Which place is cheaper, Leon or Sao Paulo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sao Paulo or Leon?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sao Paulo or Leon, 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 Leon?
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.
Leon
Leon is one of the oldest city's in Nicaragua and you can see hints of its colonial past in the architecture around town. Tourism is not a major part of the economy in Leon, but the city is gaining popularity with budget travelers and backpackers and more recently tour groups are including Leon in their itinerary.
With a population of just over 200,000, Leon is the second largest city in Nicaragua, after Managua. During the university season the population grows dramatically as there is a heavy presence of students in Leon. It is a popular university town, and this young population gives the city plenty of energy and entertainment.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Brazil, The Best Adventure Tours to Brazil, The Best 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua, and The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySao Paulo $52Leon $59
The average daily cost (per person) in Sao Paulo is $52, while the average daily cost in Leon is $59. 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 Leon in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSao Paulo $30Leon $16
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSao Paulo $60Leon $32
Compare Hotels in Sao Paulo and Leon
Looking for a hotel in Sao Paulo or Leon? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sao Paulo $5.90Leon $1.51
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sao Paulo
Also for Sao Paulo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- (Sedan Executive Class) Transfer VCP Airport • São Paulo: $298
- Campinas Airport (VCP) to Praia Grande/Santos - Private Transfer: $62
- Campinas Airport (VCP) to Praia/Santos hotels - Arrival Transfer: $62
- Campinas Airport (VCP) to Sao Paulo hotels - Arrival Transfer: $38
- Campinas Airport (VCP) to Sao Paulo hotels - Round-Trip Transfer: $76
- Campinas Airport (VCP)to Praia Grande/Santos - RoundTrip Transfer: $125
- Campinas Viracopos Airport (VCP) Sao Paulo - Round-Trip Transfer: $76
- Campinas Viracopos Airport (VCP) to Sao Paulo - Private Transfer: $38
- Departure Private Transfers: Sao Paulo to Guarulhos Airport GRU in Business Car: $122
- Departure Private Transfers: Sao Paulo to Guarulhos Airport GRU in Luxury Van: $143
- Departure private transfer from São Paulo city to Guarulhos Airport by minibus: $194
- Downtown to Sao Paulo Airport (GRU) - Departure Private Transfer: $180
Is it cheaper to fly into Sao Paulo or Leon?
Prices for flights to both Leon 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 $15Leon $12
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Leon
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Leon.
- Tlakualli Food Tour: $19
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sao Paulo $4.05Leon $5.81
Tours and Activities in Sao Paulo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sao Paulo.
- Downtown São Paulo's Epic History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- São Paulo Paulista Avenue City Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.84
- 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
- Personal aromatic experience in São Paulo: $40
- São Paulo: 2 Hours - Liberdade "Street Food" Tour: $54
- City Tour Meet São Paulo Half-Day: $64
- São Paulo’s Full Day City Tour: Main City Sights in 7 Hours – (Shared Group): $79
- Street Art and Parks Bike Tour: $80
- Secrets of Downtown São Paulo Bike Tour: $85
Tours and Activities in Leon
Here are a few actual costs in Leon for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 6 Hours Sunset Private Guided Tour of Telica Volcano in León: $163
- A Stroll Through León’s Enchanting Streets: Romantic Walking Tour: $226
- Half Day Private Tour of Cerro Negro's Volcano Boarding: $35
- Half-Day Leon City Tour: $135
- Hike El Hoyo Volcano "Private Tour" : $67
- Horseback Riding Private Tour : $103
- Kayak Private tour at Juan Venado Island: $92
- Leon City Walking Private Tour : $48
- Old Leon and Asososca Lagoon Private Tour: $82
- Rum Tour & Chorotega Museum Experience: $62
- Somoto Canyon "Private Tour from Leon" : $154
- Telica Sunset Tour : $93
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySao Paulo $3.52Leon $3.53
Sample the Local Flavors in Sao Paulo
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Sao Paulo:
- Half Day Private Wine Tour from São Roque: $54
- 4 Hours Pub Crawl in Vila Madalena: $150
- Fine wine tastings in São Roque - Tour with local guides: $180
When comparing the travel costs between Sao Paulo and Leon, we can see that Leon 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. Even though Sao Paulo is in South America and Leon is in Central America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
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 Leon Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sao Paulo or Leon?
Sao Paulo has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Leon. When comparing the sizes of Sao Paulo and Leon, 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 Leon?
Sao Paulo has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Leon experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Sao Paulo or Leon in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Sao Paulo as well as Leon. The warm climate attracts visitors to Leon throughout the year.
In the summer, Sao Paulo is around the same temperature as Leon. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sao Paulo in January average around 25°C (77°F), and Leon averages at about 27°C (81°F)in July.
It's quite rainy in Leon. Sao Paulo receives a lot of rain in the summer. Sao Paulo usually gets more rain in January than Leonin July. Sao Paulo gets 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Leon receives 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulySao Paulo 25°C (77°F)Leon 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Sao Paulo or Leon in the Autumn?
Both Leon and Sao Paulo are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Leon because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In April, Sao Paulo is generally cooler than Leonin October. Daily temperatures in Sao Paulo average around 22°C (72°F), and Leon fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Leon. In April, Sao Paulo usually receives less rain than Leonin October. Sao Paulo gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Leon receives 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberSao Paulo 22°C (72°F)Leon 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Sao Paulo or Leon in the Winter?
Both Leon and Sao Paulo during the winter are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Leon year-round.
Sao Paulo is cooler than Leon in the winter. The daily temperature in Sao Paulo averages around 19°C (66°F) in July, and Leon fluctuates around 26°C (79°F)in January.
Sao Paulo usually gets more rain in July than Leonin January. Sao Paulo gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Leon receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuarySao Paulo 19°C (66°F)Leon 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Sao Paulo or Leon in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Sao Paulo and Leon. Leon attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the spring, Sao Paulo is cooler than Leon. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sao Paulo in October average around 21°C (70°F), and Leon averages at about 29°C (84°F)in April.
In October, Sao Paulo usually receives more rain than Leonin April. Sao Paulo gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Leon receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilSao Paulo 21°C (70°F)Leon 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for Leon and Sao Paulo
| Sao Paulo | Leon | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 22°C (72°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| May | 21°C (70°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) |
| Jun | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) |
| Jul | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 144 mm (5.7 in) |
| Aug | 19°C (66°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) |
| Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) |
| Oct | 21°C (70°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 31°C (88°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (75°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 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.