Which place is cheaper, Montanita or Sao Paulo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sao Paulo or Montanita?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sao Paulo or Montanita, 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 Montanita?
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.
Montanita
Montanita is a small village located on Manglaralto parish along the southern coast of Ecuador. The Pacific Coast of Ecuador is lined with beach towns, either small villages with local fisherman or larger towns more set up for foreign travellers like Montanita. With one of the best beaches in Ecuador, one of the best surf breaks in the region, and a great laid-back atmosphere Montanita is a great little getaway, especially for the hippies of the world. It has also become a popular weekend destination for English teachers and Spanish students coming from Guayaquil and Quito. The beachfront village of Montanita has a laid-back atmosphere and steady stream of cosmopolitan backpackers, with as many South Americans as gringos.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Brazil, The Best Adventure Tours to Brazil, The Best G Adventures Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Ecuador.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySao Paulo $53Montanita $96
The average daily cost (per person) in Sao Paulo is $53, while the average daily cost in Montanita 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 Montanita in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSao Paulo $30Montanita $41
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSao Paulo $60Montanita $82
Compare Hotels in Sao Paulo and Montanita
Looking for a hotel in Sao Paulo or Montanita? 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 $5.96Montanita $39
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sao Paulo
Also for Sao Paulo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Arrival Transfer | Viracopos Airport (VCP) x São Paulo City : $300
- Private Transfer from Congonhas Airport (CGH) to Santos Port: $235
- Private São Paulo Airport - Hotels Transfer In or Out : $200
- Private Transfer from Gru Airport to Port or City of Santos (1 to 15 people): $199
- Departure private transfer from São Paulo city to Guarulhos Airport by minibus: $197
- Private Transfer from VCP Airport or Campinas to GRU Airport (1 a 15 pessoas): $195
- Sao Paulo Airport (GRU) to Downtown - Arrival Private Transfer: $181
- Downtown to Sao Paulo Airport (GRU) - Departure Private Transfer: $181
- Sao Paulo Airport to Beach Resorts - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $176
- Private Transfer from Campinas Airport to Sao Paulo (GRU) Airport: $170
- Private Transfer from Campinas-Viracopos (VCP) Airport to Sao Paulo Airport: $170
- Private Transfer from Sao Paulo City to Campinas Airport (VCP): $168
Is it cheaper to fly into Sao Paulo or Montanita?
Prices for flights to both Montanita 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 $15Montanita $28
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sao Paulo $4.08Montanita $31
Tours and Activities in Sao Paulo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sao Paulo.
- 2 Hours Private São Paulo Museum of Modern Art Tour: $240
- 3 Beaches Hiking Santo Amaro Island - Paradise Route Tour from São Paulo: $125
- 3H CITY TOUR (pick up / delivery within Sao Paulo city limits): $151
- 4-Hour Private Tour in Sao Paulo: $300
- 4-hour Sum-up Private Tour Of São Paulo Including Its Major Attractions : $134
- 4WD One Day Tour visiting Water Fall and the Big Stone from Sao Paulo: $260
- 5 Hour City Tour in São Paulo: $91
- 5-hour Pelé Private Tour: The King of Football : $162
- 5-hour Private Street Art Tour Of São Paulo – The Coolest Urban Art Scenes: $174
- 5-hour Private Tour Of São Paulo With Its Main Sights – Optional Airport Pickup: $162
- 5-hour private tour in São Paulo (departures from hotels and airport): $155
- 5h City Tour (pick up & delivery within SaoPaulo city): $249
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySao Paulo $3.55Montanita $7.86
Sample the Local Flavors in Sao Paulo
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Sao Paulo:
- São Paulo Nightlife: Pub Crawl in the City that Never Sleeps!: $49
- Half Day Private Wine Tour from São Roque: $54
- Wine Tour in São Roque by car - tour with local guides: $98
- 4 Hours Pub Crawl in Vila Madalena: $150
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sao Paulo and Montanita, we can see that Montanita 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 Montanita would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Montanita 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 Montanita Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Sao Paulo or Montanita?
Sao Paulo has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Montanita experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Sao Paulo or Montanita in the Summer?
Both Montanita and Sao Paulo are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Montanita because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Sao Paulo is around the same temperature as Montanita in the summer. The daily temperature in Sao Paulo averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Montanita fluctuates around 25°C (78°F)in July.
It's quite rainy in Sao Paulo. In January, Sao Paulo usually receives more rain than Montanitain July. Sao Paulo gets 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Montanita receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulySao Paulo 25°C (77°F)Montanita 25°C (78°F)
Should I visit Sao Paulo or Montanita in the Autumn?
Both Montanita and Sao Paulo during the autumn are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montanita year-round.
In the autumn, Sao Paulo is cooler than Montanita. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sao Paulo in April average around 22°C (72°F), and Montanita averages at about 26°C (78°F)in October.
Sao Paulo usually gets more rain in April than Montanitain October. Sao Paulo gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Montanita receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberSao Paulo 22°C (72°F)Montanita 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Sao Paulo or Montanita in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Sao Paulo and Montanita. Montanita attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In July, Sao Paulo is generally cooler than Montanitain January. Daily temperatures in Sao Paulo average around 19°C (66°F), and Montanita fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
In July, Sao Paulo usually receives less rain than Montanitain January. Sao Paulo gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Montanita receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuarySao Paulo 19°C (66°F)Montanita 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Sao Paulo or Montanita in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Sao Paulo as well as Montanita. The warm climate attracts visitors to Montanita throughout the year.
Sao Paulo is cooler than Montanita in the spring. The daily temperature in Sao Paulo averages around 21°C (70°F) in October, and Montanita fluctuates around 27°C (81°F)in April.
Sao Paulo usually gets more rain in October than Montanitain April. Sao Paulo gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Montanita receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilSao Paulo 21°C (70°F)Montanita 27°C (81°F)
Typical Weather for Montanita and Sao Paulo
| Sao Paulo | Montanita | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Apr | 22°C (72°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| May | 21°C (70°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| Jun | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Jul | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Aug | 19°C (66°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Oct | 21°C (70°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (75°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 15 mm (0.6 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.