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

Should you visit Phuket or Sao Paulo?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Phuket or Sao Paulo, 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.

Phuket

Phuket is a energetic, party-hard, and stunning resort island. Phuket offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food. See Phuket 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.

Phuket and Sao Paulo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Phuket or Sao Paulo?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Sao Paulo than Phuket, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Sao Paulo is more popular for its museums and attractions, shopping, and big city activities, while Phuket is known for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty. Phuket is more touristy than Sao Paulo and is popular for its long sandy beaches, wild nightlife, colorful resorts, and easy access to day tours. Sao Paulo is popular for its large size, vibrant neighborhoods, and world-class nightlife scene. It is also home to Ibirapuera Park.

How is Phuket different from Sao Paulo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Sao Paulo is an amazing city to visit for its museums and landmarks. However, Phuket does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Phuket does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Phuket and Sao Paulo can be difficult as they are each superb in their own way.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Phuket. Because it served as an international port for so long, food around the island has many international influences. For the most authentic local food, head into Phuket Town. Many dishes include seafood, but there are also chicken curries and noodle soup. Like elsewhere in Thailand, the food can be quite spicy but because the island is so touristy, they're accustomed to people asking for "no spice."

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 Phuket or Sao Paulo Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Phuket or Sao Paulo has a better nightlife scene.

Phuket has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. The island has a long running reputation as a party destination and it lives up to expectations. The biggest party area is Patong, particularly around Bangla Road, but even in Kata and Karon, it's hard to escape the party atmosphere.

Sao Paulo is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. 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.

Is Phuket or Sao Paulo Better for Resorts?

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

Phuket offers an unforgettable resort vacation. It's easy accessibility and larger size make this the premiere resort destination in Thailand. There are five star resorts, family-friendly resorts, and everything in between. Many people use the island as a base for exploring other nearby islands. Any resort or tour company can arrange excursions or activities for guests.

Sao Paulo is not a resort destination.

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

Phuket is a great resort island for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Sao Paulo is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors go to Phuket to enjoy scuba diving and snorkeling. You can dive and snorkel year round, but the visibility is usually best between November and May. There are countless boat tours available and the easy accessibility make this a good base for snorkeling and diving. Many areas are overrun with tourists though, so it'll be hard to find a quiet, undisturbed location.

Sao Paulo is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Phuket or Sao Paulo Better for Beaches?

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

The beaches in Phuket are among the best in the world. The island has more than 30 beaches to choose from, ranging from party hard areas to a few quieter gems in more remote locations. The area became a world-famous destination because of its white sand beaches and crystal clear waters, and the beaches will not disappoint, even if development has taken over the island.

Sao Paulo is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Phuket or Sao Paulo?

Sao Paulo is an amazing city to visit for its shopping opportunities. Also, Phuket 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.

Phuket has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Shopping malls offer a range of stores, air conditioning, and fixed prices while markets have more local items and unique souvenirs. There are also galleries and other souvenir shops all over the island.

Is Phuket or Sao Paulo More Beautiful?

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

Phuket offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It is a mix of beautiful beaches and tourist crowds. The island is very developed with a combination of 5 star hotels, souvenir shops, and tour companies. Because of the many excursions leaving from the island, many visitors find it a makes a good base for exploring the area.

Sao Paulo is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Phuket or Sao Paulo Better for Families?

Phuket and Sao Paulo are both good destinations for the whole family.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Phuket. Many people visit this island with kids because it has beautiful beaches and tons of activities including water sports, water parks, and amusement areas. The island is filled with a diversity of tourists, so you'll encounter a number of areas with party-hard atmospheres, but there are also tons of family-friendly resorts to choose from as well.

Sao Paulo offers lots of family activities. 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 Phuket or Sao Paulo Better for Couples?

Phuket is a great resort island for couples. Also, Sao Paulo is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Phuket is a great resort island if you're traveling as a couple. The island is filled with beautiful beaches and plenty of activities for all travel styles. It's a tourist and party mecca in Thailand with many resorts and restaurants to choose from.

