Should you visit Punta del Este or Salvador?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Punta del Este or Salvador, this travel cost comparison can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Punta del Este
Punta del Este with its many beaches, elegant seaside homes, yacht harbor, high-rise apartment buildings, pricey hotels, ardent night scene and glitzy restaurants is a chic beach resort town in Uruguay. Many tourists come from Brazil and Argentina, on the other side of the Rio de la Plata, to get some nice sun and lay on the beach for a weekend getaway. Punta del Este is more expensive than other areas in Uruguay and has been called the Monaco of South America. Tourist season varies wildly from totally deserted in the winter to very crowded in the summer.
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 Punta del Este?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Punta del Este is $71, 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 Punta del Este and Salvador in more detail.
Accommodation
The prices for places to stay in Punta del Este can vary by date, location, and type. Generally, the average cost for accommodation per person is $39, while a typical double-occupancy hotel room for two people will cost around $78.
A hotel room in Salvador is about $38 This assumes double occupancy and modest accommodations.
Food
The price of a meal in Punta del Este can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is $22 per person, and a typical meal will cost around $8.80 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
Punta del Este $22
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
Punta del Este's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $16 per person, per day on transportation in Punta del Este.
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 Punta del Este
Also for Punta del Este, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Private Arrival Transfer: Punta del Este Airport to Hotel:
$40
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Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Punta del Este Airport:
$40
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Private Transfer to Garzon Restaurant by Francis Mallmann:
$269
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Punta del Este Airport Private Transfer:
$45
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Punta del Este Wine Tour, Bodega Garzon, Private Transfer:
$338
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 Punta del Este or Salvador?
Prices for flights to both Salvador and Punta del Este 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, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Punta del Este can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $7.60 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
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 Punta del Este
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Punta del Este.
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La Vista 360 Admission Ticket:
$10
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Punta del Este City Tour Clasico con Puesta del Sol en Casapueblo:
$25
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Punta del Este City Sightseeing Tour:
$33
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Art Studio Tour in Punta del Este:
$75
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Punta del Este City Tour:
$93
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Wine Lovers - Punta Wine Experience:
$150
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Punta del Este Special Art Tour:
$185
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Punta del Este Shore Excursion: Private Sightseeing Tour of Punta del Este:
$188
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
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African historical walking tour 03 hours:
$90
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Beaches North Coast 2 tours with overnight hotel Coconut Coast experience:
$509
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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
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Candomble Religion Mysteries Private Tour in Salvador:
$80
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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 Punta del Este, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $5.57.
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.
Sample the Local Flavors in Punta del Este
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Punta del Este:
-
Wine Tasting from Punta del Este:
$128
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 Punta del Este and Salvador, we can see that Punta del Este 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 Punta del Este would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Punta del Este than you might in Salvador.
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