Which place is cheaper, Santa Elena or Sao Paulo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sao Paulo or Santa Elena?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sao Paulo or Santa Elena, 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 Santa Elena?
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.
Santa Elena
Santa Elena is a cute town, and the closest to the Monteverde Cloud Forest. It's one of the most popular destinations in Costa Rica, and is a great place to experience the cloud forest and see some of country's unique wildlife.
In the Monteverde Cloud Forest you have a good chance of seeing rare quetzals which are the national bird of Costa Rica. Other common animals include white-faced capuchin monkeys, howler monkeys, orange-kneed tarantulas, any of 8-9 species of hummingbirds, and sloth.
Santa Elena is about 1,400 meters above sea level and has a humid and damp environment. The average yearly temperature is 64 degrees Fahrenheit and the average rainfall is 3,000 millimetres. Humidity can be anywhere between 74% and 97%.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Brazil, The Best Adventure Tours to Brazil, The Best G Adventures Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Costa Rica.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySao Paulo $52Santa Elena $92
The average daily cost (per person) in Sao Paulo is $52, while the average daily cost in Santa Elena is $92. 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 Santa Elena in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSao Paulo $30Santa Elena $55
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSao Paulo $60Santa Elena $110
Compare Hotels in Sao Paulo and Santa Elena
Looking for a hotel in Sao Paulo or Santa Elena? 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 $5.90Santa Elena $11
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santa Elena
Also for Santa Elena, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- One Way Private Transfer from Monteverde - Liberia: $276
- Private Transfer From Monteverde To La Fortuna From 1 to 6 passengers: $270
- One Way Private Transfer from Monteverde to Samara : $269
- Private Transfer Lake crossing from Monteverde To Arenal From 1 to 6 passengers: $249
- Direct transfer from Monteverde to San Jose, English Speaking Driver: $180
- Peñas Blancas to Liberia Airport (LIR) Departure Private Transfer: $38
Is it cheaper to fly into Sao Paulo or Santa Elena?
Prices for flights to both Santa Elena 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 $15Santa Elena $24
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 Santa Elena
For Santa Elena, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Night Walk in Monteverde with Dinner Included: $55
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sao Paulo $4.05Santa Elena $30
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 Santa Elena
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Santa Elena.
- Cloud Forest hanging bridges with a local naturalist tour guide: $45
- Curi-cancha Bird-Watching tour semi private : $50
- Wildlife Tour in Curicancha : $25
- 100% Adventure Park Combo: Zipline, Superman, and Mega Tarzan Tour in Monteverde: $57
- 3 hours of the Longest and Highest Extreme Zip line Experience in Monteverde: $80
- Adventure Day - Outdoor activities for Family and Friends Special Package.: $29
- Adventure Park High Ropes Course : $69
- Authentic experience of Coffee, Cane and Caco inside the forest: $37
- Bird Watching Experience in Monteverde: $90
- Bird-Watching private tour : $100
- Birdwatching Tour in Monteverde : $85
- Canopy Adventure From Monteverde: $72
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySao Paulo $3.52Santa Elena $6.22
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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sao Paulo and Santa Elena, we can see that Santa Elena 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 Santa Elena 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 Santa Elena would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Santa Elena 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 Santa Elena Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Sao Paulo or Santa Elena?
Sao Paulo has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Santa Elena experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Sao Paulo or Santa Elena in the Summer?
Both Santa Elena and Sao Paulo are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Santa Elena because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Sao Paulo is cooler than Santa Elena in the summer. The daily temperature in Sao Paulo averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Santa Elena fluctuates around 28°C (82°F)in July.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Santa Elena. It's quite rainy in Sao Paulo. In January, Sao Paulo usually receives around the same amount of rain as Santa Elenain July. Sao Paulo gets 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Santa Elena receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulySao Paulo 25°C (77°F)Santa Elena 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Sao Paulo or Santa Elena in the Autumn?
Both Santa Elena and Sao Paulo during the autumn are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Santa Elena year-round.
In the autumn, Sao Paulo is cooler than Santa Elena. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sao Paulo in April average around 22°C (72°F), and Santa Elena averages at about 27°C (81°F)in October.
Santa Elena gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Sao Paulo usually gets less rain in April than Santa Elenain October. Sao Paulo gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Santa Elena receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberSao Paulo 22°C (72°F)Santa Elena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Sao Paulo or Santa Elena in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Sao Paulo and Santa Elena. Santa Elena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In July, Sao Paulo is generally cooler than Santa Elenain January. Daily temperatures in Sao Paulo average around 19°C (66°F), and Santa Elena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
In July, Sao Paulo usually receives more rain than Santa Elenain January. Sao Paulo gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Santa Elena receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuarySao Paulo 19°C (66°F)Santa Elena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Sao Paulo or Santa Elena in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Sao Paulo as well as Santa Elena. The warm climate attracts visitors to Santa Elena throughout the year.
Sao Paulo is cooler than Santa Elena in the spring. The daily temperature in Sao Paulo averages around 21°C (70°F) in October, and Santa Elena fluctuates around 29°C (85°F)in April.
Sao Paulo usually gets more rain in October than Santa Elenain April. Sao Paulo gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Santa Elena receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilSao Paulo 21°C (70°F)Santa Elena 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for Santa Elena and Sao Paulo
| Sao Paulo | Santa Elena | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 22°C (72°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 21°C (70°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 19°C (66°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 21°C (70°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (75°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 33 mm (1.3 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.