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 Phuket or Sao Paulo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Phuket and Sao Paulo are good places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Phuket. It has a long history as a party island with expensive prices and hordes of tourists. While it gets its share of backpackers, many visitors complain about the lack of authenticity and prefer to spend their time elsewhere.

Sao Paulo is a good resort island 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 Phuket or Sao Paulo Better for Students?

Sao Paulo is a nice place to visit for students. However, Phuket 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.

Phuket is not popular with students.

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

Sao Paulo is an amazing city to visit for its public transit. Also, Phuket is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Sao Paulo is top-notch. 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 Phuket offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. Tuk tuks, buses, and motorbike taxis are all available on the island. The buses are usually Songtaew, which have open air seating areas.

Is Phuket or Sao Paulo a more walkable city?

Sao Paulo is a great destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Phuket 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.

Phuket is a somewhat walkable resort island. Most of the hotels and resorts are walking distance to the beach and many resort areas are small enough to be explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Sao Paulo or Phuket?

How long in Phuket or Sao Paulo?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Phuket and Sao Paulo. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Phuket than in Sao Paulo. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Phuket, and 2-3 days is enough time in Sao Paulo.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Sao Paulo than Phuket 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 Phuket or Sao Paulo?

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the resort island of Phuket. 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.

Sao Paulo is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Phuket or Sao Paulo?

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the energetic destination of Phuket. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This resort island offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Sao Paulo is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Phuket or Sao Paulo?

You'll find nightlife and food around the party-hard resort island of Phuket. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this resort island makes for a great vacation. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this resort island has to offer.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Sao Paulo. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Phuket or Sao Paulo?

Phuket is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Phuket, one week is sufficent for most. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the vibrant big city of Sao Paulo. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Thailand, The Best 2-Week Tours 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 Phuket and Sao Paulo, we can see that Phuket is more expensive. And not only is Sao Paulo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Phuket 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 Phuket would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Phuket 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 Phuket Expensive? and Is Sao Paulo Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Phuket or Sao Paulo?

Sao Paulo has a larger population, and is about 110 times larger than the population of Phuket. When comparing the sizes of Phuket 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 Phuket or Sao Paulo?

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

Should I visit Phuket or Sao Paulo in the Summer?

Both Sao Paulo and Phuket during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Phuket because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Sao Paulo this time of year.

In the summer, Phuket is around the same temperature as Sao Paulo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Phuket in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Sao Paulo averages at about 25°C (77°F)in January.

Sao Paulo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Phuket. Phuket usually gets more rain in July than Sao Pauloin January. Phuket gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain this time of the year. October to March is the rainy season in Sao Paulo.

Should I visit Phuket or Sao Paulo in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Phuket and Sao Paulo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Phuket year-round. Also, many travelers come to Sao Paulo for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Phuket is generally a little warmer than Sao Pauloin April. Daily temperatures in Phuket average around 27°C (81°F), and Sao Paulo fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

Phuket gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Phuket usually receives more rain than Sao Pauloin April. Phuket gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the autumn. December to March in Phuket is the dry season. Also, June to October is the rainy season in Phuket. June to August in Sao Paulo is the dry season.

Should I visit Phuket or Sao Paulo in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Phuket as well as Sao Paulo. Phuket attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Sao Paulo in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Phuket is a little warmer than Sao Paulo in the winter. The daily temperature in Phuket averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and Sao Paulo fluctuates around 19°C (66°F)in July.

Phuket usually gets more rain in January than Sao Pauloin July. Phuket gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, December to March in Phuket is the dry season. Also, June to August in Sao Paulo is the dry season.

Should I visit Phuket or Sao Paulo in the Spring?

Both Sao Paulo and Phuket are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Phuket throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Sao Paulo for the activities around the city during these months.

In the spring, Phuket is a little warmer than Sao Paulo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Phuket in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Sao Paulo averages at about 21°C (70°F)in October.

It's quite rainy in Phuket. In April, Phuket usually receives more rain than Sao Pauloin October. Phuket gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the spring. The rainy season in Phuket is June to October. The rainy season in Sao Paulo is October to March.

Typical Weather for Sao Paulo and Phuket