Which place is cheaper, Castro 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.
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Should you visit Sao Paulo or Castro?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sao Paulo or Castro, 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 Castro?
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.
Castro
The capital of Chiloe, modern and dynamic, has succeeded in keeping its authenticity even though it now has many gigantic supermarkets, hotels and other touristic infrastructures. It is located on the island's eastern coast, halfway between Ancud in the north and Quellon in the south, and is a convenient base for exploring the stunning sites in the region of Chiloe Island. The tourist information is located on the town square in front of the church.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Brazil, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Rio de Janeiro, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Chile, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Chile.
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Sao Paulo Prices
Brazil PricesCastro Prices
Chile Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySao Paulo $61Castro $110
The average daily cost (per person) in Sao Paulo is $61, while the average daily cost in Castro is $110. 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 Castro in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSao Paulo $29Castro $36
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSao Paulo $58Castro $72
Compare Hotels in Sao Paulo and Castro
Looking for a hotel in Sao Paulo or Castro? 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.
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 Castro Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sao Paulo $5.89Castro $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sao Paulo
Also for Sao Paulo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfer: Sao Paulo to Airport GRU by Business Car: $144
- Airport Transfer: Sao Paulo to Airport GRU by Luxury Van: $168
- Airport and City Private Executive Transfer in São Paulo: $100
- Campinas Airport (VCP) to Praia/Santos hotels - Arrival Transfer: $203
- Campinas Airport (VCP) to Sao Paulo hotels - Arrival Transfer: $117
- Campinas Airport (VCP) to Sao Paulo hotels - Round-Trip Transfer: $233
- Campinas Viracopos Airport (VCP) to Sao Paulo - Private Transfer: $125
- Departure Transfer: Sao Paulo to Airport GRU by Business Car: $144
- Departure Transfer: Sao Paulo to Airport GRU by Luxury Van: $168
- Guarulhos Airport GRU to Águas de Lindoia Round Trip Transfer: $201
- Guarulhos Airport to Poços de Caldas Thermal Round-Trip Transfer: $272
- Private Airport Transfer from GRU with an English Speaking Driver: $86
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Castro
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Castro:
- Castro Airport Private Transfer in Chiloe: $74
Is it cheaper to fly into Sao Paulo or Castro?
Prices for flights to both Castro 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
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Food Meals for one daySao Paulo $25Castro $60
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:
- Street Food Tour in São Paulo with a Local Guide: $71
- Paulista Plates São Paulo Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $89
- São Suppers Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $95
- São Paulo: Liberdade Food Tour with 6 Tastings and Tonkatsu: $112
- Dinner at Terraço Italia Restaurant in São Paulo: $230
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sao Paulo $3.98Castro $20
Tours and Activities in Sao Paulo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sao Paulo.
- São Paulo Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $5.12
- São Paulo Ibirapuera Self-Guided Walking Tour: $5.12
- Downtown São Paulo's Epic History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Walking Tour Historic Center in São Paulo: $16
- Walking Tour of the Historic Center of Sao Paulo: $20
- Downtown-Center History Walking Tour: $28
- São Paulo Must-see Attractions Walking Tour with a Guide: $29
- Historical and Cultural Tour of the Center DE São Paulo: $34
- São Paulo Private Walking Tour with a Local: $35
- São Paulo Highlights Walking Tour with a Guide: $40
- Personal aromatic experience in São Paulo: $41
- MASP Museum of Art of São Paulo (+ticket): $49
Tours and Activities in Castro
Here are a few actual costs in Castro for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Castro Sightseeing Tour in Chiloe: $96
- Penguins in Chiloé and Fort San Antonio Day Tour: $120
- Chiloé: UNESCO Wooden Churches Full-Day Tour: $171
- Coastal Nature Adventure in Chiloe: $115
- Dalcahue and Quinchao Island Full Day Tour in Chiloe: $209
- Dock of Souls Trekking Tour in Chiloe: $268
- Lemuy Island Heritage & Nature Tour: $114
- Lemuy Island Tour from Castro: $178
- Lemuy Island in Chiloe Full Day Private Tour: $284
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySao Paulo $3.46Castro $17
Sample the Local Flavors in Sao Paulo
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Sao Paulo:
- Pub Crawl in São Paulo: Open Bar + Free Appetizers at Bars: $31
- São Paulo Nightlife: Pub Crawl in the City that Never Sleeps!: $59
- 4 Hours Pub Crawl in Vila Madalena: $150
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sao Paulo and Castro, we can see that Castro 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 Castro would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Castro 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 Castro Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sao Paulo or Castro?
Sao Paulo has a larger population, and is about 330 times larger than the population of Castro. When comparing the sizes of Sao Paulo and Castro, 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.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.