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

Should you visit Sao Paulo or Los Angeles?

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

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

Sao Paulo

Sao Paulo is a dynamic, vibrant, and colorful 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 food, shopping, and museums. See Sao Paulo travel costs.

Los Angeles

Los Angeles is a glamourous, diverse, and multicultural 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 theater, nightlife, and live music. See Los Angeles travel costs.

Sao Paulo and Los Angeles: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sao Paulo or Los Angeles?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Los Angeles than Sao Paulo. While Sao Paulo is larger than Los Angeles, Los Angeles has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Los Angeles is more touristy than Sao Paulo and is known for is many A-list celebrities, its world-famous clubs and venues, its glamourous beaches, and being the location of the iconic Hollywood. It is also well known for Hollywood. Sao Paulo is famous for its large size, vibrant neighborhoods, and world-class nightlife scene.

How is Sao Paulo different from Los Angeles?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

You'll find a number of world-class museums and attractions in both Los Angeles and Sao Paulo.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Sao Paulo has many famous sights for visitors. 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

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Los Angeles that are not to be missed. The city has an eclectic list of monuments and museums. Notable landmarks include the famous Hollywood sign, Griffith Observatory, the Getty Center, and the Petersen Automotive Museum.

Is Sao Paulo or Los Angeles Better for Theater?

Los Angeles is a great city for its shows and theatre. However, Sao Paulo is not a theatre destination.

Many visitors plan to see a show while visiting Los Angeles. While most people think of Hollywood when they think of LA, the city also has a thriving stage presence. Musicals and plays are popular throughout the city.

Sao Paulo is not a theatre destination.

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

Los Angeles is a world-class destination for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Sao Paulo is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Los Angeles is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. As a huge and diverse city, there is no shortage of amazing food options around town. There are a wide range of cuisines represented and many different neighborhoods that specialize in specific types of food. Popular dishes around town include Cobb Salads, Mexican Tacos, and the French Dip Sandwich.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Sao Paulo makes for a great culinary experience. 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 Sao Paulo or Los Angeles Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find world-class options in both Sao Paulo and Los Angeles.

People head to Sao Paulo just to party. 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.

The nightlife in Los Angeles is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. The city's nightlife scene is as diverse as the city itself. There are glamorous clubs where you might spot a celebrity, as well as local dives with a more down-to-earth vibe. Some of the most famous clubs in the city include Academy, Avalon, and Boardner's.

Is Sao Paulo or Los Angeles Better for Music?

Los Angeles is a world-class destination for its music scene. However, Sao Paulo is not a live music destination.

Los Angeles has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. Music, movies, and show business - it's all part of what Los Angeles is known for. Several famous music venues include The Greek Theatre, Whiskey a Go Go, and The Roxy Theatre.

Sao Paulo is not a live music destination.

Is Sao Paulo or Los Angeles Better for Resorts?

Los Angeles is a great city for its luxury resorts. However, Sao Paulo is not a resort destination.

Los Angeles is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. The city is home to a number of high end resorts including The Beverly Hill Hotel, The Langham Huntington Pasadena, and The Ritz-Carlton.

Sao Paulo is not a resort destination.

Is Sao Paulo or Los Angeles Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Los Angeles is a nice place to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Sao Paulo is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Los Angeles has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. The coastal setting means that there are a number of places where you can put on a mask and hop in the water. Popular snorkeling or diving spots near the city include Santa Catalina Island, Diver's Cove, and Crystal Cove State Park. Many visitors find the water to be a bit chili, but the wildlife is unique and beautiful.

Sao Paulo is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Sao Paulo or Los Angeles Better for Beaches?

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

The beaches in Los Angeles are among the best in the world. Ranging from beaches with stunning natural beauty to those with glamourous and fun atmospheres, this city has a number of beaches to choose from. There are many fun and high-energy urban beach settings, and there are also beaches that are lined with parks and offer a more natural environment. Some of the most popular are Santa Monica, Malibu, Huntington Beach, and Redondo Beach.

Sao Paulo is not a beach destination.

Is Sao Paulo or Los Angeles Better for Hiking?

Los Angeles is a world-class destination for hiking. However, Sao Paulo is not a hiking destination.

Known for its hiking, Los Angeles draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. In and around the city you'll find world class urban hiking with views of the mountains and the ocean. Some of the most well-known hikes include the Charlie Turner Trail to Mount Hollywood, Runyon Canyon, and the Sara Wan Trailhead at Corral Canyon.

Sao Paulo is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sao Paulo or Los Angeles?

If you're looking to go shopping, Sao Paulo and Los Angeles both offer plenty of world-class spots.

Many people travel to Sao Paulo specifically to go shopping. 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.

Los Angeles is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. Although it's most famous for the high end shopping at Rodeo Drive, there are actually many different shopping venues throughout the city. Other famous shopping areas include Robertson Blvd and the Grove.

Is Sao Paulo or Los Angeles Better for Families?

Los Angeles is a world-class destination for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Sao Paulo is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

Los Angeles is an amazing family-friendly city to visit. With its many amusement parks, including nearby Disneyland, and its countless family-friendly parks and playgrounds, there is no shortage of things to do with kids around the city. Favorite activities include the amusement parks, exploring Venice Beach, a trip to the California Science Center, and taking a Warner Brothers Studio Tour.

