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

Should you visit Sao Paulo or Tulum?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sao Paulo or Tulum, 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 cultural, dynamic, and vibrant city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping. See Sao Paulo travel costs.

Tulum

Tulum is a ancient, archeological, and tropical town. With stunning beauty, Tulum attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches. See Tulum travel costs.

Sao Paulo and Tulum: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sao Paulo or Tulum?

Both Tulum and Sao Paulo have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Sao Paulo is better known for its shopping and big city activities, while Tulum is more popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Tulum is more touristy than Sao Paulo and is popular for its archeological sights, beautiful beaches, and dramatic cenotes. Sao Paulo is well known for its large size, vibrant neighborhoods, and world-class nightlife scene.

How is Sao Paulo different from Tulum?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Tulum 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 Tulum?

You'll find a number of first-rate museums and attractions in both Tulum and Sao Paulo.

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 will find world class museums and historical sights in Tulum that are not to be missed. It's famous for its world-renowned archeological ruins. The Tulum Archeological Site is very popular for its Mayan temples and castles. You can also travel a bit further to see the Cobá Ruins.

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

Foodies will find both Sao Paulo and Tulum 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, Tulum makes for a great culinary experience. Despite being well established as a top tourist destination in Mexico, you'll still find authentic and delicious local cuisine. Favorite dishes around town include the ceviche, tacos al pastor, and sopa de lima (chicken soup).

Is Sao Paulo or Tulum Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find first-rate options in both Sao Paulo and Tulum.

People head to Sao Paulo just to party. 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.

The nightlife in Tulum is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. It's world renowned for its wild nightlife scene and you'll find iconic beach parties, jungle raves, and trendy Tuluminati parties. Most of the local places that are a bit more affordable are in town, and the more touristy and expensive places are around the Middle Beach Zone.

Is Sao Paulo or Tulum Better for Resorts?

Tulum is a world-class destination for its luxury resorts. However, Sao Paulo is not a resort destination.

Tulum offers an unforgettable resort vacation. If you're on a budget, you can stay in town for a more reasonable price, but if you want a classic beach vacation, head to the Zona Hotelera stretch along the coast. There are luxury hotels as well as resorts with beachfront pools and luxury restaurants.

Sao Paulo is not a resort destination.

Is Sao Paulo or Tulum Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Tulum is a world-class destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Sao Paulo is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

People travel to Tulum specifically to enjoy its famous scuba diving and snorkeling areas. The water along the coast is shallow and clear, which is perfect for snorkeling. There are also dive trips that take you a short distance out to diverse and beautiful reefs.

Sao Paulo is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Sao Paulo or Tulum Better for Beaches?

Tulum is a world-class destination for the beach. However, Sao Paulo is not a beach destination.

The beaches in Tulum are among the best in the world. World class beaches with turquoise water and long stretches of sand make this a true beach-lovers paradise. Playa Paraíso is a favorite beach in the area and many consider it among the most beautiful beaches in Mexico.

Sao Paulo is not a beach destination.

Is Sao Paulo or Tulum Better for Hiking?

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

Many visitors go to Tulum for the hiking trails. There are coastal walks and routes that take you through the jungle or by archeological ruins. There are many places where you can enjoy a stroll through nature.

Sao Paulo is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sao Paulo or Tulum?

Sao Paulo is terrific for shopping. Also, Tulum is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Sao Paulo is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Tulum is well-known for its shopping. Quirky souvenir shops, local artisan boutiques, and colorful bazaars make shopping a fun experience. Make sure you check out Mercado Maya or the Tulum Bazaar while you're in town.

Is Sao Paulo or Tulum More Beautiful?

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

With stunning beauty, Tulum attracts visitors from all around. Clear blue water, sandy beaches, jungle covered archeological ruins, and hidden cenotes make this a stunningly beautiful place to visit.

Sao Paulo is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Sao Paulo or Tulum Better for Families?

Tulum is a great town for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Sao Paulo is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Tulum. Kids will love the beaches and archeological sights as much as adults. You can also visit a cenote or see the sea turtles at Akumal Bay. If you're open to getting out of town, there are many adventure parks in the area as well.

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 Tulum Better for Couples?

