A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sao Paulo vs. Granada for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Sao Paulo or Granada?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sao Paulo or Granada, 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 Granada?

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.

Granada

Granada is Nicaragua's oldest colonial city, and arguably, the most beautiful city in the country. It sits on the northern edge of Lake Nicaragua (Lago Cocibolca) and has many beautifully colored buildings and nice churches. The city's beauty and colonial architecture, along with its relative safety and accessibility, make it one of Nicaragua's top tourist destinations. The city has long been a center for commerce, but today its economy depends heavily on tourism. The city is the sixth largest in Nicaragua and a real estate boom in the early 2000's brought a large number of expats to the town.

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 in Nicaragua, and The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua.


Which place is cheaper, Granada 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.

The average daily cost (per person) in Sao Paulo is $60, while the average daily cost in Granada is $50. 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 Granada in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sao Paulo $28
    Granada $17
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sao Paulo $56
    Granada $34
Compare Hotels in Sao Paulo and Granada

Looking for a hotel in Sao Paulo or Granada? 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.

Hotels in Sao Paulo


Hotels in Granada


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 Granada Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Sao Paulo $5.76
    Granada $8.54

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sao Paulo

Also for Sao Paulo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer from Rio de Janeiro Airport (GIG) (SDU): $16
  • Sao Paulo Airport (GRU) Private Transfer to Sao Paulo City/Hotels: $27
  • Transfer CGH Airport Congonhas <> Sao Paulo city / Hotel: $38
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Congonhas Airport to São Paulo Hotels: $39
  • Private Departure Transfer: São Paulo Hotels to Congonhas Airport: $39
  • Receptive and Transfer Airports, Cities and Coast: $42
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Guarulhos International Airport to São Paulo Hotels: $47
  • Transfer GRU airport Guarulhos <> Sao Paulo / Hotel / CGH airport: $65
  • Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in Sao Paulo APT-HTL(GRU): $67
  • Transfer (Taxi) airport to Sao Paulo: $77
  • Sao Paulo Guarulhos Airport (GRU) to Sao Paulo Private Transfer: $79
  • Private Transfer from Guarulhos to Santos: $80

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Granada

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Granada:

  • One-Way Private Transfer From/To Airport or Hotels in Granada: $40
  • From San Jorge: One way shared transfer to Granada: $39
  • Leon: One way shared transfer to Granada: $39
  • San Juan del Sur: One way shared transfer to Granada: $39
  • From One way shared transfer to Rivas: $39
  • From One way shared transfer to Leon: $39

Is it cheaper to fly into Sao Paulo or Granada?

Prices for flights to both Granada 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Sao Paulo $24
    Granada $24

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:

  • Make 9 Brazilian Faves in a 4-Hour Cooking Workshop in Sao Paulo: $85
  • Authentic Brazilian Cooking Experience in SP: Feijoada & Moqueca: $189

Typical Food Prices in Granada

Some typical examples of dining costs in Granada are as follows:


  • Pizza
    $2.28

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Sao Paulo $3.89
    Granada $10

Tours and Activities in Sao Paulo

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sao Paulo.

  • Sao Paulo Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
  • Downtown-Center History Walking Tour - in English: $31
  • São Paulo: 2 Hour Immersion Waling Tour in Paulista Avenue: $34
  • São Paulo Must-see Attractions Walking Tour with a Guide: $48
  • Boat Trip Billings Dam and Experience Bororé Island: $50
  • São Paulo: 2 Hours - Liberdade "Street Food" Tour - In English: $55
  • Sao Paulo, Pinheiros - Food & Graffiti Tour - In English: $65
  • São Paulo Highlights Walking Tour with a Guide: $66
  • City Tour Meet São Paulo Half-Day: $68
  • Sao Paulo Culture Walking Tour: $69
  • Shared tour of the tourist attractions of São Paulo: $77
  • São Paulo’s Full Day City Tour: Main City Sights in 7 Hours – (Shared Group): $79

Typical Entertainment Prices in Granada

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Granada are as follows:


  • Lago de Nicaragua Boat Tour
    $8.14

Tours and Activities in Granada

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Granada are as follows:

