Which place is cheaper, Puerto Varas 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 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 Wildlife Tours to Chile, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Chile.
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Sao Paulo Prices
Brazil PricesPuerto Varas Prices
Chile Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySao Paulo $64Puerto Varas $136
The average daily cost (per person) in Sao Paulo is $64, while the average daily cost in Puerto Varas is $136. 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
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSao Paulo $30Puerto Varas $72
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSao Paulo $60Puerto Varas $144
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.
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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sao Paulo $6.09Puerto Varas $23
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sao Paulo
Also for Sao Paulo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfer: Sao Paulo to Airport GRU by Business Car: $150
- Airport Transfer: Sao Paulo to Airport GRU by Luxury Van: $175
- Campinas Airport (VCP) to Sao Paulo hotels - Arrival Transfer: $121
- Departure Transfer: Sao Paulo to Airport GRU by Business Car: $149
- Departure Transfer: Sao Paulo to Airport GRU by Luxury Van: $175
- Guarulhos Airport GRU to Águas de Lindoia Round Trip Transfer: $209
- Guarulhos Airport to Poços de Caldas Thermal Round-Trip Transfer: $283
- Private Arrival Transfer | Viracopos Airport (VCP) x São Paulo City: $300
- Private Arrival Transfer: Congonhas Airport to São Paulo Hotels: $46
- Private Arrival Transfer: Guarulhos International Airport: $56
- Private Departure Transfer: São Paulo Hotels to Congonhas Airport: $46
- Private One Way Transfer from Sao Paulo Airport to Sao Paulo: $29
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Varas
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Varas:
- Puerto Varas Airport Private Transfer: $69
- Transfer from Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport: $50
- Cruce Andino Office Private Transfer from Puerto Varas: $27
- Transfer to Puerto Montt Airport: $22
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
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Food Meals for one daySao Paulo $26Puerto Varas $46
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: $74
- 4h Cooking Class in São Paulo with 9 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $89
- São Suppers Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $95
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sao Paulo $4.11Puerto Varas $20
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: $4.55
- São Paulo Paulista Avenue City Sights Self-Guided Tour: $4.57
- 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: $30
- Brazil Tropical Fruit Experience in São Paulo: $30
- São Paulo: 2 Hour Immersion Waling Tour in Paulista Avenue: $33
- São Paulo Private Walking Tour with a Local: $35
- Night Walking Tour through the Bars of São Paulo: $38
- Historical and Cultural Tour of the Center DE São Paulo: $40
- Personal aromatic experience in São Paulo: $41
Tours and Activities in Puerto Varas
Here are a few actual costs in Puerto Varas for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Chiloe Island - Puñihuil Tour: $90
- From Chiloe Island Full-day Tour: $65
- From Osorno Volcano & Petrohue Falls Day Tour: $49
- Full-Day Osorno Volcano and Petrohue Falls Small-Group Tour: $90
- Guided Tour to Termas del Sol and Cochamo with Transportation Included: $56
- Half-Day Small-Group Rafting Experience in Petrohué River: $52
- Premium Full Day Shared Tour Osorno Volcano and Petrohue Falls: $230
- Premium Full day Tour to Osorno Volcano and Petrohue in Puerto Varas: $240
- Premium Half Day Shared Tour Sunset at Osorno Volcano: $130
- Private Full-Day Tour: Llanquihue Lake & Waterfalls Experience: $229
- Private Tour of Sport Rock Climbing: $150
- Full-Day Tour Chiloe Island: Castro and Dalcahue: $62
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySao Paulo $3.58Puerto Varas $6.99
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: $36
- 4 Hours Pub Crawl in Vila Madalena: $150
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. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Sao Paulo this time of year.
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. October to March in Sao Paulo is the rainy season.
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Summer Average Temperatures JanuarySao 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. Many travelers come to Sao Paulo for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
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. The dry season in Sao Paulo is June to August.
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Autumn Average Temperatures AprilSao 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. Many visitors come to Sao Paulo in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
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. June to August is the dry season in Sao Paulo.
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Winter Average Temperatures JulySao 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. Most visitors come to Sao Paulo for the activities around the city during these months.
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. Also, October to March is the rainy season in Sao Paulo.
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Spring Average Temperatures OctoberSao 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) |
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.