A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sao Paulo vs. Rotorua for Attractions, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Sao Paulo or Rotorua?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sao Paulo or Rotorua, 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.

Sao Paulo

Sao Paulo is a dynamic, vibrant, and colorful city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums. See Sao Paulo travel costs.

Rotorua

Rotorua is a world-renowned, diverse, and cultural town. With stunning beauty, Rotorua attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Rotorua travel costs.

Sao Paulo and Rotorua: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sao Paulo or Rotorua?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Sao Paulo than Rotorua. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Sao Paulo is very popular for its museums and attractions, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Rotorua attracts visitors for its hiking and impressive beauty. Rotorua is more touristy than Sao Paulo and is known for its geothermal activity, Maori cultural influence, and its role in the famous Lord of the Rings movies. Sao Paulo is famous for its large size, vibrant neighborhoods, and world-class nightlife scene. It is also well known for Ibirapuera Park.

How is Sao Paulo different from Rotorua?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Rotorua and Sao Paulo. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Sao Paulo or Rotorua?

Sao Paulo is an amazing city to visit for its museums and history. Also, Rotorua is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Sao Paulo has many famous sights for visitors. While many visitors overlook Sao Paulo for other destinations in Brazil, those that do visit will be rewarded with a large number of museums and sights. It's the largest city in South America, and there's plenty to do. Highlights include Museu de Arte, Museu de Arte, Museu de Arte Contemporânea, and the cathedral

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Rotorua. The area is filled with opportunities to learn about the Maori culture. The Maori village of Whakarewarewa is a highlight and you should also visit Te Wairoa. Fans of Lord of the Rings won't want to miss Hobbiton either. Finally, Rotorua Museum well worth a visit.

Is the Food Better in Sao Paulo or Rotorua? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Sao Paulo and Rotorua both to be high quality destinations.

Sao Paulo has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The city offers a huge mix of fine dining restaurants, street food vendors, family-friendly restaurants, and large local markets. The cuisine has many influences such as the Portuguese, West Africa, and even the Middle East. Popular dishes include the street food coxinha, feijoada (black bean and beef stew), and cachooro-quente (local hot dogs).

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Rotorua makes for a great culinary experience. There's a wide selection of culinary options in the area that include steambox (food prepared with the geothermal heat), and hāngī, which is a traditional Maori cooking technique. Many restaurants also make use of the local fruit, vegetables, and meats.

Is Sao Paulo or Rotorua Better for Nightlife?

Sao Paulo is an amazing city to visit for its evening party scene. Also, Rotorua is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

Sao Paulo has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. As the economic hub for Brazil, you'll find tons of bars, clubs, and venues throughout the city. The best neighborhood for a party is Vila Madalena, which is filled with restaurants and bars. For live music and food trucks, check out Rua Augusta. There are also many different neighborhoods in this megacity, and many have a lively energy and plenty to do at night. Every night you should be able to find something different to do.

Rotorua has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You'll find the best concentration of bars and restaurants around Tutankei Street, which is often referred to as "Eat Street".

Is Sao Paulo or Rotorua Better for Hiking?

Rotorua is a great town for hiking. However, Sao Paulo is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Rotorua for the hiking trails. The area is filled with beautiful walking trails that take you by lakes, volcanoes, and geothermal hot springs. A favorite route in the area is Tarawera Trail, which is 15 kilometers long and ends at a natural hot water beach.

Sao Paulo is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sao Paulo or Rotorua?

Sao Paulo is an amazing city to visit for its shopping areas. Also, Rotorua is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many people travel to Sao Paulo specifically to go shopping. The shopping opportunities are diverse, from megamalls to local markets, and international boutiques. There are many great neighborhoods for shopping, like Jardins, where you'll find high end stores. The main shopping street is Rua Oscar Freire. Downtown Sao Paulo has a mix of retail stores and market stalls that sell everything from cheap fashion to inexpensive odds and ins.

Rotorua is a great destination for shopping. You'll find stores and galleries selling art and crafts around the main town center.

Is Sao Paulo or Rotorua More Beautiful?

Rotorua is a great town for its scenery and beauty. However, Sao Paulo is not a destination known for its beauty.

With stunning beauty, Rotorua attracts visitors from all around. It's surrounded by striking volcanoes, beautiful lakes, and surreal geothermal springs, giving it an exotic and beautiful atmosphere.

Sao Paulo is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Sao Paulo or Rotorua Better for Families?

Rotorua is a world-class destination for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Sao Paulo is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

Rotorua is an amazing family-friendly town to visit. The geothermal activity is fascinating for kids and adults alike. There are also many activities that will teach kids about the Maori culture and for animal lovers, there are farms and wildlife tours. Lord of the Rings fans won't want to miss Hobbiton, and there are many thrilling activities in the area such as white water rafting.

Sao Paulo is a family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy a visit to the zoo or one of the kid-friendly museums around town. There are also a number of parks, some kid-friendly restaurants, and even an amusement park.

Is Sao Paulo or Rotorua Better for Couples?

Rotorua is a world-class destination for couples. Also, Sao Paulo is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Rotorua has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. The unique environment and beautiful natural setting make this a wonderful honeymoon destination. Couples will appreciate the geothermal activity, beautiful walking trails, and diverse outdoor activities. There's also horseback riding, hot springs, and helicopter rides.

