Which place is cheaper, La Serena 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.
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Should you visit Sao Paulo or La Serena?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sao Paulo or La Serena, 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 La Serena?
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 Serena
La Serena is a charming town in Northern Chile. It is Chile's second-oldest city and the thriving capital of Region IV. With its beautiful architecture, its long golden shoreline, dignified stone churches, tree-shaded avenues and pretty plazas, La Serena has everything you could ask for!
Chileans on holidays flood in the city in January and February, though it is fairly peaceful outside the summer rush. Some of the city's architecture is from the colonial era, but most is actually neocolonial thanks to president Gabriel Gonzalez Videla, born in La Serena, and her 'Plan Serena' of the late 1940s.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Day Tours from Manaus, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Brazil, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Chile, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Chile.
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Sao Paulo Prices
Brazil PricesLa Serena Prices
Chile Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySao Paulo $60La Serena $106
The average daily cost (per person) in Sao Paulo is $60, while the average daily cost in La Serena is $106. 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 La Serena in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSao Paulo $28La Serena $42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSao Paulo $56La Serena $84
Compare Hotels in Sao Paulo and La Serena
Looking for a hotel in Sao Paulo or La Serena? 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.
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 La Serena Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sao Paulo $5.76La Serena $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sao Paulo
Also for Sao Paulo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in Sao Paulo APT-HTL(GRU): $67
- Transfer to Guarulhos Airport - up to 4 passengers sedan: $130
- Transfer from São Paulo to Port of Santos: $230
- Transfer GRU airport Guarulhos <> Sao Paulo / Hotel / CGH airport: $65
- Transfer CGH Airport Congonhas <> Sao Paulo city / Hotel: $38
- Transfer (Taxi) airport to Sao Paulo: $77
- Sao Paulo Guarulhos Airport GRU to Sao Paulo RoundTrip Transfer : $158
- Sao Paulo Airport (GRU) Private Transfer to Sao Paulo City/Hotels: $27
- Receptive and Transfer Airports, Cities and Coast: $42
- Private Transfer from Sao Paulo hotels to Santos Cruise Port: $170
- Private Transfer from Sao Paulo city hotels to Santos Cruise Port: $138
- Private Transfer from Sao Paulo City to Congonhas (CGH) Airport: $123
Is it cheaper to fly into Sao Paulo or La Serena?
Prices for flights to both La Serena 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
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Food Meals for one daySao Paulo $24La Serena $46
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sao Paulo $3.89La Serena $24
Tours and Activities in Sao Paulo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sao Paulo.
- São Paulo: 2 Hour Immersion Waling Tour in Paulista Avenue: $34
- 4 Hour Private Tour - São Paulo: $142
- 4-Hour Private Tour in Sao Paulo: $300
- 4-hour Sum-up Private Tour Of São Paulo Including Its Major Attractions : $134
- 5-hour Pelé Private Tour: The King of Football : $162
- 5-hour Private Street Art Tour Of São Paulo – The Coolest Urban Art Scenes: $176
- 5-hour Private Tour Of São Paulo With Its Main Sights – Optional Airport Pickup: $162
- 5h City Tour (pick up & delivery within SaoPaulo city): $240
- 6 Hour Ayrton Senna Tour – The Greatest Formula 1 Drivers of all Time: $193
- 6-Hour Classic Half-Day Private Tour of São Paulo – Optional Airport Pickup : $178
- 6-Hour Private Layover Tour in São Paulo from GRU & CGH Airports: $178
- 7-hour Private Tour Overview Of São Paulo – Optional For GRU Airport Pickup: $192
Tours and Activities in La Serena
For La Serena, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Astronomical Tour Collowara Observatory: $64
- Astronomy and Astrophotography Tour: $55
- Charm Valley Archaeological Tour, Shamanism and Petroglyphs: $175
- Dama Island or Chañaral Navigation Tour Humboldt Penguin Reserve: $165
- Elqui Valley Tour from La Serena: $85
- Elqui Valley Tour: Full Day History and Flavors : $42
- Elqui Valley: Pisco Tour, Wine, Beer: $174
- Grand Tour Valley of Elqui Mystic Mountains and Cultural Treasures: $115
- La Serena and Coquimbo City Tour (SIB): $66
- La Serena and Coquimbo Guided City Tour: $76
- Full day Tour to Elqui Valley : $110
- Milky Way Sanctuary Stargazing Tour at Pangue Observatory: $225
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySao Paulo $3.38La Serena $22
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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sao Paulo and La Serena, we can see that La Serena 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 La Serena would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in La Serena 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 La Serena Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sao Paulo or La Serena?
Sao Paulo has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of La Serena. When comparing the sizes of Sao Paulo and La Serena, 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 La Serena?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.
Should I visit Sao Paulo or La Serena in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Sao Paulo and La Serena. Most visitors come to Sao Paulo for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Sao Paulo is a little warmer than La Serena. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sao Paulo in January average around 25°C (77°F), and La Serena averages at about 18°C (64°F).
Sao Paulo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Sao Paulo usually receives more rain than La Serena. Sao Paulo gets 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while La Serena receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the summer. Also, October to March is the rainy season in Sao Paulo.
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Summer Average Temperatures JanuarySao Paulo 25°C (77°F)La Serena 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Sao Paulo or La Serena in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Sao Paulo as well as La Serena. The autumn months attract visitors to Sao Paulo because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
In April, Sao Paulo is generally a little warmer than La Serena. Daily temperatures in Sao Paulo average around 22°C (72°F), and La Serena fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
Sao Paulo usually gets more rain in April than La Serena. Sao Paulo gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while La Serena receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to August in Sao Paulo is the dry season.
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Autumn Average Temperatures AprilSao Paulo 22°C (72°F)La Serena 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Sao Paulo or La Serena in the Winter?
Both La Serena and Sao Paulo are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Sao Paulo this time of year.
Sao Paulo is much warmer than La Serena in the winter. The daily temperature in Sao Paulo averages around 19°C (66°F) in July, and La Serena fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
In July, Sao Paulo usually receives more rain than La Serena. Sao Paulo gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while La Serena receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the winter. The dry season in Sao Paulo is June to August.
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Winter Average Temperatures JulySao Paulo 19°C (66°F)La Serena 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Sao Paulo or La Serena in the Spring?
Both La Serena and Sao Paulo during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Sao Paulo for the activities around the city.
In the spring, Sao Paulo is a little warmer than La Serena. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sao Paulo in October average around 21°C (70°F), and La Serena averages at about 14°C (57°F).
Sao Paulo usually gets more rain in October than La Serena. Sao Paulo gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while La Serena receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year. October to March is the rainy season in Sao Paulo.
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Spring Average Temperatures OctoberSao Paulo 21°C (70°F)La Serena 14°C (57°F)
Typical Weather for La Serena and Sao Paulo
| Sao Paulo | La Serena | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 22°C (72°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| May | 21°C (70°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Jun | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Jul | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Aug | 19°C (66°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Oct | 21°C (70°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (75°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.