Which place is cheaper, Mendoza 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 Mendoza?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sao Paulo or Mendoza, 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 Mendoza?
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.
Mendoza
Mendoza is a city in western Argentina and more precisely in the desertic Cuyo region. Mendoza is the center of the Argentinian wine industry and is famed around the world for its vineyards and wine production. Spread across the valley of the Rio Mendoza and in the foothills of the Andean mountain range, Mendoza is also near the Aconcagua, the highest mountain outside of the Himalayas. The bustling and scenic city of wide, leafy avenues, atmospheric plazas and cosmopolitan cafes spoils visitors with unique natural attractions and historical landmarks. If you can, visit Mendoza during the harvest festival at the end of February. There are many events and festivals in Mendoza and they are usually free. Each has a different theme, and they usually have a stage with singing and dancing and booths that sell food around a plaza. Seventy percent of Argentina's wines are produced here, and Mendoza is especially known for its world-famous malbecs.
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 2-Week Tours from Buenos Aires, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Argentina.
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Sao Paulo Prices
Brazil PricesMendoza Prices
Argentina Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySao Paulo $61Mendoza $55
The average daily cost (per person) in Sao Paulo is $61, while the average daily cost in Mendoza 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 Mendoza in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSao Paulo $29Mendoza $41
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSao Paulo $58Mendoza $82
Compare Hotels in Sao Paulo and Mendoza
Looking for a hotel in Sao Paulo or Mendoza? 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 $5.89Mendoza $4.05
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sao Paulo
Also for Sao Paulo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Viracopos Airport (VCP) to Águas de Lindoia-RoundTrip Transfer: $169
- Viracopos Airport (VCP) to Águas de Lindoia-Arrival Transfer: $85
- Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in Sao Paulo APT-HTL(GRU): $143
- Transfers Main airports in Sao Paulo: $66
- Transfer to Guarulhos Airport - up to 4 passengers sedan: $139
- Transfer from Sao Paulo City Center to Guarulhos Airport: $38
- Transfer from São Paulo to Port of Santos: $246
- Transfer Viracopos Airport or Campinas City to airports in Sao Paulo: $147
- Transfer VCP airport Viracopos GRU airport / Sao Paulo city: $133
- Transfer São Paulo City Center to Guarulhos Airport (GRU): $47
- Transfer CGH Airport Congonhas Sao Paulo city / Hotel: $45
- Transfer (Taxi) airport to Sao Paulo: $82
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mendoza
Also for Mendoza, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Helicopter Flight with Lunch and Transfer: $560
- Viña Cobos Lunch, Wine & Private Transfer: $520
- Round Trip Private Transfer to the Uco Valley: $393
- Los Toneles Winery Lunch with Private Transfer: $220
- Cerro Bayo Guided Trek with Hotel Transfers: $220
- Premium Spa Day at Cacheuta Hot Springs with Transfers: $172
- Cacheuta Thermal Water Park Full-Day Spa, Creole Buffet and Private Transfer: $155
- Mendoza Int Airport (MDZ) to Las Leñas - Arrival Private Transfer: $137
- Mendoza, Los Puquios: Snow experience + transfer and equipment included: $133
- Departure Private Transfer Valle de Uco to Mendoza Airport MDZ: $114
- From Potrerillos Rafting Tour with Transfer: $100
- Private Transfers in Mendoza and Lujan de Cuyo: $85
Is it cheaper to fly into Sao Paulo or Mendoza?
Prices for flights to both Mendoza 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 $25Mendoza $5.66
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
- 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: $230
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mendoza
For Mendoza, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Mendoza Meals Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $95
- Original Asado Cooking Class at a Local's Home: $114
- 4-Hour Argentine Cooking Class at Grazie Mille Winery: $125
- Cooking Class with 7 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $150
- City Tour with Dinner at a Local Restaurant: $164
- Horseback Riding at Sunset and Dinner in Mendoza: $205
- Tango Show with Dinner at Hualta Winery Hotel: $220
- Francis Mallmann Gourmet Wine Paired Dinner: $265
- Casa Vigil Winery Dinner with Transfer: $360
- Lunch or dinner at Catena Zapata Winery: $460
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sao Paulo $3.98Mendoza $23
Tours and Activities in Sao Paulo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sao Paulo.
- 3H CITY TOUR (pick up / delivery within Sao Paulo city limits): $184
- 4 Hour Private Tour - São Paulo: $142
- 4-Hour Private Tour in Sao Paulo: $300
- 4-hour Sum-up Private Tour Of São Paulo Including Its Major Attractions: $109
- 5 hour private tour - Build Your Own Sao Paulo - City Tour: $220
- 5-hour Private Street Art Tour Of São Paulo – The Coolest Urban Art Scenes: $155
- 5-hour Private Tour Of São Paulo With Its Main Sights – Optional Airport Pickup: $139
- 6 Hour Ayrton Senna Tour – The Greatest Formula 1 Drivers of all Time: $210
- 6 Hour Buddhist Temple and Embu das Artes Tour – Art Galleries, Artisan Shops: $203
- 6-Hour Classic Half-Day Private Tour of São Paulo – Optional Airport Pickup: $175
- 6-Hour Private Layover Tour in São Paulo from GRU & CGH Airports: $179
- 7-hour Private Tour Overview Of São Paulo – Optional For GRU Airport Pickup: $207
Tours and Activities in Mendoza
For Mendoza, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 3 Winery Tour with Lunch and Blend Set: $150
- 3-hour Mendoza Tasting Tour: 34 Authentic Argentine Flavors: $86
- Aconcagua Classic Tour 1 Day - Shared: $141
- Adrenaline Canopy Tour on the Mendoza River: $173
- Adventure & Flavor: Breakfast, Rafting & Asado in Mendoza: $220
- Asado Argentino and Wineries Experience: $190
- Asado em Casa Mendocina Experience with Friends: $200
- Atuel Canyon Tour: Discover San Rafael – Mendoza in One Day: $75
- Atuel Canyon: Full Day Tour: $125
- Bike Tour with Winery and Olivicola Tastings: $30
- City Tour of Mendoza: $25
- Cornelio Moyano Museum of Natural Sciences Private Tour: $94
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySao Paulo $3.46Mendoza $5.75
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Mendoza
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Mendoza:
- Walking & Wine Tasting Tour & San Martin Park Gate: $17
- Burlesque Cabaret Show with Wine: $20
- Antigal Winery Tour with Wine Tasting & Choice of Experiences: $31
- Wine, Distillery & Chocolate Tour with Tastings: $39
- Half-Day Wine Tour with Tastings: $41
- Classic Wine Tasting: $44
- Mendoza Wine Tasting at Bodega Ciclo Andino with Snacks: $45
- La Histórica Winery Tour and Wine Tasting: $48
- Premium Wine Tasting: $66
- Wine Tour, Paired Lunch and Olive Oil Tasting from Mendoza: $67
- Winery tours in Mendoza, wine tasting and lunches: $90
- El Enemigo and Casa Vigil Wine Tour: $93
When comparing the travel costs between Sao Paulo and Mendoza, we can see that Sao Paulo 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 Mendoza Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sao Paulo or Mendoza?
Sao Paulo has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Mendoza. When comparing the sizes of Sao Paulo and Mendoza, 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.