A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sao Paulo vs. Antigua Guatemala for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Sao Paulo or Antigua Guatemala?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sao Paulo or Antigua Guatemala, 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 Antigua Guatemala?

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.

Antigua Guatemala

Before a disastrous earthquake in 1773, Antigua was the colonial capital of Guatemala. For 200 years it had reigned as so and today shows remnants of its glorious past with Spanish colonial buildings and other architectural landmarks still standing. Due to this large amount of preserved architecture, Antigua was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is now the most touristed city of Guatemala.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Brazil, The Best Adventure Tours to Brazil, The Best Adventure Tours to Guatemala, and The Best Eco Tours in Guatemala.


Which place is cheaper, Antigua Guatemala 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 Antigua Guatemala is $63. 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 Antigua Guatemala in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sao Paulo $30
    Antigua Guatemala $22
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sao Paulo $60
    Antigua Guatemala $44
Compare Hotels in Sao Paulo and Antigua Guatemala

Looking for a hotel in Sao Paulo or Antigua Guatemala? 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 Antigua Guatemala


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 Antigua Guatemala Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Sao Paulo $5.90
    Antigua Guatemala $12

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
  • Private Transfer from Congonhas Airport (CGH) to Santos Port: $233
  • Private São Paulo Airport - Hotels Transfer In or Out : $200
  • Private Transfer from Gru Airport to Port or City of Santos (1 to 15 people): $199
  • Departure private transfer from São Paulo city to Guarulhos Airport by minibus: $194
  • Downtown to Sao Paulo Airport (GRU) - Departure Private Transfer: $180
  • Sao Paulo Airport (GRU) to Downtown - Arrival Private Transfer: $180
  • Sao Paulo Airport to Beach Resorts - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $175
  • Private Transfer from Campinas Airport to Sao Paulo (GRU) Airport: $169
  • Private Transfer from Sao Paulo City to Campinas Airport (VCP): $167
  • Private Transfer from Congonhas Airport (CGH) to Viracopos Airport (VCP): $167
  • Private Transfer from Sao Paulo City Centre Hotels to Santos Port: $167

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Antigua Guatemala

Also for Antigua Guatemala, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Transfer Guatemala City to Aurora to Antigua Guatemala: $130
  • Private Transfer from Antigua Guatemala to Puerto Quetzal Port: $27
  • Private Ground Transfer From Antigua To Guatemala City Airport: $23
  • From Guatemala City: One-way Shared Transfer to Antigua: $20

Is it cheaper to fly into Sao Paulo or Antigua Guatemala?

Prices for flights to both Antigua Guatemala 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
    Antigua Guatemala $14

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

Typical Food Prices in Antigua Guatemala

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Antigua Guatemala:


  • Lunch
    $3.22
  • Lunch
    $7.72

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Antigua Guatemala

For Antigua Guatemala, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Make your own Mayan Pepian - Cooking class: $69
  • Antigua: Cooking Class with Local Family: $74
  • Street Food Tour Around Antigua: $75
  • Guatemalan Cooking Class & Market Tour: $85
  • Foodie & street food tour: $85
  • Authentic Guatemalan Cooking Class in Antigua: $90
  • Private Cooking Class of Typical Guatemalan Dishes: $95
  • Guatemalan Cooking Class and Market Tour: $98
  • From Guatemala City: Guatemala Cooking Class Tour: $110
  • Pacaya Volcano Luxury Sunset Horseback Riding Tour/ Dinner Cooked by-Lava Chef: $295

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Sao Paulo $4.05
    Antigua Guatemala $15

Tours and Activities in Sao Paulo

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sao Paulo.

  • Guarani Indigenous Village of São Paulo (private tour)-5 hours: $150
  • 2 Hours Private São Paulo Museum of Modern Art Tour: $240
  • 3H CITY TOUR (pick up / delivery within Sao Paulo city limits): $150
  • 4-Hour Private Tour in Sao Paulo: $300
  • 4-hour Sum-up Private Tour Of São Paulo Including Its Major Attractions : $134
  • 4WD One Day Tour visiting Water Fall and the Big Stone from Sao Paulo: $260
  • 5 Hour City Tour in São Paulo: $90
  • 5-hour Pelé Private Tour: The King of Football : $162
  • 5-hour Private Street Art Tour Of São Paulo – The Coolest Urban Art Scenes: $174
  • 5-hour Private Tour Of São Paulo With Its Main Sights – Optional Airport Pickup: $162
  • 5-hour private tour in São Paulo (departures from hotels and airport): $156
  • 5h City Tour (pick up & delivery within SaoPaulo city): $249

Tours and Activities in Antigua Guatemala

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Antigua Guatemala.

  • ¡Pacaya Volcano Tour from Antigua!: $100
  • 2-Day Kayak and Hike Adventure Package from Antigua: $219
  • 2-Day Shared Hiking Tour to Acatenango Volcano from Antigua: $110
  • 2-Day Shared Hiking Tour to Acatenango Volcano from Antigua: $125
  • 2-Day Tour of Lake Atitlan & Chichicastenango Market: $220
  • ANTIGUA Villages Tour: $72
  • ATV or UTV Coffee Tour in Antigua Guatemala: $100
  • Acatenango Overnight Hike Multiday Tour: $116
  • Acatenango Volcano Overnight Hiking from Antigua - 2 Days Private Tour: $215
  • Acatenango Volcano Tour with Overnight from Antigua: $99
  • Acatenango Volcano Tour: 1 night in Glamping: $157
  • Adventure Tour Climbing the Pacaya Volcano with Pickup: $95

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Sao Paulo $3.52
    Antigua Guatemala $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 Antigua Guatemala, we can see that Antigua Guatemala 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 Antigua Guatemala is in Central 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 Antigua Guatemala would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Antigua Guatemala 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 Antigua Guatemala Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Sao Paulo or Antigua Guatemala?

Sao Paulo has a larger population, and is about 250 times larger than the population of Antigua Guatemala. When comparing the sizes of Sao Paulo and Antigua Guatemala, 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.