Should you visit Punta del Este or Sao Paulo?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Punta del Este or Sao Paulo, this travel cost comparison can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Punta del Este
Punta del Este with its many beaches, elegant seaside homes, yacht harbor, high-rise apartment buildings, pricey hotels, ardent night scene and glitzy restaurants is a chic beach resort town in Uruguay. Many tourists come from Brazil and Argentina, on the other side of the Rio de la Plata, to get some nice sun and lay on the beach for a weekend getaway. Punta del Este is more expensive than other areas in Uruguay and has been called the Monaco of South America. Tourist season varies wildly from totally deserted in the winter to very crowded in the summer.
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 Punta del Este?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Punta del Este is $71, 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. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Punta del Este and Sao Paulo in more detail.
Accommodation
The prices for places to stay in Punta del Este can vary by date, location, and type. Generally, the average cost for accommodation per person is $39, while a typical double-occupancy hotel room for two people will cost around $78.
The prices for places to stay in Sao Paulo can vary by date, location, and type. Generally, the average cost for accommodation per person is $23, while a typical double-occupancy hotel room for two people will cost around $46.
Food
The price of a meal in Punta del Este can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is $22 per person, and a typical meal will cost around $8.80 based on the spending of previous visitors. Less expensive dining options can be found by eating street food or at fast food restaurants.
The average traveler spends about $11 per day in Sao Paulo for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
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Food
Meals for one day
Punta del Este $22
Sao Paulo $11
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:
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Sao Paulo - Pinheiros Gourmet Food Tour (4 hours tour + 3 dishes included):
$45
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Brazilian Cooking Class:
$79
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Cooking Class in São Paulo:
$268
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Private Food Tour in São Paulo:
$278
Local Transportation
Punta del Este's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $16 per person, per day on transportation in Punta del Este.
Sao Paulo's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $4.61 per person, per day on transportation in Sao Paulo.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Punta del Este
Also for Punta del Este, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Punta del Este Wine Tour, Bodega Garzon, Private Transfer:
$338
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Private Transfer to Garzon Restaurant by Francis Mallmann:
$269
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Punta del Este Airport Private Transfer:
$45
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Private Arrival Transfer: Punta del Este Airport to Hotel:
$40
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Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Punta del Este Airport:
$40
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sao Paulo
Also for Sao Paulo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Creative & Natural Transfer São Paulo-Paraty:
$375
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Private São Paulo Airport - Hotels Transfer In or Out:
$200
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Private Transfer from Congonhas Airport (CGH) to Campinas Airport (VCP):
$190
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Private Transfer from Sao Paulo City to Campinas Airport (VCP):
$190
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Private Transfer from Congonhas Airport (CGH) to Viracopos Airport (VCP):
$190
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Private Transfer from Congonhas Airport (CGH) to Santos Port:
$190
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Private Arrival Transfer: São Paulo Airport to Santos Cruise Terminal:
$186
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Private Departure Transfer from Santos Cruise Terminal to São Paulo Airport:
$186
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Private Transfer from Congonhas Airport (CGH) to Jundiai:
$153
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Private Transfer from Gru Airport to Port or City of Santos:
$125
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Low Cost Private Transfer From Governador André Franco Montoro International Airport to Guarulhos City - One Way:
$122
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Low Cost Private Transfer From Governador André Franco Montoro International Airport to São Paulo City - One Way:
$122
Is it cheaper to fly into Punta del Este or Sao Paulo?
Prices for flights to both Sao Paulo and Punta del Este 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.
Entertainment
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Punta del Este can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $7.60 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Sao Paulo can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $3.16 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Tours and Activities in Punta del Este
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Punta del Este.
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Art Studio Tour in Punta del Este:
$75
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La Vista 360 Admission Ticket:
$10
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Punta del Este City Sightseeing Tour:
$33
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Punta del Este City Tour:
$93
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Punta del Este City Tour Clasico con Puesta del Sol en Casapueblo:
$25
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Punta del Este Shore Excursion: Private Sightseeing Tour of Punta del Este:
$188
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Punta del Este Special Art Tour:
$185
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Wine Lovers - Punta Wine Experience:
$150
Tours and Activities in Sao Paulo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sao Paulo.
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2-Hour Boat and Stand Up Paddle Board Adventure in São Paulo, Brazil:
$275
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3 Beaches Hiking Santo Amaro Island - Paradise Route Tour from São Paulo:
$85
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4 Hour Customized "Private Tour" Drinking, Dining and Entertainment:
$400
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4-Day Private Guided Tour From São Paulo To Rio de Janeiro – Coastal Trip:
$990
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4-hour Private Tour - Hidden Gems and Top Sights of São Paulo:
$105
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4-hour Sum-up Private Tour Of São Paulo Including Its Major Attractions:
$87
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4WD One Day Tour visiting Water Fall and the Big Stone from Sao Paulo:
$270
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5-hour Private Street Art Tour Of São Paulo – The Coolest Urban Art Scenes:
$106
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5-hour Private Tour Of São Paulo With Its Main Sights – Optional Airport Pickup:
$97
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5h City Tour (pick up & delivery within SaoPaulo city):
$189
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7-hour Private Tour Overview Of São Paulo – Optional For GRU Airport Pickup:
$134
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8-Day São Paulo Tour: From City to Beaches, Waterfalls & Caves:
$2,490
Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Punta del Este, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $5.57.
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Sao Paulo, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $2.75.
Sample the Local Flavors in Punta del Este
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Punta del Este:
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Wine Tasting from Punta del Este:
$128
Sample the Local Flavors in Sao Paulo
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Sao Paulo:
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4 Hours Pub Crawl in Vila Madalena:
$69
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Punta del Este and Sao Paulo, we can see that Punta del Este 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 Punta del Este would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Punta del Este than you might in Sao Paulo.
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