Sao Paulo is a nice destination for couples. The city is filled with culture and you'll find many great activities that will make for an exciting couples trip. There are parks and museums, bars and restaurants, and theaters where you can see a show. Many couples enjoy a visit to the Botanical Garden of Sao Paulo or a stroll through Ibirapuera Park. You can watch the sunset with a view of the city from one of the many rooftop bars and then enjoy some samba dancing on the town.

Is Sao Paulo or Rotorua Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Rotorua is a world-class destination for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Sao Paulo is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Rotorua, as it is a very popular town for budget travelers. Well established on the backpacker trail, there are plenty of hostels in the area and tons of activities that backpackers will enjoy.

Sao Paulo is a good city to visit for backpackers. While it's overlooked by many travelers, backpackers who linger for awhile will enjoy the city's authenticity and cultural scene. There are also a number of hostels around town.

Is Sao Paulo or Rotorua Better for Students?

Sao Paulo is a city with good options for its student-friendly activities. However, Rotorua is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Sao Paulo. The city is large with a diverse population and plenty to offer students. There are good educational institutions and a great international vibe as well.

Rotorua is not popular with students.

Is Sao Paulo or Rotorua Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Sao Paulo is an amazing city to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Rotorua is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Public transit in Sao Paulo is top-notch. It's a huge city, so you'll likely make use of the metro during your trip. There are six lines to the metro system and they provide convenient access to many of the city's top attractions. The city also has many bus routes as well.

You'll find some public transit in Rotorua, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses and shuttles that travel around town and through the area.

Is Sao Paulo or Rotorua a more walkable city?

Sao Paulo is an excellent place to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Rotorua is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

Sao Paulo is a very walkable destination. It's a megacity that has a wide range of neighborhoods. The city center is generally very walkable, but because of its size, you'll want to have an itinerary planned out for each day.

Rotorua is somewhat walkable. The town itself is fairly walkable but if you want to get into the surrounding areas, having a vehicle provides the most flexibility.

For even more information, also check out Is Sao Paulo Worth Visiting? and Is Rotorua Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Rotorua or Sao Paulo?

How long in Sao Paulo or Rotorua?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Sao Paulo and Rotorua. In our opinion, Sao Paulo has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Sao Paulo than Rotorua. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Rotorua than Sao Paulo. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Rotorua, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Sao Paulo than Rotorua if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Sao Paulo.

One day in Sao Paulo or Rotorua?

Because Sao Paulo is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

You'll find shopping and museums around the town of Rotorua. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Sao Paulo or Rotorua?

Because Sao Paulo is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Sao Paulo has to offer.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the diverse destination of Rotorua. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Sao Paulo or Rotorua?

Sao Paulo is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the world-renowned town of Rotorua. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Sao Paulo or Rotorua?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Sao Paulo. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Sao Paulo. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Rotorua is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Day Tours from Manaus, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Brazil, The Best 2-Week Tours in New Zealand, and The Best Bicycle Tours in New Zealand.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sao Paulo and Rotorua, we can see that Rotorua is more expensive. And not only is Sao Paulo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Sao Paulo is in South America and Rotorua is in Pacific, 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 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 Rotorua would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rotorua 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 Rotorua Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Sao Paulo or Rotorua?

Sao Paulo has a larger population, and is about 150 times larger than the population of Rotorua. When comparing the sizes of Sao Paulo and Rotorua, 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 Rotorua?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.

Should I visit Sao Paulo or Rotorua in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Sao Paulo and Rotorua. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Sao Paulo this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Rotorua for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Sao Paulo is much warmer than Rotorua in the summer. The daily temperature in Sao Paulo averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Rotorua fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Sao Paulo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Sao Paulo usually receives more rain than Rotorua. Sao Paulo gets 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer. Also, October to March is the rainy season in Sao Paulo.

Should I visit Sao Paulo or Rotorua in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Sao Paulo as well as Rotorua. Many travelers come to Sao Paulo for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Additionally, many visitors come to Rotorua in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Sao Paulo is a little warmer than Rotorua. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sao Paulo in April average around 22°C (72°F), and Rotorua averages at about 16°C (61°F).

Sao Paulo usually gets more rain in April than Rotorua. Sao Paulo gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to August in Sao Paulo is the dry season.

Should I visit Sao Paulo or Rotorua in the Winter?

Both Rotorua and Sao Paulo are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Sao Paulo in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Rotorua for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In July, Sao Paulo is generally cooler than Rotorua. Daily temperatures in Sao Paulo average around 19°C (66°F), and Rotorua fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

In July, Sao Paulo usually receives more rain than Rotorua. Sao Paulo gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the winter. The dry season in Sao Paulo is June to August.

Should I visit Sao Paulo or Rotorua in the Spring?

Both Rotorua and Sao Paulo during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Sao Paulo for the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Rotorua because of the natural beauty.

Sao Paulo is around the same temperature as Rotorua in the spring. The daily temperature in Sao Paulo averages around 21°C (70°F) in October, and Rotorua fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

Sao Paulo usually gets more rain in October than Rotorua. Sao Paulo gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year. October to March is the rainy season in Sao Paulo.

Typical Weather for Rotorua and Sao Paulo