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

Should you visit Sao Paulo or San Pedro?

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

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

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.

San Pedro

San Pedro is the largest town on Ambergris Caye, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Belize. Here you can find a tropical paradise with warm weather, clear blue waters, plenty of activities such as snorkeling and scuba diving, and a host of hotels, restaurants, and other amenities.

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 Budget Tours to Belize, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Belize.


Which place is cheaper, San Pedro 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 San Pedro is $135. 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 San Pedro in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sao Paulo $30
    San Pedro $66
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sao Paulo $60
    San Pedro $132
Compare Hotels in Sao Paulo and San Pedro

Looking for a hotel in Sao Paulo or San Pedro? 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 San Pedro


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Sao Paulo $5.90
    San Pedro $34

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sao Paulo

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

  • Private Transfer from Sao Paulo City - Sao Paulo Airport (GRU): $22
  • Private Transfer from Sao Paulo hotels to Santos Cruise Port: $32
  • Viracopos Airport (VCP) to São Pedro Thermal Arrival Transfer: $38
  • Sao Paulo to Campinas Viracopos Airport (VCP) - Private Transfer: $38
  • Campinas Viracopos Airport (VCP) to Sao Paulo - Private Transfer: $38
  • Campinas Airport (VCP) to Sao Paulo hotels - Arrival Transfer: $38
  • Viracopos Airport (VCP) to Águas de Lindoia-Arrival Transfer: $38
  • Sao Paulo Airport (GRU) to Águas de Lindoia-Arrival Transfer: $44
  • Private Departure Transfer: São Paulo Hotels to Guarulhos International Airport: $46
  • Private Transfer from Liberdade to Sao Paulo (GRU) Airport: $58
  • Private Transfer from Barra Funda to Sao Paulo (GRU) Airport: $58
  • Private Transfer from Centro to Sao Paulo (GRU) Airport: $58

Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Pedro

Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Pedro:

  • Cave Tubing and Zipline Adventure (Boat Transfer): $205

Is it cheaper to fly into Sao Paulo or San Pedro?

Prices for flights to both San Pedro 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
    San Pedro $40

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:

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

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Pedro

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

  • Belizean Sunset and Cultural Dinner Cruise: $120

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Sao Paulo $4.05
    San Pedro $33

Tours and Activities in Sao Paulo

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sao Paulo.

  • São Paulo Paulista Avenue City Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.84
  • São Paulo: 2 Hours - Liberdade "Street Food" Tour: $54
  • City Tour Meet São Paulo Half-Day: $64
  • São Paulo’s Full Day City Tour: Main City Sights in 7 Hours – (Shared Group): $79
  • Secrets of Downtown São Paulo Bike Tour: $85
  • 5 Hour City Tour in São Paulo: $90
  • São Paulo: Palmeiras Game Experience with Local: $95
  • Bike Tour: The Coolest Urban Scenes of Sao Paulo: $99
  • Bike Tour Of São Paulo Historical Downtown : $99
  • Walking Tour along Paulista Avenue – The most Famous Avenue in Brazil: $100
  • Beaches Tour: Santos, São Vicente and Guaruja from São Paulo: $110
  • Half-Day City Private Tour of São Paulo from GRU airport or any hotel : $116

Tours and Activities in San Pedro

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

  • The best of San Pedro Town walking tour: $202
  • 3 Hours Barrier Reef Tour in Caye Caulker, Belize: $54
  • 5-Hour Guided Jetboat Tour to Secret Beach, San Pedro, Belize.: $200
  • All-Inclusive Full-Day Hol Chan Snorkeling Tour : $120
  • Altun Ha Cave Tubing and Zip line Tours from San Pedro Ambergris Caye: $250
  • Ambergris Caye Sunset Sail Tour on the 40' Sirena Azul Sailboat: $75
  • Belize Hol Chan Marine Reserve & Shark Ray Alley Snorkel Tour - Ambergris Caye: $93
  • Cave Tubing and Zip line Adventure from San pedro Ambergris caye: $250
  • Double Activity Limo Tour: Xunantunich Ruins & Cave Tubing Adventure: $220
  • Exclusive All-in-1 Full Day Shared Guided Tour: $139
  • Hol Chan Full-Day Bucket List Snorkeling and Marine Life Tour: $95
  • Hol Chan Marine Reserve Snorkel Tour on the 40' Sirena Azul Sailboat: $89

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Sao Paulo $3.52
    San Pedro $16

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


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


Which is Bigger, Sao Paulo or San Pedro?

