Which place is cheaper, Lima 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 Lima?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sao Paulo or Lima, 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 Lima?
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.
Lima
Lima, the capital city of Peru, is likely to be your point of entry for the country. Lima was founded in 1535 and was the seat of the Spanish rule for 300 years. It's a surprisingly modern city despite its rich history, but many beautiful churches and colonial architecture remain today. There are also large slum areas that highlight the poverty that exists in the city. The city and its surrounding metropolitan area have a population of about 8.5 million people, many of whom came from the Andes Mountains in search of work. Unfortunately the work opportunities are limited and the poverty is obvious as you arrive in Lima.
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, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Peru, and The Best Adventure Tours to Peru.
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Sao Paulo Prices
Brazil PricesLima Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySao Paulo $61Lima $96
The average daily cost (per person) in Sao Paulo is $61, while the average daily cost in Lima is $96. 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 Lima in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSao Paulo $29Lima $52
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSao Paulo $58Lima $104
Compare Hotels in Sao Paulo and Lima
Looking for a hotel in Sao Paulo or Lima? 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 Lima Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sao Paulo $5.89Lima $6.11
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 One Way Transfer from Sao Paulo Airport to Sao Paulo: $28
- Private One Way Transfer from Sao Paulo to São Paulo Airport: $28
- Transfer from Sao Paulo City Center to Guarulhos Airport: $38
- Transfer Guarulhos Airport (GRU) to São Paulo City Center: $42
- Transfer CGH Airport Congonhas Sao Paulo city / Hotel: $45
- Receptive and Transfer Airports, Cities and Coast: $45
- Private Arrival Transfer: Congonhas Airport to São Paulo Hotels: $46
- Private Departure Transfer: São Paulo Hotels to Congonhas Airport: $46
- Transfer São Paulo City Center to Guarulhos Airport (GRU): $47
- Private Transfer GRU Airport São Paulo – Executive Sedan or SUV: $51
- Private Transfer: São Paulo Hotel to Guarulhos Int. Airport: $51
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Lima are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$5.78
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Taxi Ride$5.78
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Short Taxi Ride$4.34
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lima
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lima:
- From Lima Private transfer to Paracas: $290
- Lima round trip transfers airport - hotel - airport + City Tour: $218
- Private Transfer from Lima hotels to Pisco Cruise Port: $211
- Private Transfer from Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM) to Pisco Port: $211
- Private Transfer from Pisco Cruise Port to Lima City Hotels: $192
- Transfer from Lima Airport to your hotel and vice versa: $175
- Larco Museum Tour & Gastronomic Experience with rountrip transfer: $160
- Palomino Islands Excursion & Swimming with Sea Lions with Hotel Transfers: $125
- Enjoy a Football Game in Lima with local guide and Transfers: $99
- Private Largevan Transfer - Arrival Lima Airport to Hotel: $79
- Transfer in Private Van from the Airport to Hotels in Lima: $60
- Transfer by car from the airport to the hotel: $60
Is it cheaper to fly into Sao Paulo or Lima?
Prices for flights to both Lima 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 $25Lima $32
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: $71
- 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
- São Paulo: Liberdade Food Tour with 6 Tastings and Tonkatsu: $112
- Dinner at Terraço Italia Restaurant in São Paulo: $228
Typical Food Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lima are as follows:
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Lunch for Two$4.63
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Ice cream$3.76
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Coffee$3.18
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Donut$1.01
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lima
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Lima.
- Food Tours on the Forbidden Side of Lima with Elite DRONE FOOTAGE: $5.00
- Dinner at Café del Museo Larco restaurant: $30
- Dinner with Folkloric Show at Casa Tambo Restaurant: $43
- Andean Breads Cooking Class in Lima: $44
- Miraflores Cooking Class Ceviche, Tartar & Pisco Sour: $48
- Dinner at Mangos Larcomar Restaurant: $48
- #1 Rated Lima Cooking Class: Make Ceviche, Causa & Pisco Sours!: $49
- Lima Street Food Tour : Try the best Peruvian street food: $49
- Lima Market Tour & Ceviche Cooking Class with Pisco Sour: $50
- Food Tour and Market Experience: 12 Peruvian Snacks: $55
- Lima Food Tour with Ceviche, Pisco, and Grilled Chicken: $55
- Barranco Food Tour: $60
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sao Paulo $3.98Lima $9.23
Tours and Activities in Sao Paulo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sao Paulo.
