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

Should you visit Ayutthaya or Sao Paulo?

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

Should I visit Ayutthaya 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.

Ayutthaya

Ayutthaya is a famous, popular, and historical city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Ayutthaya travel costs.

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.

Ayutthaya and Sao Paulo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ayutthaya or Sao Paulo?

You'll generally find more things to do in Sao Paulo than Ayutthaya. Sao Paulo is bigger than Ayutthaya, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Sao Paulo is better known for its museums and attractions, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Ayutthaya is more popular for its historical sights. Ayutthaya is more touristy than Sao Paulo and is popular for its impressive archeological ruins, history as the second capital of Siam, and its easy accessibility from Bangkok. Sao Paulo is well known for its large size, vibrant neighborhoods, and world-class nightlife scene. Also, Sao Paulo is famous for Ibirapuera Park.

How is Ayutthaya different from Sao Paulo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Sao Paulo is a must-visit destination for its sights and museums. Also, Ayutthaya is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Sao Paulo that are not to be missed. 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

Many visitors head to Ayutthaya specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. These large and impressive ruins are among the most visited in Thailand. This is in large part because of their easy access from Bangkok. Highlights of the historical park include Wat Phra Si Sanphet, the Royal Chapel, Wat Ratchaburana, and Vihara Phra Mongkol Bophi.

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

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

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Ayutthaya makes for a great culinary experience. The local cuisine makes use of the area's freshwater fish, green vegetables, and river prawns. Dishes often include rice noodles and a spicy sauce. There are many restaurants that cater to the tourist crowds but still serve high quality dishes.

Sao Paulo has a huge number of terrific 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 Ayutthaya or Sao Paulo Better for Nightlife?

Sao Paulo is a must-visit destination for nightlife. Also, Ayutthaya is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Ayutthaya. There are a number of bars and nightclubs that keep things lively well into the evening.

Is Ayutthaya or Sao Paulo Better for its Old Town?

Ayutthaya is a great city for its historic old town charm. However, Sao Paulo does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Ayutthaya to see the historical old town. Ayutthaya Historical Park includes 425 archaeological sites that are both inside the city walls, as well as outside.

Sao Paulo does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Ayutthaya or Sao Paulo?

Sao Paulo is a must-visit destination for shopping. Also, Ayutthaya is not as famous, but is still a good city 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.

Ayutthaya is well-known for its shopping. There are some great shopping areas around the town that specialize in local handicrafts such as pottery, wicker weaving, and stone masonry. Some of the most interesting places include the Ayutthaya Floating Market and the Ayutthaya Night Market.

Is Ayutthaya or Sao Paulo Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Ayutthaya or Sao Paulo.

Ayutthaya is a family-friendly place to visit. Families will appreciate how easy it is to reach Ayutthaya from Bangkok. The historical ruins are fun for both kids and adults, but the sites are very spread out and you'll need to hire a tuk tuk to see everything. The roads can be crowded and distances far, so biking isn't recommended with kids.

Sao Paulo is a family-friendly city. 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 Ayutthaya or Sao Paulo Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Ayutthaya and Sao Paulo make for a notable place to visit.

Ayutthaya is a nice destination for couples. The historical ruins make an easy day trip from Bangkok, so couples who appreciate history and iconic temples will appreciate a visit here.

Sao Paulo makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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 Ayutthaya or Sao Paulo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Ayutthaya is a great city 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 Ayutthaya. The historic temples are popular with all tourists, including backpackers who often visit as a day trip from Bangkok.

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 Ayutthaya or Sao Paulo Better for Students?

Sao Paulo is a popular place for students. However, Ayutthaya 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.

Ayutthaya is not popular with students.

Is Ayutthaya 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. However, Ayutthaya is a mediocre city 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.

Public transit is mostly limited in Ayutthaya. There are organized tours and private tuk tuks for hire that will take you to the various temples. There are also bicycles available for rent, but roads can be crowded.

Is Ayutthaya or Sao Paulo a more walkable city?

Sao Paulo is notable for its walkability. However, Ayutthaya is a mediocre city for its high level of walkability.

