A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Saaremaa vs. Sao Paulo for Food, Couples, Families, and Backpackers

Should you visit Saaremaa or Sao Paulo?

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

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

Saaremaa

Saaremaa is a calm, peaceful, and relaxed island. With amazing attractions and sights, it's also a fun small town not to be missed. With stunning beauty, Saaremaa attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food and beaches. See Saaremaa travel costs.

Sao Paulo

Sao Paulo is a colorful, cultural, and dynamic city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Sao Paulo travel costs.

Saaremaa and Sao Paulo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saaremaa or Sao Paulo?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Sao Paulo. Although Saaremaa and Sao Paulo are popular destinations, Sao Paulo has more sights and attractions for tourists. Sao Paulo is very popular for its museums and attractions, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Saaremaa attracts visitors for its beaches, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Sao Paulo is more touristy than Saaremaa and is known for its large size, vibrant neighborhoods, and world-class nightlife scene. It is also well known for Ibirapuera Park. Saaremaa is famous for its untouched, undiscovered rural setting.

How is Saaremaa different from Sao Paulo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Saaremaa or Sao Paulo?

Sao Paulo is an amazing city to visit for its historical sights. However, Saaremaa does not have museums and landmarks.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Sao Paulo has many famous sights for visitors. 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

Saaremaa does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Saaremaa or Sao Paulo? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Saaremaa and Sao Paulo can be difficult as they are each superb in their own way.

Saaremaa has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Like most things on the island, traditional local food is still the norm here. The island is known for its smoked fish, homemade bread, and locally brewed beers. Popular fishes include garfish, herring, and flatfish, which you can enjoy at a local restaurant or one of the pop-up cafes that are popular during the summer months. You'll find the highest concentration of restaurants in Kuressaare, but there are still many options further out. It's also fun to visit during September during the Saaremaa Food Festival.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Sao Paulo makes for a great culinary experience. 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 Saaremaa or Sao Paulo Better for Nightlife?

Sao Paulo is an amazing city to visit for its evening party scene. However, Saaremaa is not a good destination for nightlife.

Sao Paulo has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. 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.

People don't go to Saaremaa for the nightlife. The island is known for it's quiet, laid-back atmosphere, so you'll be hard pressed to find a party or active club, even during the more popular summer months.

Is Saaremaa or Sao Paulo Better for Beaches?

Saaremaa is a nice place to visit for the beach. However, Sao Paulo is not a beach destination.

Saaremaa has a beach worth visiting. The beaches are quiet and relaxed, even during the summer months. In town, the best beach is Kuressaare Beach. Outside of town you'll find other nice beaches such as the sandy beaches between Mändjala and Järve. The beaches in Tuhkana and Jõiste villages are also well known. For swimming, most people prefer to visit Lake Karujärv.

Sao Paulo is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saaremaa or Sao Paulo?

Sao Paulo is an amazing city to visit for its shopping areas. However, Saaremaa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Many people travel to Sao Paulo specifically to go shopping. 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.

Saaremaa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Saaremaa or Sao Paulo More Beautiful?

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

With stunning beauty, Saaremaa attracts visitors from all around. The island has a classic beauty that feels frozen in time.

Sao Paulo is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Saaremaa or Sao Paulo Better for Families?

Saaremaa and Sao Paulo are both nice destinations for the whole family.

Saaremaa offers lots of family activities. While the island is known for its slow pace, there are still a number of fun activities where the kids can run and jump. There are several outdoor adventure parks and playgrounds that are great for young legs. Check out the playgrounds in Kuressaare or head out of town for more outdoor activities. When the weather's nice you can head to Kuressaare Beach or check out the ostrich farm in Muhu.

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 Saaremaa or Sao Paulo Better for Couples?

Saaremaa is a great island for couples. Also, Sao Paulo is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Saaremaa is a great island if you're traveling as a couple. The peace and quiet of the island make for a relaxing couple's getaway. You can enjoy the outdoors and feel like you've stepped back in time as you explore the laid back island in the Baltics.

Sao Paulo is a nice destination for couples. 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 Saaremaa or Sao Paulo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Saaremaa and Sao Paulo are nice places to visit.

