Which city is cheaper, Sao Paulo or Punta del Este?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Punta del Este vs. Sao Paulo for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Punta del Este or Sao Paulo?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Punta del Este 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: Punta del Este or Sao Paulo?
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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPunta del Este $78Sao Paulo $42
The average daily cost (per person) in Punta del Este is $78, while the average daily cost in Sao Paulo is $42. 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 Punta del Este and Sao Paulo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPunta del Este $43Sao Paulo $24
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPunta del Este $86Sao Paulo $48
Compare Hotels in Punta del Este and Sao Paulo
Looking for a hotel in Punta del Este 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: Punta del Este Hotel Prices and Sao Paulo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Punta del Este $17Sao Paulo $4.73
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Punta del Este
Also for Punta del Este, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Punta del Este Wine Tour, Bodega Garzon, Private Transfer: $338
- Private Transfer to Garzon Restaurant by Francis Mallmann: $269
- Punta del Este Airport Private Transfer: $45
- Private Arrival Transfer: Punta del Este Airport to Hotel: $40
- 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:
- 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 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.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayPunta del Este $24Sao Paulo $12
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Punta del Este $8.30Sao Paulo $3.24
Tours and Activities in Punta del Este
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Punta del Este.
- Art Studio Tour in Punta del Este: $75
- La Vista 360 Admission Ticket: $10
- Punta del Este City Sightseeing Tour: $33
- Punta del Este City Tour: $93
- Punta del Este City Tour Clasico con Puesta del Sol en Casapueblo: $25
- Punta del Este Shore Excursion: Private Sightseeing Tour of Punta del Este: $188
- Punta del Este Special Art Tour: $185
- 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.
- 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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPunta del Este $6.08Sao Paulo $2.82
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:
- 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:
- 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.
When is the best time to visit Punta del Este 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 Punta del Este or Sao Paulo in the Summer?
Both Sao Paulo and Punta del Este are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.
Punta del Este is around the same temperature as Sao Paulo in the summer. The temperature in Punta del Este is usually 23°C (73°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, Punta del Este usually receives less rain than Sao Paulo. Punta del Este gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JanuaryPunta del Este 23°C (73°F)Sao Paulo 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Punta del Este or Sao Paulo in the Autumn?
Both Sao Paulo and Punta del Este during the autumn are popular places to visit.
In the autumn, Punta del Este is cooler than Sao Paulo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Punta del Este in April are around 17°C (63°F), and Sao Paulo is about 22°C (72°F).
Punta del Este usually gets more rain in April than Sao Paulo. Punta del Este gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures AprilPunta del Este 17°C (63°F)Sao Paulo 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Punta del Este or Sao Paulo in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Punta del Este and Sao Paulo.
In July, Punta del Este is generally much colder than Sao Paulo. Temperatures in Punta del Este average around 10°C (50°F), and Sao Paulo stays around 19°C (66°F).
In July, Punta del Este usually receives more rain than Sao Paulo. Punta del Este gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JulyPunta del Este 10°C (50°F)Sao Paulo 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Punta del Este or Sao Paulo in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Punta del Este as well as Sao Paulo.
Punta del Este is cooler than Sao Paulo in the spring. The temperature in Punta del Este is usually 16°C (61°F) in October, and Sao Paulo stays around 21°C (70°F).
Punta del Este usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Sao Paulo. Punta del Este gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures OctoberPunta del Este 16°C (61°F)Sao Paulo 21°C (70°F)
Typical Weather for Sao Paulo and Punta del Este
| Punta del Este | 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) |
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