A Travel Price Comparison for Brazil Sao Paulo vs. Ilha Grande for Food, Couples, Backpackers, and Families

Should you visit Sao Paulo or Ilha Grande?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sao Paulo or Ilha Grande, 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.

Sao Paulo

Sao Paulo is a dynamic, vibrant, and colorful city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Ilha Grande

It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the food and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Sao Paulo and Ilha Grande: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sao Paulo or Ilha Grande?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Sao Paulo. Although Sao Paulo and Ilha Grande are both popular with visitors, Sao Paulo has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Sao Paulo is more popular for its museums & sights, food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Ilha Grande is known for its scuba diving & snorkeling and impressive beauty. Sao Paulo is more touristy than Ilha Grande and is known for its large size, vibrant neighborhoods, and world-class nightlife scene. It is also home to Ibirapuera Park. Ilha Grande is popular for

How is Sao Paulo different from Ilha Grande?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Ilha Grande and Sao Paulo. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Sao Paulo or Ilha Grande?

Sao Paulo is a must-visit destination for its museums and history. However, Ilha Grande does not have museums and landmarks.

The museums and tourist attractions in Sao Paulo are world-renowned. While many visitors overlook Sao Paulo for other destinations in Brazil, those that do visit will be rewarded with a large number of museums and sights. It's the largest city in South America, and there's plenty to do. Highlights include Museu de Arte, Museu de Arte, Museu de Arte Contemporânea, and the cathedral

Ilha Grande does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Sao Paulo or Ilha Grande? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Sao Paulo is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Ilha Grande is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Sao Paulo has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The city offers a huge mix of fine dining restaurants, street food vendors, family-friendly restaurants, and large local markets. The cuisine has many influences such as the Portuguese, West Africa, and even the Middle East. Popular dishes include the street food coxinha, feijoada (black bean and beef stew), and cachooro-quente (local hot dogs).

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Ilha Grande area. The island still has a quiet, local vibe and that can be seen in the restaurants around town as well. Many places are locally owned and serve up traditional dishes. In particular, the seafood is excellent.

Is Sao Paulo or Ilha Grande Better for Nightlife?

Sao Paulo is a must-visit destination for nightlife and partying. However, Ilha Grande is lacking in good options for its evening party scene.

Sao Paulo is a world class party destination. As the economic hub for Brazil, you'll find tons of bars, clubs, and venues throughout the city. The best neighborhood for a party is Vila Madalena, which is filled with restaurants and bars. For live music and food trucks, check out Rua Augusta. There are also many different neighborhoods in this megacity, and many have a lively energy and plenty to do at night. Every night you should be able to find something different to do.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Ilha Grande. It's a quiet island with a national park and most people visit specifically to get away from the busy and active city scene.

Is Sao Paulo or Ilha Grande Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Ilha Grande is a great for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Sao Paulo is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors go to Ilha Grande to enjoy scuba diving and snorkeling. There are several places where you can rent snorkeling or dive equipment. The area has coral and tropical fish, with the occasional sea turtle sighting. The visibility is generally good and the experience is worth enjoying, but make sure you check on water conditions.

Sao Paulo is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sao Paulo or Ilha Grande?

Sao Paulo is a must-visit destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Ilha Grande is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Known for shopping, Sao Paulo draws large crowds to its stores. The shopping opportunities are diverse, from megamalls to local markets, and international boutiques. There are many great neighborhoods for shopping, like Jardins, where you'll find high end stores. The main shopping street is Rua Oscar Freire. Downtown Sao Paulo has a mix of retail stores and market stalls that sell everything from cheap fashion to inexpensive odds and ins.

Ilha Grande is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Sao Paulo or Ilha Grande Better for Families?

Sao Paulo and Ilha Grande are both good destinations for the whole family.

Sao Paulo offers lots of family activities. Kids will enjoy a visit to the zoo or one of the kid-friendly museums around town. There are also a number of parks, some kid-friendly restaurants, and even an amusement park.

