Which place is cheaper, Paracas 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 Paracas?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sao Paulo or Paracas, 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 Paracas?
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.
Paracas
Paracas, also known as El Chaco, is a resort town on the Southern coast of the country, about 150 miles south of Lima. The town in located in one of the oldest regions of Peru, with a history dating back to 900 BC and offers many pre-Inca cultural sites throughout the area. Paracas is possibly best known for being home to the Paracas National Reserve, a nature reserve boasting one of the most abundant and diverse ecosystems in the world.
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 Eco Tours in Peru, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Peru.
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Sao Paulo Prices
Brazil PricesParacas Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySao Paulo $63Paracas $86
The average daily cost (per person) in Sao Paulo is $63, while the average daily cost in Paracas is $86. 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 Paracas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSao Paulo $30Paracas $24
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSao Paulo $60Paracas $48
Compare Hotels in Sao Paulo and Paracas
Looking for a hotel in Sao Paulo or Paracas? 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 Paracas Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sao Paulo $6.00Paracas $20
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
- Airport Transfer: Sao Paulo to Airport GRU by Business Car: $147
- Airport Transfer: Sao Paulo to Airport GRU by Luxury Van: $171
- Campinas Airport (VCP) to Sao Paulo hotels - Arrival Transfer: $119
- Campinas Airport (VCP) to Sao Paulo hotels - Round-Trip Transfer: $237
- Campinas Viracopos Airport (VCP) Sao Paulo - Round-Trip Transfer: $254
- Campinas Viracopos Airport (VCP) to Sao Paulo - Private Transfer: $127
- Departure Transfer: Sao Paulo to Airport GRU by Business Car: $147
- Guarulhos Airport GRU to Águas de Lindoia Round Trip Transfer: $205
- Guarulhos Airport to Poços de Caldas Thermal Round-Trip Transfer: $277
- Private Arrival Transfer | Congonhas Airport (CGH) x São Paulo City: $95
- Private Arrival Transfer | Viracopos Airport (VCP) x São Paulo City: $300
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Paracas
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Paracas:
- Private Transfer from Pisco Port to Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM): $215
- Private Transfer from Pisco Cruise Port to Lima hotels: $214
- Candelabro Geoglyph Kayak Tour with hotel transfer: $130
- Private Transfer From San Juan Airport (SJU) to /from San Juan: $44
- Bus Station Private Transfer: $24
- National Reserve Guided Tour with Transfers: $22
- Paracas Bus Station Private Transfer: $16
Is it cheaper to fly into Sao Paulo or Paracas?
Prices for flights to both Paracas 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 $25Paracas $43
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: $72
- 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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Paracas
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Paracas.
- Hidden Gems of Pisco: Food Tour & Tuk-Tuk Adventure: $60
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sao Paulo $4.05Paracas $27
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: $4.98
- São Paulo Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $5.01
- Downtown São Paulo's Epic History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Walking Tour Historic Center in São Paulo: $13
- Walking Tour of the Historic Center of Sao Paulo: $20
- São Paulo Must-see Attractions Walking Tour with a Guide: $29
- Brazil Tropical Fruit Experience in São Paulo: $30
- São Paulo Private Walking Tour with a Local: $35
- Personal aromatic experience in São Paulo: $40
- São Paulo Highlights Walking Tour with a Guide: $41
- Bus ticket Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro: $50
- São Paulo: 2 Hours - Liberdade "Street Food" Tour: $52
Tours and Activities in Paracas
Here are a few actual costs in Paracas for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 1 day tour to Ballestas Islands and Paracas National Reserve: $40
- 2-Hour Tour to the Ballestas Islands from Puerto San Martín: $49
- 3-Day Classic Paracas Tour Package: $245
- 7-Hours Tour in Paracas National Reserve with Pickup: $38
- ATV Tour Adventure in Reserva Nacional de Paracas: $35
- Adventure in Ballestas Islands and Quad bike in Paracas: $55
- Adventure in the Paracas National Reserve in private: $30
- All-Inclusive Tour of the Uros Islands + Taquile + Amantaní (2D/1N): $97
- BALLESTAS ISLANDS TOUR: $16
- Ballestas & Paracas Reserve from PISCO CRUISESHIP TERMINAL: $100
- Ballestas & Tambo Colorado from PISCO CRUISESHIP TERMINAL: $110
- Ballestas Island Boat tour from Paracas: $16
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySao Paulo $3.53Paracas $12
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 Pinheiros: Explore the Nightlife of São Paulo: $35
- 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 Paracas
Also in Paracas, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Tour Ballestas Islands Wine Tasting and Pisco Tubulars Huacachina: $75
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sao Paulo and Paracas, we can see that Paracas 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 Paracas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Paracas 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 Paracas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sao Paulo or Paracas?
Sao Paulo has a larger population, and is about 8380 times larger than the population of Paracas. When comparing the sizes of Sao Paulo and Paracas, 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.