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

Should you visit Jakarta or Sao Paulo?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Jakarta and Sao Paulo. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Jakarta

Jakarta is a sprawling, friendly, and diverse city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Jakarta travel costs.

Sao Paulo

Sao Paulo is a colorful, cultural, and dynamic city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food. See Sao Paulo travel costs.

Jakarta and Sao Paulo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Jakarta or Sao Paulo?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Sao Paulo. Although Jakarta and Sao Paulo are about the same size, Sao Paulo has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Sao Paulo is more touristy than Jakarta and is known for its large size, vibrant neighborhoods, and world-class nightlife scene. Also, Sao Paulo is famous for Ibirapuera Park. Jakarta is well known for its diversity, culture, cuisine, and mega-malls.

How is Jakarta different from Sao Paulo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Sao Paulo is terrific for its historical sights. Also, Jakarta is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

Travelers visit Sao Paulo from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. 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

Jakarta offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There's a huge number of museums around town like the National Museum, Museum Layang-Layang, and Museum MACAN. There's also Merdeka Square, which is one of the world's biggest public squares and Istiqlal Mosque, which is the largest mosque in Southeast Asia.

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

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Jakarta and Sao Paulo.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Jakarta. There are so many different cultures represented in Indonesian cuisine, and you'll find them all in Jakarta. The food stalls, restaurants, and casual eateries all have their own flavor and style, which makes dining in this mega-city a true adventure.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Sao Paulo. 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 Jakarta or Sao Paulo Better for Nightlife?

Sao Paulo is terrific for nightlife. Also, Jakarta is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife and partying.

Sao Paulo is a must-see 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Jakarta. It's a huge city, so there's a very active nightlife scene, but it's mostly focused on locals and not tourists like you'll find elsewhere in Indonesia. For the best nightlife district, head to Kemang, which has many bars and clubs.

Is the Shopping Better in Jakarta or Sao Paulo?

Sao Paulo is terrific for shopping. Also, Jakarta is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its shopping opportunities.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Sao Paulo. 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.

Jakarta is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city is filled with high end luxury malls where you can buy the latest fashions and many international brands. Around town you'll also find everything from local handicrafts to chic boutiques and grand international chains.

Is Jakarta or Sao Paulo Better for Families?

Both Jakarta and Sao Paulo are notable family-friendly destinations.

Jakarta offers lots of family activities. Most visitors skip out on this huge city, and it's definitely not the first place that comes to mind when you think about family-friendly destinations, but there's actually a very fascinating culture that kids and adults alike can enjoy. There's the Kota area, which has colonial architecture. There's also a puppet museum and several history museums. But for most kids, the highlight is a visit to the Taman Impian Jaya Ancol area, which has amusement parks and even SeaWorld.

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 Jakarta or Sao Paulo Better for Couples?

Jakarta and Sao Paulo both notable destinations for a couple.

Jakarta is a nice destination for couples. Most travelers looking for a romantic destination will head to the many famous honeymoon spots in Indonesia. But for those who make their way to Jakarta, there is sure to be a lot of adventure and culture. The city has many great museums as well as nature parks and amusement parks.

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 Jakarta or Sao Paulo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Jakarta and Sao Paulo are notable places to visit.

Plenty of backpackers visit Jakarta. Visitors often have strong feelings about this city, whether they love it or hate it. For those backpackers who spend some time here, they're sure to be treated to a look at true Indonesian culture, which is hard to find in the more touristy areas.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Sao Paulo. 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 Jakarta or Sao Paulo Better for Students?

Sao Paulo is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Jakarta is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Sao Paulo. 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.

Jakarta is not popular with students.

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

Sao Paulo is terrific for times when you don't have a car. However, Jakarta is not known for its public transit.

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.

Public transit is generally limited in Jakarta. Public transportation has improved a lot recently. There's a commuter line as well as buses. The system can be a bit overwhelming and slow though, so tourists often avoid it.

Is Jakarta or Sao Paulo a more walkable city?

Sao Paulo is a great city for its walkability. However, Jakarta is not known 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.

Jakarta is generally not very walkable. Central Jakarta is more walkable than most of the city but, in general, the city has a lot of traffic and isn't the best for exploring on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Sao Paulo or Jakarta?

How long in Jakarta or Sao Paulo?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Jakarta and Sao Paulo. In our opinion, Sao Paulo has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Sao Paulo than Jakarta. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Jakarta, and 2-3 days is enough time in Sao Paulo.

Families should spend more time in Sao Paulo than Jakarta. 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 Jakarta. 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 Jakarta 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 Jakarta or Sao Paulo?

People visit Jakarta because there is so much to do. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Jakarta has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

In Sao Paulo, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Jakarta or Sao Paulo?

People visit Jakarta 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.

In Sao Paulo, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Sao Paulo has to offer.

Five days in Jakarta or Sao Paulo?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the genuine city of Jakarta. 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.

Sao Paulo is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Jakarta or Sao Paulo?

Jakarta 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Sao Paulo. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Sao Paulo. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Indonesia, The Best Adventure Tours to Indonesia, 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 Jakarta and Sao Paulo, we can see that Jakarta is more expensive. And not only is Sao Paulo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Jakarta 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 Jakarta would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Jakarta 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 Jakarta Expensive? and Is Sao Paulo Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Jakarta or Sao Paulo?

Sao Paulo has a larger population, and is about 17% larger than the population of Jakarta. When comparing the sizes of Jakarta 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.