Should you visit Sao Paulo or Foz do Iguacu?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sao Paulo or Foz do Iguacu, this travel cost comparison can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
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.
Foz do Iguacu
Foz do Iguacu is a larger city in Brazil that is most famous for the Iguacu Falls. The city serves as an entry point for Paraguay and Argentina as well. The obvious reason to visit the city is to see the beautiful falls, and together with Ciudad del Este, Paraguay and Puerto Iguazu, Argentina, it makes up one of the largest tourism sights in South America.
Which city is cheaper, Foz do Iguacu or Sao Paulo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Sao Paulo is $38, while the average daily cost in Foz do Iguacu is $47. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Sao Paulo and Foz do Iguacu in more detail.
Accommodation
The prices for places to stay in Sao Paulo can vary by date, location, and type. Generally, the average cost for accommodation per person is $22, while a typical double-occupancy hotel room for two people will cost around $44.
The average price for accommodation for two people in Foz do Iguacu is $42. This is for two people sharing a typical double occupancy hotel room.
Food
The average traveler spends about $11 per day in Sao Paulo for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
Food in Foz do Iguacu costs travelers about $16 per day on average. Restaurants can vary significantly in price, so choose wisely if you're trying to save money. Fast food and street stalls are typically your cheapest options, which sit down restaurants can be significantly more expensive.
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Food
Meals for one day
Sao Paulo $11
Foz do Iguacu $16
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:
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Sao Paulo - Pinheiros Gourmet Food Tour (4 hours tour + 3 dishes included):
$45
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Brazilian Cooking Class:
$79
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Cooking Class in São Paulo:
$268
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Private Food Tour in São Paulo:
$278
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Foz do Iguacu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Foz do Iguacu.
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Churrascaria Rafain - Show And Dinner:
$50
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Dinner and Show at Rafain Churrascaria with round trip transfer included:
$52
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Argentinian Ice Bar, Wine and Dinner Experience:
$79
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Dinner Show at Rafain in Foz do Iguaçu:
$88
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Dinner Show - Rafain Steakhouse:
$110
Local Transportation
Sao Paulo's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $4.28 per person, per day on transportation in Sao Paulo.
The average price of local transportation around Foz do Iguacu is $9.64 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sao Paulo
Also for Sao Paulo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Airport Transfer: São Paulo Hotels to GRU International Airport:
$50
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CGH Airport transfer Sao Paulo city / Hotel:
$38
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Creative & Natural Transfer São Paulo-Paraty:
$375
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Departure Private Transfer São Paulo to Guarulhos Airport GRU by Standard Car:
$43
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Departure Private Transfer São Paulo to Guarulhos Airport GRU in Business Car:
$82
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Departure Private Transfer São Paulo to Guarulhos Airport GRU in Luxury Van:
$77
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Guarulhos International Airport Transfer:
$100
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Low Cost Private Transfer From Governador André Franco Montoro International Airport to Guarulhos City - One Way:
$122
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Low Cost Private Transfer From Governador André Franco Montoro International Airport to São Paulo City - One Way:
$122
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Private Airport Transfer: Sao Paulo to Sao Paulo-Guarulhos Int. Airport (GRU):
$23
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Private Airport Transfer: Sao Paulo-Guarulhos Int. Airport (GRU) to Sao Paulo:
$23
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Private Airport Transfer: Sao Paulo/Congonhas Airport (CGH) to Sao Paulo:
$22
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Foz do Iguacu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Foz do Iguacu:
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Iguazu Falls Panoramic Helicopter Flight With Optional Transfers:
$225
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Shared Roundtrip Transfers with Brazilian and Argentinian sides:
$90
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Iguazu: Transfer from Brazil Side:
$59
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Private Transfer: Foz do Iguaçu International Airport (IGU) to Foz do Iguacu:
$56
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Private Transfer: Foz do Iguacu to Foz do Iguaçu International Airport (IGU):
$56
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Bird Park Tickets with Round Trip Transfer Included:
$45
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Private Airport Transfer: Cataratas International Airport (IGU) to Iguazu:
$42
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Foz do Iguaçu Round-Trip Airport Transfer:
$35
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Foz do Iguaçu Airport Private Transfer:
$23
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Foz do Iguaçu Airport Shared Transfer:
$14
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Transfer Paraguay Shopping (CDE):
$9.00
Is it cheaper to fly into Sao Paulo or Foz do Iguacu?
Prices for flights to both Foz do Iguacu 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.
Entertainment
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Sao Paulo can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $2.93 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Foz do Iguacu's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $18 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Tours and Activities in Sao Paulo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sao Paulo.
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Downtown São Paulo: An audio tour tracing the city's epic history:
$5.00
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Virtual Live Tour of Sao Paulo Graffiti Hosted by Artist:
$25
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Street art is not for lazy tourists :P:
$25
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São Paulo Like a Local: Customized Private Tour:
$31
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Discover Sao Paulo History Guided Tour:
$31
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Paulista Avenue Walking Tour:
$31
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Private São Paulo Historic Center Walking Tour:
$45
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Small Group Highlights Tour in São Paulo:
$49
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City Tour Meet São Paulo Half-Day:
$50
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Alternative City Tour:
$50
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Rain Forest Trail - Cantareira Natural Park day tour from São Paulo:
$58
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Embu das Artes Largest Handicraft Fair Tour from São Paulo:
$58
Tours and Activities in Foz do Iguacu
Here are a few actual costs in Foz do Iguacu for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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3-Day Tour of Iguassu Falls National Park:
$390
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4-Day Iguassu Falls Tour:
$480
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Argentinean Falls Great Adventure with Boat Ride from Foz do Iguaçu:
$112
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Argentinean Side Iguassu Falls - Private Tour Belmond Exclusive:
$177
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Beer experience 277 Craftbeer:
$31
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Bird Park Admission Ticket:
$20
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Bird Park General Admission Ticket and Tour:
$63
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Bird Park Tour:
$21
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Blue Park Tour:
$73
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Boat Ride and Walking Tour of Iguazu Falls in Argentina:
$85
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Brazilian Side of the Falls - All Tickets Included:
$62
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Brazilian Side of the Falls and Boat Tour Macuco Safari - All Tickets Included:
$167
Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Sao Paulo, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $2.55.
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Foz do Iguacu may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $8.64 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Sample the Local Flavors in Sao Paulo
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Sao Paulo:
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4 Hours Pub Crawl in Vila Madalena:
$69
Typical Alcohol prices in Foz do Iguacu
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Foz do Iguacu from other travelers:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sao Paulo and Foz do Iguacu, we can see that Foz do Iguacu 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 Foz do Iguacu would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Foz do Iguacu than you might in Sao Paulo.
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