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

Should you visit Sao Paulo or Acapulco de Juarez?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sao Paulo or Acapulco de Juarez, 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: Sao Paulo or Acapulco de Juarez?

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.

Acapulco de Juarez

Located on the southwestern Pacific Coast of Mexico is the beautiful beach city of Acapulco de Juarez. Acapulco is one of the original travel and resort destinations in Mexico, and it's still considered a popular spring break destination for Americans. Known as simply "Acapulco" to many travelers, this region is a popular spot for cruise lines to stop and timeshares to grow. Thanks to those cruise lines and timeshares, tourist activities like water parks and jet skis have experienced considerable growth.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Brazil, The Best Adventure Tours to Brazil, The Best 2-Week Tours in Mexico, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico.


Which place is cheaper, Acapulco de Juarez or Sao Paulo?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Sao Paulo is $52, while the average daily cost in Acapulco de Juarez is $81. 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 Sao Paulo and Acapulco de Juarez in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sao Paulo $30
    Acapulco de Juarez $39
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sao Paulo $60
    Acapulco de Juarez $78
Compare Hotels in Sao Paulo and Acapulco de Juarez

Looking for a hotel in Sao Paulo or Acapulco de Juarez? 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 Sao Paulo


Hotels in Acapulco de Juarez


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: Sao Paulo Hotel Prices and Acapulco de Juarez Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Sao Paulo $5.90
    Acapulco de Juarez $16

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: $298
  • Campinas Airport (VCP) to Praia Grande/Santos - Private Transfer: $62
  • Campinas Airport (VCP) to Praia/Santos hotels - Arrival Transfer: $62
  • Campinas Airport (VCP) to Sao Paulo hotels - Arrival Transfer: $38
  • Campinas Airport (VCP) to Sao Paulo hotels - Round-Trip Transfer: $76
  • Campinas Airport (VCP)to Praia Grande/Santos - RoundTrip Transfer: $125
  • 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: $122
  • Departure Private Transfers: Sao Paulo to Guarulhos Airport GRU in Luxury Van: $143
  • Departure private transfer from São Paulo city to Guarulhos Airport by minibus: $194
  • Downtown to Sao Paulo Airport (GRU) - Departure Private Transfer: $180

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Acapulco de Juarez

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Acapulco de Juarez:

  • Private Airport Transfer &on 2nd Day 4Hr TourAll AttractionsCombo: $90
  • Private Best Round Trip Airport - Hotel - Airport Transfer : $70
  • Private - One Way or Round Trip Airport Transfer: $66
  • Airport Transfer in Suburban: $65
  • Roundtrip Transfer Private Vehicle Acapulco Airport (ACA) - Bahia de Acapulco: $49
  • Transfer in private minivan from Bahía de Acapulco -Acapulco Airport (ACA): $32
  • Transfer in Private Vehicle from Bahía de Acapulco - Acapulco Airport (ACA): $24
  • Transfer in Private Vehicle from Acapulco Airport (ACA) -Bahía de Acapulco: $24
  • Acapulco hotels to Acapulco Airport (ACA) – Departure Private Transfer : $20
  • Acapulco Airport Transfer: $10
  • Shared transfer from Acapulco Airport (ACA) - Acapulco: $6.00

Is it cheaper to fly into Sao Paulo or Acapulco de Juarez?

Prices for flights to both Acapulco de Juarez and Sao Paulo 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
    Sao Paulo $15
    Acapulco de Juarez $29

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

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Acapulco de Juarez

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Acapulco de Juarez.

  • High Divers DeLuxe Three Course Dinner +Three Drinks plus SUNSET: $49
  • Cliff Divers Exhibition 2 Drinks + Tacos al Pastor Dinner & Beer: $55
  • Cliff Diver De Luxe 3 Course Dinner at "La Quebrada" in Acapulco: $56
  • Cliff Divers Show With Dinner At Acapulco: $72
  • Wrestling-Lucha Libre Experience Tacos Beer Dinner Only SUNDAY: $84
  • Off the Beaten Path Mexican Cooking Class Lagoon Boatride &Lunch: $89
  • Hands ON - Mex Cooking Class Experience - City Market & Lunch : $90
  • Hands On Mexican Cooking Class with Food Tasting & Market Visit: $100
  • Mexican Fiesta Show & Dinner: $115
  • Bella Vista PRIVATE Al Fresco 3 Course Dinner Cliff Diver3Drinks: $191
  • Super DeLuxe Bella Vista Dinner &1 Drink +2 Drinks at CliffDivers: $193
  • Divers Show and Luxury Dinner in Acapulco: $199

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Sao Paulo $4.05
    Acapulco de Juarez $18

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 Paulista Avenue City Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.84
  • Walking Tour Historic Center in São Paulo: $13
  • Sao Paulo 360 Guided Tour: $26
  • Discover Sao Paulo History Guided Tour: $27
  • Night Walking Tour through the Bars of Augusta street: $35
  • Personal aromatic experience in São Paulo: $40
  • São Paulo: 2 Hours - Liberdade "Street Food" Tour: $54
  • City Tour Meet São Paulo Half-Day: $64
  • São Paulo’s Full Day City Tour: Main City Sights in 7 Hours – (Shared Group): $79
  • Street Art and Parks Bike Tour: $80
  • Secrets of Downtown São Paulo Bike Tour: $85

