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

Should you visit Sao Paulo or Rosario Islands?

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

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

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.

Rosario Islands

The Rosario Islands, also referred to as Coral Islands of Rosario, is an archipelago located off the coast of Colombia, approximately 100 kilometres (62 miles) from Cartagena. The Rosario Islands are integrated by 28 islands and all of them form one of the 46 Natural National Parks of Colombia, created to protect one of the most important coral reefs in the Colombian Caribbean Coast. Only three of these islands are property of the Colombian state. Before establishing the national park in 1977, wealthy families used this natural paradise to build their summer houses, but then the government allowed them to keep their properties, only if they paid annual rent and taxes to be there, and complied with certain rules to preserve the ecosystem of the islands. People can visit the national park area of the islands, and tours are available. Isla Rosario has an aquarium and open-sea oceanarium that people can visit. Activities on the Rosario Islands include swimming, snorkeling and fishing, among others. The best time to visit Colombia in general, and especially the Rosario Islands is the dry-season months from December to March. These uninterrupted sunny days are just perfect for a Caribbean coastal experience and to enjoy all the activities it has to offer.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Day Tours from Foz Do Iguacu, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Brazil, The Best Luxury Tours to Colombia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Colombia.


Which place is cheaper, Rosario Islands or Sao Paulo?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Sao Paulo is $52, while the average daily cost in Rosario Islands is $89. 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 Rosario Islands in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sao Paulo $30
    Rosario Islands $34
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sao Paulo $60
    Rosario Islands $68
Compare Hotels in Sao Paulo and Rosario Islands

Looking for a hotel in Sao Paulo or Rosario Islands? 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 Rosario Islands


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 Rosario Islands Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Sao Paulo $5.90
    Rosario Islands $47

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: $292
  • Campinas Airport (VCP) to Praia Grande/Santos - Private Transfer: $62
  • Campinas Airport (VCP) to Praia/Santos Hotels Round-Trip Transfer: $124
  • Campinas Airport (VCP) to Praia/Santos hotels - Arrival Transfer: $62
  • Campinas Airport (VCP) to Sao Paulo hotels - Round-Trip Transfer: $76
  • Campinas Airport (VCP)to Praia Grande/Santos - RoundTrip Transfer: $124
  • Campinas Viracopos Airport (VCP) Sao Paulo - Round-Trip Transfer: $76
  • Campinas Viracopos Airport (VCP) to Sao Paulo - Private Transfer: $38
  • Departure Private Transfers: Sao Paulo to Guarulhos Airport GRU in Business Car: $121
  • Departure Private Transfers: Sao Paulo to Guarulhos Airport GRU in Luxury Van: $142
  • Departure private transfer from São Paulo city to Guarulhos Airport by minibus: $194
  • Downtown to Sao Paulo Airport (GRU) - Departure Private Transfer: $179

Is it cheaper to fly into Sao Paulo or Rosario Islands?

Prices for flights to both Rosario Islands 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
    Rosario Islands $28

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
  • Authentic Brazilian Cooking Experience in SP: Feijoada & Moqueca: $189

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Sao Paulo $4.05
    Rosario Islands $14

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: $7.87
  • Casa do Povo: guided tour of Neo Química Arena: $11
  • Sao Paulo 360 Guided Tour: $26
  • Discover Sao Paulo History Guided Tour: $27
  • Night Walking Tour through the Bars of São Paulo : $34
  • Night Walking Tour through the Bars of Augusta street: $34
  • Personal aromatic experience in São Paulo: $39
  • Sao Paulo, Pinheiros - Food & Graffiti Tour (2,5hr Food included): $53
  • São Paulo: 2 Hours - Liberdade "Street Food" Tour: $53
  • City Tour Meet São Paulo Half-Day: $64
  • Sao Paulo Culture Walking Tour: $69
  • São Paulo’s Full Day City Tour: Main City Sights in 7 Hours – (Shared Group): $79

Tours and Activities in Rosario Islands

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

  • One-day tour to Playa Blanca by land Popular sector: $45

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Sao Paulo $3.52
    Rosario Islands $6.12

Sample the Local Flavors in Sao Paulo

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Sao Paulo:

  • São Paulo Nightlife: Pub Crawl in the City that Never Sleeps!: $49
  • Half Day Private Wine Tour from São Roque: $53
  • Wine Tour in São Roque by car - tour with local guides: $95
  • 4 Hours Pub Crawl in Vila Madalena: $150
  • Fine wine tastings in São Roque - Tour with local guides: $177


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