Which place is cheaper, Havana or Sao Paulo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Sao Paulo or Havana?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sao Paulo or Havana, 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 Havana?
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.
Havana
The city of Havana is at the top of most peoples' bucket list - mostly because of the allure of a forbidden land. Before the Communist revolution, Cuba was a popular tourist destination. Since it has reopened in the 1990s, it has drawn tourists from all over the world (except the US).
This capital city is a land trapped in the past. With 50 years of neglect, when you step off the plane, prepare to step back in time. A trip to Havana is meant for those with truly open minds - and when they arrive they'll be swept away.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Day Tours from Manaus, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Brazil.
-
Sao Paulo Prices
Brazil PricesHavana Prices
Cuba Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySao Paulo $60Havana $74
The average daily cost (per person) in Sao Paulo is $60, while the average daily cost in Havana is $74. 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 Havana in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSao Paulo $28Havana $42
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSao Paulo $56Havana $84
Compare Hotels in Sao Paulo and Havana
Looking for a hotel in Sao Paulo or Havana? 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.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sao Paulo $5.76Havana $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sao Paulo
Also for Sao Paulo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Sao Paulo Guarulhos Airport (GRU) to Sao Paulo Private Transfer: $79
- Airport Transfer: Sao Paulo to Airport GRU by Business Car: $143
- Airport Transfer: Sao Paulo to Airport GRU by Luxury Van: $176
- Arrived in Guarulhos or Congonhas? Your Transfer is Ready: $90
- Private Arrival Transfer | Congonhas Airport (CGH) x São Paulo City: $95
- Private Arrival Transfer: Congonhas Airport to São Paulo Hotels: $39
- Private Arrival Transfer: Guarulhos International Airport to São Paulo Hotels: $47
- Private Departure Transfer: São Paulo Hotels to Congonhas Airport: $39
- Private Transfer from Alphaville to Sao Paulo (GRU) Airport: $125
- Private Transfer from Gru Airport to Port or City of Santos (1 to 15 people): $229
- Private Transfer from Guarulhos to Santos: $80
- Private Transfer from Morumbi to Sao Paulo (GRU) Airport: $178
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Havana
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Havana:
-
Short Taxi Ride$0.68
Is it cheaper to fly into Sao Paulo or Havana?
Prices for flights to both Havana 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
-
Food Meals for one daySao Paulo $24Havana $18
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:
- Make 9 Brazilian Faves in a 4-Hour Cooking Workshop in Sao Paulo: $85
- Authentic Brazilian Cooking Experience in SP: Feijoada & Moqueca: $189
Typical Food Prices in Havana
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Havana:
-
Pizza$0.03
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sao Paulo $3.89Havana $11
Tours and Activities in Sao Paulo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sao Paulo.
- Sao Paulo Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Downtown-Center History Walking Tour - in English: $31
- São Paulo: 2 Hour Immersion Waling Tour in Paulista Avenue: $34
- São Paulo Must-see Attractions Walking Tour with a Guide: $48
- Boat Trip Billings Dam and Experience Bororé Island: $50
- São Paulo: 2 Hours - Liberdade "Street Food" Tour - In English: $55
- Sao Paulo, Pinheiros - Food & Graffiti Tour - In English: $65
- São Paulo Highlights Walking Tour with a Guide: $66
- City Tour Meet São Paulo Half-Day: $68
- Sao Paulo Culture Walking Tour: $69
- Shared tour of the tourist attractions of São Paulo: $77
- São Paulo’s Full Day City Tour: Main City Sights in 7 Hours – (Shared Group): $79
Tours and Activities in Havana
Here are a few actual costs in Havana for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Private: City Tour with Lunch, Rum, and Chocolate: $2,000
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one daySao Paulo $3.38Havana $5.76
Sample the Local Flavors in Sao Paulo
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Sao Paulo:
- Fine wine tastings in São Roque - Tour with local guides: $192
Typical Alcohol Prices in Havana
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Havana:
-
Mojito$0.15
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sao Paulo and Havana, we can see that Havana 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 Havana is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Havana would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Havana 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 Havana Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sao Paulo or Havana?
Sao Paulo has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Havana. When comparing the sizes of Sao Paulo and Havana, 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 Havana?
Sao Paulo has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Havana experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Sao Paulo or Havana in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Sao Paulo as well as Havana. Most visitors come to Sao Paulo for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Havana throughout the year.
Sao Paulo is around the same temperature as Havana in the summer. The daily temperature in Sao Paulo averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Havana fluctuates around 27°C (81°F)in July.
Sao Paulo receives a lot of rain in the summer. Sao Paulo usually gets more rain in January than Havanain July. Sao Paulo gets 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Havana receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year. October to March in Sao Paulo is the rainy season.
-
Summer Average Temperatures January and JulySao Paulo 25°C (77°F)Havana 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Sao Paulo or Havana in the Autumn?
Both Havana and Sao Paulo are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Sao Paulo because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Plenty of visitors come to Havana because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the autumn, Sao Paulo is cooler than Havana. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sao Paulo in April average around 22°C (72°F), and Havana averages at about 25°C (77°F)in October.
In April, Sao Paulo usually receives less rain than Havanain October. Sao Paulo gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Havana receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Sao Paulo is June to August.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberSao Paulo 22°C (72°F)Havana 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Sao Paulo or Havana in the Winter?
Both Havana and Sao Paulo during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Sao Paulo this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Havana year-round.
In July, Sao Paulo is generally around the same temperature as Havanain January. Daily temperatures in Sao Paulo average around 19°C (66°F), and Havana fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
Sao Paulo usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Havanain January. Sao Paulo gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Havana receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year. June to August is the dry season in Sao Paulo.
-
Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuarySao Paulo 19°C (66°F)Havana 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Sao Paulo or Havana in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Sao Paulo and Havana. Many travelers come to Sao Paulo for the activities around the city. Havana attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Sao Paulo is cooler than Havana in the spring. The daily temperature in Sao Paulo averages around 21°C (70°F) in October, and Havana fluctuates around 24°C (75°F)in April.
In October, Sao Paulo usually receives more rain than Havanain April. Sao Paulo gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Havana receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the spring. Also, October to March is the rainy season in Sao Paulo.
-
Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilSao Paulo 21°C (70°F)Havana 24°C (75°F)
Typical Weather for Havana and Sao Paulo
| Sao Paulo | Havana | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Apr | 22°C (72°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| May | 21°C (70°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jun | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Aug | 19°C (66°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Oct | 21°C (70°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (75°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 30 mm (1.2 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.