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 Adventure Tours to Argentina, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Argentina.


Which place is cheaper, Cafayate or Salvador?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Salvador is $51, while the average daily cost in Cafayate is $53. 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 $23
    Cafayate $34
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Salvador $46
    Cafayate $68
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 $5.78
    Cafayate $5.07
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Salvador

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


  • Bus from Airport
    $1.13

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Salvador

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Salvador:

  • Transfers between Salvador and Barra Grande Maraú: $272
  • Private Transfer from/to Salvador Airport From/to Grand Palladium Imbassai: $180
  • Private Transfer to/from Sauipe Resort By Minivan one way: $180
  • Transfer in Salvador: $172
  • Transfer: Salvador to/from Boipeba Island: $146
  • Costa de Sauipe Transfer - Private Executive Van: $135
  • Private Transfer from Salvador Airport: $132
  • Private Transfer from Salvador Airport to Hotel by Minivan: $130
  • Transfer Grand Palladium - Private Executive Van: $126
  • Transfer Iberostar Bahia / Praia do Forte Private Executive Van: $115
  • Salvador Airport SSA to Praia do Forte-RoundTrip Private Transfer: $110
  • Salvador de Bahia: Private Round-Trip Airport–Hotel Transfer: $110

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 $21
    Cafayate $6.46
Typical Food Prices in Salvador

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


  • Dinner for 2
    $1.31

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
  • Cooking class in Salvador, an authentic dinning experience: $85
  • Folklore Tour with Buffet Dinner: $91
  • Hands-On Bahian Cooking Class with Caipirinhas in Salvador: $95
  • Bahia Noite - Folklore and Dinner Show, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil: $95
  • Folk Show - Bahia Night (Dinner Included) by Salvador Receptivo: $110
  • Private Bahian Cooking Class - An Amazing Experience!: $140
  • Salvador by Night: Cultural Dinner and Show: $146
  • Cultural Folkloric Show and Dinner in Salvador: $170
  • Authentic Cooking Class with Market Visit & Lunch: $175
  • Culinary Afro-Brazilian Delights & Churrascaria dinner.: $179
  • Bahia By Night: Dinner and Folkloric show: $195

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Salvador $5.45
    Cafayate $40

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: $140
  • "Memories of Salvador" a 6 hour city tour thru times : $143
  • 3-Hour Private Tour of Salvador Capital Afro-Brazilian: $110
  • Afro Tour Walking - Walking : $39
  • Afro-Brazilian Roots Private City Tour in Salvador: $146
  • Bahia 500 Years Historic Tour, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil: $25
  • Basílica do Senhor do Bonfim Salvador Private Walking Tour: $90
  • Brazil Tropical Fruit Tour in Salvador local farmer's market: $49
  • Brazilian Tasting experience Amazing Foods of Salvador da Bahia: $75
  • Cachoeira Countryside Flavor Private Tour from Salvador: $190
  • City Tour in Salvador - Half Day: $19
  • City Tour in Salvador to meet Brazil’s first capital: $174

Tours and Activities in Cafayate

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

  • From Salta: Full-Day Wine and Valley Tour to Cafayate: $45
  • Foz do Iguaçu: Day Tour of the Argentina and Brazil Sides: $96
  • From Salta: Cafayate, Humahuaca & Salinas Grandes 3-Day Tour: $106
  • Unveiling Premium Wine Road Adventure: $127
  • From Salta: Cafayate, Salinas Grandes, & Hornocal Tour: $128
  • From Salta: Local Landscape, Winery, and Culture Tour: $130
  • From Salta: Cafayate, Cachi, & Hornocal 3-Day Tour: $136

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Salvador $5.17
    Cafayate $19
Typical Alcohol Prices in Salvador

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


  • Beers for 2
    $1.31
  • Drinks
    $2.63


When comparing the travel costs between Salvador and Cafayate, we can see that Cafayate 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 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.