A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Taupo vs. Sao Paulo for Nightlife, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Taupo or Sao Paulo?

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

Should I visit Taupo or Sao Paulo? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Taupo

Taupo is a otherworldly, striking, and stunning town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Taupo offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the shopping, skiing, and nightlife. See Taupo travel costs.

Sao Paulo

Sao Paulo is a vibrant, colorful, and cultural city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Sao Paulo travel costs.

Taupo and Sao Paulo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Taupo or Sao Paulo?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Sao Paulo. Although Taupo and Sao Paulo are both popular with visitors, Sao Paulo has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Sao Paulo is more popular for its museums and attractions, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Taupo is known for its skiing, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Taupo is more touristy than Sao Paulo and is popular for its thermal hot springs, dramatic landscapes, and world class hikes. Sao Paulo is popular for its large size, vibrant neighborhoods, and world-class nightlife scene. It is also home to Ibirapuera Park.

How is Taupo different from Sao Paulo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Sao Paulo and Taupo. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Is Taupo or Sao Paulo Better for Skiing?

Taupo is a world-class destination for skiing. However, Sao Paulo is not a skiing destination.

The snow ski experience you'll have in Taupo is among the best in the world. Nearby Mount Ruapehu offers access to the longest running ski season in both Australia and New Zealand. From June until October you can enjoy the largest commercial ski areas around. There are options for everyone from young beginners to experts. The two main ski resorts in the area are Whakapapa Ski Area and Tūroa Ski Area.

Sao Paulo is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Taupo or Sao Paulo?

Sao Paulo is a must-visit destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Taupo is a town with minimal options for its historical sights.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Sao Paulo are among the most recognizable in the world. 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

If you're looking to pass the time, head to a museum or historic sight in Taupo. Stunning natural beauty and adventure-filled activities are what Taupo is all about, but you won't find much in the form of museums.

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

Both Taupo and Sao Paulo offer a number of very good restaurants to choose from.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Taupo. The town is filled with local restaurants that make use of local ingredients such as fresh caught trout, local produce, and wild game. The town also has many farmers markets and a strong cafe culture.

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).

Is Taupo or Sao Paulo Better for Nightlife?

Sao Paulo is a must-visit destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Taupo is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

Sao Paulo is a world class party destination. 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Taupo has a few options to choose from. It's a small resort town that is active during the day and night. There are low key activities in the evening like soaking in the thermal hot pools or grabbing a drink at a bar.

Is Taupo or Sao Paulo Better for Hiking?

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

Many visitors go to Taupo for the hiking trails. The area is filled with beautiful hikes that take you through the natural beauty. During the fall season you can enjoy the fall foliage and during the summer months the wildlife and waterfront setting is at a peak.

Sao Paulo is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Taupo or Sao Paulo?

Sao Paulo is a must-visit destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Taupo is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Sao Paulo make it a world-class shopping destination. 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.

Taupo has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. The lakefront town has a nice, pedestrian-friendly stretch with boutique shops, fashion outlets, and souvenir vendors.

Is Taupo or Sao Paulo More Beautiful?

Taupo is a nice place to visit for its scenery and beauty. However, Sao Paulo is not a destination known for its beauty.

Taupo offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Set against the lake, there is stunning natural beauty in the area and many breathtaking views.

Sao Paulo is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Taupo or Sao Paulo Better for Families?

Taupo is a world-class destination for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Sao Paulo is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

Taupo is an amazing family-friendly town to visit. Set on the edge of Lake Taupo, there are many family-friendly activities in the area like swimming, boating, and hiking. There are also thermal hot springs and in the winter months skiing. Families who enjoy outdoor adventures will find no shortage of options year round.

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 Taupo or Sao Paulo Better for Couples?

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

Taupo has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. Honeymooners and couples who enjoy romantic scenery, beautiful sunsets, and outdoor adventure will fall in love with this area. You can soak in thermal hot springs and picnic next to beautiful waterfalls. There are also breathtaking hikes and great water activities.

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 Taupo or Sao Paulo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Taupo is a world-class destination for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Sao Paulo is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Taupo, as it is a very popular town for budget travelers. There's plenty of backpacker and hostel accommodation in the area. There are also free outdoor activities and adrenaline-filled adventures that backpackers will enjoy.

Sao Paulo is a good town 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 Taupo or Sao Paulo Better for Students?

Sao Paulo is a popular place for students. However, Taupo is not popular with students.

Sao Paulo is popular with 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.

Taupo is not popular with students.

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

Sao Paulo is a must-visit destination for its public transit. Also, Taupo is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Sao Paulo has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. 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.

While Taupo offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are local bus service, the Taupo Connector, that travels around the town center. If you want to get outside of town, you'll need to have a car.

Is Taupo or Sao Paulo a more walkable city?

Sao Paulo is a great destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Taupo is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

Sao Paulo is a very walkable city. 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.

Taupo is a somewhat walkable town. The town is fairly compact, but if you want to efficiently get around and experience everything that the area has to offer, you'll want to have a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Sao Paulo or Taupo?

How long in Taupo or Sao Paulo?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Taupo and Sao Paulo. You can spend similar amounts of time exploring each one. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

One day in Taupo or Sao Paulo?

You'll find food and shopping around the town of Taupo. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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.

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.

A weekend in Taupo or Sao Paulo?

You'll find shopping and skiing around the otherworldly destination of Taupo. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

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.

Five days in Taupo or Sao Paulo?

Travelers enjoy the skiing and nightlife when visiting the stunning town of Taupo. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Most people head to the area for the skiing. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

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.

A week in Taupo or Sao Paulo?

Taupo is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to New Zealand, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Auckland, The Best 3-Day Tours from Manaus, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Brazil.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Taupo and Sao Paulo, we can see that Taupo is more expensive. And not only is Sao Paulo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Taupo is in Pacific and Sao Paulo is in South 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 Taupo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Taupo 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 Taupo Expensive? and Is Sao Paulo Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Taupo or Sao Paulo?

Sao Paulo has a larger population, and is about 450 times larger than the population of Taupo. When comparing the sizes of Taupo and Sao Paulo, 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.