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

Should you visit Sao Paulo or Puerto Varas?

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 Varas, 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 Varas?

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 Varas

Puerto Varas is a city in Southern Chile, in the Los Lagos (Lakes) Region, Llanquihue Province. It is a charming town, only 23 km away from Puerto Montt and surrounded by the Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes as well as the impressive Llanquihue lake. In terms of landscape, accommodation and activities, Puerto Varas is well served! Kayak, paddle, canyoning, rock climbing, trekking, ski, fishing, you name it! If you decide to stop in that area, we recommend that you stay in Puerto Varas, as it provides the perfect 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 G Adventures Tours to Chile, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Santiago.


Which place is cheaper, Puerto Varas 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 Varas is $106. 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 Varas in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sao Paulo $31
    Puerto Varas $66
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sao Paulo $62
    Puerto Varas $132
Compare Hotels in Sao Paulo and Puerto Varas

Looking for a hotel in Sao Paulo or Puerto Varas? 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 Varas


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 Varas Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Sao Paulo $6.04
    Puerto Varas $21

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sao Paulo

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

  • Campinas Airport (VCP) to Praia Grande/Santos - Private Transfer: $63
  • Campinas Airport (VCP) to Praia/Santos Hotels Round-Trip Transfer: $126
  • Campinas Airport (VCP) to Praia/Santos hotels - Arrival Transfer: $63
  • Campinas Airport (VCP) to Sao Paulo hotels - Arrival Transfer: $39
  • Campinas Airport (VCP) to Sao Paulo hotels - Round-Trip Transfer: $77
  • Campinas Airport (VCP)to Praia Grande/Santos - RoundTrip Transfer: $126
  • Campinas Viracopos Airport (VCP) to Sao Paulo - Private Transfer: $39
  • Departure Private Transfers: Sao Paulo to Guarulhos Airport GRU in Business Car: $123
  • Departure Private Transfers: Sao Paulo to Guarulhos Airport GRU in Luxury Van: $144
  • Departure private transfer from São Paulo city to Guarulhos Airport by minibus: $194
  • Downtown to Sao Paulo Airport (GRU) - Departure Private Transfer: $182
  • Private Arrival Transfer | Congonhas Airport (CGH) x São Paulo City: $59

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Varas

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Varas:

  • Transfer from Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport: $50
  • Transfer from Hotel in Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport: $24
  • Transfer to Puerto Montt Airport: $22
  • Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport - Departure Private Transfer: $21

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

Prices for flights to both Puerto Varas 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 Varas $24

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 Varas $19

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 Varas

Here are a few actual costs in Puerto Varas for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Chiloé Island Tour: $60
  • From Osorno Volcano & Petrohue Falls Day Tour: $49
  • Full-Day Osorno Vulcano and Petrohue Falls Small-Group Tour: $80
  • Half-Day Small-Group Rafting Experience in Petrohué River: $50
  • Lake Llanquihue Bike Tour in Puerto Varas: $129
  • Osorno Volcano Tour: $31
  • Petrohue Falls and Osorno Volcano Bike Tour: $124
  • Peulla Full Day Tour from Puerto Varas: $68
  • Premium Half Day Shared Tour Sunset at Osorno Volcano: $130
  • Premium Small-Group Half day Tour to Frutillar in Puerto Varas: $144
  • Private Sightseeing Tour in Puerto Varas & Puerto Montt: $99
  • Puerto Varas Mountain Biking Experience: $67

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Sao Paulo $3.60
    Puerto Varas $6.36

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 Varas, we can see that Puerto Varas 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 Varas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Puerto Varas 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 Varas Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Sao Paulo or Puerto Varas?

Sao Paulo has a larger population, and is about 400 times larger than the population of Puerto Varas. When comparing the sizes of Sao Paulo and Puerto Varas, 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 Varas?

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 Varas in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Sao Paulo as well as Puerto Varas.

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

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


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

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

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

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

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


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

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

Both Puerto Varas and Sao Paulo during the winter are popular places to visit.

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

Puerto Varas gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Sao Paulo usually gets less rain in July than Puerto Varas. Sao Paulo gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 229 mm (9 in) of rain this time of the year.


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

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

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Sao Paulo and Puerto Varas.

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

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


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

Typical Weather for Puerto Varas and Sao Paulo

Sao Paulo Puerto Varas
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)