Which place is cheaper, Vancouver or Sao Paulo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sao Paulo or Vancouver?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sao Paulo or Vancouver, 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 Vancouver?
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.
Vancouver
Vancouver is a beautiful and cosmopolitan city in Western Canada. It is also the largest city in British Columbia, and is dramatically positioned between the coast and mountains. It's a very international city, with a high level of energy and countless activites that you can enjoy while you're in town. In addition to offering all of the activities and entertainment of a modern city, it is also in jumping off distance to any number of outdoor activities.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Brazil, The Best Adventure Tours to Brazil, The Best 10-Day Tours from Vancouver, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Canada.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySao Paulo $53Vancouver $142
The average daily cost (per person) in Sao Paulo is $53, while the average daily cost in Vancouver is $142. 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 Vancouver in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSao Paulo $30Vancouver $87
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSao Paulo $60Vancouver $174
Compare Hotels in Sao Paulo and Vancouver
Looking for a hotel in Sao Paulo or Vancouver? 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 Vancouver Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sao Paulo $5.96Vancouver $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sao Paulo
Also for Sao Paulo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Arrival Transfer | Viracopos Airport (VCP) x São Paulo City : $300
- Private Transfer from Congonhas Airport (CGH) to Santos Port: $235
- 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: $197
- Private Transfer from VCP Airport or Campinas to GRU Airport (1 a 15 pessoas): $195
- Sao Paulo Airport (GRU) to Downtown - Arrival Private Transfer: $181
- Downtown to Sao Paulo Airport (GRU) - Departure Private Transfer: $181
- Sao Paulo Airport to Beach Resorts - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $176
- Private Transfer from Campinas Airport to Sao Paulo (GRU) Airport: $170
- Private Transfer from Campinas-Viracopos (VCP) Airport to Sao Paulo Airport: $170
- Private Transfer from Sao Paulo City to Campinas Airport (VCP): $168
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Vancouver
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Vancouver are as follows:
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SkyTrain from Airport$6.40
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Taxi from Airport to Downtown$21
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15 min Taxi Ride$8.78
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SkyTrain DayPass$6.58
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vancouver
Also for Vancouver, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Vancouver Airport (YVR) Transfer to Whistler: $611
- Private Transfer from Whistler to Vancouver Airport YVR: $602
- Private Transfer from Downtown Vancouver to Whistler: $571
- Private Transfer from YVR Airport To Whistler: $511
- Vancouver Airport(YVR): Transfer to Canada Place Cruise Port: $428
- Canada Place Cruise Port: Transfer to Vancouver hotels: $428
- Maximize Your Cruise Adventure: Vancouver Tour & Transfer: $292
- Private Transfer, Langley, BC to Vancouver International Airport-VIP Sedan: $280
- Vancouver Cruise Transfers/ City Sightseeing Tour Private: $277
- Private Transfer from Vancouver (YVR) Airport to Vancouver City: $270
- Vancouver, BC: Scenic Seaplane Transfer to Seattle, WA: $258
- Private Transfer, Vancouver Intl. Airport to Vancouver, BC - VIP, SEDAN : $250
Is it cheaper to fly into Sao Paulo or Vancouver?
Prices for flights to both Vancouver 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 $15Vancouver $31
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
Typical Food Prices in Vancouver
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Vancouver:
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All You Can Eat Sushi Lunch$8.87
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Vancouver
For Vancouver, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- A Wok Around Food Tour of the Granville Island Public Market: $84
- The Gastown Experience Walking Food Tour: $94
- Gastown Historic Walking Food Tour: $100
- Vancouver Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $100
- North Vancouver Shipyards Food Tour: $108
- Vancouver Authentic Chinese Food Tour: $134
- VIP Granville Island Market Vancouver - Walking Food Tour: $138
- Authentic Asian Eats Walking Food Tour: $142
- 3-Hour Bowen Island Boat Cruise with Dinner: $153
- Evening Cruise with Dinner Buffet: $153
- Vancouver Evening Dinner Cruise: $157
- Granville Island Uncorked Walking Food Tour: $161
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sao Paulo $4.08Vancouver $36
Tours and Activities in Sao Paulo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sao Paulo.
- 2 Hours Private São Paulo Museum of Modern Art Tour: $240
- 3 Beaches Hiking Santo Amaro Island - Paradise Route Tour from São Paulo: $125
- 3H CITY TOUR (pick up / delivery within Sao Paulo city limits): $151
- 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: $91
- 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): $155
- 5h City Tour (pick up & delivery within SaoPaulo city): $249
Tours and Activities in Vancouver
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Vancouver.
