A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sao Paulo vs. Playa del Carmen for Attractions, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Sao Paulo or Playa del Carmen?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sao Paulo or Playa del Carmen, 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 vibrant, colorful, and cultural city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Sao Paulo travel costs.

Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen is a picture-perfect, scenic, and stunning town. With stunning beauty, Playa del Carmen attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food. See Playa del Carmen travel costs.

Sao Paulo and Playa del Carmen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sao Paulo or Playa del Carmen?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Sao Paulo than Playa del Carmen. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Sao Paulo is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, shopping, and big city activities, while Playa del Carmen attracts visitors for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Playa del Carmen is more touristy than Sao Paulo and is popular for its coral reefs, luxury resorts, and white sand beaches. Sao Paulo is famous for its large size, vibrant neighborhoods, and world-class nightlife scene. It is also well known for Ibirapuera Park.

How is Sao Paulo different from Playa del Carmen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Playa del Carmen 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 Playa del Carmen?

Sao Paulo is an amazing city to visit for its museums and landmarks. However, Playa del Carmen is a town with minimal options for its historical sights.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Sao Paulo on the map. 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

While most people don't head to Playa del Carmen specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. If you're willing to head out of town, there are world class Mayan ruins not far away, but if you want to hang out near town, then you'll likely spend most of your time enjoying outdoor water activities.

Is the Food Better in Sao Paulo or Playa del Carmen? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Sao Paulo is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Playa del Carmen is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Dining out in Sao Paulo is an experience not to be missed. 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).

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Playa del Carmen. You'll find a good number of overpriced tourist restaurants in the area, but if you do some research you'll also find amazing and authentic Mexican food as well. There is everything from food trucks to fine dining that offer ceviche, tacos, or burritos. There are also plenty of places to grab pizza or burgers.

Is Sao Paulo or Playa del Carmen Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find fantastic options in both Sao Paulo and Playa del Carmen.

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 Playa del Carmen is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. It rivals some of the country's best nightlife and you'll find plenty of venues to choose from, ranging from dive bars to swanky cocktail lounges. Head to the main walking street for some of the most active venues.

Is Sao Paulo or Playa del Carmen Better for Resorts?

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

Playa del Carmen offers an unforgettable resort vacation. You'll find a huge number of luxury resorts in the area, particularly along the beach. There are fancy pools and beachfront properties that offer the perfect vacation retreat.

Sao Paulo is not a resort destination.

Is Sao Paulo or Playa del Carmen Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Playa del Carmen is a world-class destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Sao Paulo is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

People travel to Playa del Carmen specifically to enjoy its famous scuba diving and snorkeling areas. There's not a lot to see right off of the beach, but there are plenty of snorkeling excursions in the area that take you to beautiful reefs. The diving is world class as well and you'll find wonderful reefs, bull sharks, and hidden gems.

Sao Paulo is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Sao Paulo or Playa del Carmen Better for Beaches?

Playa del Carmen is a world-class destination for the beach. However, Sao Paulo is not a beach destination.

The beaches in Playa del Carmen are among the best in the world. The area is filled with world class beaches, long stretches of white sand, and beautiful blue water. You might even stumble across a sea turtle or two while you're swimming.

Sao Paulo is not a beach destination.

Is Sao Paulo or Playa del Carmen Better for Hiking?

Playa del Carmen is a nice place to visit for hiking. However, Sao Paulo is not a hiking destination.

Playa del Carmen has hiking trails worth exploring. There are well marked trails in the area that get you out in nature or take you along the coastline.

Sao Paulo is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sao Paulo or Playa del Carmen?

Sao Paulo is an amazing city to visit for its shopping areas. Also, Playa del Carmen is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Sao Paulo is a world class destination for shoppers. 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Playa del Carmen. Much of the shopping is geared towards the tourists, but you'll find some local items, interesting galleries, and colorful markets to explore.

Is Sao Paulo or Playa del Carmen More Beautiful?

Playa del Carmen is a great town for its scenery and beauty. However, Sao Paulo is not a destination known for its beauty.

With stunning beauty, Playa del Carmen attracts visitors from all around. From beautiful beaches to inland jungles, this is a truly stunning destination.

Sao Paulo is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Sao Paulo or Playa del Carmen Better for Families?

Playa del Carmen 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.

Playa del Carmen is an amazing family-friendly town to visit. From eco parks to kid-friendly snorkeling opportunities, there are many activities for kids of all ages. There are also adventure parks and playgrounds that are perfect for a fun afternoon.

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 Playa del Carmen Better for Couples?