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

Tulum has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. Beautiful beaches, world famous archeological sights, and a wild nightlife scene make this a great honeymoon or couple's destination. There are also spas, cenotes, and even cooking classes that you can take together.

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 Tulum Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Tulum is a great town for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Sao Paulo is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Tulum. It's no longer an undiscovered backpacker paradise, but there are still affordable options in the area and there's a great nightlife scene.

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 Tulum Better for Students?

Sao Paulo is a city with good options for students. However, Tulum is not popular with students.

Sao Paulo is a good city to visit for students. 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.

Tulum is not popular with students.

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

Sao Paulo is terrific for its public transit. Also, Tulum is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for times when you don't have a car.

The thorough and effecient public transit system of Sao Paulo can take you anywhere. 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.

Tulum has some public transit options. There are shared vans, Collectivos, that provide transportation through the area. The Tiburon is also a local bus that runs along the coastline.

Is Sao Paulo or Tulum a more walkable city?

Sao Paulo and Tulum are high quality when it comes to 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.

Tulum is very walkable. It's easy to walk around downtown Tulum and explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Tulum or Sao Paulo?

How long in Sao Paulo or Tulum?

In either Sao Paulo or Tulum, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Tulum than Sao Paulo because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Sao Paulo, and 3-5 days is enough time in Tulum.

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

Couples should spend more time in Tulum than Sao Paulo. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Tulum that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Tulum than Sao Paulo 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 Tulum.

One day in Sao Paulo or Tulum?

Each neighborhood in Sao Paulo has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

You'll find nightlife and food around the town of Tulum. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. 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 Tulum?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Sao Paulo. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the archeological destination of Tulum. Hikers are also drawn to this area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Sao Paulo or Tulum?

Sao Paulo is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the big city destination of Sao Paulo. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the active town of Tulum. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this town makes for a great vacation. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer.

A week in Sao Paulo or Tulum?

You'll find food and shopping around the dynamic big city of Sao Paulo. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Tulum is a popular choice for travelers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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 Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, and The Best Historical Tours in Mexico.

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

Which is Bigger, Sao Paulo or Tulum?

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

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Sao Paulo is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Tulum has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Sao Paulo or Tulum in the Summer?

Both Tulum and Sao Paulo during the summer are popular places to visit. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Sao Paulo this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Tulum for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Sao Paulo is cooler than Tulum. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sao Paulo in January average around 25°C (77°F), and Tulum averages at about 28°C (83°F)in July.

Tulum 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 more rain in January than Tulumin July. Sao Paulo gets 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Tulum receives 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year. October to March is the rainy season in Sao Paulo.

Should I visit Sao Paulo or Tulum in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Sao Paulo and Tulum. Many travelers come to Sao Paulo for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Tulum in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In April, Sao Paulo is generally cooler than Tulumin October. Daily temperatures in Sao Paulo average around 22°C (72°F), and Tulum fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Tulum receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In April, Sao Paulo usually receives less rain than Tulumin October. Sao Paulo gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Tulum receives 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn. June to August in Sao Paulo is the dry season. November to April in Tulum is the dry season. Also, June to October is the rainy season in Tulum. June to October is the hurricane season in Tulum.

Should I visit Sao Paulo or Tulum in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Sao Paulo as well as Tulum. Many visitors come to Sao Paulo in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Tulum for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Sao Paulo is cooler than Tulum in the winter. The daily temperature in Sao Paulo averages around 19°C (66°F) in July, and Tulum fluctuates around 23°C (74°F)in January.

Sao Paulo usually gets less rain in July than Tulumin January. Sao Paulo gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Tulum receives 56 mm (2.2 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 Tulum in the Spring?

Both Tulum and Sao Paulo are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Sao Paulo for the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Tulum because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Sao Paulo is cooler than Tulum. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sao Paulo in October average around 21°C (70°F), and Tulum averages at about 27°C (81°F)in April.

In October, Sao Paulo usually receives more rain than Tulumin April. Sao Paulo gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Tulum receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the spring. The rainy season in Sao Paulo is October to March. The dry season in Tulum is November to April. The rainy season in Tulum is June to October. June to October in Tulum is the hurricane season.

Typical Weather for Tulum and Sao Paulo