- São Paulo Ibirapuera Self-Guided Walking Tour: $5.10
- Downtown São Paulo's Epic History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Walking Tour Historic Center in São Paulo: $16
- Walking Tour of the Historic Center of Sao Paulo: $20
- Brazil Tropical Fruit Experience in São Paulo: $22
- Ladies Nightlife Tour with Drinks at Hidden Bars: $28
- Downtown-Center History Walking Tour: $28
- São Paulo Must-see Attractions Walking Tour with a Guide: $29
- Historical and Cultural Tour of the Center DE São Paulo: $34
- São Paulo Highlights Walking Tour with a Guide: $40
- Personal aromatic experience in São Paulo: $41
- MASP Museum of Art of São Paulo (+ticket): $49
Typical Entertainment Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Lima are as follows:
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Entrance to Museo Larco (for 2)$17
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Movie Tickets$2.46
Tours and Activities in Lima
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lima are as follows:
- 1 Day Tour to Huacachina from Lima (Dunebuggy + Vineyards): $225
- 1 day tour in Ica Peru: $200
- 2 Day Tour from Nazca Lines Flight, Paracas, and Huacachina: $265
- 2 Day Tour from Paracas, Ballestas Island and Huacachina: $134
- 2 Days 1 Night Tour of Paracas Huacachina & flight to Nazca Lines: $272
- 2D Tour from Lima Paracas and Huacachina with Night in Huacachina: $230
- 3 Day Tour From Paracas, Huacachina Oasis & Pisco Vineyard: $143
- 3 Day Tour from Nazca Lines Flight, Paracas, and Huacachina: $275
- 3 Days Tour of Paracas Huacachina and Nazca: $275
- 3 Hour Private Electric Scooter Tour of Lima: $75
- 3 Hours Walking Tour of Lima Old Town and Catacumbs: $59
- 3-Day Tour Discover Paracas and Huacachina from Lima: $260
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySao Paulo $3.46Lima $6.00
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 São Paulo: Open Bar + Free Appetizers at Bars: $31
- São Paulo Nightlife: Pub Crawl in the City that Never Sleeps!: $59
- 4 Hours Pub Crawl in Vila Madalena: $150
Typical Alcohol Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Lima are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine$7.78
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Beer$4.34
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Cocktail$3.47
Sample the Local Flavors in Lima
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Lima:
- Free Pub Crawl: $5.00
- Barranco Bohemian Bar Crawl: 4 Bars & Live Music: $24
- Lima Anti Pub Crawl: $60
- From Lima Paracas and Huacachina Oasis Dunes and Wine Tour: $89
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sao Paulo and Lima, we can see that Lima 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 Lima would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lima 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 Lima Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sao Paulo or Lima?
Sao Paulo has a larger population, and is about 30% larger than the population of Lima. When comparing the sizes of Sao Paulo and Lima, 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 Lima?
Sao Paulo has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Lima experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Sao Paulo or Lima in the Summer?
Both Lima and Sao Paulo during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Sao Paulo for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lima year-round.
In the summer, Sao Paulo is a little warmer than Lima. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sao Paulo in January average around 25°C (77°F), and Lima averages at about 18°C (64°F)in July.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Sao Paulo. Sao Paulo usually gets more rain in January than Limain July. Sao Paulo gets 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Lima receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year. October to March is the rainy season in Sao Paulo.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulySao Paulo 25°C (77°F)Lima 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Sao Paulo or Lima in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Sao Paulo and Lima. Many visitors come to Sao Paulo in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Lima attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Sao Paulo is generally a little warmer than Limain October. Daily temperatures in Sao Paulo average around 22°C (72°F), and Lima fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
In April, Sao Paulo usually receives more rain than Limain October. Sao Paulo gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Lima receives 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn. June to August in Sao Paulo is the dry season.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberSao Paulo 22°C (72°F)Lima 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Sao Paulo or Lima in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Sao Paulo as well as Lima. Most visitors come to Sao Paulo for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Lima throughout the year.
Sao Paulo is cooler than Lima in the winter. The daily temperature in Sao Paulo averages around 19°C (66°F) in July, and Lima fluctuates around 23°C (73°F)in January.
Sao Paulo usually gets more rain in July than Limain January. Sao Paulo gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Lima receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to August in Sao Paulo is the dry season.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuarySao Paulo 19°C (66°F)Lima 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Sao Paulo or Lima in the Spring?
Both Lima and Sao Paulo are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Sao Paulo because of the activities around the city. Plenty of visitors come to Lima because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the spring, Sao Paulo is around the same temperature as Lima. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sao Paulo in October average around 21°C (70°F), and Lima averages at about 22°C (72°F)in April.
In October, Sao Paulo usually receives more rain than Limain April. Sao Paulo gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Lima receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the spring. The rainy season in Sao Paulo is October to March.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilSao Paulo 21°C (70°F)Lima 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for Lima and Sao Paulo
| Sao Paulo | Lima | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 22°C (72°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| May | 21°C (70°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Jun | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jul | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
| Aug | 19°C (66°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) |
| Oct | 21°C (70°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (75°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 22°C (72°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.