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

Should you visit Sao Paulo or Buzios?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sao Paulo or Buzios, 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 colorful, cultural, and dynamic city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food. See Sao Paulo travel costs.

Buzios

It's also popular because of the food. See Buzios travel costs.

Sao Paulo and Buzios: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Fun shopping
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Good for students
  • Good public transit
  • Very walkable
  • Big city activities
Pros
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers


Is there more to do in Sao Paulo or Buzios?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Sao Paulo. Although Sao Paulo and Buzios are both popular with visitors, Sao Paulo has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Sao Paulo is more touristy than Buzios and is known for its large size, vibrant neighborhoods, and world-class nightlife scene. It is also home to Ibirapuera Park. Buzios is popular for

How is Sao Paulo different from Buzios?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Buzios 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 Buzios?

Sao Paulo
Buzios

Sao Paulo is renowned for its historical sights. However, Buzios does not have museums and landmarks.

The museums and tourist attractions in Sao Paulo are world-renowned. 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

Buzios does not have museums and landmarks.


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

Sao Paulo
Buzios

Sao Paulo is a great city for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Buzios is not as popular, but is still a nice for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Sao Paulo has a huge number of terrific restaurants. 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 many up and coming restaurants in the Buzios area. You'll find fresh seafood, Brazilian flavors, and international cuisine. Many beachfront restaurants serve dishes like grilled fish, moqueca (Brazilian seafood stew), and shrimp pastéis. Rua das Pedras, the town's main street, is packed with places to eat. There's everything from fine dining to casual eateries that offer pizza, sushi, and Argentine barbecue. The city also has many street vendors where you can grab a meal for very little money.

Is Sao Paulo or Buzios Better for Nightlife?

Sao Paulo
Buzios

Sao Paulo is renowned for nightlife and partying. However, Buzios is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Sao Paulo is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. 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.

Buzios is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is the Shopping Better in Sao Paulo or Buzios?

Sao Paulo
Buzios

Sao Paulo is renowned for its shopping opportunities. However, Buzios is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Known for shopping, Sao Paulo draws large crowds to its stores. 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.

Buzios is not a noteworthy shopping destination.


Is Sao Paulo or Buzios Better for Families?

Sao Paulo
Buzios

Buzios is a great 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 Buzios. Families enjoy hanging out at Ferradura Beach, which usually has calm waters where you can swim and play. A boat tour around the peninsula lets families explore hidden beaches, snorkel in crystal-clear waters, and even spot marine life. Strolling down Rua das Pedras in the evening offers a mix of delicious restaurants, ice cream shops, and lively street performances. For a bit of adventure, families can take a buggy ride to explore the scenic coastline and visit panoramic viewpoints like Mirante do Forno.

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 Buzios Better for Couples?

Sao Paulo
Buzios

Sao Paulo and Buzios are both good to visit as a couple.

Sao Paulo is a good city for couples to visit. 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.

Buzios is a nice destination for couples. There are sunset cruises along the coast that offer champagne and beautiful views. You can also take a stroll down the charming Rua das Pedras and enjoy a meal at a cozy restaurant. A day at the beach is a fun activity and adventure-loving couples can explore hidden coves on a boat tour, go snorkeling together, or take a scenic hike to Mirante do Forno for stunning panoramic views.

Is Sao Paulo or Buzios Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sao Paulo
Buzios

Buzios is a great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Sao Paulo is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Buzios. There are hostels, beaches, and a variety of activities that backpackers can enjoy. With over 20 beaches and plenty of affordable street food, this is a great spot for budget travelers. You'll also find many other backpackers in the area.

Sao Paulo is a good city 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 Sao Paulo or Buzios Better for Students?

Sao Paulo
Buzios

Sao Paulo is a popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Buzios 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.

Buzios is not popular with students.

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

Sao Paulo
Buzios

Sao Paulo is renowned for times when you don't have a car. However, Buzios does not have public transit.

Sao Paulo has a great 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.

Buzios does not have public transit.

Is Sao Paulo or Buzios a more walkable city?

Sao Paulo
Buzios

Sao Paulo is a great city for its high level of walkability. However, Buzios is not a walkable destination.

Sao Paulo is a very walkable city. 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.

Buzios is not a walkable destination.


Should I spend more time in Buzios or Sao Paulo?

How long in Sao Paulo or Buzios?

In either Sao Paulo or Buzios, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Buzios 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 2-5 days is enough time in Buzios.

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

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

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


  • How many days in Sao Paulo or Buzios? Ideal Length of Stay
    Sao Paulo 2-3 
    Buzios 2-5

One day in Sao Paulo or Buzios?


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Sao Paulo is a bustling city that 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 food around the of Buzios. 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 Buzios?


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Sao Paulo is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

You'll find food around the destination of Buzios. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this has to offer. This offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Sao Paulo or Buzios?


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It's hard to know how much time to spend in Sao Paulo. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

You'll find food around the of Buzios. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this makes for a great vacation. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this has to offer.


A week in Sao Paulo or Buzios?


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Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the dynamic big city of Sao Paulo. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Buzios 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.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Day Tours from Manaus, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Brazil, The Best Wildlife Tours to Brazil, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Brazil.


