Which place is cheaper, Cuenca 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 Cuenca?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sao Paulo or Cuenca, 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 Cuenca?
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.
Cuenca
Cuenca is a vibrant colonial city in southern Ecuador, the third largest in the country, and the capital of Azuay Province. Cuenca is considered as Ecuador's most important and beautiful colonial city after Quito. Dating from the 16th century, Cuenca's historic center, a Unesco World Heritage Site with its trademark skyline of massive rotundas and soaring steeples, is a magical sight in which you will feel like you are moving back in time. Cuenca is the center of many craft traditions, including ceramics, metalwork and the internationally famous panama hat. The nearby villages also offer many other handicrafts. Tourists enjoy wandering the ancient streets discovering picturesque alleys and hidden corners, where nuns march along cobblestone streets and kids in Catholic-school uniforms skip past historic churches. Fascinating historic monuments and fabulous views are found at every turn. Cuenca also has outstanding art museums and festivals. For a rewarding cultural experience, visit during Easter to attend the Festival of Religious Music.
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 Wildlife Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Ecuador.
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Sao Paulo Prices
Brazil PricesCuenca Prices
Ecuador Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySao Paulo $62Cuenca $53
The average daily cost (per person) in Sao Paulo is $62, while the average daily cost in Cuenca is $53. 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 Cuenca in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSao Paulo $29Cuenca $13
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSao Paulo $58Cuenca $26
Compare Hotels in Sao Paulo and Cuenca
Looking for a hotel in Sao Paulo or Cuenca? 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 Cuenca Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sao Paulo $5.96Cuenca $11
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: $147
- Airport Transfer: Sao Paulo to Airport GRU by Luxury Van: $172
- Campinas Airport (VCP) to Sao Paulo hotels - Arrival Transfer: $119
- Campinas Airport (VCP) to Sao Paulo hotels - Round-Trip Transfer: $239
- Campinas Viracopos Airport (VCP) Sao Paulo - Round-Trip Transfer: $255
- Campinas Viracopos Airport (VCP) to Sao Paulo - Private Transfer: $128
- Departure Transfer: Sao Paulo to Airport GRU by Business Car: $147
- Departure Transfer: Sao Paulo to Airport GRU by Luxury Van: $171
- Guarulhos Airport GRU to Águas de Lindoia Round Trip Transfer: $205
- Private Arrival Transfer | Congonhas Airport (CGH) x São Paulo City: $95
- Private Arrival Transfer: Congonhas Airport to São Paulo Hotels: $45
- Private Arrival Transfer: Guarulhos International Airport: $55
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cuenca
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Cuenca:
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Taxi Ride$2.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cuenca
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cuenca:
- Cuenca to/from Guayaquil Private Transfer: $80
- Cuenca Airport Transfer: $13
Is it cheaper to fly into Sao Paulo or Cuenca?
Prices for flights to both Cuenca 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 $25Cuenca $26
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
- 4h Cooking Class in São Paulo with 9 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $89
- Dinner at Terraço Italia Restaurant in São Paulo: $223
Typical Food Prices in Cuenca
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cuenca:
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Lunch$10
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Snacks$5.00
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Empanada$1.50
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Hot Dog$1.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cuenca
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cuenca.
- Street food Tour in Cuenca,Ecuador: $33
- Cuenca Kitchens Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $41
- Cuenca Table Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $43
- Cooking Class & Market Tour in Cuenca: $55
- 4h Cooking Class in Cuenca with 9 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $85
- 4h Cooking Class in 9 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $86
- Cuenca City Tour & Cooking Class (PRIVATE Tour from Cuenca): $112
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sao Paulo $4.02Cuenca $16
Tours and Activities in Sao Paulo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sao Paulo.
