Should you visit Sao Paulo or Iquique?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sao Paulo or Iquique, 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.
Iquique
Located in a golden crescent of coastline, the beautiful beach city with an ocean that's several shades of blue and a historic centre that offers the perfect balance of culture and relaxation is counted among Chile's premier beach resorts. The city is home to the duty free zone called "Zofri" and a growing number of high rise resort hotels along its beaches. Slightly more expensive and polluted than neighboring population centers, such as Arica, Iquique and its chaotic duty-free shopping zone (zona franca) have become the perfect summer holiday destination for Chilean families.
Which city is cheaper, Iquique or Sao Paulo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Sao Paulo is $41, while the average daily cost in Iquique is $93. 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 Iquique 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 $23, while a typical double-occupancy hotel room for two people will cost around $46.
An average hotel room with basic furnishings costs about $82 in Iquique For the most convenient locations and nicer amenities you can expect to pay a bit more.
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.
On average, meal and food prices in Iquique cost around $33 per person, per day. While this price can vary widely by location, the type of restaurant, and the amount of food ordered, a typical meal often costs around $13.
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Food
Meals for one day
Sao Paulo $11
Iquique $33
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
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 $4.61 per person, per day on transportation in Sao Paulo.
To get around in Iquique, the average visitor spends $22 per day, per person. This includes the costs of taxi rides and private drivers as well as public transportation, which tends to be much more affordable.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sao Paulo
Also for Sao Paulo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Creative & Natural Transfer São Paulo-Paraty:
$375
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Private São Paulo Airport - Hotels Transfer In or Out:
$200
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Private Transfer from Congonhas Airport (CGH) to Campinas Airport (VCP):
$190
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Private Transfer from Sao Paulo City to Campinas Airport (VCP):
$190
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Private Transfer from Congonhas Airport (CGH) to Viracopos Airport (VCP):
$190
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Private Transfer from Congonhas Airport (CGH) to Santos Port:
$190
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Private Arrival Transfer: São Paulo Airport to Santos Cruise Terminal:
$186
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Private Departure Transfer from Santos Cruise Terminal to São Paulo Airport:
$186
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Private Transfer from Congonhas Airport (CGH) to Jundiai:
$153
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Private Transfer from Gru Airport to Port or City of Santos:
$125
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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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Iquique
Also for Iquique, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Private Airport Transfer: Diego Aracena International Airport (IQQ) to Iquique:
$34
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Private Airport Transfer: Iquique to Diego Aracena International Airport (IQQ):
$34
Is it cheaper to fly into Sao Paulo or Iquique?
Prices for flights to both Iquique 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 $3.16 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
In Iquique, the costs for things to do, activities, admission tickets, and other sightseeing expenses are on average $26 per person, per day.
Tours and Activities in Sao Paulo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sao Paulo.
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2-Hour Boat and Stand Up Paddle Board Adventure in São Paulo, Brazil:
$275
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3 Beaches Hiking Santo Amaro Island - Paradise Route Tour from São Paulo:
$85
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4 Hour Customized "Private Tour" Drinking, Dining and Entertainment:
$400
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4-Day Private Guided Tour From São Paulo To Rio de Janeiro – Coastal Trip:
$990
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4-hour Private Tour - Hidden Gems and Top Sights of São Paulo:
$105
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4-hour Sum-up Private Tour Of São Paulo Including Its Major Attractions:
$87
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4WD One Day Tour visiting Water Fall and the Big Stone from Sao Paulo:
$270
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5-hour Private Street Art Tour Of São Paulo – The Coolest Urban Art Scenes:
$106
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5-hour Private Tour Of São Paulo With Its Main Sights – Optional Airport Pickup:
$97
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5h City Tour (pick up & delivery within SaoPaulo city):
$189
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7-hour Private Tour Overview Of São Paulo – Optional For GRU Airport Pickup:
$134
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8-Day São Paulo Tour: From City to Beaches, Waterfalls & Caves:
$2,490
Tours and Activities in Iquique
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Iquique.
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Pintados Geoglyphs Humberstone and Salar Grande tour:
$100
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 $2.75.
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Iquique, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $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:
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4 Hours Pub Crawl in Vila Madalena:
$69
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sao Paulo and Iquique, we can see that Iquique 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 Iquique would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Iquique than you might in Sao Paulo.
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