A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sao Paulo vs. Acapulco de Juarez for Attractions, Nightlife, Couples, and Food

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.

Sao Paulo

Sao Paulo is a vibrant, colorful, and cultural city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Sao Paulo travel costs.

Acapulco de Juarez

Acapulco de Juarez is a vibrant, built-up, and well-known city. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food. See Acapulco de Juarez travel costs.

Sao Paulo and Acapulco de Juarez: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sao Paulo or Acapulco de Juarez?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Sao Paulo than Acapulco de Juarez. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Sao Paulo is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, shopping, and big city activities, while Acapulco de Juarez attracts visitors for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches. Acapulco de Juarez is more touristy than Sao Paulo and is popular for its large hotels, golf courses, and lively bars and clubs. Sao Paulo is famous for its large size, vibrant neighborhoods, and world-class nightlife scene. It is also well known for Ibirapuera Park.

How is Sao Paulo different from Acapulco de Juarez?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Sao Paulo or Acapulco de Juarez?

Sao Paulo is an unbeatable place for its museums and landmarks. However, Acapulco de Juarez is a city with minimal options for its historical sights.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Sao Paulo on the map. 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

While most people don't head to Acapulco de Juarez specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. There are a couple of history and cultural museums in the city that can be a nice way to spend a rainy day.

Is the Food Better in Sao Paulo or Acapulco de Juarez? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Sao Paulo is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Acapulco de Juarez is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Dining out in Sao Paulo is an experience not to be missed. 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).

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Acapulco de Juarez. The local cuisine is influenced by the area's indigenous cultures combined with Hispanic influences. Seafood is common as well.

Is Sao Paulo or Acapulco de Juarez Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find fantastic options in both Sao Paulo and Acapulco de Juarez.

People head to Sao Paulo just to party. 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.

The nightlife in Acapulco de Juarez is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. The nightlife scene is part of what originally put this city on the map. Spring break is a prime time for partying and you'll find many bars along Costera Street, with the liveliest around Condesa Beach.

Is Sao Paulo or Acapulco de Juarez Better for Resorts?

Acapulco de Juarez is a world-class destination for its luxury resorts. However, Sao Paulo is not a resort destination.

Acapulco de Juarez offers an unforgettable resort vacation. You'll find no shortage of resorts in the city, most with large pools and beachfront views.

Sao Paulo is not a resort destination.

Is Sao Paulo or Acapulco de Juarez Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Acapulco de Juarez is a great city for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Sao Paulo is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors go to Acapulco de Juarez to enjoy scuba diving and snorkeling. There are plenty of dive shops that offer snorkeling and scuba diving trips to premier spots.

Sao Paulo is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Sao Paulo or Acapulco de Juarez Better for Beaches?

Acapulco de Juarez is a great city for the beach. However, Sao Paulo is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Acapulco de Juarez. The beaches are well developed with restaurants, hotels and bars lining the long stretches of sand. You'll find all kinds of water sports and activities nearby and several of the most popular beaches include Condesa Beach, Caleta Beach, and Icacos Beach.

Sao Paulo is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sao Paulo or Acapulco de Juarez?

Sao Paulo is an unbeatable place for its shopping areas. Also, Acapulco de Juarez is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Sao Paulo is a world class destination for shoppers. 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Acapulco de Juarez. You'll find tons of beachside shops where you can pick up any beach supplies you may need as well as souvenirs from your trip. The city also has retail outlets and shopping centers.

Is Sao Paulo or Acapulco de Juarez Better for Families?

Acapulco de Juarez is a great city for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Sao Paulo is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Acapulco de Juarez. It may have been made famous by spring breakers, but families with kids will find plenty to do as well. There are water parks, playgrounds, museums and, of course, the beach.

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 Sao Paulo or Acapulco de Juarez Better for Couples?

Acapulco de Juarez is a world-class destination for couples. Also, Sao Paulo is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Acapulco de Juarez has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. Whether you're looking for an active nightlife scene, or romantic sunset walks, then this city has it all. The beach is active and beautiful, there are also botanical gardens and wonderful restaurants to experience.

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 Sao Paulo or Acapulco de Juarez Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sao Paulo is a popular place for backpackers. However, Acapulco de Juarez is a city with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Sao Paulo. 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.

Acapulco de Juarez is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are more hotels and resorts than hostels, so most backpackers head elsewhere. There is a young crowd during the spring break season.

Is Sao Paulo or Acapulco de Juarez Better for Students?

Sao Paulo is a popular place for students. However, Acapulco de Juarez is not popular with students.

Sao Paulo is popular with students. 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.

Acapulco de Juarez is not popular with students.

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

Sao Paulo is an unbeatable place for its public transit. Also, Acapulco de Juarez is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Visitors in Sao Paulo can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. 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.

While Acapulco de Juarez offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There's an elaborate and fun bus system that travels around the city.

Is Sao Paulo or Acapulco de Juarez a more walkable city?

Sao Paulo is a great destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Acapulco de Juarez is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Acapulco de Juarez is somewhat walkable. The downtown and beachfront areas are the most walkable and many sights are within a short distance of each other.

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

Should I spend more time in Acapulco de Juarez or Sao Paulo?

How long in Sao Paulo or Acapulco de Juarez?

In either Sao Paulo or Acapulco de Juarez, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Acapulco de Juarez than Sao Paulo because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Sao Paulo, and 3-5 days is enough time in Acapulco de Juarez.

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

Couples should spend more time in Acapulco de Juarez than Sao Paulo. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Acapulco de Juarez that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Sao Paulo than Acapulco de Juarez 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 Sao Paulo or Acapulco de Juarez?

Sao Paulo is a colorful big city where you can fill many days. This city offers something for everyone. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the city of Acapulco de Juarez. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. 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.

A weekend in Sao Paulo or Acapulco de Juarez?

Sao Paulo is a popular place to visit. Sao Paulo is a colorful city where you can fill many days. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Sao Paulo has to offer.

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the well-known destination of Acapulco de Juarez. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Sao Paulo or Acapulco de Juarez?

Many people enjoy the food and shopping when visiting Sao Paulo. Anyone can find something fun to do here. 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.

You'll find nightlife and food around the built-up city of Acapulco de Juarez. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Most people head to the area for the nightlife. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

A week in Sao Paulo or Acapulco de Juarez?

Sao Paulo is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. It offers something for everyone. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Acapulco de Juarez is a popular choice for travelers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Day Tours from Manaus, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Brazil, The Best 2-Week Tours in Mexico, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico.

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. Many visitors come to Sao Paulo in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. 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. October to March in Sao Paulo is the rainy season.

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. Most visitors come to Sao Paulo for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. 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. The dry season in Sao Paulo is June to August.

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. The winter months attract visitors to Sao Paulo because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. 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. June to August is the dry season in Sao Paulo.

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. The activities around the city are the main draw to Sao Paulo this time of year. 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. Also, October to March is the rainy season in Sao Paulo.

Typical Weather for Acapulco de Juarez and Sao Paulo