A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sao Paulo vs. Lake Titicaca (Puno) for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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 G Adventures Tours to Brazil, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Rio de Janeiro, The Best Photography Tours in Peru, and The Best Jungle Trekking Tours in Peru.


Which place is cheaper, Lake Titicaca (Puno) 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.

  • Sao Paulo Prices
    Brazil Prices
    Lake Titicaca (Puno) Prices
    Peru Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Sao Paulo $63
    Lake Titicaca (Puno) $72

The average daily cost (per person) in Sao Paulo is $63, while the average daily cost in Lake Titicaca (Puno) is $72. 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
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sao Paulo $30
    Lake Titicaca (Puno) $28
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sao Paulo $60
    Lake Titicaca (Puno) $56
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.

Hotels in Sao Paulo


Hotels in Lake Titicaca (Puno)


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Sao Paulo $6.00
    Lake 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 Rio de Janeiro Airport (GIG): $18
  • Private Transfer to Sao Paulo Airport (GRU)(CGH): $25
  • Sao Paulo Airport (GRU) Private Transfer to Sao Paulo City/Hotels: $27
  • Private One Way Transfer from Sao Paulo Airport to Sao Paulo: $29
  • Private One Way Transfer from Sao Paulo to São Paulo Airport: $29
  • Transfer from Sao Paulo City Center to Guarulhos Airport: $38
  • Transfer Guarulhos Airport (GRU) to São Paulo City Center: $43
  • Receptive and Transfer Airports, Cities and Coast: $44
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Congonhas Airport to São Paulo Hotels: $45
  • Transfer São Paulo City Center to Guarulhos Airport (GRU): $48
  • Private Transfer: São Paulo Hotel to Guarulhos Int. Airport: $50
  • Private Transfer GRU Airport São Paulo – Executive Sedan or SUV: $50

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lake Titicaca (Puno)

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Lake Titicaca (Puno):


  • Taxi
    $0.88

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lake Titicaca (Puno)

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lake Titicaca (Puno):

  • Private Transfer From Puno to Chivay, English Speaking Driver: $223
  • Private Transfer from Inca Manco Capac (JUL) Airport to Puno: $94
  • Private Transfer from Juliaca Airport to Puno or Viceversa: $52
  • Private transfer from Juliaca Airport to Puno or Viceversa: $52
  • Puno Arrival Transfer from Juliaca Airport: $45
  • Private Transfer from Juliaca Airport to Puno Plaza de Armas: $40
  • Private Transfer from Hotel Puno to Puerto de Puno: $22
  • Juliaca Airport Shared Transfer to/from Puno: $20
  • Puno Arrival Transfer from bus or railway Station: $14

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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Sao Paulo $25
    Lake Titicaca (Puno) $29

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:

  • Street Food Tour in São Paulo with a Local Guide: $72
  • Paulista Plates São Paulo Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $89
  • 4h Cooking Class in São Paulo with 9 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $89
  • São Suppers Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $95

Typical Food Prices in Lake Titicaca (Puno)

Some typical examples of dining costs in Lake Titicaca (Puno) are as follows:


  • Tamales
    $1.62

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Sao Paulo $4.05
    Lake Titicaca (Puno) $32

Tours and Activities in Sao Paulo

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sao Paulo.

  • Free Walking Tour, São Paulo History in the City Center: $3.50
  • São Paulo Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $5.01
  • São Paulo Ibirapuera Self-Guided Walking Tour: $5.03
  • Downtown São Paulo's Epic History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
  • Walking Tour Historic Center in São Paulo: $13
  • Walking Tour of the Historic Center of Sao Paulo: $20
  • Downtown-Center History Walking Tour: $29
  • São Paulo Must-see Attractions Walking Tour with a Guide: $29
  • Brazil Tropical Fruit Experience in São Paulo: $30
  • São Paulo Private Walking Tour with a Local: $35
  • Night Walking Tour through the Bars of São Paulo: $37
  • Personal aromatic experience in São Paulo: $40

Tours and Activities in Lake Titicaca (Puno)

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lake Titicaca (Puno) are as follows:

  • 2 Day Lake Titicaca Tour From Puno: $150
  • 2 Days and 1 Night Tour from Puno to Colca Canyon and Arequipa: $240
  • 2 Days and One Night Tour on the Aymara Route and Churches in Juli: $90
  • 2-Day Tour Uros Islands with Stay in a Local Family House from Puno: $109
  • 2-Hour Crop Circles Private Tour on Lake Titicaca from Puno: $119
  • 2-day Tour: Puno To Chivay And Canyon Of Colca: $255
  • 3 Hour Guided Kayaking Tour in Lake Titicaca: $50
  • 3-Hour Uros Floating Islands Tour from Puno: $22
  • 3h Boat Tour to Uros Island from Puno: $34
  • Bus Tour of the Puno to Cusco Sun Route with Buffet Lunch: $62
  • Chullpas Tour of Sillustani Inca Cemetery: $18
  • Colca Canyon Tour from Puno to Arequipa with Scenic Views: $85

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Sao Paulo $3.53
    Lake Titicaca (Puno) $14

Sample the Local Flavors in Sao Paulo

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Sao Paulo:

  • Pub Crawl in Pinheiros: Explore the Nightlife of São Paulo: $35
  • São Paulo Nightlife: Pub Crawl in the City that Never Sleeps!: $59


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.