Which place is cheaper, El Calafate 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 El Calafate?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sao Paulo or El Calafate, 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 El Calafate?
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.
El Calafate
Located in Patagonia, El Calafate has become a popular tourist destination in Argentina because of its beautiful setting on the stunningly blue Lago Argentina. The town sits on the southern border of the lake in the southwestern part of the Santa Cruz Province. It's about 320 kilometers from Rio Gallegos.
The rise in popularity of Patagonia as a tourist destination has truly put this small town on the map. You'll find no shortage of trekkers in the town and it makes an excellent base to explore different parts of the Los Glaciares National Park. Popular places to visit include Perito Moreno Glacier, Cerro Chalten, and Cerro Torre.
El Calafate has a cold semi-arid climate. The summers are cool to warm and very dry while the winters are cold and damp. Lago Argentino has a significant influence over the town's climate. The shallow bay where the town is located is usually frozen during the winter months.
Check out our ultimate guide to Hiking in Patagonia.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Day Tours from Manaus, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Brazil, The Best 2-Week Tours from Buenos Aires, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Argentina.
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Sao Paulo Prices
Brazil PricesEl Calafate Prices
Argentina Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySao Paulo $62El Calafate $58
The average daily cost (per person) in Sao Paulo is $62, while the average daily cost in El Calafate is $58. 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 El Calafate in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSao Paulo $29El Calafate $36
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSao Paulo $58El Calafate $72
Compare Hotels in Sao Paulo and El Calafate
Looking for a hotel in Sao Paulo or El Calafate? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sao Paulo $5.97El Calafate $4.14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sao Paulo
Also for Sao Paulo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Viracopos Airport VCP to Poços de Caldas Thermal Arrival Transfer: $124
- Viracopos Airport (VCP) to São Pedro Thermal Arrival Transfer: $87
- Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in Sao Paulo APT-HTL(GRU): $143
- Transfer to Guarulhos Airport - up to 4 passengers sedan: $134
- Transfer from São Paulo to Port of Santos: $237
- Transfer from GRU or CGH Airports to São Paulo City (vice-versa): $77
- Transfer Viracopos Airport or Campinas City to airports in Sao Paulo: $141
- Transfer VCP airport Viracopos GRU airport / Sao Paulo city: $129
- Transfer São Paulo City Center to Guarulhos Airport (GRU): $49
- Transfer Guarulhos Airport (GRU) to São Paulo City Center: $44
- Transfer CGH Airport Congonhas Sao Paulo city / Hotel: $44
- Transfer (Taxi) airport to Sao Paulo: $79
Hired Cars and Shuttles in El Calafate
Also for El Calafate, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Glacier Huemul: Private Transfer Service: $640
- Perito Moreno Mini Trek Pro (Optional Transfer): $540
- Perito Moreno Full Day Minitrekking with Transfer & Walkways: $460
- Private transfer from El Calafate Airport to hotel in El Chaltén: $315
- Private Airport Transfer: $270
- FTE Aiport transfer Group 4 to 6 people with luggage: $210
- Kayaking on Lake Argentino with Transfers: $120
- El Calafate to Puerto Natales Bus Transfer with Border Crossing: $90
- Shared Transfer from El Calafate to El Chaltén: $80
- Bus Transfer to Moreno Glacier from El Calafate: $77
- Perito Moreno Glacier expedition with transfer Included: $62
- Transfer from Hotels to Airport: $45
Is it cheaper to fly into Sao Paulo or El Calafate?
Prices for flights to both El Calafate 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 $25El Calafate $6.59
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in El Calafate
For El Calafate, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Estancia 25 de Mayo Dinner & Show with Transfer: $88
- Country Afternoon with Dinner Show - Estancia 25 de Mayo: $92
- Estancia 25 de Mayo Tour with Dinner & Transfer: $138
- Estancia 25 de Mayo in El Calafate - PM visit with dinner: $165
- Lakes and Caves Tour with Dinner and Wine Included: $179
- Lakes and Caves Tour with Dinner: $197
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sao Paulo $4.03El Calafate $51
Tours and Activities in Sao Paulo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sao Paulo.
- 10-hour beach tour Santos: Shared Full-Day with Tickets & Lunch: $189
- 2 Hours Private São Paulo Museum of Modern Art Tour: $240
- 4 Hour Private Tour - São Paulo: $142
- 4-Hour Private Tour in Sao Paulo: $300
- 4-hour Sum-up Private Tour Of São Paulo Including Its Major Attractions: $109
- 5-hour Private Street Art Tour Of São Paulo – The Coolest Urban Art Scenes: $155
- 5-hour Private Tour Of São Paulo With Its Main Sights – Optional Airport Pickup: $139
- 5h City Tour (pick up & delivery within SaoPaulo city): $298
- 5h Private Tour of Sao Paulo + Gastronomic Experience: $146
- 6 Hour Ayrton Senna Tour – The Greatest Formula 1 Drivers of all Time: $210
- 6 Hour Buddhist Temple and Embu das Artes Tour – Art Galleries, Artisan Shops: $203
- 6-Hour Classic Half-Day Private Tour of São Paulo – Optional Airport Pickup: $175
Tours and Activities in El Calafate
For El Calafate, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- “Todo Glaciares” Scenic Glacier Boat Tour from El Calafate: $223
- 4 Days & 3 Nights El Calafate & El Chaltén Magical Adventure: $1,350
- Adventure Horseback Riding on Cerro Frias: $150
- Adventure on Ice: MiniTrekking in the Perito Moreno Glacier: $447
- Argentine Cuisine Experience in El Calafate: $163
- Blue Safari Experience: Hiking and Navigation on Glaciers: $230
- CALAFATE: Panoramic tour: The best balconies of Calafate: $175
- Calafate Panoramic tour: The best balconies of Calafate 4x4: $195
- Calafate: Cerro Huyliche-SouthRoad Adventure 4x4 Full / Trekking / Zip Line: $120
- Calafate: Perito Moreno Glacier Guided Full-Day Tour: $52
- Calafate: SouthRoad Extreme Adventure. UTV Self-Drive: $250
- Cerro Frías Experience FWD Tour: $190
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySao Paulo $3.51El Calafate $8.20
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
When comparing the travel costs between Sao Paulo and El Calafate, we can see that Sao Paulo is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in South America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
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 El Calafate Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sao Paulo or El Calafate?
Sao Paulo has a larger population, and is about 1250 times larger than the population of El Calafate. When comparing the sizes of Sao Paulo and El Calafate, 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.