Which place is cheaper, Tamarindo or Sao Paulo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sao Paulo or Tamarindo?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sao Paulo or Tamarindo, 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 Tamarindo?
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.
Tamarindo
Tamarindo is a small beach town in the Guanacaste province of Costa Rica on the Pacific Coast. This town is usually sought out by surfers, fishers, couples, and families. There are delicious restaurants, beautiful beaches, and friendly Tico's and Tica's (local Costa Rican nicknames) everywhere.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Brazil, The Best Adventure Tours to Brazil, The Best Luxury Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySao Paulo $52Tamarindo $121
The average daily cost (per person) in Sao Paulo is $52, while the average daily cost in Tamarindo is $121. 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 Tamarindo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSao Paulo $30Tamarindo $50
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSao Paulo $60Tamarindo $100
Compare Hotels in Sao Paulo and Tamarindo
Looking for a hotel in Sao Paulo or Tamarindo? 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 and Tamarindo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sao Paulo $5.90Tamarindo $69
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 One Way Airport Transfer Sao Paulo to and from Sao Paulo: $27
- Private Transfer from Sao Paulo hotels to Santos Cruise Port: $32
- Sao Paulo to Campinas Viracopos Airport (VCP) - Private Transfer: $38
- Campinas Airport (VCP) to Sao Paulo hotels - Arrival Transfer: $38
- Viracopos Airport (VCP) to Águas de Lindoia-Arrival Transfer: $38
- Viracopos Airport (VCP) to São Pedro Thermal Arrival Transfer: $38
- Campinas Viracopos Airport (VCP) to Sao Paulo - Private 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 Barra Funda to Sao Paulo (GRU) Airport: $58
- Private Transfer from Centro to Sao Paulo (GRU) Airport: $58
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tamarindo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tamarindo:
- Transfer to La Fortuna de Arenal: $307
- Round Trip Transfer Liberia Airport (LIR) to JW Marriott Guanacaste: $280
- Round Trip Transfer From Liberia Airport To Secrets Papagayo: $250
- Round Trip Transfer Liberia Airport (LIR) to Andaz Papagayo Resort: $201
- Round Trip Transfer Liberia Airport (LIR) to Four Seasons Resort: $200
- Private Liberia airport transfer: $200
- Transfer To/From Liberia Airport To/ From JW Marriott Guanacaste: $195
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To JW Marriott Guanacaste: $185
- Round Trip Transfer Liberia Airport (LIR) to Riu Guanacaste Hotel: $181
- Transfer From Liberia Airport To Hacienda Pinilla Guanacaste: $175
- Round Trip Transfer Liberia Airport (LIR) to Planet Hollywood Beach Resort: $171
- Private Transfer from Intl Liberia (LIR) Airport to Papagayo beaches areas: $170
Is it cheaper to fly into Sao Paulo or Tamarindo?
Prices for flights to both Tamarindo 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 $15Tamarindo $32
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 Tamarindo
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Tamarindo.
- Online Class on Zoom: Cooking Costa Rica Homemade Food: $35
- Traditional Cooking Class In Tamarindo: $95
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sao Paulo $4.05Tamarindo $17
Tours and Activities in Sao Paulo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sao Paulo.
- Downtown São Paulo's Epic History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- São Paulo Paulista Avenue City Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.84
- Walking Tour Historic Center in São Paulo: $13
- Sao Paulo 360 Guided Tour: $26
- Discover Sao Paulo History Guided Tour: $27
- Night Walking Tour through the Bars of Augusta street: $35
- Personal aromatic experience in São Paulo: $40
- 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
- Street Art and Parks Bike Tour: $80
- Secrets of Downtown São Paulo Bike Tour: $85
Tours and Activities in Tamarindo
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Tamarindo are as follows:
- Ecologic farming Sloth tour Hiking & Chocolate -Coffee tour: $260
- Premium Tour: Rincón de la Vieja Volcano Adventure Combo Tour: $220
- Premium Tour: Rincón de la Vieja Volcano and Waterfall Hiking: $170
- Premium Tour:Sloths and Río Celeste y Cortez Waterfalls (Tenorio Volcano Park): $220
- Private ATV or Buggy Tour from Riu Hotels: $85
- Sloth Farm Watching Tour & Amazimg Waterfall: $185
- Wildlife Tour at Palo Verde National Park: $199
- 1,5 Hours Private Horseback Riding Tour in Playa Conchal: $80
- 2-Hour Guided Tour by ATV near Playa Conchal: $130
- 3 Hour ATV Secluded Beach Tour from Tamarindo, Flamingo, Conchal & Grande: $125
- 3-in-1 Rincon de la Vieja National Park Nature Day Tour: $300
- 5-Hour Guided Sunset Boat Tour in Tamarindo Costa Rica: $95
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySao Paulo $3.52Tamarindo $14
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 Tamarindo, we can see that Tamarindo 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 Tamarindo 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 Tamarindo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tamarindo 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 Tamarindo Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Sao Paulo or Tamarindo?
Sao Paulo has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Tamarindo experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Sao Paulo or Tamarindo in the Summer?
Both Tamarindo and Sao Paulo during the summer are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Tamarindo year-round.
In January, Sao Paulo is generally cooler than Tamarindoin July. Daily temperatures in Sao Paulo average around 25°C (77°F), and Tamarindo fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
Tamarindo 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 around the same amount of rain in January as Tamarindoin July. Sao Paulo gets 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulySao Paulo 25°C (77°F)Tamarindo 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Sao Paulo or Tamarindo in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Sao Paulo and Tamarindo. Tamarindo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Sao Paulo is cooler than Tamarindo in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sao Paulo averages around 22°C (72°F) in April, and Tamarindo fluctuates around 27°C (81°F)in October.
Tamarindo receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In April, Sao Paulo usually receives less rain than Tamarindoin October. Sao Paulo gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberSao Paulo 22°C (72°F)Tamarindo 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Sao Paulo or Tamarindo in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Sao Paulo as well as Tamarindo. The warm climate attracts visitors to Tamarindo throughout the year.
In the winter, Sao Paulo is cooler than Tamarindo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sao Paulo in July average around 19°C (66°F), and Tamarindo averages at about 27°C (81°F)in January.
Sao Paulo usually gets more rain in July than Tamarindoin January. Sao Paulo gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuarySao Paulo 19°C (66°F)Tamarindo 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Sao Paulo or Tamarindo in the Spring?
Both Tamarindo and Sao Paulo are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Tamarindo because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In October, Sao Paulo is generally cooler than Tamarindoin April. Daily temperatures in Sao Paulo average around 21°C (70°F), and Tamarindo fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
In October, Sao Paulo usually receives more rain than Tamarindoin April. Sao Paulo gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilSao Paulo 21°C (70°F)Tamarindo 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for Tamarindo and Sao Paulo
| Sao Paulo | Tamarindo | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.