Which place is cheaper, La Serena or Sao Paulo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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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 Foz Do Iguacu, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Brazil, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Chile, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Chile.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySao Paulo $52La Serena $87
The average daily cost (per person) in Sao Paulo is $52, while the average daily cost in La Serena is $87. 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 $30La Serena $42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSao Paulo $60La 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 $5.90La Serena $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sao Paulo
Also for Sao Paulo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- airport transfer: $111
- Viracopos Airport VCP to Poços de Caldas Thermal Arrival Transfer: $79
- Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in São Paulo HTL-APT(GRU): $61
- Transfer from São Paulo to Port of Santos: $135
- Transfer GRU airport Guarulhos <> Sao Paulo / Hotel / CGH airport: $63
- Transfer CGH Airport Congonhas <> Sao Paulo city / Hotel: $35
- Sao Paulo to Campinas Viracopos Airport (VCP) - Private Transfer: $38
- Sao Paulo hotels to Campinas Airport (VCP) - Departure Transfer: $38
- Sao Paulo Airport to Beach Resorts - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $173
- Sao Paulo Airport Transfers: Sao Paulo to Guarulhos Airport GRU in Business Car: $121
- Sao Paulo Airport GRU to Beach Resorts - Arrival Private Transfer: $87
- Sao Paulo Airport (GRU) to Downtown - Arrival Private Transfer: $179
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 $15La Serena $27
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
- Authentic Brazilian Cooking Experience in SP: Feijoada & Moqueca: $189
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sao Paulo $4.05La Serena $24
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: $147
- 2 Hours Private São Paulo Museum of Modern Art Tour: $240
- 3 Beaches Hiking Santo Amaro Island - Paradise Route Tour from São Paulo: $125
- 3H CITY TOUR (pick up / delivery within Sao Paulo city limits): $147
- 4-Hour Private Tour in Sao Paulo: $300
- 4-hour Sum-up Private Tour Of São Paulo Including Its Major Attractions : $134
- 4WD One Day Tour visiting Water Fall and the Big Stone from Sao Paulo: $260
- 5 Hour City Tour in São Paulo: $88
- 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): $245
Tours and Activities in La Serena
For La Serena, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Tour to the internationally renowned Pangue Observatory: $139
- Dama Island or Chañaral Navigation Tour Humboldt Penguin Reserve: $140
- Elqui Valley Full Day Tour: magical towns, pisco and mountains: $85
- Elqui Valley Grand-Tour: $189
- Elqui Valley Tour from La Serena: $120
- Elqui Valley and Vicuña Private Tour Including Lunch: $183
- Elqui Valley: Pisco Tour, Wine, Beer: $174
- Full Day History and Flavors Tour in the Elqui Valley: $50
- La Serena & Coquimbo City Tour - Short excursion for cruise ships: $128
- La Serena and Coquimbo City Tour (SIB): $66
- La Serena and Coquimbo Guided City Tour: $76
- La Serena and Coquimbo Private City Tour Including Lunch, Shore Excursion: $194
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySao Paulo $3.52La 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:
- São Paulo Nightlife: Pub Crawl in the City that Never Sleeps!: $49
- Half Day Private Wine Tour from São Roque: $53
- Wine Tour in São Roque by car - tour with local guides: $95
- 4 Hours Pub Crawl in Vila Madalena: $150
- Fine wine tastings in São Roque - Tour with local guides: $177
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.
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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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.
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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.