Which place is cheaper, Buzios or Sao Paulo?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Sao Paulo is $57, while the average daily cost in Buzios is $85. 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 Buzios in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sao Paulo $27
    Buzios $34
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sao Paulo $54
    Buzios $68
Compare Hotels in Sao Paulo and Buzios

Looking for a hotel in Sao Paulo or Buzios? 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 Buzios


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Sao Paulo $5.34
    Buzios $17

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 Airport (GRU) to Ilhabela Port: $282
  • Private Transfer from Ilhabela Port to Sao Paulo City Hotels: $279
  • Private Transfer from Ilhabela Port to Sao Paulo Airport (GRU): $279
  • Guarulhos Airport to Poços de Caldas Thermal Round-Trip Transfer: $270
  • Private Transfer from Congonhas Airport (CGH) to Santos Port: $245
  • Private Transfer from Santos Port to Sao Paulo Int Airport (GRU): $241
  • Sao Paulo Guarulhos Airport (GRU) to São Pedro-RoundTrip Transfer: $240
  • Sao Paulo Airport to Beach Resorts - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $238
  • Sao Paulo Airport (GRU) to Santos hotels - Round-Trip Transfer: $231
  • Transfer from São Paulo to Port of Santos: $217
  • Private Transfer from Sao Paulo Int Airport (GRU) to Ubatuba Port: $216
  • Private Transfer from Ubatuba Port to Sao Paulo Int Airport (GRU): $216

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Buzios

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

  • Private transfer Buzios in Rio to the SDU Airport : $172
  • Private transfer from Buzios to the GIG Airport : $172
  • Private Transfer from GIG Airport to City Buzios in Rio : $170
  • Private transfer Minivan from GIG Rio Galeao airport up to 6 pax to Buzios: $126
  • Private Transfer from Cabo Frio Airport (CFB) to Buzios Port: $112
  • Private Transfer from Buzios Port to Cabo Frio Airport (CFB): $112
  • Executive private transfer from GIG Rio Galeao airport up to 4 pax to Buzios: $108
  • Executive private transfer from GIG Rio Galeao airport up to 3 pax to Buzios: $108
  • Private Transfer from Cape Town to Rio de Janeiro: $91
  • Private Transfer Buzios to Rio de Janeiro: $91
  • Cabo Frio Airport (CFB) to Beach Resorts - Round-Trip Transfer: $87
  • Rio de Janeiro Transfer from Buzios to Airport (GIG)(SDU): $72

Is it cheaper to fly into Sao Paulo or Buzios?

Prices for flights to both Buzios 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 $23
    Buzios $37

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:

  • Authentic Brazilian Cooking Experience in SP: Feijoada & Moqueca: $189
  • Street Food Tour in São Paulo with a Local Guide: $252

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Sao Paulo $3.66
    Buzios $24

Tours and Activities in Sao Paulo

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

  • Private tour beautiful beaches in Guarujá - 8h pick up in São Paulo: $218
  • 10-hour beach tour Santos: Shared Full-Day with Tickets & Lunch: $189
  • 3 Beaches Hiking Santo Amaro Island - Paradise Route Tour from São Paulo: $123
  • 4 Hour Private City Tour in Sao Paulo: $290
  • 4-Hour Private Tour in Sao Paulo: $300
  • 4-hour Sum-up Private Tour Of São Paulo Including Its Major Attractions : $134
  • 5 Hours Private Full Day City Tour in Sao Paulo: $271
  • 5-hour Pelé Private Tour: The King of Football : $162
  • 5-hour Private Street Art Tour Of São Paulo – The Coolest Urban Art Scenes: $176
  • 5-hour Private Tour Of São Paulo With Its Main Sights – Optional Airport Pickup: $162
  • 5H Private Tour Sao Paulo Green Quarters and Sunshine : $157
  • 5h City Tour (pick up & delivery within SaoPaulo city): $227

Tours and Activities in Buzios

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

  • Buzios Trolley City Tour: $27
  • 3-hour Small Group Buzios Peninsula Open Air Trolley Tour: $27
  • Búzios Full day: Boat and Trolley Tour with Lunch from Arraial do Cabo: $128
  • Búzios Full day: Boat and Trolley Tour with Lunch from Búzios: $85
  • Búzios Full day: Boat and Trolley Tour with Lunch from Cabo Frio: $116
  • Boat Tour Open Bar A Floor Arraial do Cabo : $13
  • Boat Tour in Arraial do Cabo: $22
  • Boat Tour in Arraial do Cabo from Buzios with Lunch: $60
  • Buggy Ride in Buzios by Buziana Tour: $18
  • Buggy Tour in Arraial do Cabo by Arraial Viagens: $31
  • Cabo Frio Full-Day Tour From Buzios with Lunch: $68
  • Catamaran Boat Tour in Búzios: $25

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Sao Paulo $3.18
    Buzios $16

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
  • 4 Hours Pub Crawl in Vila Madalena: $150
  • Wine Tour in São Roque by car - tour with local guides: $154


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


Which is Bigger, Sao Paulo or Buzios?

Sao Paulo has a larger population, and is about 430 times larger than the population of Buzios. When comparing the sizes of Sao Paulo and Buzios, 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.