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

Should you visit Salvador or Cajamarca?

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

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

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.

Cajamarca

Located in the northern highlands of Peru, Cajamarca is a town of about 100,000 people. The city's mild weather and fertile soil is ideal for agriculture, which is a major industry in the area. The city is also well known for its cheeses and dairy products. Cajamarca is the site of the Battle of Cajamarca which led to the execution of the Inca emperor Atahualpa and the end of the infamous Inca empire. Today, the area is appealing to visitors in part because of its lovely churches, nice hot springs, and interesting Inca Baths.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Brazil, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Brazil, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Peru, and The Best Cultural Tours in Peru.


Which place is cheaper, Cajamarca 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 Cajamarca is $69. 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 Cajamarca in more detail.



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

Looking for a hotel in Salvador or Cajamarca? 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 Cajamarca


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Salvador $6.02
    Cajamarca $17
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:

  • Shared Transfer from the Airport to Hotels: $16
  • Arrival or Departure Shared Transfer from Airport to hotels in Salvador: $16
  • Tourism and Transfer Salvador and Morro de São Paulo: $23
  • Transfer Hotel in Salvador / Salvador Airport: $23
  • Transfer Salvador Airport / Hotel in Salvador: $24
  • Transfer Hotel Litoral Norte / Salvador Airport: $24
  • Transfer Salvador Airport / Hotel Litoral Norte: $24
  • Praia do Forte Shared Transfer From Salvador : $28
  • Salvador to Salvador de Bahia Airport: Departure Private Transfer: $29
  • Private Transfer from Salvador de Bahia Cruise Port to Salvador : $29
  • Private Transfer from Salvador to Salvador de Bahia Cruise Port: $29
  • Airport Transfer x Salvador Hotel - Sedan 1 to 4 people: $30

Is it cheaper to fly into Salvador or Cajamarca?

Prices for flights to both Cajamarca 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
    Cajamarca $28
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
  • Private Bahian Cooking Class - An Amazing Experience!: $113
  • 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
  • Bahia By Night: Dinner and Folkloric show: $195

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Salvador $5.67
    Cajamarca $26

Tours and Activities in Salvador

Here are a few actual costs in Salvador for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Salvador, Vitória & Barra: Scavenger Hunt Self-Guided Tour: $7.68
  • Salvador, Pelourinho: Scavenger Hunt and Self-Guided Tour: $7.68
  • Salvador Sights Self Guided Tour (Vitória and Barra): $7.87
  • Walking tour historic Pelourinho: $13
  • Historic City Tour - Half Day in Salvador: $19
  • Panoramic City Tour - Half Day in Salvador: $19
  • Full Day Tour to Frades Islands + Itaparica: $22
  • Regular Tour to Forte Beach - Leaving Salvador by Bahia Top Turismo: $24
  • Bahia 500 Years Historic Tour, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil: $25
  • Salvador Historical City Center Tour: $25
  • Historic City Tour in Salvador: $25
  • Salvador Panoramic City Tour: $25

Tours and Activities in Cajamarca

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Cajamarca are as follows:

  • || Tour of the Cajamarca Valley - San Nicolás lagoon ||: $40
  • Sulluscocha Extreme Adventure |Atv, Canopy, Climbing|: $65
  • Sulluscocha Extreme Adventure |Atv, Canopy, Climbing|: $65
  • City Tour: $67
  • 3-Day Guided Cultural Tour of Cajamarca with Transportation: $202

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Salvador $5.38
    Cajamarca $16
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

Sample the Local Flavors in Salvador

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Salvador:

  • Tropical Night Samba Drinks Pub crawl in Salvador: $105


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Salvador and Cajamarca, we can see that Cajamarca 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 Cajamarca would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cajamarca than you might in Salvador.

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


Which is Bigger, Salvador or Cajamarca?

Salvador has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Cajamarca. When comparing the sizes of Salvador and Cajamarca, 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.