Which place is cheaper, Saint Thomas or Sao Paulo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sao Paulo or Saint Thomas?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sao Paulo or Saint Thomas, 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 Saint Thomas?
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.
Saint Thomas
Saint Thomas is a beautiful island in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Together with St. John, St. Croix, and Water Island, it forms the unincorporated territory of the United States. The island is also home to the territorial capital and port of Charlotte Amalie. The island's population is just over 50,000, which is slightly less than half of the territory's total population.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Brazil, and The Best Adventure Tours to Brazil.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySao Paulo $52Saint Thomas $218
The average daily cost (per person) in Sao Paulo is $52, while the average daily cost in Saint Thomas is $218. 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 Saint Thomas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSao Paulo $30Saint Thomas $131
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSao Paulo $60Saint Thomas $262
Compare Hotels in Sao Paulo and Saint Thomas
Looking for a hotel in Sao Paulo or Saint Thomas? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sao Paulo $5.90Saint Thomas $37
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: $298
- Private Transfer from Congonhas Airport (CGH) to Santos Port: $233
- Private São Paulo Airport - Hotels Transfer In or Out : $200
- Private Transfer from Gru Airport to Port or City of Santos (1 to 15 people): $199
- Departure private transfer from São Paulo city to Guarulhos Airport by minibus: $194
- Downtown to Sao Paulo Airport (GRU) - Departure Private Transfer: $180
- Sao Paulo Airport (GRU) to Downtown - Arrival Private Transfer: $180
- Sao Paulo Airport to Beach Resorts - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $175
- Private Transfer from Campinas Airport to Sao Paulo (GRU) Airport: $169
- Private Transfer from Sao Paulo City to Campinas Airport (VCP): $167
- Private Transfer from Congonhas Airport (CGH) to Viracopos Airport (VCP): $167
- Private Transfer from Sao Paulo City Centre Hotels to Santos Port: $167
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint Thomas
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Saint Thomas are as follows:
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Scooter Rental$65
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Taxi Ride$5.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint Thomas
Also for Saint Thomas, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Vi Top Taxi &Tours - Airport Transfer to the Ritz Carlton : $180
- Private Hotel and Resorts Transfers: $173
- PARADISE TAXI & TOURS USVI-St. Thomas- Airport Transfer to Ritz Carlton Elysian : $170
- Private Airport Transfer in Luxury Vehicle- St. Thomas, USVI: $169
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI-St. Thomas Airport Transfer to Wyndham Margaritaville: $160
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI-St Thomas- Airport Transfer Sapphire / Crystal Cove : $160
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI- St. Thomas - Airport Transfer to Red Hook Ferry: $160
- Private Airport Transfer in St. Thomas from Cyril E. King Airport: $135
- Private Ground Transfers: $120
- PARADISE TAXI & TOURS USVI-St.Thomas-Airport Transfer to Marriott Frenchman Cove: $110
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI-St.Thomas-Airport Transfer Bluebeard’s / Yacht Haven: $110
- Vi Top Taxi -St.Thomas Airport Transfer to Marriott Frenchman Cove : $110
Is it cheaper to fly into Sao Paulo or Saint Thomas?
Prices for flights to both Saint Thomas 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 $15Saint Thomas $54
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint Thomas
For Saint Thomas, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Sunset & Harbor Lights Dinner Sail from the Marriott's Frenchman's Cove: $109
- Afternoon Snorkel, Pizza & Sunset Tour departing from St. Thomas & St. John: $110
- Flavors of St Thomas Walking Food Tour : $111
- St. John Dinner Sail to Lovango with Open Bar and Hors d'Oeuvres - Westin: $119
- Cruz Bay - PiZZA Pi Snorkel Sail: $159
- St. Thomas Dinner Sail to Lovango w/ Open Bar and Hors D'oeuvres - Ritz-Carlton: $159
- St. Thomas Dinner Sail to St. John with Open Bar & Hors D'oeuvres - Ritz-Carlton: $169
- Waterfront Harbor Dinner Sail from Frenchman's Reef: $209
- St Thomas Legends Luxury Dinner Sail from the Ritz Carlton: $209
- Swim w/Turtles at St. John, Pizza Pi & Snorkel a shipwreck. : $250
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sao Paulo $4.05Saint Thomas $60
Tours and Activities in Sao Paulo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sao Paulo.