- Guided Bike /E-bike Tour in Whistler From Vancouver: $219
- Sunshine Coast Escape (Around Vancouver) Small Group Tour: $145
- $99 Vancouver 2 Hours City Tour Private: $102
- 2 Days Leavenworth Christmastown Tour from Vancouver (Chn&Eng): $192
- 2-in-1 Vancouver city Tour: $234
- 3-Day Vancouver City Tour Package With Whistler & Victoria: $2,413
- 3hr Private Sightseeing Tour Vancouver (from Vancouver City): $456
- 3hr Private Sightseeing Tour-Vancouver City (fr YVR/Cruise): $583
- 4-Hour Private Tour of Vancouver's Gardens: $334
- 5 Days in Vancouver Multiactivity Adventure Tour: $2,413
- 5hr Private Sightseeing Tour-Vancouver (from Vancouver City): $710
- 5hr Private Sightseeing Tour-Vancouver City (fr YVR/Cruise): $837
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySao Paulo $3.55Vancouver $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:
- São Paulo Nightlife: Pub Crawl in the City that Never Sleeps!: $49
- Half Day Private Wine Tour from São Roque: $54
- Wine Tour in São Roque by car - tour with local guides: $98
- 4 Hours Pub Crawl in Vila Madalena: $150
Sample the Local Flavors in Vancouver
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Vancouver:
- Vancouver - Granville Pub Crawl ROUTE B: $18
- Gastown Pub Crawl: $22
- Vancouver - Granville Pub Crawl: $26
- 3.5-Hour Craft Brewery Tour: $88
- Fraser Valley Wine Tour with a light Lunch from Vancouver: $134
- Vancouver Wine Tour (Fraser Valley): $134
- From Half-Day Fraser Valley Wine Tour: $138
- From Fraser Valley Wine Tour with Local Tastings: $139
- Taste of the Valley Wine Tour: $148
- Stawamus Chief Hike and Local Brewery Tasting: $165
- Fraser Valley & White Rock Premium Public Wine Tour: $166
- Stawamus Chief Hike & Local Brewery Tasting : $167
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sao Paulo and Vancouver, we can see that Vancouver 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 Vancouver 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 Vancouver would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Vancouver 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 Vancouver Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sao Paulo or Vancouver?
Sao Paulo has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Vancouver. When comparing the sizes of Sao Paulo and Vancouver, 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 Vancouver?
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 Vancouver has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Sao Paulo or Vancouver in the Summer?
Both Vancouver and Sao Paulo are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.
In the summer, Sao Paulo is a little warmer than Vancouver. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sao Paulo in January average around 25°C (77°F), and Vancouver averages at about 18°C (64°F)in July.
It's quite rainy in Sao Paulo. In January, Sao Paulo usually receives more rain than Vancouverin July. Sao Paulo gets 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Vancouver receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulySao Paulo 25°C (77°F)Vancouver 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Sao Paulo or Vancouver in the Autumn?
Both Vancouver and Sao Paulo during the autumn are popular places to visit.
In April, Sao Paulo is generally much warmer than Vancouverin October. Daily temperatures in Sao Paulo average around 22°C (72°F), and Vancouver fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
Vancouver gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Sao Paulo usually gets less rain in April than Vancouverin October. Sao Paulo gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Vancouver receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberSao Paulo 22°C (72°F)Vancouver 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Sao Paulo or Vancouver in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Sao Paulo and Vancouver.
The weather in Vancouver can be very cold. Sao Paulo is much warmer than Vancouver in the winter. The daily temperature in Sao Paulo averages around 19°C (66°F) in July, and Vancouver fluctuates around 4°C (40°F)in January.
Vancouver receives a lot of rain in the winter. In July, Sao Paulo usually receives less rain than Vancouverin January. Sao Paulo gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Vancouver receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuarySao Paulo 19°C (66°F)Vancouver 4°C (40°F)
Should I visit Sao Paulo or Vancouver in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Sao Paulo as well as Vancouver.
In the spring, Sao Paulo is much warmer than Vancouver. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sao Paulo in October average around 21°C (70°F), and Vancouver averages at about 9°C (49°F)in April.
It's quite rainy in Vancouver. Sao Paulo usually gets less rain in October than Vancouverin April. Sao Paulo gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Vancouver receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilSao Paulo 21°C (70°F)Vancouver 9°C (49°F)
Typical Weather for Vancouver and Sao Paulo
| Sao Paulo | Vancouver | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 179 mm (7.1 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) |
| Apr | 22°C (72°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| May | 21°C (70°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jun | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jul | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Aug | 19°C (66°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Oct | 21°C (70°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (75°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 198 mm (7.8 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.