Should you visit Fortaleza or Salvador?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel cost comparison between Fortaleza and Salvador can help. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Fortaleza
A major city on Brazil's northeastern coast and the capital city of Ceara state, Fortaleza is best characterized by its city landscape lined with beaches and palm trees. It also features some great seafood as well as long-standing folk traditions in culture and dance.
Salvador
Salvador de Bahia was the first capital of Brazil, founded by the Portuguese in 1549. Also known as "Brazil's capital of happiness," Salvador is famous for its plentiful and spirited street festivals. The third most populous city in Brazil, Salvador is also well-known for its Afro-Brazilian culture and Portuguese colonial architecture.
Which city is cheaper, Salvador or Fortaleza?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Fortaleza is $54, while the average daily cost in Salvador is $34. 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 Fortaleza and Salvador in more detail.
Accommodation
Travelers usually pay around $46 for a double occupancy room in Fortaleza If you want to be in a premiere location or have high end amenities, you can expect to pay a bit more.
A hotel room in Salvador is about $38 This assumes double occupancy and modest accommodations.
Food
The price of a meal in Fortaleza 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.
In Salvador travelers spend around $10 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
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Food
Meals for one day
Fortaleza $19
Salvador $10
Typical Food prices in Salvador
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Salvador:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Salvador
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Salvador.
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Pelourinho By Night - Dinner & Show:
$70
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Pelourinho By Night With Folkloric Show and Dinner:
$80
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Private Tour to Cultural Show and Dinner in Salvador:
$80
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Private Cooking Experience in Salvador:
$100
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Salvador by Night: Cultural Dinner and Show:
$110
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Bahia By Night: Dinner and Folkloric show:
$114
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Cooking Class with a Local and Spice Gift:
$125
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Bahia By Night Dinner and Dance Show Ticket:
$135
Local Transportation
Public transportation tends to be much less expensive in Fortaleza than paying for a taxi or private car service, as is expected. Typically, people spend $16 on transportation in Fortaleza on average per day.
While taxis and private drivers typically cost much more than public transportation, people usually spend around $4.70 per day to get around in Salvador.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Fortaleza
Also for Fortaleza, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Arrival Private Transfer from Fortaleza Airport FOR to Fortaleza by Minivan:
$51
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Arrival Private Transfer from Fortaleza Airport FOR to Fortaleza by Sedan Car:
$41
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Arrival Private Transfer from Fortaleza Airport FOR to Jericoacoara by Minivan:
$336
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Arrival Private Transfer from Fortaleza Airport FOR to Jericoacoara by Sedan Car:
$253
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Beach Park Transfer from Fortaleza:
$20
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Cumbuco Private Transfer From Fortaleza:
$36
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Departure Private Transfer: Fortaleza City to Fortaleza Airport FOR by Minivan:
$51
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Departure Private Transfer: Fortaleza City to Fortaleza Airport FOR by Sedan Car:
$41
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Fortaleza Airport Private Transfer:
$28
-
Fortaleza Airport Shared Transfer:
$19
-
Fortaleza Round-Trip Airport Transfers:
$97
-
Fortaleza Roundtrip Airport Transfers:
$38
Typical Local Transportation prices in Salvador
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Salvador:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Salvador
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Salvador:
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Private One Way Airport Transfer - Morro de São Paulo:
$366
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Ivan Bahia, Private Transfer Lençois (Chapada Diamantina) to / from Salvador BA:
$280
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Transfer Salvador to Barra Grande Round Trip:
$200
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Private Transfer from Salvador to Boipeba Round Trip:
$170
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Private Transfer to/from Salvador Airport to/from Praia do Forte:
$140
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Private Transfer from/to Salvador Airport From/to Grand Palladium Imbassai:
$115
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Grand Palladium Imbassai Private Transfer 4 to 12 Pax:
$114
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Iberostar Praia do Forte or Bahia Private Transfer 4 to 12 Pax:
$107
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Praia do Forte Private Transfer From Salvador:
$103
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Morro de São Paulo Shared Transfer From/To Salvador:
$100
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Round Trip Transfer Salvador Airport to Hotels:
$95
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Transfer From Salvador to Morro de São Paulo Round Trip Semi Terrestre:
$95
Is it cheaper to fly into Fortaleza or Salvador?
Prices for flights to both Salvador and Fortaleza 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.
Entertainment
Sightseeing expenses in Fortaleza, including the cost of admission tickets for day tours, museums, and attractions, usually cost an average of $12 per day, per person.
Activities, things to do, and other forms of entertainment usually cost around $4.43 per person, per day in Salvador. This cost includes the price of admission tickets to attractions and museums as well as daily tours.
Tours and Activities in Fortaleza
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Fortaleza.
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Cumbuco Beach with City Tour from Fortaleza:
$14
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Tour to Cumbuco Beach:
$17
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Fortaleza City Tour:
$18
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2-Hour Morning City Tour:
$21
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Fortaleza & Cumbuco Beach Full Day Tour:
$21
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Tour to Morro Branco & Fontes Beach:
$21
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Tour to Lagoinha Beach:
$22
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Tour to Aguas Belas Beach:
$24
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Tour to Canoa Quebrada Beach:
$29
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Fortaleza Like a Local: Customized Private Tour:
$31
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From Full-Day City and Beach Park Tour:
$35
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Beach Park Full-Day Trip Including Brief Tour of Fortaleza:
$35
Tours and Activities in Salvador
Here are a few actual costs in Salvador for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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4-Days Experience at Salvador de Bahia, Savour the cultural fusion - Brasil:
$690
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8h City Tour of Salvador da Bahia:
$80
-
African historical walking tour 03 hours:
$90
-
Beaches North Coast 2 tours with overnight hotel Coconut Coast experience:
$509
-
Best Value Full Day Sightseeing Tour Salvador the first Capital of Brazil:
$104
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Cachoeira Countryside Flavor Private Tour from Salvador:
$110
-
Candomble Religion Mysteries Private Tour in Salvador:
$80
-
Candomblé Ceremony Private Tour from Salvador:
$70
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Chapada Diamantina Adventure:
$2,898
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Costa de Camaçari 3 days 2 night, beach, tour, hotel, meals, guide:
$477
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Cruise Ship Special Private Tour Salvador da Bahia Historic Old Town Bonfim and Barra:
$136
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Discover the Ancient Deities of Brazil's Candomblé (Online Experience):
$15
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 Fortaleza, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $7.78.
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Salvador may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $5.92 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Typical Alcohol prices in Salvador
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Salvador:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Fortaleza and Salvador, we can see that Fortaleza is more expensive. And not only is Salvador much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Salvador would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Salvador 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 Fortaleza would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Fortaleza than you might in Salvador.
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