It's common for backpackers to visit Saaremaa. While prices are cheap, transportation isn't great so you'll likely want to rent a car if you want to really explore the island. There are a number of rooms available for rent at an affordable price, particularly in the shoulder season, but you'll you'll only find a handful of hostels on the island.

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 Saaremaa or Sao Paulo Better for Students?

Sao Paulo is a nice place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Saaremaa is not popular with students.

It's common for students to 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.

Saaremaa is not popular with students.

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

Sao Paulo is an amazing city to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Saaremaa is not a good destination for its public transit.

Public transit in Sao Paulo is top-notch. 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.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Saaremaa. Most people arrive on the island by ferry. There are buses on the island but they cater mostly to locals. To really explore, you'll want to have access to a car.

Is Saaremaa or Sao Paulo a more walkable city?

Sao Paulo is great for its ease of walking around. However, Saaremaa is not a good destination for its walkability.

Sao Paulo is a very walkable destination. 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.

Saaremaa is not a walkable island. While their are some walking trails, you really need a car to explore the island in depth.

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

Should I spend more time in Sao Paulo or Saaremaa?

How long in Saaremaa or Sao Paulo?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Saaremaa and Sao Paulo. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Saaremaa than in Sao Paulo. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Saaremaa, and 2-3 days is enough time in Sao Paulo.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Sao Paulo than Saaremaa 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 Sao Paulo.

One day in Saaremaa or Sao Paulo?

Even though Saaremaa is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. 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.

Sao Paulo is a big city with plenty to do. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Saaremaa or Sao Paulo?

Saaremaa is a small town where visitors enjoy the food. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this island has to offer. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Sao Paulo is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Sao Paulo, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Saaremaa or Sao Paulo?

Saaremaa is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Sao Paulo is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Saaremaa or Sao Paulo?

Saaremaa is a popular choice for travelers. 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 great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Tallinn, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Estonia, 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 Saaremaa and Sao Paulo, we can see that Saaremaa is more expensive. And not only is Sao Paulo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Saaremaa 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 Saaremaa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saaremaa 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 Saaremaa Expensive? and Is Sao Paulo Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saaremaa or Sao Paulo?

Sao Paulo has a larger population, and is about 670 times larger than the population of Saaremaa. When comparing the sizes of Saaremaa 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 Saaremaa 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 Saaremaa has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Saaremaa or Sao Paulo in the Summer?

Both Sao Paulo and Saaremaa are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Saaremaa because of the beaches, the small town charm, 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.

Saaremaa is much colder than Sao Paulo in the summer. The daily temperature in Saaremaa averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Sao Paulo fluctuates around 25°C (77°F)in January.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sao Paulo. In July, Saaremaa usually receives less rain than Sao Pauloin January. Saaremaa gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain each month for the summer. The rainy season in Sao Paulo is October to March.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Sao Paulo in the Autumn?

Both Sao Paulo and Saaremaa during the autumn are popular places to visit. The small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Saaremaa this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Sao Paulo for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Saaremaa is much colder than Sao Paulo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saaremaa in October average around 8°C (47°F), and Sao Paulo averages at about 22°C (72°F)in April.

Saaremaa usually gets more rain in October than Sao Pauloin April. Saaremaa gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year. June to August is the dry season in Sao Paulo.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Sao Paulo in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Saaremaa and Sao Paulo. Many travelers come to Saaremaa for the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Sao Paulo in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Saaremaa. In January, Saaremaa is generally much colder than Sao Pauloin July. Daily temperatures in Saaremaa average around -3°C (27°F), and Sao Paulo fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

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

Should I visit Saaremaa or Sao Paulo in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Saaremaa as well as Sao Paulo. Many visitors come to Saaremaa in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty. Additionally, most visitors come to Sao Paulo for the activities around the city during these months.

Saaremaa can get quite cold in the spring. Saaremaa is much colder than Sao Paulo in the spring. The daily temperature in Saaremaa averages around 4°C (38°F) in April, and Sao Paulo fluctuates around 21°C (70°F)in October.

Saaremaa usually gets less rain in April than Sao Pauloin October. Saaremaa gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year. October to March in Sao Paulo is the rainy season.

Typical Weather for Sao Paulo and Saaremaa