Tours and Activities in Acapulco de Juarez

Here are a few actual costs in Acapulco de Juarez for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 4Hrs City Tour Exclusively for Hotels, Divers, Chapel & Mural.: $44
  • 6Hr Walking Tour San Diego Fort Museum Cliff Divers Zocalo: $68
  • Small-Group or Private All Inclusive 4 Hours City Tour & Divers: $36
  • 4 Hrs Exclusive to Cruise Ship Passengers Sightseeing Experience : $62
  • 4-6Hrs Acapulco City Tour With a Fun Guide. Diver Show, Mex Lunch: $47
  • 4Hrs Small Group Half Day City Tour with Lunch at High Divers: $85
  • 4hr City Tour For Cruises or Hotels Diver Peace Chapel & Mural: $40
  • 6Hr City Tour Cruise or Hotel Turtle Nesting High Diver & Market: $51
  • 6Hr Cruise or Hotels City Tour, Divers, Baby Turtles Peace Chapel: $51
  • 6Hr Cruisers or Hotels High Diver Peace Chapel BabyTurtleRelease: $50
  • Acapulco City Tour : $35
  • Acapulco Historical Tour with Cliff Divers Show: $65

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Sao Paulo $3.52
    Acapulco de Juarez $11

Sample the Local Flavors in Sao Paulo

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

  • Half Day Private Wine Tour from São Roque: $54
  • 4 Hours Pub Crawl in Vila Madalena: $150
  • Fine wine tastings in São Roque - Tour with local guides: $180


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sao Paulo and Acapulco de Juarez, we can see that Acapulco de Juarez is more expensive. And not only is Sao Paulo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Sao Paulo is in South America and Acapulco de Juarez is in North 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 Acapulco de Juarez would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Acapulco de Juarez 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 Sao Paulo Expensive? and Is Acapulco de Juarez Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Sao Paulo or Acapulco de Juarez?

Sao Paulo has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Acapulco de Juarez. When comparing the sizes of Sao Paulo and Acapulco de Juarez, 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 Sao Paulo or Acapulco de Juarez?

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 Acapulco de Juarez has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Sao Paulo or Acapulco de Juarez in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Sao Paulo as well as Acapulco de Juarez. Additionally, most visitors come to Acapulco de Juarez for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Sao Paulo is cooler than Acapulco de Juarez in the summer. The daily temperature in Sao Paulo averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Acapulco de Juarez fluctuates around 29°C (83°F)in July.

It's quite rainy in Acapulco de Juarez. Sao Paulo receives a lot of rain in the summer. Sao Paulo usually gets less rain in January than Acapulco de Juarezin July. Sao Paulo gets 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Acapulco de Juarez receives 209 mm (8.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January and July
    Sao Paulo 25°C (77°F) 
    Acapulco de Juarez 29°C (83°F)

Should I visit Sao Paulo or Acapulco de Juarez in the Autumn?

Both Acapulco de Juarez and Sao Paulo are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Acapulco de Juarez because of the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Sao Paulo is cooler than Acapulco de Juarez. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sao Paulo in April average around 22°C (72°F), and Acapulco de Juarez averages at about 28°C (83°F)in October.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Acapulco de Juarez. In April, Sao Paulo usually receives less rain than Acapulco de Juarezin October. Sao Paulo gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Acapulco de Juarez receives 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April and October
    Sao Paulo 22°C (72°F) 
    Acapulco de Juarez 28°C (83°F)

Should I visit Sao Paulo or Acapulco de Juarez in the Winter?

Both Acapulco de Juarez and Sao Paulo during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Acapulco de Juarez this time of year.

In July, Sao Paulo is generally cooler than Acapulco de Juarezin January. Daily temperatures in Sao Paulo average around 19°C (66°F), and Acapulco de Juarez fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

Sao Paulo usually gets more rain in July than Acapulco de Juarezin January. Sao Paulo gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Acapulco de Juarez receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July and January
    Sao Paulo 19°C (66°F) 
    Acapulco de Juarez 26°C (79°F)

Should I visit Sao Paulo or Acapulco de Juarez in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Sao Paulo and Acapulco de Juarez. Also, many travelers come to Acapulco de Juarez for the beaches.

Sao Paulo is cooler than Acapulco de Juarez in the spring. The daily temperature in Sao Paulo averages around 21°C (70°F) in October, and Acapulco de Juarez fluctuates around 27°C (81°F)in April.

In October, Sao Paulo usually receives more rain than Acapulco de Juarezin April. Sao Paulo gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Acapulco de Juarez receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October and April
    Sao Paulo 21°C (70°F) 
    Acapulco de Juarez 27°C (81°F)

Typical Weather for Acapulco de Juarez and Sao Paulo

Sao Paulo Acapulco de Juarez
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 25°C (77°F) 170 mm (6.7 in) 26°C (79°F) 9 mm (0.4 in)
Feb 25°C (77°F) 170 mm (6.7 in) 26°C (80°F) 1 mm (0 in)
Mar 24°C (75°F) 120 mm (4.7 in) 26°C (79°F) 2 mm (0.1 in)
Apr 22°C (72°F) 50 mm (2 in) 27°C (81°F) 5 mm (0.2 in)
May 21°C (70°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 28°C (82°F) 28 mm (1.1 in)
Jun 19°C (66°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 29°C (83°F) 271 mm (10.7 in)
Jul 19°C (66°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 29°C (83°F) 209 mm (8.2 in)
Aug 19°C (66°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 29°C (83°F) 312 mm (12.3 in)
Sep 21°C (70°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 28°C (83°F) 341 mm (13.4 in)
Oct 21°C (70°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 28°C (83°F) 145 mm (5.7 in)
Nov 23°C (73°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 28°C (82°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Dec 24°C (75°F) 150 mm (5.9 in) 27°C (80°F) 14 mm (0.6 in)