Which place is cheaper, Medellin 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 Medellin?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sao Paulo or Medellin, 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 Medellin?
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.
Medellin
In addition to big improvements in public safety, Medellin has witnessed a huge surge in urban development projects, including Colombia's first metro system and cable cars to service poorer neighborhoods located high on the mountain sides. There is an abundance of parks, libraries, museums and public spaces with many cultural events taking place. Many travelers also enjoy visiting the surrounding villages, where life is simple and landscapes and nature reserves are wonderful. Medellin has now become one of the "it" cities in the world, with tons of tourists visiting and foreigners settling and retiring here. Beautiful mountains, warm weather, friendly locals, and a vibrant culture are just a few of the reasons why you should visit Medellin.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Day Tours from Manaus, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Brazil, The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, and The Best Eco Tours in Colombia.
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Sao Paulo Prices
Brazil PricesMedellin Prices
Colombia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySao Paulo $62Medellin $37
The average daily cost (per person) in Sao Paulo is $62, while the average daily cost in Medellin is $37. 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 Medellin in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSao Paulo $29Medellin $5.89
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSao Paulo $58Medellin $12
Compare Hotels in Sao Paulo and Medellin
Looking for a hotel in Sao Paulo or Medellin? 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 Medellin Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sao Paulo $5.97Medellin $5.14
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: $297
- Airport Transfer: Sao Paulo to Airport GRU by Business Car: $142
- Airport Transfer: Sao Paulo to Airport GRU by Luxury Van: $166
- Campinas Airport (VCP) to Praia/Santos hotels - Arrival Transfer: $210
- Campinas Airport (VCP) to Sao Paulo hotels - Arrival Transfer: $121
- Campinas Airport (VCP) to Sao Paulo hotels - Round-Trip Transfer: $242
- Campinas Viracopos Airport (VCP) Sao Paulo - Round-Trip Transfer: $259
- Campinas Viracopos Airport (VCP) to Sao Paulo - Private Transfer: $129
- Departure Transfer: Sao Paulo to Airport GRU by Business Car: $142
- Guarulhos Airport GRU to Águas de Lindoia Round Trip Transfer: $209
- Guarulhos Airport to Poços de Caldas Thermal Round-Trip Transfer: $283
- Private Arrival Transfer | Congonhas Airport (CGH) x São Paulo City: $95
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Medellin
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Medellin:
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Taxi$2.05
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Medellin
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Medellin:
- Medellín: 5-Day Luxury Tour with Private Transfers: $1,599
- Medellín - Arboletes, Antioquia Transfer by Van: $560
- Medellín Platinum Pack: Transfers + Hotel + Exclusive Tours: $250
- AIRPORT TRANSFER MEDELLIN JMC (MDE) Airport to El Peñol & Guatapé: $229
- Medellín: Comuna 13, Graffiti Workshop, Guide and Transfers: $206
- Medellin Tour Privado x3 horas con Transfers: $203
- Minibus Departure Transfer from Medellin to Medellin Airport MDE: $171
- Arrival Transfer Medellin Airport MDE to Medellin City by Minivan: $167
- Arrival Private Transfer from Medellin Airport to City by Sedan: $151
- Sedan Departure Transfer from Medellin City to Medellin Airport: $151
- Guatapé and Piedra del Penol, Lunch Transfers and Guide: $134
- Medellín: Santa Elena Coffee Farm Tour w/Lunch & Transfer: $124
Is it cheaper to fly into Sao Paulo or Medellin?
Prices for flights to both Medellin 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 $25Medellin $21
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: $74
- Paulista Plates São Paulo Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $89
- 4h Cooking Class in São Paulo with 9 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $89
- São Paulo: Liberdade Food Tour with 6 Tastings and Tonkatsu: $109
Typical Food Prices in Medellin
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Medellin:
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Lunch$2.60
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Medellin
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Medellin.
- Medellín: Comuna 13 True Story and Street Food Tour: $14
- Medellin El Poblado Street Food Tour: $34
- Empanada Cooking Class with Local Chef - Comuna 13: $34
- Food tour with 12 tastings in the best area of Medellin: $40
- Medellín: Comuna 13 Street Art and Street Food Tour: $44
- Laureles Food Tour: $45
- Private Empanada Cooking Class in Guatape: $48
- Medellin Food Tour in Laureles: $54
- 4hr Cooking Class in Medellín with Traditional Recipes and Drinks: $55
- Medellín Home Cooking Class, Fruit Tasting & Colombian Snack: $55
- Street Food Tour in Medellín with Tastings: $55
- Medellin Private Nighttime City Sightseeing Tour by E-Bike + Gourmet Dinner: $59
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sao Paulo $4.03Medellin $16
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: $3.56
- São Paulo Ibirapuera Self-Guided Walking Tour: $4.97
- São Paulo Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $4.97
- Downtown São Paulo's Epic History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Walking Tour Historic Center in São Paulo: $13
- Downtown-Center History Walking Tour: $29
- São Paulo Must-see Attractions Walking Tour with a Guide: $30
- Night Walking Tour through the Bars of São Paulo: $37
- Personal aromatic experience in São Paulo: $40
- São Paulo Highlights Walking Tour with a Guide: $42
- MASP Museum of Art of São Paulo (+ticket): $47
- Bus ticket Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro: $50
Tours and Activities in Medellin
Here are a few actual costs in Medellin for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- “Exclusive Mountain Escape : ATV Tour from Medellin with lunch: $138
- “Medellín: Quad Bike (ATV) Sightseeing Tour of 3 Mountains, Waterfall, and Lunch”: $130
- 2 Day Shared Tour in Medellin Guatapé and Commune 13: $93
- 2 Hour Medellin Off Road ATV Experiences: $160
- 2-Hours Street Art Walking Tour in Medellin Comuna 13: $24
- 3 Secret Viewpoints of Medellin + Picacho + Neighborhood: Nighttime Experience: $147
- 4 Hours Private Comuna 13 Graffiti Tour: $60
- 4 hours Private Pablo Escobar Dark days Tour of Medellin: $60
- 4-Hour Medellin, Envigado & Sabaneta Three County Tour: $79
- 5-Hour Coffee and Pablo Express Mix Tour in Medellín: $140
- A Night Tour of Medellin: $45
- A Taste of Colombia Medellin Market Tour and Lunch: $49
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySao Paulo $3.51Medellin $8.94
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 Bixiga: Open Bar + Free Appetizers at the Bars: $42
- 4 Hours Pub Crawl in Vila Madalena: $150
Sample the Local Flavors in Medellin
Also in Medellin, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- The "Beyond Local Pub Crawl" Now in Medellín!: $24
- Rooftop Bar Crawl with VIP Access & Hidden Clubs: $27
- Medellín: Pub crawl in Provenza, music, dancing, and shots: $30
- Live the Nightlife Rooftop Pub Crawl: $49
- Night Out Gay Bar Crawl in Medellin: $150
- Medellín: San Francisco Wine Tour with Tastings & Lunch: $332
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sao Paulo and Medellin, we can see that Sao Paulo is more expensive. And not only is Medellin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Medellin would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Medellin 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 Sao Paulo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sao Paulo than you might in Medellin.
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 Medellin Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sao Paulo or Medellin?
Sao Paulo has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Medellin. When comparing the sizes of Sao Paulo and Medellin, 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.