A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sao Paulo vs. San Cristobal de Las Casas for Attractions, Nightlife, Food, and Couples

Should you visit Sao Paulo or San Cristobal de Las Casas?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sao Paulo or San Cristobal de Las Casas, 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. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums. See Sao Paulo travel costs.

San Cristobal de Las Casas

San Cristobal de Las Casas is a charming, colorful, and cultural town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. San Cristobal de Las Casas offers plenty of beauty for visitors. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See San Cristobal de Las Casas travel costs.

Sao Paulo and San Cristobal de Las Casas: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sao Paulo or San Cristobal de Las Casas?

You'll generally find more things to do in Sao Paulo than San Cristobal de Las Casas. Sao Paulo is bigger than San Cristobal de Las Casas, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Sao Paulo is better known for its museums and attractions, nightlife, and big city activities, while San Cristobal de Las Casas is more popular for its historical sights, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. San Cristobal de Las Casas is more touristy than Sao Paulo and is known for its historical buildings, local markets, and traditional churches. Sao Paulo is well known for its large size, vibrant neighborhoods, and world-class nightlife scene. Also, Sao Paulo is famous for Ibirapuera Park.

How is Sao Paulo different from San Cristobal de Las Casas?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between San Cristobal de Las Casas 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 San Cristobal de Las Casas?

Sao Paulo is very popular for its museums and history. Also, San Cristobal de Las Casas is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

Travelers visit Sao Paulo from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. 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

Many visitors head to San Cristobal de Las Casas specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The town is filled with historical churches such as the main Cathedral of San Cristobal. While this is the most notable church, there are also smaller churches worth visiting like the Templo Santo Domingo, Iglesia de Guadalupe, and Iglesia de San Cristobal. For museums, make sure you check out the Centro de Textiles del Mundo Maya, Na Bolom, and Museo de Ambar.

Is the Food Better in Sao Paulo or San Cristobal de Las Casas? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Sao Paulo and San Cristobal de Las Casas both to be very good destinations.

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).

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, San Cristobal de Las Casas makes for a great culinary experience. The cuisine is a mix of Spanish-influenced cured meats such as ham and sausage, as well as indigenous flavors like tamales and burritos. There's also a lot of great pizza around town as well as several Asian restaurants.

Is Sao Paulo or San Cristobal de Las Casas Better for Nightlife?

Sao Paulo is very popular for nightlife. Also, San Cristobal de Las Casas is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

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.

San Cristobal de Las Casas is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. There's an active nightlife scene that includes everything from late night clubs to salsa lessons. Most tourists who want to party head to the pedestrian streets around the plaza. There are countless bars where you'll likely find a crowd late into the night. Some clubs have a cover charge on weekends but, in general, drinks are cheap and getting around is easy.

Is Sao Paulo or San Cristobal de Las Casas Better for its Old Town?

San Cristobal de Las Casas is a great town for its historic old town charm. However, Sao Paulo does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to San Cristobal de Las Casas to see the historical old town. The town is filled with narrow pedestrian streets, colorful markets, and historic churches.

Sao Paulo does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Sao Paulo or San Cristobal de Las Casas?

If you're looking to go shopping, Sao Paulo and San Cristobal de Las Casas both offer plenty of fantastic 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.

San Cristobal de Las Casas is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. The nearby villages are famous for their weaving, leather, pottery, and embroidery, so many visitors pick up souvenirs at the colorful markets around town. This is one of the best towns in Mexico to purchase local items, and you should definitely set aside time to explore and shop.

Is Sao Paulo or San Cristobal de Las Casas More Beautiful?

San Cristobal de Las Casas is a nice place to visit for its scenery and beauty. However, Sao Paulo is not a destination known for its beauty.

San Cristobal de Las Casas offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Set against the backdrop of mountains, this town is colorful and charming.

Sao Paulo is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Sao Paulo or San Cristobal de Las Casas Better for Families?

Sao Paulo and San Cristobal de Las Casas are both notable destinations for the whole family.

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.

San Cristobal de Las Casas is a family-friendly place to visit. While kids may not appreciate the town's beauty and culture, they will have fun exploring the night market or taking a chocolate-making class. There are pedestrian streets where everyone can explore without fear of traffic and pizza restaurants that appeal to the kids as well.

Is Sao Paulo or San Cristobal de Las Casas Better for Couples?

San Cristobal de Las Casas is a great town for couples. Also, Sao Paulo is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

San Cristobal de Las Casas is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. Couples who enjoy culture, markets, traditional cuisines, and new experiences will love their time here. It's a fun place to simply wander. You can explore the markets and then eat at a local restaurant before making your way back to your boutique hotel.

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 San Cristobal de Las Casas Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

San Cristobal de Las Casas is a great town 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 San Cristobal de Las Casas. There are a number of hostels in town as well as budget-friendly hotels. Backpackers love the laid back nature of this town as well as the many markets and nature-oriented activities.

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 San Cristobal de Las Casas Better for Students?

Sao Paulo is a popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, San Cristobal de Las Casas is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Sao Paulo. 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.

San Cristobal de Las Casas is not popular with students.

Is Sao Paulo or San Cristobal de Las Casas Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Sao Paulo is very popular for times when you don't have a car. Also, San Cristobal de Las Casas is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Sao Paulo has an effecient and thorough public transportation system which can take you anywhere in the city. 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 San Cristobal de Las Casas, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Urbano buses are minibuses that connect the town to the outlying residential areas. There are also colectivos that travel to nearby villages.

Is Sao Paulo or San Cristobal de Las Casas a more walkable city?

San Cristobal de Las Casas 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.

San Cristobal de Las Casas is a very easy town to get around on foot. Walking is the best way to experience the town. Most of the sights can be reached on foot and there are pedestrian-only streets that let you avoid the traffic.

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 San Cristobal de Las Casas Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in San Cristobal de Las Casas or Sao Paulo?

How long in Sao Paulo or San Cristobal de Las Casas?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Sao Paulo and San Cristobal de Las Casas. In our opinion, San Cristobal de Las Casas has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in San Cristobal de Las Casas than Sao Paulo. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in San Cristobal de Las Casas 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 San Cristobal de Las Casas.

One day in Sao Paulo or San Cristobal de Las Casas?

Each neighborhood in Sao Paulo has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Even though San Cristobal de Las Casas is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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 San Cristobal de Las Casas?

Each neighborhood in Sao Paulo has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. Many people spend a weekend here. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

San Cristobal de Las Casas is a small town where visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Sao Paulo or San Cristobal de Las Casas?

Many people enjoy the food and shopping when visiting Sao Paulo. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. This city offers something for everyone.

San Cristobal de Las Casas is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Most people head to the area for the shopping. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Sao Paulo or San Cristobal de Las Casas?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the city of Sao Paulo. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

San Cristobal de Las Casas is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Mexico City, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Playa del Carmen.

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

Which is Bigger, Sao Paulo or San Cristobal de Las Casas?

Sao Paulo has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of San Cristobal de Las Casas. When comparing the sizes of Sao Paulo and San Cristobal de Las Casas, 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.