A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Salvador vs. Cafayate for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Salvador or Cafayate?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Salvador or Cafayate, 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 Cafayate?

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.

Cafayate

Cafayate is located in the province of Salta, in the central zone of the Valles Calchaquies. The small town has about 12,000 residents and is 1,329 kilometers from Buenos Aires.

People head to the small town of Cafayate to explore its vineyards and unique rock formations. It has become an important tourist destination in the area and there is a large golf course under construction just outside of town.

Cafayate is an important wine production center. The wines in the area thrive from the low humidity mild weather of the valleys. The town receives less than 250 millimeters of precipitation a year.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Brazil, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Brazil, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Buenos Aires, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Buenos Aires.


Which place is cheaper, Cafayate or Salvador?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Salvador is $44, while the average daily cost in Cafayate is $12. 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 Cafayate in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Salvador $24
    Cafayate $4.43
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Salvador $48
    Cafayate $8.86
Compare Hotels in Salvador and Cafayate

Looking for a hotel in Salvador or Cafayate? 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.

Hotels in Salvador


Hotels in Cafayate


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 Cafayate Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Salvador $6.02
    Cafayate $2.40
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Salvador

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Salvador:


  • Bus from Airport
    $1.17

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Salvador

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Salvador:

  • Transfers between Salvador and Barra Grande Maraú: $280
  • Costa de Sauipe Transfer - Private Executive Van: $160
  • Transfer Grand Palladium - Private Executive Van: $150
  • Transfer in Salvador: $140
  • Private Transfer from Salvador Airport: $136
  • Shared Transfer Salvador / Morro de São Paulo / Salvador: $130
  • Private Transfer to/from Sauipe Resort By Minivan one way: $130
  • Transfer: Salvador to/from Boipeba Island: $126
  • Private Transfer from/to Salvador Airport From/to Grand Palladium Imbassai: $115
  • Private Transfer from Salvador International Airport to Salvador: $110
  • Transfer Morro de Sao Paulo round trip: $110
  • Transfer from Salvador Airport to North Coast of Bahia: $100

Is it cheaper to fly into Salvador or Cafayate?

Prices for flights to both Cafayate 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Salvador $13
    Cafayate $4.83
Typical Food Prices in Salvador

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Salvador:


  • Dinner for 2
    $1.37

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Salvador

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Salvador.

  • 7-Recipe Boozy Cooking Class in Salvador: $75
  • 7-Recipe Boozy Cooking Class in Salvador: $75
  • Salvador by Night: Cultural Dinner and Show: $130
  • Private Cooking Experience with local in Salvador: $130
  • Cultural Folkloric Show and Dinner in Salvador: $140
  • Baiana Cooking Class with Market Visit & Lunch: $150

Typical Food Prices in Cafayate

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Cafayate:


  • Dinner (Empanadas)
    $0.02
  • Sandwich
    $0.01
  • Pizza
    $0.02

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Salvador $5.67
    Cafayate $5.19

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: $60
  • Afro-Brazilian Roots Private City Tour in Salvador": $100
  • Bahia 500 Years Historic Tour, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil: $25
  • Cachoeira Countryside Flavor Private Tour from Salvador: $160
  • Candomblé Cerimony Tour: $60
  • Candomble Religion Mysteries Private Tour in Salvador: $80
  • City Tour in Salvador Discover the first capital of Brazil - En: $140
  • Cruise Ship Special Private Tour Salvador da Bahia Historic Old Town Bonfim and Barra: $152
  • Culinary Traditions Tour: $180
  • Easy Diving - Lord Beach Snorkeling - Leaving Forte Beach by Emytour: $33
  • Exclusive & Private Walking Tour in Pelourinho Salvador 3 hours: $39
  • Full City Tour Historic and Panoramic: $140

Tours and Activities in Cafayate

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Cafayate.

  • Tour Quebrada De Las Conchas - Cafayate - Salta: $25
  • From Salta: Full-Day Wine and Valley Tour to Cafayate: $62
  • Half-Day Wine Road Premium Tour From Cafayate: $68
  • From Salta: Cafayate, Humahuaca & Salinas Grandes 3-Day Tour: $106
  • From Salta: Cafayate, Salinas Grandes, & Hornocal Tour: $128
  • From Salta: Local Landscape, Winery, and Culture Tour: $134
  • From Salta: Cafayate, Cachi, & Hornocal 3-Day Tour: $136

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Salvador $5.38
    Cafayate $4.88
Typical Alcohol Prices in Salvador

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Salvador:


  • Beers for 2
    $1.37
  • Drinks
    $2.74


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Salvador and Cafayate, we can see that Salvador is more expensive. And not only is Cafayate much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cafayate would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cafayate 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 Cafayate.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Salvador Expensive? and Is Cafayate Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Salvador or Cafayate?

Salvador has a larger population, and is about 230 times larger than the population of Cafayate. When comparing the sizes of Salvador and Cafayate, 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.