- São Paulo Paulista Avenue City Sights Self-Guided Tour: $4.43
- São Paulo (Ibirapuera) Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $4.46
- Downtown São Paulo's Epic History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Walking Tour Historic Center in São Paulo: $13
- Walking Tour of the Historic Center of Sao Paulo: $20
- São Paulo Must-see Attractions Walking Tour with a Guide: $29
- Brazil Tropical Fruit Experience in São Paulo: $30
- São Paulo Private Walking Tour with a Local: $35
- Night Walking Tour through the Bars of São Paulo: $37
- Historical and Cultural Tour of the Center DE São Paulo: $39
- Personal aromatic experience in São Paulo: $40
- São Paulo Highlights Walking Tour with a Guide: $41
Tours and Activities in Cuenca
Here are a few actual costs in Cuenca for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Amazing Cajas National Park Tour from Cuenca: $47
- Azuay Cuenca Ecuador Tour: $1,300
- Biking Cuenca City Tour: $50
- Birdwatching Tour in Cajas National Park from Cuenca: $100
- Birdwatching Tour, Via Gualaceo to the Eastern slope from Cuenca: $130
- Cajas National Park FULL-DAY Tour from Cuenca: $55
- Cajas National Park Half Day Tour from Cuenca: $39
- Cajas National Park Small-Group tour from Cuenca: $48
- Cajas National Park and Cuenca City private Tour: $104
- Cajas National Park tour from Cuenca: $50
- Cuenca Bike Tour with Coffee and Appetizer: $43
- Cuenca Chocolate Tour with Practice Class: $20
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySao Paulo $3.50Cuenca $14
Sample the Local Flavors in Sao Paulo
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Sao Paulo:
- 4 Hours Pub Crawl in Vila Madalena: $150
Sample the Local Flavors in Cuenca
Also in Cuenca, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Cuenca Pub Crawl: Pub Crawl with Drinks and Free Club Entry: $20
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sao Paulo and Cuenca, we can see that Sao Paulo is more expensive. And not only is Cuenca much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cuenca would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cuenca 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 Cuenca.
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 Cuenca Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sao Paulo or Cuenca?
Sao Paulo has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Cuenca. When comparing the sizes of Sao Paulo and Cuenca, 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 Cuenca?
Sao Paulo has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Cuenca experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Sao Paulo or Cuenca in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Sao Paulo as well as Cuenca. Many travelers come to Sao Paulo for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cuenca throughout the year.
In January, Sao Paulo is generally a little warmer than Cuencain July. Daily temperatures in Sao Paulo average around 25°C (77°F), and Cuenca fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
Sao Paulo receives a lot of rain in the summer. Sao Paulo usually gets more rain in January than Cuencain July. Sao Paulo gets 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year. October to March in Sao Paulo is the rainy season.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulySao Paulo 25°C (77°F)Cuenca 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Sao Paulo or Cuenca in the Autumn?
Both Cuenca and Sao Paulo are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Sao Paulo in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Plenty of visitors come to Cuenca because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Sao Paulo is much warmer than Cuenca in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sao Paulo averages around 22°C (72°F) in April, and Cuenca fluctuates around 12°C (54°F)in October.
In April, Sao Paulo usually receives more rain than Cuencain October. Sao Paulo gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Sao Paulo is June to August.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberSao Paulo 22°C (72°F)Cuenca 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Sao Paulo or Cuenca in the Winter?
Both Cuenca and Sao Paulo during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Sao Paulo for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cuenca year-round.
The weather in Cuenca can be very cold. In the winter, Sao Paulo is much warmer than Cuenca. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sao Paulo in July average around 19°C (66°F), and Cuenca averages at about 4°C (39°F)in January.
Sao Paulo usually gets more rain in July than Cuencain January. Sao Paulo gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year. June to August is the dry season in Sao Paulo.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuarySao Paulo 19°C (66°F)Cuenca 4°C (39°F)
Should I visit Sao Paulo or Cuenca in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Sao Paulo and Cuenca. The spring months attract visitors to Sao Paulo because of the activities around the city. Cuenca attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In October, Sao Paulo is generally much warmer than Cuencain April. Daily temperatures in Sao Paulo average around 21°C (70°F), and Cuenca fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).
In October, Sao Paulo usually receives more rain than Cuencain April. Sao Paulo gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the spring. Also, October to March is the rainy season in Sao Paulo.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilSao Paulo 21°C (70°F)Cuenca 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Cuenca and Sao Paulo
| Sao Paulo | Cuenca | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Apr | 22°C (72°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| May | 21°C (70°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jun | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Jul | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Aug | 19°C (66°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Oct | 21°C (70°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (75°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
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.