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

Playa del Carmen has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. Beautiful beaches and tropical jungles make this a paradise honeymoon destination. You'll find luxury resorts, fine dining restaurants, and countless opportunities to enjoy the stunning setting. Take a sunset cruise of explore one of the many natural wonders in the area.

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 Playa del Carmen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Sao Paulo and Playa del Carmen are nice places to visit.

It's common for backpackers to 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.

Playa del Carmen is a good city to visit for backpackers. It's filled with tourists staying at luxury resorts, but you'll also find a couple of hostels tucked away in town. If you're interesting in scuba diving, then it's well worth the trip.

Is Sao Paulo or Playa del Carmen Better for Students?

Sao Paulo is a popular place for students. However, Playa del Carmen 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.

Playa del Carmen is not popular with students.

Is Sao Paulo or Playa del Carmen 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, Playa del Carmen 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 Playa del Carmen offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are local buses, collectivos and the ADO bus.

Is Sao Paulo or Playa del Carmen a more walkable city?

Playa del Carmen is a world-class destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Sao Paulo is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its walkability.

Playa del Carmen is a very easy town to get around on foot. It's a compact and very walkable town. La Quinta is the main strip and it's pedestrian-only.

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.

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

Should I spend more time in Playa del Carmen or Sao Paulo?

How long in Sao Paulo or Playa del Carmen?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Playa del Carmen than Sao Paulo. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Playa del Carmen 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 Playa del Carmen 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 Sao Paulo or Playa del Carmen?

People visit Sao Paulo because there is so much to do. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the town of Playa del Carmen. 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 Playa del Carmen?

People visit Sao Paulo because there is so much to do. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities.

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the picture-perfect destination of Playa del Carmen. 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 town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Sao Paulo or Playa del Carmen?

Sao Paulo is a popular choice for travelers. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

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

A week in Sao Paulo or Playa del Carmen?

Sao Paulo is a great place to explore. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Playa del Carmen 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 Playa del Carmen, 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 2-Week Tours in Mexico, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico.

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

Which is Bigger, Sao Paulo or Playa del Carmen?

Sao Paulo has a larger population, and is about 180 times larger than the population of Playa del Carmen. When comparing the sizes of Sao Paulo and Playa del Carmen, 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 Playa del Carmen?

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 Playa del Carmen has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Sao Paulo or Playa del Carmen in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Sao Paulo as well as Playa del Carmen. Many visitors come to Sao Paulo in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Playa del Carmen for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Sao Paulo is cooler than Playa del Carmen in the summer. The daily temperature in Sao Paulo averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Playa del Carmen fluctuates around 28°C (82°F)in July.

It's quite rainy in Playa del Carmen. Sao Paulo receives a lot of rain in the summer. Sao Paulo usually gets more rain in January than Playa del Carmenin July. Sao Paulo gets 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Playa del Carmen receives 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain this time of the year. October to March in Sao Paulo is the rainy season.

Should I visit Sao Paulo or Playa del Carmen in the Autumn?

Both Playa del Carmen and Sao Paulo are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Sao Paulo for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Playa del Carmen because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Sao Paulo is cooler than Playa del Carmen. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sao Paulo in April average around 22°C (72°F), and Playa del Carmen averages at about 26°C (79°F)in October.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Playa del Carmen. In April, Sao Paulo usually receives less rain than Playa del Carmenin October. Sao Paulo gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Playa del Carmen receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Sao Paulo is June to August. June to October in Playa del Carmen is the hurricane season.

Should I visit Sao Paulo or Playa del Carmen in the Winter?

Both Playa del Carmen and Sao Paulo during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Sao Paulo because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Playa del Carmen this time of year.

In July, Sao Paulo is generally cooler than Playa del Carmenin January. Daily temperatures in Sao Paulo average around 19°C (66°F), and Playa del Carmen fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

Sao Paulo usually gets more rain in July than Playa del Carmenin January. Sao Paulo gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Playa del Carmen receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year. June to August is the dry season in Sao Paulo.

Should I visit Sao Paulo or Playa del Carmen in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Sao Paulo and Playa del Carmen. The activities around the city are the main draw to Sao Paulo this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Playa del Carmen for the beaches and the natural beauty.

Sao Paulo is cooler than Playa del Carmen in the spring. The daily temperature in Sao Paulo averages around 21°C (70°F) in October, and Playa del Carmen fluctuates around 27°C (81°F)in April.

In October, Sao Paulo usually receives more rain than Playa del Carmenin April. Sao Paulo gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Playa del Carmen receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the spring. Also, October to March is the rainy season in Sao Paulo. The hurricane season in Playa del Carmen is June to October.

Typical Weather for Playa del Carmen and Sao Paulo