Which place is cheaper, Lake Titicaca (Puno) or Sao Paulo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sao Paulo or Lake Titicaca (Puno)?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sao Paulo or Lake Titicaca (Puno), 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 Lake Titicaca (Puno)?
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.
Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Lake Titicaca, which directly translates to "puma stone" in Quechua, is located high in the Andes Mountains straddling Peru and Bolivia, with about 60% of the lake in Peru and 40% in Bolivia. Among the lake are three main islands, the most popular of which are the Uros Islands, also known as the floating islands, where the Uros people live on totora reeds that grow in the lake.
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 Photography Tours in Peru, and The Best Jungle Trekking Tours in Peru.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySao Paulo $52Lake Titicaca (Puno) $55
The average daily cost (per person) in Sao Paulo is $52, while the average daily cost in Lake Titicaca (Puno) is $55. 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 Lake Titicaca (Puno) in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSao Paulo $30Lake Titicaca (Puno) $26
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSao Paulo $60Lake Titicaca (Puno) $52
Compare Hotels in Sao Paulo and Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Looking for a hotel in Sao Paulo or Lake Titicaca (Puno)? 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 Lake Titicaca (Puno) Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sao Paulo $5.90Lake Titicaca (Puno) $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sao Paulo
Also for Sao Paulo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Sao Paulo City - Sao Paulo Airport (GRU): $22
- Private One Way Airport Transfer Sao Paulo to and from Sao Paulo: $27
- Private Transfer from Sao Paulo City Center to Guarulhos Airport: $36
- Transfer CGH Airport Congonhas <> Sao Paulo city / Hotel: $36
- Campinas Viracopos Airport (VCP) to Sao Paulo - Private Transfer: $38
- Viracopos Airport (VCP) to Águas de Lindoia-Arrival Transfer: $38
- Campinas Airport (VCP) to Sao Paulo hotels - Arrival Transfer: $38
- Sao Paulo to Campinas Viracopos Airport (VCP) - Private Transfer: $38
- Sao Paulo hotels to Campinas Airport (VCP) - Departure Transfer: $38
- Sao Paulo Airport (GRU) to Águas de Lindoia-Arrival Transfer: $43
- Private Departure Transfer: São Paulo Hotels to Guarulhos International Airport: $46
- Private Sao Paulo Congonhas Airport Transfer to or from Sao Paulo: $50
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Lake Titicaca (Puno):
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Taxi$0.81
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lake Titicaca (Puno):
- Private Transfer From Puno to Chivay With a 2 Hour Stop: $294
- Private Transfer From Puno to Oruro With a Stop in Lake Titicaca: $283
- Private Transfer From Puno to Oruro with English Speaking Driver: $240
- Direct Private Transfer From Puno to Cusco, English Local Speaking Driver: $204
- Private Transfer from Puno to Frontera Kasani: $201
- Private Transfer from Puno to Desaguadero: $192
- Puno Airport Private Transfer: $44
- Private Transfer from Hotel Puno to Puerto de Puno: $21
- Private Transfer from Puerto de Puno to Hotel Puno: $21
- Puno Airport Shared Transfer: $20
Is it cheaper to fly into Sao Paulo or Lake Titicaca (Puno)?
Prices for flights to both Lake Titicaca (Puno) 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 $15Lake Titicaca (Puno) $15
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
Typical Food Prices in Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lake Titicaca (Puno) are as follows:
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Tamales$1.49
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sao Paulo $4.05Lake Titicaca (Puno) $29
Tours and Activities in Sao Paulo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sao Paulo.
- São Paulo (Ibirapuera) Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.85
- São Paulo Paulista Avenue City Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.85
- Walking Tour Historic Center in São Paulo: $13
- Sao Paulo 360 Guided Tour: $26
- Discover Sao Paulo History Guided Tour: $27
- Night Walking Tour through the Bars of Augusta street: $35
- Night Walking Tour through the Bars of São Paulo : $35
- Personal aromatic experience in São Paulo: $40
- Sao Paulo, Pinheiros - Food & Graffiti Tour (2,5hr Food included): $53
- São Paulo: 2 Hours - Liberdade "Street Food" Tour: $53
- City Tour Meet São Paulo Half-Day: $64
- Bixiga Walking Tour: $67
Tours and Activities in Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lake Titicaca (Puno) are as follows:
- Live Experience Titicaca Lake PUNO: $70
- 2-Day Lake Titicaca Tour with Stay in a Local Family Home: $109
- 2-Day Tour Uros Islands with Stay in a Local Family House from Puno: $109
- 2-Day Tour to Uros, Amantani and Taquile From Puno: $85
- 2-Hour Crop Circles Private Tour on Lake Titicaca from Puno: $130
- 2-day Tour: Puno To Chivay And Canyon Of Colca: $195
- 3 Hour Guided Kayaking Tour in Lake Titicaca: $50
- 3-day Classic Puno Tour Package: $226
- 3h Boat Tour to Uros Island from Puno: $38
- Aymara's route 1 day tour in Puno: Inca Uyo, Aramu Muru, Molloco: $90
- Bus Day Tour along the Ruta del Sol from Puno to Cusco: $62
- Bus Ticket from Puno to Cusco with Stop.: $108
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySao Paulo $3.52Lake Titicaca (Puno) $13
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: $97
- 4 Hours Pub Crawl in Vila Madalena: $150
- Fine wine tastings in São Roque - Tour with local guides: $181
When comparing the travel costs between Sao Paulo and Lake Titicaca (Puno), we can see that Lake Titicaca (Puno) 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.
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 Lake Titicaca (Puno) Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sao Paulo or Lake Titicaca (Puno)?
Sao Paulo has a larger population, and is about 90 times larger than the population of Lake Titicaca (Puno). When comparing the sizes of Sao Paulo and Lake Titicaca (Puno), 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.
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.