca are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Palma de Mallorca for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Sao Paulo in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Palma de Mallorca is much colder than Sao Paulo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Palma de Mallorca in January average around 11°C (52°F), and Sao Paulo averages at about 19°C (66°F)in July.

In January, Palma de Mallorca usually receives more rain than Sao Pauloin July. Palma de Mallorca gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the winter. The dry season in Sao Paulo is June to August.

Should I visit Palma de Mallorca or Sao Paulo in the Spring?

Both Sao Paulo and Palma de Mallorca during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Palma de Mallorca in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to Sao Paulo for the activities around the city during these months.

In April, Palma de Mallorca is generally cooler than Sao Pauloin October. Daily temperatures in Palma de Mallorca average around 14°C (57°F), and Sao Paulo fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

Palma de Mallorca usually gets less rain in April than Sao Pauloin October. Palma de Mallorca gets 46 mm (1.8 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 Palma de Mallorca