Ilha Grande is a family-friendly place to visit. Most families who visit the island come for the beaches. There are also many nice hikes, waterfalls, and even wildlife that the kids will enjoy. In the village there are a few restaurants. Many aren't geared specifically to kids, but they do have a selection that kids might enjoy.

Is Sao Paulo or Ilha Grande Better for Couples?

Ilha Grande is a great for couples. Also, Sao Paulo is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Ilha Grande is a great if you're traveling as a couple. Scenic beaches and beautiful nature make this a wonderful couples retreat that's not far from Rio de Janeiro. The beaches have a more relaxed and quiet vibe than many places in Brazil and the island still holds on to its undiscovered atmosphere.

Sao Paulo is a nice destination for couples. The city is filled with culture and you'll find many great activities that will make for an exciting couples trip. There are parks and museums, bars and restaurants, and theaters where you can see a show. Many couples enjoy a visit to the Botanical Garden of Sao Paulo or a stroll through Ibirapuera Park. You can watch the sunset with a view of the city from one of the many rooftop bars and then enjoy some samba dancing on the town.

Is Sao Paulo or Ilha Grande Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Ilha Grande is a great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Sao Paulo is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Ilha Grande. It is possible to reach the island with a backpacker's budget, but it will take you more time than if you hire a private tour. Once you're on the island there are some hostels and budget hotels to choose from as well.

Sao Paulo is a good city to visit for backpackers. While it's overlooked by many travelers, backpackers who linger for awhile will enjoy the city's authenticity and cultural scene. There are also a number of hostels around town.

Is Sao Paulo or Ilha Grande Better for Students?

Sao Paulo is a popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Ilha Grande is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Sao Paulo. The city is large with a diverse population and plenty to offer students. There are good educational institutions and a great international vibe as well.

Ilha Grande is not popular with students.

Is Sao Paulo or Ilha Grande Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Sao Paulo is a must-visit destination for times when you don't have a car. However, Ilha Grande is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Sao Paulo has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. It's a huge city, so you'll likely make use of the metro during your trip. There are six lines to the metro system and they provide convenient access to many of the city's top attractions. The city also has many bus routes as well.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Ilha Grande. You'll need to take a boat to reach the island, and once you're there, there are not vehicles around.

Is Sao Paulo or Ilha Grande a more walkable city?

Sao Paulo and Ilha Grande are very good when it comes to walkability.

Sao Paulo is a very walkable destination. It's a megacity that has a wide range of neighborhoods. The city center is generally very walkable, but because of its size, you'll want to have an itinerary planned out for each day.

Ilha Grande is very walkable. There are no cars on the island and very few roads. You'll spend a lot of time hiking around, which is the best way to enjoy the island. They don't call it "big island" for no reason though, so make sure you understand the distance between destinations.

Should I spend more time in Ilha Grande or Sao Paulo?

How long in Sao Paulo or Ilha Grande?

It's fun to spend time in either Sao Paulo or Ilha Grande. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Ilha Grande due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Sao Paulo, and 2-4 days is enough time in Ilha Grande.

Families should spend more time in Sao Paulo than Ilha Grande. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Sao Paulo, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Sao Paulo than Ilha Grande if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Sao Paulo.

One day in Sao Paulo or Ilha Grande?

Sao Paulo is a colorful city where you can fill many days. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the of Ilha Grande. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Sao Paulo or Ilha Grande?

Sao Paulo is a cultural big city where you can fill many days. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and food around the destination of Ilha Grande. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this has to offer. This offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Sao Paulo or Ilha Grande?

The colorful city of Sao Paulo offers shopping and museums. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the of Ilha Grande. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Sao Paulo or Ilha Grande?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Sao Paulo. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Ilha Grande is a popular choice for travelers. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Brazil, The Best Eco Tours in Brazil, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Brazil, and The Best Luxury Tours to Brazil.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sao Paulo and Ilha Grande, we can see that Ilha Grande 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 Ilha Grande would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ilha Grande than you might in Sao Paulo.

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 Ilha Grande Expensive?.