A Travel Price Comparison for Brazil Sao Paulo vs. Ilha Grande for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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.

Where Should I go: Sao Paulo or Ilha Grande?

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.

Ilha Grande

Ilha Grande is a large, beautiful, island located off the southeast coast of Brazil. The island has few inhabitants, resulting in mostly unadulterated beaches and landscapes. There are over a dozen trails and beaches to explore, some of which have been called the best beaches in Brazil. Due to the limited number of inhabitants, ATMs are sparse on the island, so be sure to have cash with you before getting there.

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 3-Day Tours from Foz Do Iguacu, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Manaus.


Which place is cheaper, Ilha Grande or Sao Paulo?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Sao Paulo is $54, while the average daily cost in Ilha Grande is $70. 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 Ilha Grande in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sao Paulo $31
    Ilha Grande $38
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sao Paulo $62
    Ilha Grande $76
Compare Hotels in Sao Paulo and Ilha Grande

Looking for a hotel in Sao Paulo or Ilha Grande? 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 Ilha Grande


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Sao Paulo $6.04
    Ilha Grande $18

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sao Paulo

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

  • airport transfer: $117
  • Viracopos Airport VCP to Poços de Caldas Thermal Arrival Transfer: $80
  • Viracopos Airport (VCP) to São Pedro Thermal Arrival Transfer: $39
  • Viracopos Airport (VCP) to Águas de Lindoia-RoundTrip Transfer: $77
  • Viracopos Airport (VCP) to Águas de Lindoia-Arrival Transfer: $39
  • Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in Sao Paulo APT-HTL(GRU): $61
  • Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in São Paulo HTL-APT(GRU): $61
  • Transfer from São Paulo to Port of Santos: $142
  • Transfer VCP airport Viracopos <> GRU airport / Sao Paulo city: $134
  • Transfer GRU airport Guarulhos <> Sao Paulo / Hotel / CGH airport: $66
  • Transfer CGH Airport Congonhas <> Sao Paulo city / Hotel: $37
  • Sao Paulo Airport to Beach Resorts - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $176

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ilha Grande

Also for Ilha Grande, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • All Private Transfer from Ilha Grande to Rio de Janeiro: $275
  • Departure Transfer: Angra dos Reis to GIG or SDU Airport by Van: $246
  • Private Transfer from GIG to anywhere in the City Angra dos Reis: $195
  • Private Transfer from Angra dos Reis to Airport GIG in Rio : $195
  • From Rio de Janeiro:Shared Roundtrip Transfer to Araçatiba: $108
  • Private Transfer Angra dos Reis to Rio de Janeiro: $91
  • Shuttle Transfer from Ilha Grande (Abraão) to Paraty: $79
  • From Angra dos Reis: Shared Transfer to Rio de Janeiro: $56
  • From Shared Transfer to Rio de Janeiro: $48
  • Regular Transfer Angra dos Reis x Rio de Janeiro and Airports: $39
  • From Speedboat Transfer to Angra dos Reis: $28
  • From Angra dos Reis: Speedboat Transfer to Araçatiba: $28

Is it cheaper to fly into Sao Paulo or Ilha Grande?

Prices for flights to both Ilha Grande 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 $15
    Ilha Grande $21

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:

  • Private Traditional Brazilian or Paulistano Cooking Class with a Chef: $130

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Sao Paulo $4.14
    Ilha Grande $6.77

Tours and Activities in Sao Paulo

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

  • Guarani Indigenous Village of São Paulo (private tour)-5 hours: $154
  • 2 Hours Private São Paulo Museum of Modern Art Tour: $240
  • 3 Beaches Hiking Santo Amaro Island - Paradise Route Tour from São Paulo: $109
  • 3H CITY TOUR (pick up / delivery within Sao Paulo city limits): $154
  • 4-Hour Private Tour in Sao Paulo: $300
  • 4-hour Sum-up Private Tour Of São Paulo Including Its Major Attractions : $134
  • 5 Hour City Tour in São Paulo: $93
  • 5-hour Pelé Private Tour: The King of Football : $162
  • 5-hour Private Street Art Tour Of São Paulo – The Coolest Urban Art Scenes: $174
  • 5-hour Private Tour Of São Paulo With Its Main Sights – Optional Airport Pickup: $162
  • 5h City Tour (pick up & delivery within SaoPaulo city): $257
  • 6 Hour Ayrton Senna Tour – The Greatest Formula 1 Drivers of all Time: $182

Tours and Activities in Ilha Grande

For Ilha Grande, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 360 Tour of Ilha Grande - Speed Boat Tour: $74
  • Angra Dos Reis Daily Tour To Paradise. Boat Trip Lunch And Fruits Included: $72
  • Angra dos Reis Island Hopping Speedboat Tour from Ilha Grande: $79
  • Angra dos Reis with Speedboat Tour and Paradise Islands: $58
  • Boat Tour To The Beaches Of Angra Dos Reis: $21
  • From Abraão, Lopes Mendes Beach Tour & Trekking: $21
  • Full-Day Ilha Grande Northern Coast Speedboat Tour: $67
  • Half-Day Blue Lagoon Schooner Tour: $40
  • Half-Day Ilha Grande Schooner Tour: $40
  • Ilha Grande - From Abrãao: Lopes Mendes beach tour & trekking: $25
  • Ilha Grande - Private Historical Walking Tour with Natural Pool.: $60
  • Walking Abraão Historical Tour and Natural Pool: $80

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Sao Paulo $3.60
    Ilha Grande $11

Sample the Local Flavors in Sao Paulo

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

  • São Paulo Nightlife: Pub Crawl in the City that Never Sleeps!: $49
  • Half Day Private Wine Tour from São Roque: $54
  • Wine Tour in São Roque by car - tour with local guides: $100
  • 4 Hours Pub Crawl in Vila Madalena: $150
  • Fine wine tastings in São Roque - Tour with local guides: $185


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?.