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

Should you visit Sao Paulo or Roatan?

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

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

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.

Roatan

Your next great vacation lies just thirty miles off the north coast of Honduras. Right above the world's largest coral reef is the island of Roatan. As a popular tourist attraction and standard cruise destination, it's not uncommon to see tons of Americans during your trip. In fact, the cruising industry has had huge impact on the island's culture. While ships are in port, traffic will be heavier and prices may go up. Because of the growth of tourism, most locals speak both Spanish and English.

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 Adventure Tours to Honduras, and The Best Adventure Tours to Honduras.


Which place is cheaper, Roatan 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.

The average daily cost (per person) in Sao Paulo is $64, while the average daily cost in Roatan is $42. 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 Roatan in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sao Paulo $30
    Roatan $10
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sao Paulo $60
    Roatan $20
Compare Hotels in Sao Paulo and Roatan

Looking for a hotel in Sao Paulo or Roatan? 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 Roatan


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 Roatan Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Sao Paulo $6.09
    Roatan $17

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sao Paulo

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

  • Private Transfer to Sao Paulo Airport (GRU)(CGH): $25
  • Sao Paulo Airport (GRU) Private Transfer to Sao Paulo City/Hotels: $27
  • Private One Way Transfer from Sao Paulo to São Paulo Airport: $29
  • Private One Way Transfer from Sao Paulo Airport to Sao Paulo: $29
  • Transfer Guarulhos Airport (GRU) to São Paulo City Center: $44
  • Transfer CGH Airport Congonhas Sao Paulo city / Hotel: $45
  • Receptive and Transfer Airports, Cities and Coast: $45
  • Private Departure Transfer: São Paulo Hotels to Congonhas Airport: $46
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Congonhas Airport to São Paulo Hotels: $46
  • Transfer São Paulo City Center to Guarulhos Airport (GRU): $49
  • Roundtrip Private Transfer from Sao Paulo Airport (GRU)(CGH): $51
  • Private Transfer GRU Airport São Paulo – Executive Sedan or SUV: $51

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Roatan

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Roatan are as follows:


  • Water Taxi
    $3.95

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Roatan

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Roatan:

  • Roatan Island Buggy Adventure plus Transfer: $217
  • Roatan Buggy Adventure, Monkey & Sloth Park, Beach Pass plus Private Transfer: $207
  • Roatan Buggy Adventure, Snorkeling, Beach Pass plus Private Transfer: $207
  • Private Transfer from Honduras Roatan Airport (RTB) to Roatan Hotels: $154
  • East Sightseeing, Mangrove Tunnel Snorkel, Hole in the Wall, with Transfer: $130
  • King Kong Extreme Zipline, Hiking, Beach Break plus Transfer Included: $130
  • King Kong Extreme Zipline, City Tour and Transfer: $130
  • Mahogany Bay Cruise Port to Roatan Island hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $123
  • South Side Horseback Riding, Beach Break & Roundway Transfer: $120
  • Honduras Roatan Airport (RTB) to Roatan -Round-Trip Transfer: $114
  • Roatan Private Transfers: Airport, Cruise Port or Hotel: $110
  • West Bay Aquarium Snorkeling, Chocolate & Rum Factory, City Tour plus Transfer: $99

Is it cheaper to fly into Sao Paulo or Roatan?

Prices for flights to both Roatan 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 $26
    Roatan $15

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

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Roatan

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Roatan.

  • Catamaran Tiki Boat Sunset Snorkeling Dinner Cruise in Roatan: $125
  • Roatan Cooking Class and Cultural Experience: $125
  • Cooking classes from a Local!: $245

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Sao Paulo $4.11
    Roatan $25

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 Roatan

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

  • 2 Hour Zip Lining Private Tour in Mahogany Bay: $65
  • 3-Hours Private Tour in Roatan with Pick Up: $66
  • 4 Hours Private Tour with Snorkel Experience in Roatan: $50
  • ATV Adventure , Zip Line , Horseback Ride Combo Tour: $175
  • Adventures of Roatan ATV Pineapple beach break: $120
  • Atv Island Tour: $140
  • Catamaran Cruise, Open Bar, Food and Snorkeling: $165
  • Cruise Excursion – 2 Scuba Dives with transport (for certified divers): $185
  • Cruise Friendly Sloths, Monkeys JungleZipline Adventure in Roatán: $125
  • Cruise Passenger Beach Express: $25
  • Cruise Ship Family Chocolate Factory, Sloths & Monkeys, Beach, Transportation: $70
  • Custom Sightseeing and Beach Tour: $59

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Sao Paulo $3.58
    Roatan $6.56

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

Sample the Local Flavors in Roatan

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Roatan:

  • Half-Day Tour in Roatan With Brewery, Rum and Chocolate Factories visit: $46
  • Bar Crawl Tour in West End Village by Pedibike- Let the Good Times Roll: $80


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sao Paulo and Roatan, we can see that Sao Paulo is more expensive. And not only is Roatan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Sao Paulo is in South America and Roatan is in Central America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Roatan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Roatan 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 Sao Paulo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sao Paulo than you might in Roatan.

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 Roatan Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Sao Paulo or Roatan?

Sao Paulo has a larger population, and is about 1330 times larger than the population of Roatan. When comparing the sizes of Sao Paulo and Roatan, 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.