- Guarani Indigenous Village of São Paulo (private tour)-5 hours: $150
- 2 Hours Private São Paulo Museum of Modern Art Tour: $240
- 3H CITY TOUR (pick up / delivery within Sao Paulo city limits): $150
- 4-Hour Private Tour in Sao Paulo: $300
- 4-hour Sum-up Private Tour Of São Paulo Including Its Major Attractions : $134
- 4WD One Day Tour visiting Water Fall and the Big Stone from Sao Paulo: $260
- 5 Hour City Tour in São Paulo: $90
- 5-hour Pelé Private Tour: The King of Football : $162
- 5-hour Private Street Art Tour Of São Paulo – The Coolest Urban Art Scenes: $174
- 5-hour Private Tour Of São Paulo With Its Main Sights – Optional Airport Pickup: $162
- 5-hour private tour in São Paulo (departures from hotels and airport): $156
- 5h City Tour (pick up & delivery within SaoPaulo city): $249
Tours and Activities in Saint Thomas
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Saint Thomas.
- Two-Hour Sightseeing Excursion : $58
- 1 Hour Jet Ski Tour in the Virgin Islands from Westin St. John: $159
- 1-Hour Guided Jet Ski Tour in St. Thomas from Frenchman's Reef: $179
- Admission Ticket to Coral World & Coki Point Beach with Snorkeling: $40
- Admission Ticket to Coral World Ocean Park & Coki Beach: $35
- Aerial Sightseeing Adventure!: $250
- Book Your Private Two and a Half Hour Island Tour today!: $150
- Charlotte Amalie Walking Tour + Contemporary Art Experience: $79
- Children's Treasure Hunt Walking Tour: $10
- Cocktail Sunset Cruise aboard Breakaway Charters at Sapphire: $115
- Cocktail Sunset Cruise from Sapphire Beach Resort: $115
- Coral Reef and Turtle Discovery Kayak and Snorkel Tour : $169
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySao Paulo $3.52Saint Thomas $27
Sample the Local Flavors in Sao Paulo
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Sao Paulo:
- Half Day Private Wine Tour from São Roque: $54
- 4 Hours Pub Crawl in Vila Madalena: $150
- Fine wine tastings in São Roque - Tour with local guides: $180
Sample the Local Flavors in Saint Thomas
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Saint Thomas:
- Wine Tasting with Fine Art Downtown Experience: $60
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sao Paulo and Saint Thomas, we can see that Saint Thomas 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 Saint Thomas is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Saint Thomas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint Thomas 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 Saint Thomas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sao Paulo or Saint Thomas?
Sao Paulo has a larger population, and is about 500 times larger than the population of Saint Thomas. When comparing the sizes of Sao Paulo and Saint Thomas, 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 Saint Thomas?
Sao Paulo has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Saint Thomas experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Sao Paulo or Saint Thomas in the Summer?
Both Saint Thomas and Sao Paulo are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Thomas because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the summer, Sao Paulo is cooler than Saint Thomas. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sao Paulo in January average around 25°C (77°F), and Saint Thomas averages at about 29°C (83°F)in July.
It's quite rainy in Sao Paulo. In January, Sao Paulo usually receives more rain than Saint Thomasin July. Sao Paulo gets 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulySao Paulo 25°C (77°F)Saint Thomas 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Sao Paulo or Saint Thomas in the Autumn?
Both Saint Thomas and Sao Paulo during the autumn are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Thomas year-round.
In April, Sao Paulo is generally cooler than Saint Thomasin October. Daily temperatures in Sao Paulo average around 22°C (72°F), and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
Saint Thomas gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Sao Paulo usually gets less rain in April than Saint Thomasin October. Sao Paulo gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberSao Paulo 22°C (72°F)Saint Thomas 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Sao Paulo or Saint Thomas in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Sao Paulo and Saint Thomas. Saint Thomas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Sao Paulo is cooler than Saint Thomas in the winter. The daily temperature in Sao Paulo averages around 19°C (66°F) in July, and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 26°C (78°F)in January.
In July, Sao Paulo usually receives less rain than Saint Thomasin January. Sao Paulo gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuarySao Paulo 19°C (66°F)Saint Thomas 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Sao Paulo or Saint Thomas in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Sao Paulo as well as Saint Thomas. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Thomas throughout the year.
In the spring, Sao Paulo is cooler than Saint Thomas. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sao Paulo in October average around 21°C (70°F), and Saint Thomas averages at about 27°C (80°F)in April.
Sao Paulo usually gets more rain in October than Saint Thomasin April. Sao Paulo gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilSao Paulo 21°C (70°F)Saint Thomas 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint Thomas and Sao Paulo
| Sao Paulo | Saint Thomas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 22°C (72°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 21°C (70°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 19°C (66°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 21°C (70°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (75°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 71 mm (2.8 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.