Should you visit Sao Paulo or La Paz?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sao Paulo or La Paz, 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.
La Paz
La Paz, the administrative capital of Bolivia, has a breathtaking setting. The city is the highest national capital in the world, with an altitude ranging from about 4,058 m (13,313 ft) above sea level in El Alto, where the airport is located, to 3,100 m (10,170 ft) in the lower residential area. The dynamic and chaotic city was built in a canyon created by the Choqueyapu River. La Paz is now a fusion of architectural styles, cultures and beliefs, welcoming everyday new boutique hotels, modern shops, delicious restaurants and reinventing standing establishments. However, generally speaking, Bolivia remains more a backpacker hit than a mainstream tourist destination.
Which city is cheaper, La Paz 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 La Paz is $36. 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 La Paz 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 $24, while a typical double-occupancy hotel room for two people will cost around $48.
Travelers usually pay around $26 for a double occupancy room in La Paz If you want to be in a premiere location or have high end amenities, you can expect to pay a bit more.
Food
The average traveler spends about $12 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.
La Paz food costs typically run travelers around $13 per day. Eating every meal in a nicer restaurant will drive the cost up, and grabbing fast food or casual meals will help you save money.
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Food
Meals for one day
Sao Paulo $12
La Paz $13
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
Typical Food prices in La Paz
For La Paz, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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 $4.64 per person, per day on transportation in Sao Paulo.
To get around in La Paz, the average visitor spends $7.58 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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Transfer: Guarulhos International Airport to Sâo Paulo Hotels:
$55
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Transfer in Private Vehicle from Sao Paulo City to Airport:
$25
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São Paulo x Paraty x São Paulo - Package Transfer IN + OUT:
$98
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São Paulo Hotel Private Minibus Transfer to Guarulhos Airport:
$87
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Private transfer: Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) to Sao Paulo:
$86
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Private Transfer: São Paulo to Congonhas-São Paulo Airport (CGH):
$65
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Private Transfer: Congonhas-São Paulo Airport (CGH) to São Paulo:
$65
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Private Transfer from Vila Olímpia to Sao Paulo (GRU) Airport:
$75
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Private Transfer from Vila Mariana to Sao Paulo (GRU) Airport:
$66
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Private Transfer from Vila Leopoldina to Sao Paulo (GRU) Airport:
$81
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Private Transfer from Vila Andrade to Sao Paulo (GRU) Airport:
$85
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Private Transfer from São Paulo airport to Hotels + quick City tour:
$76
Typical Local Transportation prices in La Paz
Some typical examples of transportation costs in La Paz are as follows:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in La Paz
Also for La Paz, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Private Transfer: La Paz to El Alto International Airport (LPB):
$622
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La Paz Airport Transfer One Way:
$373
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La Paz International Airport (LAP) to La Paz hotels -Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$157
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La Paz hotels to La Paz International Airport (LAP) - Departure Private Transfer:
$78
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La Paz International Airport (LAP) to La Paz hotels - Arrival Private Transfer:
$78
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Private Transfer from Airport to your Hotel in La Paz City:
$70
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Private Transfer From Bus Station to Hotel in La Paz City:
$62
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Private Transfer From your Hotel to Bus Station in La Paz City:
$62
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Private Transfer From Hotel to Airport in La Paz City:
$62
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Private Transfer From Bus Station to your Hotel in La Paz City:
$49
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Private Transfer from your Hotel to Airport in La Paz City:
$49
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Private Transfer from Airport to your Hotel in La Paz City:
$49
Is it cheaper to fly into Sao Paulo or La Paz?
Prices for flights to both La Paz 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 $3.18 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
In La Paz, the costs for things to do, activities, admission tickets, and other sightseeing expenses are on average $13 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 La Paz
For La Paz, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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1 Day Espiritu Santo Island Wonders, Sea Lions and Paddleboard Adventure:
$390
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1-4 Private Group Rate Tour: Espiritu Santo Island, Sea Lions and Paddleboarding:
$739
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2 Days: Private Tour to Parque Nacional Sajama from La Paz:
$545
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2-Day Private Lake Titicaca and Sun Island Tour from La Paz:
$482
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4 Days Bolivia Private Luxury Tour with English Guide from La Paz Bolivia:
$1,538
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4 Days Bolivia: Group tour with English Guide from La Paz Bolivia:
$696
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4-Day Bolivian Amazon Pampas Adventure from La Paz:
$774
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5 Day Death Road + Uyuni Salt Flats Tour:
$442
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5-Day Bolivian Amazon Pampas Adventure from La Paz:
$729
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5-Day Uyuni Salt Flats and Desert Adventure from La Paz:
$492
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6 Days Private Best of Bolivia Tour from La Paz with Flights VIP:
$1,898
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6-Day Bolivia Private Tour: La Paz-Uyuni Salt Flats-Lake Titicaca-Tihuanacu:
$1,846
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 $2.77.
Typically, people visiting La Paz spend on average $8.58 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
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 comparing the travel costs between Sao Paulo and La Paz, we can see that Sao Paulo is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in South America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
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