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 Sao Paulo or Los Angeles Better for Couples?

Los Angeles is a world-class destination for couples. Also, Sao Paulo is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Los Angeles has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. It is a large, sprawling city with tucked away romantic scenes that are perfect for a couple's getaway or a dream honeymoon. There are also trendy nightclubs, world-class restaurants, and high-energy beaches that make for iconic date activities.

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 Sao Paulo or Los Angeles Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles. The city is a major travel destination for all types, and backpackers will find no shortage of hostels or budget friendly accommodation around town.

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 Sao Paulo or Los Angeles Better for Students?

Los Angeles is a world-class destination for its student-friendly activities. Also, Sao Paulo is not as popular, but is still a nice city for students.

Los Angeles is a great destination for students. International students have long flocked to this for its major universities and diverse setting. Major universities in the area include UCLA, the University of Southern California, and the California Institute of Technology.

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.

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

Sao Paulo is renowned for times when you don't have a car. Also, Los Angeles is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Sao Paulo has a great public transit system. 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.

You'll find some public transit in Los Angeles, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Many of the public transit options are overlooked by visitors for a number of reasons, but options include the subway, light rail, and buses.

Is Sao Paulo or Los Angeles a more walkable city?

Sao Paulo is a very popular place for its ease of walking around. Also, Los Angeles is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

Sao Paulo is a very walkable destination. 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.

Los Angeles is somewhat walkable. The city is sprawling, but some of the neighborhoods are more walkable than others. Some of the more walkable neighborhoods include Hollywood, Koreatown, Downtown, and MacArthur Park.

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

Should I spend more time in Los Angeles or Sao Paulo?

How long in Sao Paulo or Los Angeles?

Both Sao Paulo and Los Angeles have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Los Angeles than in Sao Paulo. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Sao Paulo, and 5-7 days is enough time in Los Angeles.

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

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

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

One day in Sao Paulo or Los Angeles?

Sao Paulo is a cultural city where you can fill many days. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the city of Los Angeles. 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.

A weekend in Sao Paulo or Los Angeles?

Sao Paulo is a vibrant big city where you can fill many days. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

You'll find shopping and museums around the energetic big city of Los Angeles. Hikers are also drawn to this area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Sao Paulo or Los Angeles?

The dynamic city of Sao Paulo offers shopping and museums. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

You'll find museums and theater around the multicultural city of Los Angeles. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

A week in Sao Paulo or Los Angeles?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Sao Paulo. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles, one week is sufficent for most. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Day Tours from Manaus, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Brazil, The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sao Paulo and Los Angeles, we can see that Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles is in North 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 Los Angeles would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Sao Paulo or Los Angeles?

Sao Paulo has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Los Angeles. When comparing the sizes of Sao Paulo and Los Angeles, 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 Los Angeles?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Sao Paulo is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Los Angeles has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Sao Paulo or Los Angeles in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Sao Paulo and Los Angeles. Many travelers come to Sao Paulo for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Los Angeles in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Sao Paulo is a little warmer than Los Angeles in the summer. The daily temperature in Sao Paulo averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Los Angeles fluctuates around 72°F (22°C)in July.

Sao Paulo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Sao Paulo usually receives more rain than Los Angelesin July. Sao Paulo gets 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Los Angeles receives 0 inches (0 mm) of rain each month for the summer. Also, October to March is the rainy season in Sao Paulo.

Should I visit Sao Paulo or Los Angeles in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Sao Paulo as well as Los Angeles. Many visitors come to Sao Paulo in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Los Angeles for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months.

In the autumn, Sao Paulo is a little warmer than Los Angeles. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sao Paulo in April average around 22°C (72°F), and Los Angeles averages at about 64°F (18°C)in October.

Sao Paulo usually gets more rain in April than Los Angelesin October. Sao Paulo gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Los Angeles receives 0.6 inches (15 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to August in Sao Paulo is the dry season.

Should I visit Sao Paulo or Los Angeles in the Winter?

Both Los Angeles and Sao Paulo are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Sao Paulo for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Los Angeles because of the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

In July, Sao Paulo is generally a little warmer than Los Angelesin January. Daily temperatures in Sao Paulo average around 19°C (66°F), and Los Angeles fluctuates around 55°F (13°C).

In July, Sao Paulo usually receives less rain than Los Angelesin January. Sao Paulo gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Los Angeles receives 3.1 inches (79 mm) of rain each month for the winter. The dry season in Sao Paulo is June to August.

Should I visit Sao Paulo or Los Angeles in the Spring?

Both Los Angeles and Sao Paulo during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Sao Paulo because of the activities around the city. Furthermore, the beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Los Angeles this time of year.

Sao Paulo is a little warmer than Los Angeles in the spring. The daily temperature in Sao Paulo averages around 21°C (70°F) in October, and Los Angeles fluctuates around 61°F (16°C)in April.

Sao Paulo usually gets more rain in October than Los Angelesin April. Sao Paulo gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Los Angeles receives 1 inches (25 mm) of rain this time of the year. October to March is the rainy season in Sao Paulo.

Typical Weather for Los Angeles and Sao Paulo