Which place is cheaper, Salvador or Puerto Iguazu?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Puerto Iguazu or Salvador?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Puerto Iguazu or Salvador? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Puerto Iguazu or Salvador?
Puerto Iguazu
Puerto Iguazu is located in the northeastern part of Argentina at the border with Paraguay and Brazil. It is a tourist city and travel destination because of its close proximity to Iguazu Falls, which is only 18 kilometers away. Much of the city's infrastructure has grown to maintain the tourist crowds that come to see the falls. The town itself has a population of slightly over 80,000.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Argentina, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Argentina, The Best Contiki Tours to Brazil, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Brazil.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPuerto Iguazu $7.77Salvador $41
The average daily cost (per person) in Puerto Iguazu is $7.77, while the average daily cost in Salvador is $41. 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 destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Puerto Iguazu and Salvador in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPuerto Iguazu $3.08Salvador $22
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPuerto Iguazu $6.16Salvador $44
Compare Hotels in Puerto Iguazu and Salvador
Looking for a hotel in Puerto Iguazu or Salvador? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Puerto Iguazu Hotel Prices and Salvador Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Puerto Iguazu $2.38Salvador $5.64
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Iguazu
Also for Puerto Iguazu, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Argentine and Brazilian Falls with transfers: $71
- Full day tour visit to Iguazu Falls with transfers from airport : $120
- Iguazú Falls Brazil & Argentina 3-Day In-Out Transfers: $64
- Iguazu Falls Argentina Airport Roundtrip Transfer to Hotels: $21
- Iguazu Falls Saver Package! Both sides excursions & transfers : $79
- Private Transfer from Puerto Iguazu Airport to Foz do Iguaçu: $93
- Puerto Iguazú Combo: Iguazu Falls 2 Day Tours + transfers: $98
- Puerto Iguazu Airport Shuttle Transfer: $10
- One-Way or Round Trip Airport Transfer: $8.00
- One-Way or Round Trip Airport Transfer: $11
- Transfer In + Transfer Out IGR Airport Puerto Iguazú Hotels Selva de Iryapu: $145
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Salvador
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Salvador:
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Bus from Airport$1.10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Salvador
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Salvador:
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Salvador HTL-APT(SSA): $66
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Salvador APT-HTL(SSA): $66
- Transfers: Airport, Hotels, Maritime Terminals, Bus Station.: $24
- Transfers between Salvador and Barra Grande Maraú: $260
- Transfer: Salvador to/from Praia do Forte/Guarajuba: $56
- Transfer: Salvador to/from Boipeba Island: $117
- Transfer to Sauipe Iberostar Palladium and Galé: $46
- Transfer to Iberostar Selection Praia do Forte or Bahia: $40
- Transfer in Salvador: $129
- Transfer between Salvador Airport and Costa do Sauipe: $87
- Transfer Vila Galé Mares (Guarajuba) - Executive Van - Private: $111
- Transfer Vila Galé Marés (Guarajuba) - Private: $66
Is it cheaper to fly into Puerto Iguazu or Salvador?
Prices for flights to both Salvador and Puerto Iguazu 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.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayPuerto Iguazu $2.85Salvador $12
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Puerto Iguazu
For Puerto Iguazu, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Puerto Iguazú: Madero Tango Show with Optional Dinner: $33
- Madero Tango Show with Optional Dinner in Iguazu: $33
- Argentine Experience: Immersive Dinner & Wine Pairing in Iguazú: $60
- Iguazu Falls: The Argentine Experience Interactive Dinner: $69
- From Foz do Iguaçu: Madero Tango with dinner: $101
- Experience Guamini Mision Dinner and Tango Show Selva Iriapu Hotels Exclusive: $110
- Rafain Steakhouse Dinner & Show: $117
- Churrascaria Rafain - Show and Dinner : $117
- Foz do Iguaçu: Argentinean Cooking Class: $135
- FD Iguazu Falls Argentinian side + Dinner Tango Show -no transfer: $140
- Dinner Tango Show in Iguazú Falls - no transfers -: $145
- Experience Guamini Mision Dinner and Tango Show Belmond Hotel: $160
Typical Food Prices in Salvador
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Salvador:
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Dinner for 2$1.28
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Salvador
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Salvador.
- Bahia Noite - Folkloric Show and Dinner, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil: $68
- 9-Recipe Boozy Cooking Class in Salvador: $85
- 9-Recipe Boozy Cooking Class with Market Visit: $85
- Folk Show - Bahia Night (Dinner Included) by Salvador Receptivo: $110
- Private Bahian Cooking Class - An Amazing Experience!: $113
- Salvador by Night: Cultural Dinner and Show: $121
- Culinary Afro-Brazilian Delights & Churrascaria dinner.: $124
- Private Cooking Experience with local in Salvador: $130
- CITY ESCAPE: Relax on night in Paradies with Breakfast & Dinner: $139
- Cultural Folkloric Show and Dinner in Salvador: $140
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Puerto Iguazu $2.54Salvador $5.32
Tours and Activities in Puerto Iguazu
For Puerto Iguazu, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Iguazu Falls Argentinian Side Full-Day Tour: $18
- Hito Tres Fronters and La Aripuca City Tour: $28
- Argentinian Iguazu Falls Full Day Tour: $33
- From Foz do Iguaçu: Tour to Argentinian Falls: $34
- Iguazu Falls Full Day Tour Argentine Side With Optional Brazilian Falls: $34
- Ciudad del Este Shopping Tour: $34
- Argentina Iguazu Falls Bus Tour: $37
- From Foz do Iguaçu: Iguazu Cruise Expedition: $39
- Iguazu Falls Brazilian Side Tour: $40
- City tour with stops at tourist attractions: $40
- Iguazu Falls: one-day tour on the Argentine side: $40
- Brazilian Side of Iguazu Falls Half-Day Sightseeing Tour : $43
Tours and Activities in Salvador
Here are a few actual costs in Salvador for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Afro-Brazilian Roots city Tour in Salvador with lunch at Favela: $180
- "Memories of Salvador" a 6 hour city tour thru times : $132
- 3-Hour Private Tour of Salvador Capital Afro-Brazilian: $60
- Afro-Brazilian Roots Private City Tour in Salvador": $93
- Bahia 500 Years Historic Tour, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil: $25
- Beach Daytour to Praia do Forte, get to know the Coconut Coast: $121
- Bike Rentals and Bike Tours: $144
- Cachoeira Countryside Flavor Private Tour from Salvador: $160
- Candomblé Cerimony Tour: $56
- Candomble Religion Mysteries Private Tour in Salvador: $180
- City Tour in Salvador Discover the first capital of Brazil: $148
- Coconut Beach Costal day tour with Lunch at the Jaquipe River: $176
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPuerto Iguazu $1.22Salvador $5.05
Typical Alcohol Prices in Salvador
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Salvador:
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Beers for 2$1.28
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Drinks$2.56
Sample the Local Flavors in Salvador
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Salvador:
- Tropical Night Samba Drinks Pub crawl in Salvador: $100
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Puerto Iguazu and Salvador, we can see that Salvador is more expensive. And not only is Puerto Iguazu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Puerto Iguazu would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Puerto Iguazu 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 Salvador would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Salvador than you might in Puerto Iguazu.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Puerto Iguazu Expensive? and Is Salvador Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Puerto Iguazu or Salvador?
Salvador has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Puerto Iguazu. When comparing the sizes of Puerto Iguazu and Salvador, 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.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.