Which place is cheaper, Arequipa or Salvador?
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 Salvador or Arequipa?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Salvador or Arequipa, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Salvador or Arequipa?
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.
Arequipa
Sitting in the middle of the Misti, Chachani and PichuPichu volcanoes of Peru is the enchanting city of Arequipa. With 468 years of history, the city is full of Spanish colonial architecture. Known to locals as the "white city," the city center, Plaza de Armas, is quite the sight with buildings of sillar white stone made from the rocks of the surrounding volcanoes.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Brazil, The Best 10-Day Tours in Brazil, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Peru, and The Best Cultural Tours in Peru.
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Salvador Prices
Brazil PricesArequipa Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySalvador $54Arequipa $62
The average daily cost (per person) in Salvador is $54, while the average daily cost in Arequipa is $62. 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 Salvador and Arequipa in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSalvador $24Arequipa $25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSalvador $48Arequipa $50
Compare Hotels in Salvador and Arequipa
Looking for a hotel in Salvador or Arequipa? 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: Salvador Hotel Prices and Arequipa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Salvador $6.11Arequipa $6.53
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:
- Airport Transfer x Salvador Hotel - Sedan 1 to 4 people: $45
- Airport Transfer-Grand Palladium Imbassai 1 to 4 people by Salvador Receptivo: $95
- Airport Transfer-Grand Palladium Imbassai 5 to 10 people by Salvador Receptivo: $145
- Arrival or Departure Shared Transfer from Airport to hotels in Salvador: $17
- Costa de Sauipe Transfer - Private Executive Van: $142
- Hotel Vila Galé Mares - Transfers In / Out: $81
- Iberostar Bahia, Roundtrip Transfers: $105
- Praia do Forte Private Transfer From Salvador: $62
- Praia do Forte Private Transfer by 12-Seat Minivan: $230
- Praia do Forte Shared Transfer From Salvador: $31
- Praia do Forte to Salvador Airport SSA-Departure Private Transfer: $55
- Private Airport Transfer to Salvador: $80
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Arequipa
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Arequipa are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$1.47
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Bus Ride$0.47
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Taxi Ride$1.03
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arequipa
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Arequipa:
- 2 Days Colca Canyon Tour with Transfer to Puno: $110
- 2-Day Colca Canyon Tour with optional transfer to Puno: $135
- 3 Day Trek Including Transfer to Puno / Colca Canyon: $214
- Arequipa Airport (AQP) Private Transfer to Arequipa City: $23
- Arequipa Airport Arrival Transfer: $13
- Arequipa Airport Departure Transfer: $22
- Arequipa Airport Private Transfer: $38
- Arequipa Bus Station Arrival Transfer: $37
- Arequipa Bus Station Departure Transfer: $37
- Colca Canyon + Transfer To Puno: $103
- Colca Canyon 2 days from Arequipa with final transfer to Puno: $85
- Colca Canyon Day Trip with Transfer to Puno: $65
Is it cheaper to fly into Salvador or Arequipa?
Prices for flights to both Arequipa and Salvador 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 daySalvador $23Arequipa $26
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: $71
- 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: $121
Typical Food Prices in Arequipa
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Arequipa:
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Coke$0.44
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Lunch$3.09
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Ice Cream$1.18
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Fruit$0.88
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Ice Cream$1.03
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Arequipa
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Arequipa.
- Peruvian Cooking Experience in Arequipa: $35
- Cooking Class at La Plantation: $36
- Peruvian Cooking Class in arequipa: $50
- Peruvian Cooking Class: $63
- Arequipa : Food Tour and History (3 Restaurants and Market): $69
- Arequipa Food Tour: Ancestral Cuisine & City Tour: $79
- A 3-hour Guided Food Tour with 4 Iconic Restaurants of Arequipa: $79
- Arequipa Food Tour Experience: $115
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Salvador $5.76Arequipa $20
Tours and Activities in Salvador
Here are a few actual costs in Salvador for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Salvador Sights Self Guided Tour (Vitória and Barra): $4.55
- City Tour in Salvador - Half Day: $20
- Historic City Tour - Half Day in Salvador: $20
- City Tour Salvador Historica: $20
- City Tour Salvador Panoramic: $20
- Beyond a Night Tour: An Autentic Bar Experience in Salvador: $22
- Historic City Tour in Salvador: $24
- Walking tour historic Pelourinho: $24
- Bahia 500 Years Historic Tour, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil: $25
- Salvador Historical City Center Tour: $25
- Panoramic City Tour in Salvador: $25
- Panoramic Tour, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil: $25
Typical Entertainment Prices in Arequipa
Here are a few typical costs in Arequipa for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Monastery Entry$2.94
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Salsa Class$2.94
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Movie Ticket$3.21
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Hot Springs$2.94
Tours and Activities in Arequipa
Here are a few actual costs in Arequipa for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Route of the Sillar 4-Hour Tour: $10
- Arequipa Walking Tour city center and drinks experience: $10
- Arequipa Tasting Tour: $13
- Tour to La Ruta del Sillar and Culesbrillas in Arequipa: $15
- Chili River White Water Rafting Adventure with Pickup: $18
- Countryside Tour Arequipa: $18
- Sillar Route and Culebrillas Tour Culture and Nature in Arequipa: $19
- Koh Rong Tour: A Snorkeling, Fishing, Sunset, Plankton: $20
- Arequipa Rafting adventure on the Chili river with pick-up: $20
- City Tour Arequipa: $20
- Arequipa Sillar Stone Quarries and Culebrillas Canyon Tour: $25
- Añashuayco Quarries and Sillar Route Tour from Arequipa: $25
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySalvador $5.47Arequipa $17
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
Typical Alcohol Prices in Arequipa
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Arequipa are as follows:
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Beer$2.65
When comparing the travel costs between Salvador and Arequipa, we can see that Arequipa 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 Salvador Expensive? and Is Arequipa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Salvador or Arequipa?
Salvador has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Arequipa. When comparing the sizes of Salvador and Arequipa, 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.