A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sao Paulo vs. Lake Titicaca (Puno) for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Sao Paulo or Lake Titicaca (Puno)?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sao Paulo or Lake Titicaca (Puno), 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 Lake Titicaca (Puno)?

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.

Lake Titicaca (Puno)

Lake Titicaca, which directly translates to "puma stone" in Quechua, is located high in the Andes Mountains straddling Peru and Bolivia, with about 60% of the lake in Peru and 40% in Bolivia. Among the lake are three main islands, the most popular of which are the Uros Islands, also known as the floating islands, where the Uros people live on totora reeds that grow in the lake.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Day Tours from Manaus, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Brazil, The Best Photography Tours in Peru, and The Best Jungle Trekking Tours in Peru.


Which place is cheaper, Lake Titicaca (Puno) 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.

  • Sao Paulo Prices
    Brazil Prices
    Lake Titicaca (Puno) Prices
    Peru Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Sao Paulo $60
    Lake Titicaca (Puno) $70

The average daily cost (per person) in Sao Paulo is $60, while the average daily cost in Lake Titicaca (Puno) is $70. 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 Lake Titicaca (Puno) in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sao Paulo $28
    Lake Titicaca (Puno) $28
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sao Paulo $56
    Lake Titicaca (Puno) $56
Compare Hotels in Sao Paulo and Lake Titicaca (Puno)

Looking for a hotel in Sao Paulo or Lake Titicaca (Puno)? 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.

Hotels in Sao Paulo


Hotels in Lake Titicaca (Puno)


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 and Lake Titicaca (Puno) Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Sao Paulo $5.76
    Lake Titicaca (Puno) $11

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sao Paulo

Also for Sao Paulo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer from Rio de Janeiro Airport (GIG) (SDU): $16
  • Sao Paulo Airport (GRU) Private Transfer to Sao Paulo City/Hotels: $27
  • Transfer CGH Airport Congonhas <> Sao Paulo city / Hotel: $38
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Congonhas Airport to São Paulo Hotels: $39
  • Private Departure Transfer: São Paulo Hotels to Congonhas Airport: $39
  • Receptive and Transfer Airports, Cities and Coast: $42
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Guarulhos International Airport to São Paulo Hotels: $47
  • Transfer GRU airport Guarulhos <> Sao Paulo / Hotel / CGH airport: $65
  • Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in Sao Paulo APT-HTL(GRU): $67
  • Transfer (Taxi) airport to Sao Paulo: $77
  • Sao Paulo Guarulhos Airport (GRU) to Sao Paulo Private Transfer: $79
  • Private Transfer from Guarulhos to Santos: $80

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lake Titicaca (Puno)

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Lake Titicaca (Puno):


  • Taxi
    $0.86

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lake Titicaca (Puno)

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lake Titicaca (Puno):

  • Private Transfer From Puno to Chivay, English Speaking Driver: $229
  • Private Transfer from Puno to Frontera Kasani: $222
  • Private Transfer from Puno to Desaguadero: $212
  • Private Transfer from Puno to Inca Manco Capac (JUL) Airport: $97
  • Private Transfer from Inca Manco Capac (JUL) Airport to Puno: $97
  • Private transfer airport-puno-viceverse: $60
  • Private Transfer from Juliaca Airport to Puno or Viceversa: $50
  • Private transfer from Juliaca Airport to Puno or Viceversa: $47
  • Private Transfer from Juliaca Airport to Puno Plaza de Armas: $40
  • Private Transfer from Puerto de Puno to Hotel Puno: $23
  • Juliaca Airport Shared Transfer to/from Puno: $20
  • Puno Arrival Transfer from bus or railway Station: $14

Is it cheaper to fly into Sao Paulo or Lake Titicaca (Puno)?

Prices for flights to both Lake Titicaca (Puno) 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 day
    Sao Paulo $24
    Lake Titicaca (Puno) $28

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 Lake Titicaca (Puno)

Some typical examples of dining costs in Lake Titicaca (Puno) are as follows:


  • Tamales
    $1.58

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Sao Paulo $3.89
    Lake Titicaca (Puno) $31

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 Lake Titicaca (Puno)

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lake Titicaca (Puno) are as follows:

  • 2 Day Lake Titicaca Tour From Puno: $150
  • 2 Day Tour to Uros, Amantani and Taquile from Puno: $69
  • 2 Days and 1 Night Tour from Puno to Colca Canyon and Arequipa: $210
  • 2 Days and One Night Tour on the Aymara Route and Churches in Juli: $90
  • 2-Day Amantani Homestay Including Kayak Experience: $233
  • 3-Hour Uros Floating Islands Tour from Puno: $13
  • 3h Boat Tour to Uros Island from Puno: $40
  • Aymara's route 1 day tour in Puno: Inca Uyo, Aramu Muru, Molloco: $90
  • Chullpas de Sillustani Inca Cemetery Tour by Tourist Bus: $26
  • Cultural Tour to Uros Floating Island: $60
  • Full Day Guided Tour of the Aymara Route from Puno: $40
  • Full Day Lake Titicaca Tour to Uros and Taquile Islands: $52

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Sao Paulo $3.38
    Lake Titicaca (Puno) $14

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


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


Which is Bigger, Sao Paulo or Lake Titicaca (Puno)?

Sao Paulo has a larger population, and is about 90 times larger than the population of Lake Titicaca (Puno). When comparing the sizes of Sao Paulo and Lake Titicaca (Puno), 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.