A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sao Paulo vs. Puerto Montt for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Sao Paulo or Puerto Montt?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sao Paulo or Puerto Montt, 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 Puerto Montt?

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.

Puerto Montt

The Lake District is a region of snow capped volcanoes, pale green lakes and endless miles of virgin and ancient forests. Found 1,016 km away from Santiago de Chile, Puerto Montt is famous for its beautiful lakes and its germanic architecture, old wooden houses and its legendary Iglesia Catedral, found on the town's main square, la Plaza de Armas. The monument, entirely built with alerce (cypress) wood, is the oldest building of the city. The capital of the Lake Region is a good starting point for many memorable excursions in the area.

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 Vineyard & Wine Tours in Chile, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Chile.


Which place is cheaper, Puerto Montt or Sao Paulo?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Sao Paulo is $54, while the average daily cost in Puerto Montt is $87. 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 Puerto Montt in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sao Paulo $31
    Puerto Montt $60
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sao Paulo $62
    Puerto Montt $120
Compare Hotels in Sao Paulo and Puerto Montt

Looking for a hotel in Sao Paulo or Puerto Montt? 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.

Hotels in Sao Paulo


Hotels in Puerto Montt


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 Puerto Montt Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Sao Paulo $6.04
    Puerto Montt $6.28

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sao Paulo

Also for Sao Paulo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer from Sao Paulo City - Sao Paulo Airport (GRU): $22
  • Private Transfer from Sao Paulo hotels to Santos Cruise Port: $32
  • Transfer CGH Airport Congonhas <> Sao Paulo city / Hotel: $37
  • Viracopos Airport (VCP) to Águas de Lindoia-Arrival Transfer: $39
  • Viracopos Airport (VCP) to São Pedro Thermal Arrival Transfer: $39
  • Campinas Airport (VCP) to Sao Paulo hotels - Arrival Transfer: $39
  • Campinas Viracopos Airport (VCP) to Sao Paulo - Private Transfer: $39
  • Sao Paulo Airport (GRU) to Águas de Lindoia-Arrival Transfer: $44
  • Private Departure Transfer: São Paulo Hotels to Guarulhos International Airport: $46
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Guarulhos International Airport to São Paulo Hotels: $46
  • Private Sao Paulo Congonhas Airport Transfer to or from Sao Paulo: $50
  • Private Transfer from Barra Funda to Sao Paulo (GRU) Airport: $58

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Montt

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Montt:

  • Transfer from Puerto Montt Airport to Castro: $300
  • Transfer Puerto Montt Airport to Castro: $277
  • 4 Days Tour Los Lagos Region with Transfer Chiloe and Peulla: $177
  • Puerto Montt El Tepual Airport (PMC) to Pucon - Arrival Transfer: $116
  • Transfer from Puerto Montt Airport to Frutillar: $80
  • Puerto Montt Airport (PMC) to Puerto Varas - Round-Trip Transfer: $66
  • Transfer from Puerto Montt Airport to Puerto Varas: $50
  • Puerto Montt Airport (PMC) to Frutillar: Roundtrip Transfer: $46
  • Cruce Andino Office Private Transfer from Puerto Montt: $44
  • Puerto Airport (PMC) to Frutillar - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $42
  • Puerto Montt Shuttle Transfer: $34
  • Puerto Montt Airport (PMC) to Puerto Varas City- Arrival Transfer: $33

Is it cheaper to fly into Sao Paulo or Puerto Montt?

Prices for flights to both Puerto Montt 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Sao Paulo $15
    Puerto Montt $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:

  • Private Traditional Brazilian or Paulistano Cooking Class with a Chef: $130

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Sao Paulo $4.14
    Puerto Montt $13

Tours and Activities in Sao Paulo

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sao Paulo.

  • São Paulo (Ibirapuera) Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.96
  • São Paulo Paulista Avenue City Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.96
  • Walking Tour Historic Center in São Paulo: $13
  • Sao Paulo 360 Guided Tour: $26
  • Discover Sao Paulo History Guided Tour: $28
  • Night Walking Tour through the Bars of Augusta street: $34
  • Night Walking Tour through the Bars of São Paulo : $34
  • Sao Paulo, Pinheiros - Food & Graffiti Tour (2,5hr Food included): $54
  • São Paulo: 2 Hours - Liberdade "Street Food" Tour: $54
  • City Tour Meet São Paulo Half-Day: $64
  • Bixiga Walking Tour: $67
  • São Paulo’s Full Day City Tour: Main City Sights in 7 Hours – (Shared Group): $79

Tours and Activities in Puerto Montt

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Puerto Montt are as follows:

  • 6 Hours Shared Tour in Calbuco and Millennial Forest : $130
  • Alerce Andino National Park/Alerce Millenario/Cruises: $77
  • Austral / Hornopiren Road Tour: $102
  • Excursion City tour Puerto Varas / Llanquihue and Frutillar: $77
  • Frutillar & Llanquihue Private Tour from Puerto Montt: $118
  • Frutillar & Llanquihue Tour from Puerto Montt: $50
  • Frutillar Tour: $31
  • Osorno Volcano Tour+Petrohue Falls / Cruises / Spanish: $68
  • Private Day tour Petrohue Falls, Osorno Volcano & Puerto Varas: $250
  • Private Shore Excursion Tour to Puerto Montt, Puerto Varas and Frutillar: $143
  • Private Tour: Puerto Montt Sightseeing: $47
  • Private Tour: Puerto Montt, Puerto Varas and Vicente Peres Rosales National Park: $164

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Sao Paulo $3.60
    Puerto Montt $4.39

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: $100
  • 4 Hours Pub Crawl in Vila Madalena: $150
  • Fine wine tastings in São Roque - Tour with local guides: $185


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sao Paulo and Puerto Montt, we can see that Puerto Montt 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 Puerto Montt would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Puerto Montt 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 Puerto Montt Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Sao Paulo or Puerto Montt?

Sao Paulo has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Puerto Montt. When comparing the sizes of Sao Paulo and Puerto Montt, 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 Puerto Montt?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.

Should I visit Sao Paulo or Puerto Montt in the Summer?

Both Puerto Montt and Sao Paulo during the summer are popular places to visit.

In January, Sao Paulo is generally much warmer than Puerto Montt. Daily temperatures in Sao Paulo average around 25°C (77°F), and Puerto Montt fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sao Paulo. Sao Paulo usually gets more rain in January than Puerto Montt. Sao Paulo gets 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Puerto Montt receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January
    Sao Paulo 25°C (77°F) 
    Puerto Montt 16°C (60°F)

Should I visit Sao Paulo or Puerto Montt in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Sao Paulo and Puerto Montt.

Sao Paulo is much warmer than Puerto Montt in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sao Paulo averages around 22°C (72°F) in April, and Puerto Montt fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Puerto Montt receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In April, Sao Paulo usually receives less rain than Puerto Montt. Sao Paulo gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Puerto Montt receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April
    Sao Paulo 22°C (72°F) 
    Puerto Montt 11°C (51°F)

Should I visit Sao Paulo or Puerto Montt in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Sao Paulo as well as Puerto Montt.

In the winter, Sao Paulo is much warmer than Puerto Montt. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sao Paulo in July average around 19°C (66°F), and Puerto Montt averages at about 7°C (45°F).

It's quite rainy in Puerto Montt. Sao Paulo usually gets less rain in July than Puerto Montt. Sao Paulo gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Puerto Montt receives 229 mm (9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July
    Sao Paulo 19°C (66°F) 
    Puerto Montt 7°C (45°F)

Should I visit Sao Paulo or Puerto Montt in the Spring?

Both Puerto Montt and Sao Paulo are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

In October, Sao Paulo is generally much warmer than Puerto Montt. Daily temperatures in Sao Paulo average around 21°C (70°F), and Puerto Montt fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Puerto Montt. In October, Sao Paulo usually receives less rain than Puerto Montt. Sao Paulo gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Puerto Montt receives 121 mm (4.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October
    Sao Paulo 21°C (70°F) 
    Puerto Montt 11°C (51°F)

Typical Weather for Puerto Montt and Sao Paulo

Sao Paulo Puerto Montt
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 25°C (77°F) 170 mm (6.7 in) 16°C (60°F) 90 mm (3.5 in)
Feb 25°C (77°F) 170 mm (6.7 in) 15°C (59°F) 93 mm (3.7 in)
Mar 24°C (75°F) 120 mm (4.7 in) 13°C (55°F) 99 mm (3.9 in)
Apr 22°C (72°F) 50 mm (2 in) 11°C (51°F) 143 mm (5.6 in)
May 21°C (70°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 9°C (49°F) 234 mm (9.2 in)
Jun 19°C (66°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 8°C (46°F) 224 mm (8.8 in)
Jul 19°C (66°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 7°C (45°F) 229 mm (9 in)
Aug 19°C (66°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 8°C (46°F) 209 mm (8.2 in)
Sep 21°C (70°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 9°C (47°F) 146 mm (5.7 in)
Oct 21°C (70°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 11°C (51°F) 121 mm (4.8 in)
Nov 23°C (73°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 12°C (54°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Dec 24°C (75°F) 150 mm (5.9 in) 14°C (58°F) 103 mm (4.1 in)