Which place is cheaper, Sao Paulo or Riga?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Riga or Sao Paulo?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Riga or Sao Paulo? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Riga or Sao Paulo?
Riga
Riga is the vibrant capital city of Latvia. It continues to gain popularity as a tourist destination in part because it is the base for the airline Air Baltic. This affordable airline offers discount flights around Europe and most of these flights pass through Riga with a forced overnight layover. This encourages travelers to visit this fascinating city for at least a night or two.
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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Brazil, and The Best Adventure Tours to Brazil.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRiga €104Sao Paulo €49
The average daily cost (per person) in Riga is €104, while the average daily cost in Sao Paulo is €49. 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 Riga and Sao Paulo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRiga €53Sao Paulo €28
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRiga €106Sao Paulo €56
Compare Hotels in Riga and Sao Paulo
Looking for a hotel in Riga 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: Riga Hotel Prices and Sao Paulo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Riga €15Sao Paulo €5.50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Riga
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Riga:
- Riga - Tallin: Transfer and Tour through beautiful landmarks: $490
- From Private Transfer to Tallinn with Sightseeing: $462
- From Private Transfer to Vilnius with Sightseeing: $429
- From Private Transfer to Tallinn: $344
- Transfer from Riga International Airport to Downtown: $269
- From Transfer to Tallinn with Turaida Museum Reserve: $231
- From Vilnius: One-Way Private Transfer to Riga: $183
- From Cesis and Sigulda Day Trip with Hotel Transfers: $151
- Riga Private Mercedes Benz Airport Transfer: $139
- Riga Gun Experience: Roundtrip Transfer and 4 Firearms: $132
- Riga Private Mercedes Benz Airport Transfer: $108
- Private transfer Riga - Hill of Crosses - Riga: $104
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sao Paulo
Also for Sao Paulo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Sao Paulo City - Sao Paulo Airport (GRU): $22
- Private One Way Airport Transfer Sao Paulo to and from Sao Paulo: $27
- Private Transfer from Sao Paulo hotels to Santos Cruise Port: $32
- Transfer CGH Airport Congonhas <> Sao Paulo city / Hotel: $36
- Private Transfer from Sao Paulo City Center to Guarulhos Airport: $36
- Viracopos Airport (VCP) to Águas de Lindoia-Arrival Transfer: $38
- Sao Paulo hotels to Campinas Airport (VCP) - Departure Transfer: $38
- Campinas Airport (VCP) to Sao Paulo hotels - Arrival Transfer: $38
- Campinas Viracopos Airport (VCP) to Sao Paulo - Private Transfer: $38
- Sao Paulo to Campinas Viracopos Airport (VCP) - Private Transfer: $38
- Viracopos Airport (VCP) to São Pedro Thermal Arrival Transfer: $38
- Sao Paulo Airport (GRU) to Águas de Lindoia-Arrival Transfer: $44
Is it cheaper to fly into Riga or Sao Paulo?
Prices for flights to both Sao Paulo and Riga 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 dayRiga €33Sao Paulo €14
Typical Food Prices in Riga
Some typical examples of dining costs in Riga are as follows:
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Fast Food Lunch€5.77
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Riga
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Riga.
- Central Market Latvian Food Tour: $42
- Unique Food Tour: $52
- Medieval Guided Tour & Three-Course Dinner Experience: $97
- Riga Medieval Dinner: $114
- Private Cooking Master Class In The Latvian Family : $131
- Taste Market Tour & Cooking Masterclass: $139
- Cooking Experience with Chef: Learn & Dine: $140
- Latvian Food: Cooking Masterclass with a Chef: $153
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Riga €21Sao Paulo €3.77
Tours and Activities in Riga
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Riga are as follows:
- The best of Bauska walking tour: $75
- 1 Day Riga Sightseeing Red Bus Grand Tour: $27
- 2 Day Gastronomy Tour In Latgale : $241
- 2.5-Hour Riga Cruiser Bike Tour: $41
- 5 Hour Shared Tour to Hill of Crosses from Riga: $82
- ATV Quad Off Road or City Tour in Riga: $142
- Art Nouveau Walking Tour in Riga: $65
- Baltic Treasures Tour: Hill of Crosses, Rundale & Bauska: $153
- Beer Bike Experience : $36
- Best of Riga Walking Tour: $182
- Best of Riga Walking Tour - Highlights and Hidden Gems: $66
- City:canal:tour: $22
Tours and Activities in Sao Paulo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sao Paulo.
