Should you visit Buzios or Salento?
Should I visit Buzios or Salento? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Buzios
Initially a fishing village, Armação dos Buzios is a small beach resort town about three hours from Rio de Janeiro by bus. Buzios is a common weekend getaway destination for Cariocas. With 23 beaches, visitors from all over come to swim, snorkel, surf and enjoy sun and sand.
Salento
Founded in 1850, Salento is one of the oldest towns in Quindio. This colonial Colombian town has retained much of its old world charm, with its colorful buildings, large square and, of course, the obligatory church. Because the main route between Cali and Bogota which used to pass through Salento was diverted, the town didn't develop as quickly as others in the Quindio region. This gave Salento the opportunity to evolve into a thriving community of craftsmen and artisans as well as remaining one of the region's most prolific coffee producers. Salento is located 24 km northeast of the departmental capital Armenia. However, unlike its colorful neighbor, Armenia itself has very little to offer tourists. Salento attracts those wishing to learn about the coffee regions and for those who simply admire breathtaking scenery, and especially the stunning Cocora Valley.
Which city is cheaper, Salento or Buzios?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Buzios is $60, while the average daily cost in Salento is $27. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Buzios and Salento in more detail.
Accommodation
An average hotel room with basic furnishings costs about $58 in Buzios For the most convenient locations and nicer amenities you can expect to pay a bit more.
If you're traveling alone, you may be able to find a budget hotel or hostel for around $9.40. But for two people in a standard two-person hotel room in Salento the cost is $19 on average.
Food
The price of a meal in Buzios can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is $19 per person, and a typical meal will cost around $7.60 based on the spending of previous visitors. Less expensive dining options can be found by eating street food or at fast food restaurants.
While meal prices in Salento can vary, the average travelers spends about $7.88 per day on food. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out, an average meal in Salento should cost around $3.15 per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Salento is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
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Food
Meals for one day
Buzios $19
Salento $7.88
Local Transportation
Public transportation tends to be much less expensive in Buzios than paying for a taxi or private car service, as is expected. Typically, people spend $15 on transportation in Buzios on average per day.
While taxis and private drivers typically cost much more than public transportation, people usually spend around $12 per day to get around in Salento.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Salento
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Salento:
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Arrival or Departure Transfer: Armenia Airport, Bus Station / Salento, Filandia:
$50
Entertainment
Sightseeing expenses in Buzios, including the cost of admission tickets for day tours, museums, and attractions, usually cost an average of $21 per day, per person.
Activities, things to do, and other forms of entertainment usually cost around $9.82 per person, per day in Salento. This cost includes the price of admission tickets to attractions and museums as well as daily tours.
Tours and Activities in Buzios
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Buzios.
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Tour in Boat Tour in Buzios:
$14
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Half-Day Schooner Sightseeing Trip in Buzios Peninsula Beaches:
$28
Tours and Activities in Salento
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Salento are as follows:
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3-Day Coffee Tour by Bike in Salento:
$962
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5 Day Coffee Culture Experience:
$1,059
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Cocora Valley & Hummingbirds House Adventure:
$50
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Cocora Valley + Horseback Riding Day Tour:
$104
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Cocora Valley on a Jeep & Hike Day Tour:
$77
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Coffee Amusement & Museum Park Day Tour:
$101
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Coffee Farm Hacienda El Ocaso Half-Day Tour:
$79
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Coffee Tour at Hacienda Venecia near Salento:
$215
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Full Day Tour of Cocora Valley, Salento, and Coffee Farm Tour (from Salento):
$156
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Full Day Tour of Cocora Valley, Salento, and Filandia Coffee Town (from Salento):
$123
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Full day coffee farm experience at Hacienda San Alberto from Salento:
$152
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Full-Day Coffee Farm Experience at Finca El Ocaso from Salento:
$87
Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Buzios, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $14.
The average person spends about $9.63 on alcoholic beverages in Salento per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Buzios and Salento, we can see that Buzios is more expensive. And not only is Salento much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Salento would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Salento 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 Buzios would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Buzios than you might in Salento.
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