Which place is cheaper, Salvador or Puerto Iguazu?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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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 Wildlife Tours to Argentina, The Best Eco Tours in Argentina, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Brazil, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Brazil.
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Puerto Iguazu Prices
Argentina PricesSalvador Prices
Brazil Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPuerto Iguazu $59Salvador $54
The average daily cost (per person) in Puerto Iguazu is $59, while the average daily cost in Salvador is $54. 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 $42Salvador $24
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPuerto Iguazu $84Salvador $48
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 $3.22Salvador $6.11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Iguazu
Also for Puerto Iguazu, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Brazilian Waterfalls Tour and Bird Park with Transfer: $112
- Estancia Las Mercedes Day Trip with Lunch & Transfers: $399
- Full-day private transfer to Iguazu Falls: $185
- Iguazú Falls Argentine and Brazilian Sides with Airport Transfers: $86
- Iguazú Falls Combo: Argentina & Brazil, with Transfers: $86
- Iguazu Falls (Argentina & Brazil) + Biocenter with Transfers: $113
- Iguazu Falls Argentina Airport Roundtrip Transfer to Hotels: $22
- Iguazu Falls Saver Package! Both sides excursions & transfers: $79
- Private Transfer from Iguazú (IGR) Airport to Puerto Iguazú: $45
- Private Transfer from Puerto Iguazu Airport to Foz do Iguaçu: $83
- Puerto Iguazú Combo: Iguazu Falls 2 Day Tours + transfers: $85
- Puerto Iguazú Round-Trip Airport Transfer: $22
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$1.19
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 APT-HTL(SSA): $92
- Transfers between Salvador and Barra Grande Maraú: $290
- Transfer: Salvador to/from Praia do Forte/Guarajuba: $79
- Transfer: Salvador to/from Boipeba Island: $155
- Transfer to Sauipe Iberostar Palladium and Galé: $50
- Transfer roundtrip in Salvador with Historical City Tour: $73
- Transfer in Salvador: $181
- Transfer and return from DE Airport to Hotels in Salvador: $56
- Transfer Vila Galé Marés (Guarajuba) - Private: $40
- Transfer Salvador to Barra Grande Round Trip: $240
- Transfer Salvador and North Bayano Coast: $101
- Transfer Salvador Airport / Hotel in Salvador: $29
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 $6.59Salvador $23
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: $34
- Madero Tango Show with Optional Dinner in Iguazu: $36
- ASADOR: Argentine Asado Cooking Class: $70
- Argentine Experience: Immersive Dinner & Wine Pairing in Iguazú: $75
- Iguazu Falls: The Argentine Experience Interactive Dinner: $75
- Churrascaria Rafain - Show and Dinner: $125
- Dinner Show Rafain Steakhouse from Puerto Iguazú Hotels Private Tour: $130
- Dinner Tango Show in Iguazú Falls - no transfers -: $152
- Experience Guamini Mision Dinner and Tango Show Gran Meliá Iguazú Exclusive: $155
- Rafain Steakhouse Dinner & Show: $232
- Foz do Iguaçu: Argentinean Cooking Class: $244
- Puerto Iguazú: Romantic Dinner at Pristine Iguazú Camp: $306
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$1.39
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Salvador
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Salvador.
- Enjoy before flying: Cooking class near Salvador airport: $50
- Eat and drink before you fly: Cooking class near Salvador airport: $50
- 4h Cooking Class in Salvador with 9 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $65
- 4h Cooking Class in 9 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $68
- Cooking class in Salvador, fun hands on experience with caips: $70
- Traditional Moqueca Cooking Class: $75
- Savour Salvador Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $75
- Bahia Bites Salvador Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $79
- Bahia Bites Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $80
- Brazilian Cooking Class with Unlimited Caipirinhas: $89
- Folk Show - Bahia Night (Dinner Included) by Salvador Receptivo: $105
- Bahia Noite - Folklore and Dinner Show, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil: $120
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Puerto Iguazu $35Salvador $5.76
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: $27
- Foz do Iguaçu: Brazil/Argentina Sides Iguazu Falls Day Tour: $41
- Explore Iguazu Falls in Brazil: An Unforgettable Experience: $44
- From San Ignacio Ruins and Wanda Mines Tour: $46
- Brazilian Side of Iguazu Falls Half-Day Sightseeing Tour: $48
- Brazilian Side of Iguazu Falls Tour from Puerto Iguazu: $49
- Iguazu Falls Argentine Side Tour & Ecological Train Ride: $55
- Iguazú Falls National Park Entry Ticket or Flexipass 3 days: $60
- Private Shopping Tour in Puerto Iguazú: $69
- Iguazu Falls, Argentina + Boat Option (Private Tour): $71
- Iguazu Falls Guided Tour Argentina side: $73
Tours and Activities in Salvador
Here are a few actual costs in Salvador for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 3-Hour Private Tour of Salvador Capital Afro-Brazilian: $110
- Afro Tour Walking - Walking: $33
- Afro-Brazilian Roots Private City Tour in Salvador: $155
- Afro-Brazilian Roots city Tour in Salvador with lunch at Favela: $180
- Bahia 500 Years Historic Tour, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil: $25
- Basílica do Senhor do Bonfim Salvador Private Walking Tour: $90
- Beyond a Night Tour: An Autentic Bar Experience in Salvador: $22
- Brazilian Tasting experience Amazing Foods of Salvador da Bahia: $55
- Cachoeira Countryside Flavor Private Tour from Salvador: $220
- City Tour Salvador Historica: $20
- City Tour Salvador Panoramic: $20
- City Tour in Salvador - Half Day: $20
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPuerto Iguazu $8.22Salvador $5.47
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$1.39
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Drinks$2.78
When comparing the travel costs between Puerto Iguazu and Salvador, we can see that Puerto Iguazu is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in South America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
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.