Which place is cheaper, Copacabana 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 Copacabana?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sao Paulo or Copacabana, 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 Copacabana?
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.
Copacabana
Copacabana, Bolivia, is a small, bright and enchanting town located on the Bolivian shore of Lake Titicaca, the world's highest navigable lake. Situated relatively close to the capital of La Paz, it is a popular resort mostly destination for foreign travellers, meaning that you may feel like there are more Argentinians and Americans than locals. Copacabana is the perfect jump-off point for visiting Isla del Sol and Isla de la Luna and makes a pleasant stopover between La Paz and Puno or Cusco. Featuring beautiful nature walks, ancient sites, stunning sunsets and quaint little restaurants, Copacabana is a travelers' favorite destination to soak in the panoramic views, savor freshly caught trucha, and explore what the Incas believed to be the birthplace of their empire.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Day Tours from Manaus, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Brazil, The Best Budget Tours to Bolivia, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Bolivia.
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Sao Paulo Prices
Brazil PricesCopacabana Prices
Bolivia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySao Paulo $62Copacabana $33
The average daily cost (per person) in Sao Paulo is $62, while the average daily cost in Copacabana is $33. 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 Copacabana in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSao Paulo $29Copacabana $6.59
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSao Paulo $58Copacabana $13
Compare Hotels in Sao Paulo and Copacabana
Looking for a hotel in Sao Paulo or Copacabana? 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 Copacabana Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sao Paulo $5.97Copacabana $8.19
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: $296
- Airport Transfer: Sao Paulo to Airport GRU by Business Car: $142
- Airport Transfer: Sao Paulo to Airport GRU by Luxury Van: $166
- Airport and City Private Executive Transfer in São Paulo: $100
- Campinas Airport (VCP) to Praia/Santos hotels - Arrival Transfer: $210
- Campinas Airport (VCP) to Sao Paulo hotels - Arrival Transfer: $121
- Campinas Airport (VCP) to Sao Paulo hotels - Round-Trip Transfer: $241
- Campinas Viracopos Airport (VCP) Sao Paulo - Round-Trip Transfer: $259
- Campinas Viracopos Airport (VCP) to Sao Paulo - Private Transfer: $129
- Departure Transfer: Sao Paulo to Airport GRU by Business Car: $141
- Guarulhos Airport GRU to Águas de Lindoia Round Trip Transfer: $209
- Guarulhos Airport to Poços de Caldas Thermal Round-Trip Transfer: $283
Is it cheaper to fly into Sao Paulo or Copacabana?
Prices for flights to both Copacabana 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 $25Copacabana $18
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: $73
- Paulista Plates São Paulo Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $89
- 4h Cooking Class in São Paulo with 9 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $89
- São Suppers Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $95
- São Paulo: Liberdade Food Tour with 6 Tastings and Tonkatsu: $108
- Dinner at Terraço Italia Restaurant in São Paulo: $222
Typical Food Prices in Copacabana
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Copacabana:
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Lunch$2.16
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Sandwich$0.69
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sao Paulo $4.03Copacabana $11
Tours and Activities in Sao Paulo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sao Paulo.
- Free Walking Tour, São Paulo History in the City Center: $3.54
- São Paulo Ibirapuera Self-Guided Walking Tour: $4.95
- São Paulo Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $4.97
- Downtown São Paulo's Epic History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Walking Tour Historic Center in São Paulo: $13
- Downtown-Center History Walking Tour: $29
- São Paulo Must-see Attractions Walking Tour with a Guide: $30
- Night Walking Tour through the Bars of São Paulo: $37
- Personal aromatic experience in São Paulo: $40
- São Paulo Highlights Walking Tour with a Guide: $42
- MASP Museum of Art of São Paulo (+ticket): $47
- Bus ticket Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro: $50
Tours and Activities in Copacabana
Here are a few actual costs in Copacabana for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Bolivia: Sun and Moon Island Tour: $95
- CONDORIRI Mountain 5650m. 2 DAYS 1 NIGHT. TREKKING. English guide. Shared Tour: $198
- Copacabana, Sun Island 1 day private tour: $160
- Sun and Moon Tour: $120
- Titicaca Touristic Bus from Copacabana to La Paz_Everyday_1:00 p.m.: $17
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySao Paulo $3.51Copacabana $6.96
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 Bixiga: Open Bar + Free Appetizers at the Bars: $42
- São Paulo Nightlife: Pub Crawl in the City that Never Sleeps!: $59
- 4 Hours Pub Crawl in Vila Madalena: $150
Typical Alcohol Prices in Copacabana
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Copacabana from other travelers:
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Wine$1.73
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sao Paulo and Copacabana, we can see that Sao Paulo is more expensive. And not only is Copacabana much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Copacabana would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Copacabana 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 Sao Paulo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sao Paulo than you might in Copacabana.
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 Copacabana Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sao Paulo or Copacabana?
Sao Paulo has a larger population, and is about 2220 times larger than the population of Copacabana. When comparing the sizes of Sao Paulo and Copacabana, 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.