Which place is cheaper, Cali 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 Cali?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Salvador or Cali, 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 Cali?
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.
Cali
Cali is Colombia's third largest city. Founded in 1536, can be explored on foot: walk under the shade of trees along the riverbank, admire the architecture of churches and other national monuments, and visit the city's many museums. Being the salsa capital of the world, Cali is primarily a destination for salsa and party but it also offers some great days out in the nearby natural surroundings. In Cali, travelers can enjoy music festivals, learn about sugarcane farming, and take in the mountainous landscapes.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Brazil, The Best 10-Day Tours in Brazil, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bogota, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Colombia.
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Salvador Prices
Brazil PricesCali Prices
Colombia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySalvador $54Cali $33
The average daily cost (per person) in Salvador is $54, while the average daily cost in Cali is $33. 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 Cali in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSalvador $24Cali $6.37
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSalvador $48Cali $13
Compare Hotels in Salvador and Cali
Looking for a hotel in Salvador or Cali? 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 Cali Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Salvador $6.11Cali $5.95
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:
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Salvador APT-HTL(SSA): $92
- Transfers between Salvador and Barra Grande Maraú: $290
- Transfer: Salvador to/from Praia do Forte/Guarajuba: $79
- Transfer: Salvador to/from Boipeba Island: $155
- Transfer to Sauipe Iberostar Palladium and Galé: $50
- Transfer roundtrip in Salvador with Historical City Tour: $73
- Transfer in Salvador: $181
- Transfer and return from DE Airport to Hotels in Salvador: $56
- Transfer Vila Galé Marés (Guarajuba) - Private: $40
- Transfer Salvador to Barra Grande Round Trip: $240
- Transfer Salvador and North Bayano Coast: $101
- Transfer Salvador Airport / Hotel in Salvador: $29
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cali
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Cali:
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Short Taxi Ride$1.06
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cali
Also for Cali, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfers Cali (per way): $34
- Alfonso Airport (CLO) to Cali/Palmira - Arrival Private Transfer: $37
- Arrival Private Transfer from Cali Airport CLO to Cali City by Minivan: $174
- Arrival Transfer from Cali Airport CLO to Cali City by car: $131
- Cali Tour Privado x3 horas con Transfers: $182
- Cali Tour Privado x5 horas con Transfers: $250
- Cali to Popayan Private Transfer: $272
- Cali to Popayan Private Transfer: $272
- Cali to or from Coffee Region Private Transfer: $136
- Cali/Palmira to Alfonso B.Aragon Airport (CLO) - Private Transfer: $46
- Alfonso Bonilla Aragón Airpot One Way Transfer: $20
- City Highlights Private Bus Tour with Transfer: $183
Is it cheaper to fly into Salvador or Cali?
Prices for flights to both Cali 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 $23Cali $16
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: $70
- 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: $120
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cali
For Cali, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Street Food Tour: $24
- Street Food Tour: $29
- Cali tastes good! Authentic street food tour through the salsa capital: $53
- Alameda Market Food Tour: $55
- Traditional Colombian Meal Cooking Class: $67
- Traditional Colombian Cooking Class in Cali: $71
- Flavors of Food tour at the local market: $73
- Food Tour San Antonio: $75
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Salvador $5.76Cali $11
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: $110
- Afro Tour Walking - Walking: $33
- Afro-Brazilian Roots Private City Tour in Salvador: $155
- Afro-Brazilian Roots city Tour in Salvador with lunch at Favela: $180
- Bahia 500 Years Historic Tour, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil: $25
- Basílica do Senhor do Bonfim Salvador Private Walking Tour: $90
- Beyond a Night Tour: An Autentic Bar Experience in Salvador: $22
- Brazilian Tasting experience Amazing Foods of Salvador da Bahia: $55
- Cachoeira Countryside Flavor Private Tour from Salvador: $220
- City Tour Salvador Historica: $20
- City Tour Salvador Panoramic: $20
- City Tour in Salvador - Half Day: $20
Tours and Activities in Cali
For Cali, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Shared Tour Cali's Local Food at Alameda Market: $12
- Shared Tour Cali's Historical Downtown: $12
- Shared Tour Cali's Salsa, Graffiti & Resistance Experience: $12
- Historical Shared Tour Salsa, Graffiti & Resistance in Cali: $14
- Shared Gastronomic Tour in the Alameda Cali Market: $15
- Shared Tour of the Historical and Cultural Center of Cali: $15
- Cali Zoo Access Ticket: $15
- Cultural and heritage Cali tour: $15
- Ceramic Workshop for Tourists: $18
- Cali Food Market Tour Galería Alameda with Exotic Tastings: $29
- Coffee Tasting Experience in Cali: $29
- Comuna 20 Siloé Street Art Tour: $30
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySalvador $5.47Cali $8.98
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Cali
Also in Cali, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Saturday Night Bar Crawl in Cali, Colombia: $28
- Friday Night Street Salsa and Bar Crawl in Cali, Colombia: $30
- Friday Salsa Bar Crawl in Cali - Culture Nightlife Experience: $32
- Craft Beer Pub Crawl in Cali: $40
- Salsa Pub Crawl in Cali: $45
- Paragliding + Wine tasting + Hacienda El Paraiso + Saint Helena: $210
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Salvador and Cali, we can see that Salvador is more expensive. And not only is Cali much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cali would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cali 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 Cali.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Salvador Expensive? and Is Cali Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Salvador or Cali?
Salvador has a larger population, and is about 13% larger than the population of Cali. When comparing the sizes of Salvador and Cali, 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.