Sao Paulo has a larger population, and is about 1190 times larger than the population of San Pedro. When comparing the sizes of Sao Paulo and San Pedro, 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 San Pedro?

Sao Paulo has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but San Pedro experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Sao Paulo or San Pedro in the Summer?

Both San Pedro and Sao Paulo during the summer are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Pedro year-round.

In January, Sao Paulo is generally cooler than San Pedroin July. Daily temperatures in Sao Paulo average around 25°C (77°F), and San Pedro fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

San Pedro gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Sao Paulo. Sao Paulo usually gets less rain in January than San Pedroin July. Sao Paulo gets 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while San Pedro receives 243 mm (9.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January and July
    Sao Paulo 25°C (77°F) 
    San Pedro 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Sao Paulo or San Pedro in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Sao Paulo and San Pedro. San Pedro attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Sao Paulo is cooler than San Pedro in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sao Paulo averages around 22°C (72°F) in April, and San Pedro fluctuates around 26°C (80°F)in October.

San Pedro receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In April, Sao Paulo usually receives less rain than San Pedroin October. Sao Paulo gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while San Pedro receives 255 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April and October
    Sao Paulo 22°C (72°F) 
    San Pedro 26°C (80°F)

Should I visit Sao Paulo or San Pedro in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Sao Paulo as well as San Pedro. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Pedro throughout the year.

In the winter, Sao Paulo is cooler than San Pedro. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sao Paulo in July average around 19°C (66°F), and San Pedro averages at about 24°C (74°F)in January.

It's quite rainy in San Pedro. Sao Paulo usually gets less rain in July than San Pedroin January. Sao Paulo gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while San Pedro receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July and January
    Sao Paulo 19°C (66°F) 
    San Pedro 24°C (74°F)

Should I visit Sao Paulo or San Pedro in the Spring?

Both San Pedro and Sao Paulo are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to San Pedro because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In October, Sao Paulo is generally cooler than San Pedroin April. Daily temperatures in Sao Paulo average around 21°C (70°F), and San Pedro fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

In October, Sao Paulo usually receives more rain than San Pedroin April. Sao Paulo gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while San Pedro receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October and April
    Sao Paulo 21°C (70°F) 
    San Pedro 27°C (80°F)

Typical Weather for San Pedro and Sao Paulo

Sao Paulo San Pedro
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 25°C (77°F) 170 mm (6.7 in) 24°C (74°F) 138 mm (5.4 in)
Feb 25°C (77°F) 170 mm (6.7 in) 24°C (76°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Mar 24°C (75°F) 120 mm (4.7 in) 26°C (78°F) 25 mm (1 in)
Apr 22°C (72°F) 50 mm (2 in) 27°C (80°F) 52 mm (2 in)
May 21°C (70°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 28°C (82°F) 105 mm (4.1 in)
Jun 19°C (66°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 28°C (82°F) 258 mm (10.2 in)
Jul 19°C (66°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 28°C (82°F) 243 mm (9.6 in)
Aug 19°C (66°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 28°C (82°F) 187 mm (7.4 in)
Sep 21°C (70°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 28°C (82°F) 287 mm (11.3 in)
Oct 21°C (70°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 26°C (80°F) 255 mm (10 in)
Nov 23°C (73°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 25°C (77°F) 183 mm (7.2 in)
Dec 24°C (75°F) 150 mm (5.9 in) 25°C (76°F) 138 mm (5.4 in)