A Travel Price Comparison for Brazil Salvador vs. Curitiba for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Couples

Should you visit Salvador or Curitiba?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Salvador or Curitiba, 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.

Salvador

Salvador is a historical, authentic, and cultural city. It's also popular because of the nightlife, food, and beaches. See Salvador travel costs.

Curitiba

Curitiba is a vibrant, cultural, and active city. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Curitiba travel costs.

Salvador and Curitiba: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Salvador or Curitiba?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Salvador than Curitiba. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Salvador is more touristy than Curitiba and is popular for its West African influence, rich culinary scene, and colonial architecture. It is also well known for São Francisco. Curitiba is famous for its performing arts, walkability, and culture.

How is Salvador different from Curitiba?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Curitiba and Salvador. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Salvador or Curitiba?

Salvador is a great city for its historical sights. Also, Curitiba is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Salvador. Many of the main sights are found in the historic part of town. In this area you'll find the Museu da Cidade, the Abelardo Rodrigues Museum, and the Casa do Benin. There are many ornate churches as well such as the São Francisco and the Carmelite Church.

Curitiba is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are a variety of museums around town that include a number of history museums, a few art museums, and other cultural museums that are worth checking out.

Is the Food Better in Salvador or Curitiba? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Salvador and Curitiba can be an enjoyable experience.

Dining out in Salvador is an experience not to be missed. The city has rich African roots that are noticeable in the cuisine around town. Buffets have become popular in restaurants and many places offer a lunch buffet. They range in price and quality and you often pay by the weight. Common dishes include moqueca (seafood stew), vatapá (a type of curry), and acarajé (fried balls of beans and shrimp).

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Curitiba. The official dish of the town is carne de onça, which first originated here and is a beef tartare that's served on flat bread. There are also many other traditional and authentic Brazilian restaurants around town, so this is a great place for a foodie to explore.

Is Salvador or Curitiba Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Salvador and Curitiba.

Salvador is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. Head to the old city for a mix of local music and authentic Brazilian activities. Further out, along the stretches of beach, you'll find larger music venues and dance clubs. The atmosphere is laid back and relaxed throughout the city and you'll find a very local vibe in many neighborhoods.

Many people head to Curitiba for the nightlife scene. Like most cities in Brazil, you'll find a great nightlife scene with plenty of bars and restaurants. Some of the best neighborhoods for nightlife are Batel, which is one of the most international parts of the city, Itupava Street, which is lined with Brazilian restaurants and bars, and São Francisco, which is popular with the student population because of its affordability.

Is Salvador or Curitiba Better for Beaches?

Salvador is a great city for the beach. However, Curitiba is not a beach destination.

The beaches at Salvador attract visitors from all over. Many of the beaches are sandy with warm water and tidal pools to explore. The most popular beach is Praia Farol da Barra, which can get crowded. North of the city is the more relaxed Praia Farol de Itapuã and if you want to learn to surf, head to Praia da Jaguaribe, which is home to several surfing schools.

Curitiba is not a beach destination.

Is Salvador or Curitiba Better for its Old Town?

Salvador is a city with good options for its historic old town charm. However, Curitiba does not have a historic old town.

Salvador has an old town worth visiting. The city served as the first Portuguese capital and today it still has colonial architecture and a historic atmosphere. At the historic heart of the city is the Pelourinho neighborhood, which has nice squares and cobblestone streets.

Curitiba does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Salvador or Curitiba?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Curitiba and Salvador.

Many visitors go to Salvador to go shopping. There are many local markets and shops around town where you can pick up traditional Brazilian items and artisan crafts.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Curitiba. The city has large shopping malls and many great fashion boutiques. It's a great place to spend some time shopping.

Is Salvador or Curitiba Better for Families?

Curitiba is a nice place to visit for its family-friendly activities. However, Salvador is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Curitiba. The city has parks and museums that are great for kids. In particular, the botanical gardens and Bosque Alemao appeal to young visitors.

For families, Salvador is not always the best place to visit. It has a reputation for being dangerous, so many families don't plan to spend much time here, but the city has parks, recreational activities like climbing, and a number of kid-friendly museums to explore. There are also many ice cream shops and family-friendly restaurants.

Is Salvador or Curitiba Better for Couples?

Salvador is a great city for couples. Also, Curitiba is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Salvador is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. The historical center is charming and the perfect place to explore as a couple. There are also parks around town and many cultural experiences that visitors truly enjoy.

Curitiba is a nice destination for couples. The city has some great parks and restaurants that make it a pleasant place to explore with your significant other.

Is Salvador or Curitiba Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Salvador is a great city for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Curitiba is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Salvador. Backpackers love the historical architecture and the authenticity that this city offers. There are also a number of hostels around town.

Plenty of backpackers visit Curitiba. The nightlife and music scene, combined with a great public transit system, make this a good, but often overlooked destination for backpackers in Brazil.

Is Salvador or Curitiba Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Curitiba is well known for its public transit. Also, Salvador is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

The public transit in Curitiba can get you to most places easily. There's a great public transit system here that includes a metro system, trolleybuses, and buses.

While Salvador offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses around town that are divided into two different classes - the common bus and the executive bus.

Is Salvador or Curitiba a more walkable city?

Curitiba is well known for its ease of walking around. However, Salvador is not particularly known for its walkability.

Curitiba is a very walkable destination. It is a walkable city that is fun to explore on foot, but as always, take precautions in certain areas, particularly at night.

Salvador is generally not a very walkable city. While it's possible to walk around town, you should really understand which areas are safe and which parts of town are dangerous. Sometimes the dangerous areas are just a couple of blocks that are surrounded by an otherwise safe neighborhood, so you should really understand where you are before heading out on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Salvador Worth Visiting? and Is Curitiba Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Curitiba or Salvador?

How long in Salvador or Curitiba?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Salvador and Curitiba. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Salvador than in Curitiba. Usually, 3-4 days is a good amount of time for Salvador, and 2-3 days is enough time in Curitiba.

Families should spend more time in Curitiba than Salvador. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Curitiba, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Salvador than Curitiba. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Salvador that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Salvador than Curitiba if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Salvador.

One day in Salvador or Curitiba?

The city of Salvador offers food and shopping. Most people come for the beaches. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

The city of Curitiba offers food and shopping. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Salvador or Curitiba?

Salvador is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Curitiba is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Curitiba, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Salvador or Curitiba?

Salvador is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Curitiba is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Salvador or Curitiba?

Salvador is a great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

Curitiba is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Brazil, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Brazil, The Best Luxury Tours to Brazil, and The Best Budget Tours to Brazil.

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

Which is Bigger, Salvador or Curitiba?

Salvador has a larger population, and is about 58% larger than the population of Curitiba. When comparing the sizes of Salvador and Curitiba, 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.