Sao Paulo is very walkable. 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.

Ayutthaya is not a very walkable city. The historic sites are spread out over a vast area and you must have some form of transportation to reach everything. Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon, Wat Chaiwatthanaram and Wat Phutthai Sawan are the furthest apart. Everywhere else can be accessed on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Sao Paulo or Ayutthaya?

How long in Ayutthaya or Sao Paulo?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Ayutthaya and Sao Paulo. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Sao Paulo than in Ayutthaya. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Ayutthaya, and 2-3 days is enough time in Sao Paulo.

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

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

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

One day in Ayutthaya or Sao Paulo?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Ayutthaya. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Ayutthaya has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

People visit Sao Paulo because there is so much to do. 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 Ayutthaya or Sao Paulo?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the popular destination of Ayutthaya. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

People visit Sao Paulo because there is so much to do. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Ayutthaya or Sao Paulo?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the cultural city of Ayutthaya. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the cultural city of Sao Paulo. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Ayutthaya or Sao Paulo?

Ayutthaya is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

Sao Paulo is a popular choice for travelers. 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 Cultural Tours in Thailand, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Thailand, 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 Ayutthaya and Sao Paulo, we can see that Ayutthaya is more expensive. And not only is Sao Paulo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Ayutthaya is in Asia 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 Ayutthaya would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ayutthaya 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 Ayutthaya Expensive? and Is Sao Paulo Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Ayutthaya or Sao Paulo?

Sao Paulo has a larger population, and is about 120 times larger than the population of Ayutthaya. When comparing the sizes of Ayutthaya 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.

When is the best time to visit Ayutthaya or Sao Paulo?

Sao Paulo has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Ayutthaya experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Ayutthaya or Sao Paulo in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Ayutthaya as well as Sao Paulo. Ayutthaya attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Sao Paulo in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Ayutthaya is generally a little warmer than Sao Pauloin January. Daily temperatures in Ayutthaya average around 29°C (84°F), and Sao Paulo fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

It's quite rainy in Sao Paulo. Ayutthaya receives a lot of rain in the summer. Ayutthaya usually gets less rain in July than Sao Pauloin January. Ayutthaya gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain this time of the year. October to March in Sao Paulo is the rainy season.

Should I visit Ayutthaya or Sao Paulo in the Autumn?

Both Sao Paulo and Ayutthaya are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ayutthaya throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Sao Paulo for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

Ayutthaya is a little warmer than Sao Paulo in the autumn. The daily temperature in Ayutthaya averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Sao Paulo fluctuates around 22°C (72°F)in April.

It's quite rainy in Ayutthaya. In October, Ayutthaya usually receives more rain than Sao Pauloin April. Ayutthaya gets 180 mm (7.1 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Ayutthaya is October to April. The rainy season in Ayutthaya is May to October. The dry season in Sao Paulo is June to August.

Should I visit Ayutthaya or Sao Paulo in the Winter?

Both Sao Paulo and Ayutthaya during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Ayutthaya because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Sao Paulo because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Ayutthaya is a little warmer than Sao Paulo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Ayutthaya in January average around 25°C (78°F), and Sao Paulo averages at about 19°C (66°F)in July.

Ayutthaya usually gets less rain in January than Sao Pauloin July. Ayutthaya gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year. June to August is the dry season in Sao Paulo.

Should I visit Ayutthaya or Sao Paulo in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Ayutthaya and Sao Paulo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ayutthaya year-round. Furthermore, the activities around the city are the main draw to Sao Paulo this time of year.

Ayutthaya can become quite hot in the spring. In April, Ayutthaya is generally a little warmer than Sao Pauloin October. Daily temperatures in Ayutthaya average around 31°C (88°F), and Sao Paulo fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

In April, Ayutthaya usually receives less rain than Sao Pauloin October. Ayutthaya gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the spring. October to April in Ayutthaya is the dry season. Also, May to October is the rainy season in Ayutthaya. Also, October to March is the rainy season in Sao Paulo.

Typical Weather for Sao Paulo and Ayutthaya