  • Volcano Mombacho Adventure in the Cloud Forest & Apoyo Lake : $115
  • 3 Volcanoes Full Day Tour! Unique experience!: $145
  • Bird Watching Tour: $90
  • Boat Tour and Granada City Tour: $130
  • Canopy & Crater on Mombacho Volcano & Islets Sunset Boat Tour: $144
  • Charming Granada Outdoor "Private Tour" : $92
  • City Tour Granada, Nicaragua.: $40
  • Experience Granadas Best Sights Carriage ride + Local Guide: $65
  • From Full-Day Tour to 6 Attractions with Lunch incl: $125
  • Full Day Tour Isletas + Pueblos Blancos + Laguna from Granada: $120
  • Full Day Tour Masaya Volcano, Art Market and White Villages: $60
  • Full-Day Tour: Masaya Volcano, Art Market and White Villages: $60

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Sao Paulo $3.38
    Granada $7.48

Sample the Local Flavors in Sao Paulo

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Sao Paulo:

  • Fine wine tastings in São Roque - Tour with local guides: $192

Typical Alcohol Prices in Granada

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Granada:


  • Tequila
    $1.36


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sao Paulo and Granada, we can see that Sao Paulo is more expensive. And not only is Granada much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Sao Paulo is in South America and Granada is in Central America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Granada would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Granada 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 Granada.

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 Granada Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Sao Paulo or Granada?

Sao Paulo has a larger population, and is about 110 times larger than the population of Granada. When comparing the sizes of Sao Paulo and Granada, 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 Granada?

Sao Paulo has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Granada experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Sao Paulo or Granada in the Summer?

Both Granada and Sao Paulo during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Sao Paulo for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Granada year-round.

Sao Paulo is around the same temperature as Granada in the summer. The daily temperature in Sao Paulo averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Granada fluctuates around 27°C (81°F)in July.

Granada gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Sao Paulo. Sao Paulo usually gets more rain in January than Granadain July. Sao Paulo gets 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Granada receives 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year. October to March is the rainy season in Sao Paulo.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January and July
    Sao Paulo 25°C (77°F) 
    Granada 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Sao Paulo or Granada in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Sao Paulo and Granada. Many visitors come to Sao Paulo in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Granada attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the autumn, Sao Paulo is cooler than Granada. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sao Paulo in April average around 22°C (72°F), and Granada averages at about 27°C (81°F)in October.

Granada receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In April, Sao Paulo usually receives less rain than Granadain October. Sao Paulo gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Granada receives 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn. June to August in Sao Paulo is the dry season.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April and October
    Sao Paulo 22°C (72°F) 
    Granada 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Sao Paulo or Granada in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Sao Paulo as well as Granada. Most visitors come to Sao Paulo for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Granada throughout the year.

In July, Sao Paulo is generally cooler than Granadain January. Daily temperatures in Sao Paulo average around 19°C (66°F), and Granada fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

Sao Paulo usually gets more rain in July than Granadain January. Sao Paulo gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Granada receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to August in Sao Paulo is the dry season.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July and January
    Sao Paulo 19°C (66°F) 
    Granada 26°C (79°F)

Should I visit Sao Paulo or Granada in the Spring?

Both Granada and Sao Paulo are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Sao Paulo because of the activities around the city. Plenty of visitors come to Granada because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Sao Paulo is cooler than Granada in the spring. The daily temperature in Sao Paulo averages around 21°C (70°F) in October, and Granada fluctuates around 29°C (84°F)in April.

In October, Sao Paulo usually receives more rain than Granadain April. Sao Paulo gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Granada receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the spring. The rainy season in Sao Paulo is October to March.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October and April
    Sao Paulo 21°C (70°F) 
    Granada 29°C (84°F)

Typical Weather for Granada and Sao Paulo

Sao Paulo Granada
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 25°C (77°F) 170 mm (6.7 in) 26°C (79°F) 4 mm (0.2 in)
Feb 25°C (77°F) 170 mm (6.7 in) 27°C (80°F) 2 mm (0.1 in)
Mar 24°C (75°F) 120 mm (4.7 in) 28°C (82°F) 3 mm (0.1 in)
Apr 22°C (72°F) 50 mm (2 in) 29°C (84°F) 6 mm (0.2 in)
May 21°C (70°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 29°C (84°F) 131 mm (5.2 in)
Jun 19°C (66°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 28°C (82°F) 196 mm (7.7 in)
Jul 19°C (66°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 27°C (81°F) 144 mm (5.7 in)
Aug 19°C (66°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 27°C (81°F) 151 mm (5.9 in)
Sep 21°C (70°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 27°C (81°F) 210 mm (8.3 in)
Oct 21°C (70°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 27°C (81°F) 197 mm (7.8 in)
Nov 23°C (73°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 31°C (88°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Dec 24°C (75°F) 150 mm (5.9 in) 26°C (79°F) 11 mm (0.4 in)