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

Should you visit Piriapolis or Sao Paulo?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Piriapolis 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.

Where Should I go: Piriapolis or Sao Paulo?

Piriapolis

Piriapolis is a small beach town between Montevideo and Punta del Este in Uruguay. It is a more laid back version of Punta del Este with fewer fancy restaurants and clubs but it has perhaps more charm, with its grand old hotel and beachfront promenade backed by small mountains. The rather old-school coastal resort is vaguely reminiscent of a Mediterranean beach town.

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 Adventure Tours to Uruguay, The Best Cultural Tours in Uruguay, The Best 3-Day Tours from Foz Do Iguacu, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Brazil.


Which place is cheaper, Sao Paulo or Piriapolis?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Piriapolis is $67, while the average daily cost in Sao Paulo is $52. 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 Piriapolis and Sao Paulo in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Piriapolis $27
    Sao Paulo $30
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Piriapolis $54
    Sao Paulo $60
Compare Hotels in Piriapolis and Sao Paulo

Looking for a hotel in Piriapolis 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 Piriapolis


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: Piriapolis Hotel Prices and Sao Paulo Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Piriapolis $31
    Sao Paulo $5.90

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sao Paulo

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

  • (Sedan Executive Class) Transfer VCP Airport • São Paulo: $292
  • Campinas Airport (VCP) to Praia Grande/Santos - Private Transfer: $62
  • Campinas Airport (VCP) to Praia/Santos Hotels Round-Trip Transfer: $124
  • Campinas Airport (VCP) to Praia/Santos hotels - Arrival Transfer: $62
  • Campinas Airport (VCP) to Sao Paulo hotels - Round-Trip Transfer: $76
  • Campinas Airport (VCP)to Praia Grande/Santos - RoundTrip Transfer: $124
  • Campinas Viracopos Airport (VCP) Sao Paulo - Round-Trip Transfer: $76
  • Campinas Viracopos Airport (VCP) to Sao Paulo - Private Transfer: $38
  • Departure Private Transfers: Sao Paulo to Guarulhos Airport GRU in Business Car: $121
  • Departure Private Transfers: Sao Paulo to Guarulhos Airport GRU in Luxury Van: $142
  • Departure private transfer from São Paulo city to Guarulhos Airport by minibus: $194
  • Downtown to Sao Paulo Airport (GRU) - Departure Private Transfer: $179

Is it cheaper to fly into Piriapolis or Sao Paulo?

Prices for flights to both Sao Paulo and Piriapolis 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
    Piriapolis $23
    Sao Paulo $15

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:

  • Private Traditional Brazilian or Paulistano Cooking Class with a Chef: $130
  • Authentic Brazilian Cooking Experience in SP: Feijoada & Moqueca: $189

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Piriapolis $5.89
    Sao Paulo $4.05

Tours and Activities in Sao Paulo

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

  • São Paulo (Ibirapuera) Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.87
  • Casa do Povo: guided tour of Neo Química Arena: $11
  • Sao Paulo 360 Guided Tour: $26
  • Discover Sao Paulo History Guided Tour: $27
  • Night Walking Tour through the Bars of São Paulo : $34
  • Night Walking Tour through the Bars of Augusta street: $34
  • Personal aromatic experience in São Paulo: $39
  • Sao Paulo, Pinheiros - Food & Graffiti Tour (2,5hr Food included): $53
  • São Paulo: 2 Hours - Liberdade "Street Food" Tour: $53
  • City Tour Meet São Paulo Half-Day: $64
  • Sao Paulo Culture Walking Tour: $69
  • São Paulo’s Full Day City Tour: Main City Sights in 7 Hours – (Shared Group): $79

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Piriapolis $8.11
    Sao Paulo $3.52

Sample the Local Flavors in Sao Paulo

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

  • São Paulo Nightlife: Pub Crawl in the City that Never Sleeps!: $49
  • Half Day Private Wine Tour from São Roque: $53
  • Wine Tour in São Roque by car - tour with local guides: $95
  • 4 Hours Pub Crawl in Vila Madalena: $150
  • Fine wine tastings in São Roque - Tour with local guides: $177


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Piriapolis and Sao Paulo, we can see that Piriapolis 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 Piriapolis would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Piriapolis 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 Piriapolis Expensive? and Is Sao Paulo Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Piriapolis or Sao Paulo?

Sao Paulo has a larger population, and is about 1260 times larger than the population of Piriapolis. When comparing the sizes of Piriapolis 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 Piriapolis or Sao Paulo?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.

Should I visit Piriapolis or Sao Paulo in the Summer?

Both Sao Paulo and Piriapolis during the summer are popular places to visit.

Piriapolis is around the same temperature as Sao Paulo in the summer. The daily temperature in Piriapolis averages around 23°C (73°F) in January, and Sao Paulo fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

Sao Paulo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Piriapolis usually gets less rain in January than Sao Paulo. Piriapolis gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January
    Piriapolis 23°C (73°F) 
    Sao Paulo 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Piriapolis or Sao Paulo in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Piriapolis and Sao Paulo.

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

In April, Piriapolis usually receives more rain than Sao Paulo. Piriapolis gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


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

Should I visit Piriapolis or Sao Paulo in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Piriapolis as well as Sao Paulo.

In July, Piriapolis is generally much colder than Sao Paulo. Daily temperatures in Piriapolis average around 10°C (50°F), and Sao Paulo fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

Piriapolis usually gets more rain in July than Sao Paulo. Piriapolis gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July
    Piriapolis 10°C (50°F) 
    Sao Paulo 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Piriapolis or Sao Paulo in the Spring?

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

Piriapolis is cooler than Sao Paulo in the spring. The daily temperature in Piriapolis averages around 16°C (61°F) in October, and Sao Paulo fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

In October, Piriapolis usually receives around the same amount of rain as Sao Paulo. Piriapolis gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October
    Piriapolis 16°C (61°F) 
    Sao Paulo 21°C (70°F)

Typical Weather for Sao Paulo and Piriapolis

Piriapolis Sao Paulo
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 23°C (73°F) 75 mm (3 in) 25°C (77°F) 170 mm (6.7 in)
Feb 22°C (72°F) 85 mm (3.3 in) 25°C (77°F) 170 mm (6.7 in)
Mar 20°C (68°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 24°C (75°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)
Apr 17°C (63°F) 84 mm (3.3 in) 22°C (72°F) 50 mm (2 in)
May 14°C (57°F) 91 mm (3.6 in) 21°C (70°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Jun 11°C (52°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 19°C (66°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Jul 10°C (50°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 19°C (66°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Aug 11°C (52°F) 94 mm (3.7 in) 19°C (66°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Sep 13°C (55°F) 93 mm (3.7 in) 21°C (70°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Oct 16°C (61°F) 85 mm (3.3 in) 21°C (70°F) 90 mm (3.5 in)
Nov 19°C (66°F) 87 mm (3.4 in) 23°C (73°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Dec 21°C (70°F) 67 mm (2.6 in) 24°C (75°F) 150 mm (5.9 in)