- Downtown São Paulo's Epic History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- São Paulo (Ibirapuera) Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.84
- São Paulo Paulista Avenue City Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.89
- Walking Tour Historic Center in São Paulo: $13
- Discover Sao Paulo History Guided Tour: $27
- Night Walking Tour through the Bars of São Paulo : $35
- Night Walking Tour through the Bars of Augusta street: $35
- Breakfast Tour in Bom Retiro: $43
- São Paulo: 2 Hours - Liberdade "Street Food" Tour: $54
- City Tour Meet São Paulo Half-Day: $64
- Bixiga Walking Tour: $67
- Sao Paulo Culture Walking Tour: $69
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRiga €20Sao Paulo €3.28
Sample the Local Flavors in Riga
Also in Riga, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Old town pub & bar crawl, hidden gems, and local party: $25
- Pub Crawl in Riga: $33
- Riga Evening Adventure: Pub Crawl & Games Night: $37
- Riga's Old Town Beer Bike Tour & Guided Pub Crawl: $38
- Riga Happy Hour Pub Crawl: $54
- Riga Beer Killer Bar Crawl: $55
- Latvian Wine Tasting & Monk Show: $75
- Old Town Sightseeing & Latvian Wine Tasting with Show: $97
- Riga Wine Tasting Session: $103
- Riga Pub Crawl & Party Bus Tour: $526
- Yacht Tour with Medieval Banquet and Wine Tasting: $3,341
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: $54
- Wine Tour in São Roque by car - tour with local guides: $98
- 4 Hours Pub Crawl in Vila Madalena: $150
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Riga and Sao Paulo, we can see that Riga is more expensive. And not only is Sao Paulo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Riga 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 Riga would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Riga 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 Riga Expensive? and Is Sao Paulo Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Riga or Sao Paulo?
Sao Paulo has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Riga. When comparing the sizes of Riga 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 Riga 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 Riga has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Riga or Sao Paulo in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Riga as well as Sao Paulo. Many travelers come to Riga for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Riga is cooler than Sao Paulo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Riga in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Sao Paulo averages at about 25°C (77°F)in January.
It's quite rainy in Sao Paulo. Riga usually gets less rain in July than Sao Pauloin January. Riga gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryRiga 17°C (63°F)Sao Paulo 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Riga or Sao Paulo in the Autumn?
Both Sao Paulo and Riga are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Riga in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Riga is generally much colder than Sao Pauloin April. Daily temperatures in Riga average around 7°C (45°F), and Sao Paulo fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
In October, Riga usually receives more rain than Sao Pauloin April. Riga gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilRiga 7°C (45°F)Sao Paulo 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Riga or Sao Paulo in the Winter?
Both Sao Paulo and Riga during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Riga for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Riga can be very cold during winter. Riga is much colder than Sao Paulo in the winter. The daily temperature in Riga averages around -5°C (23°F) in January, and Sao Paulo fluctuates around 19°C (66°F)in July.
Riga usually gets more rain in January than Sao Pauloin July. Riga gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyRiga -5°C (23°F)Sao Paulo 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Riga or Sao Paulo in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Riga and Sao Paulo. The spring months attract visitors to Riga because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Riga is much colder than Sao Paulo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Riga in April average around 5°C (42°F), and Sao Paulo averages at about 21°C (70°F)in October.
In April, Riga usually receives less rain than Sao Pauloin October. Riga gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberRiga 5°C (42°F)Sao Paulo 21°C (70°F)
Typical Weather for Sao Paulo and Riga
| Riga | Sao Paulo | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -5°C (23°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Feb | -4°C (24°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Mar | -0°C (31°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Apr | 5°C (42°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| May | 12°C (53°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (63°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (62°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 7°C (45°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Nov | 2°C (36°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Dec | -2°C (28°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.