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

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Should you visit Salvador or El Calafate?

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

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

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.

El Calafate

Located in Patagonia, El Calafate has become a popular tourist destination in Argentina because of its beautiful setting on the stunningly blue Lago Argentina. The town sits on the southern border of the lake in the southwestern part of the Santa Cruz Province. It's about 320 kilometers from Rio Gallegos.

The rise in popularity of Patagonia as a tourist destination has truly put this small town on the map. You'll find no shortage of trekkers in the town and it makes an excellent base to explore different parts of the Los Glaciares National Park. Popular places to visit include Perito Moreno Glacier, Cerro Chalten, and Cerro Torre.

El Calafate has a cold semi-arid climate. The summers are cool to warm and very dry while the winters are cold and damp. Lago Argentino has a significant influence over the town's climate. The shallow bay where the town is located is usually frozen during the winter months.

Check out our ultimate guide to Hiking in Patagonia.

Which place is cheaper, El Calafate or Salvador?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Salvador is $46, while the average daily cost in El Calafate is $25. 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 El Calafate in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Salvador $25
    El Calafate $8.41
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Salvador $50
    El Calafate $17
Compare Hotels in Salvador and El Calafate

Looking for a hotel in Salvador or El Calafate? 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 El Calafate


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 El Calafate Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Salvador $6.28
    El Calafate $8.67
Typical Local Transportation prices in Salvador

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


  • Bus from Airport
    $1.22

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 HTL-APT(SSA): $66
  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Salvador APT-HTL(SSA): $66
  • Transfers: Airport, Hotels, Maritime Terminals, Bus Station.: $24
  • Transfers between Salvador and Barra Grande Maraú: $180
  • Transfer: Salvador to/from Praia do Forte/Guarajuba: $64
  • Transfer: Salvador to/from Boipeba Island: $134
  • Transfer roundtrip in Salvador with Historical City Tour: $66
  • Transfer in Salvador: $146
  • Transfer in Private Car from Salvador City to Salvador de Bahia airport (SSA): $45
  • Transfer from the Airport to Iberostar Praia do Forte or Bahia for up to 4 Pax: $50
  • Transfer from Salvador airport to Hotels in Salvador: $37
  • Transfer from Salvador Airport to North Coast of Bahia: $105

Typical Local Transportation prices in El Calafate

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


  • Taxi
    $3.41

Hired Cars and Shuttles in El Calafate

Also for El Calafate, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Airport Transfer - Downtown: $22
  • Door to Door Transfer Calafate to Chalten : $49
  • El Calafate Airport Private Transfer: $117
  • 1-Way Private Airport Transfer: $34
  • Perito Moreno Glacier Mini Trek with Transfer: $317
  • Private Airport Transfer: $30
  • Transfers Between Airport and Hotels: $12
  • Excursion to the Perito Moreno Glacier, with guide and transfer to / from the hotel: $40
  • From El Calafate Airport: Round-trip Transfer to El Chaltén: $107
  • Full Day Perito Moreno Kayak Experience & Walkway Tour with Transfers: $252
  • Kayak in Perito Moreno Glacier with transfers: $461
  • Kayak in Perito Moreno Glacier without transfers: $336

Is it cheaper to fly into Salvador or El Calafate?

Prices for flights to both El Calafate 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
    El Calafate $9.11
Typical Food prices in Salvador

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


  • Dinner for 2
    $1.43

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Salvador

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

  • Folkloric Ballet Show in Salvador with Regional Dinner: $63
  • Bahia Noite - Folkloric Show and Dinner, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil: $68
  • 7-Recipe Boozy Cooking Class in North Salvador: $70
  • Salvador by Night: Cultural Dinner and Show: $106
  • Folk Show - Bahia Night (Dinner Included) by Salvador Receptivo: $110
  • Private Bahian Cooking Class - An Amazing Experience!: $113
  • Bahia By Night: Dinner and Folkloric show: $114
  • Cultural Folkloric Show and Dinner in Salvador: $130
  • Private Cooking Experience with local in Salvador: $130
  • Baiana Cooking Class with Market Visit & Lunch: $159
  • Ivan Bahia, Antropological Reconcavo Baiano tour with cooking course & boat trip: $202

Typical Food prices in El Calafate

For El Calafate, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Dessert
    $0.03
  • Dinner
    $4.44
  • Dinner
    $2.62

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in El Calafate

For El Calafate, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Argentine Dinner with Live Music Folklore -Estancia 25 de Mayo: $48
  • Estancia 25 de Mayo Tour with Dinner & Transfer: $67
  • Country Afternoon with Dinner Show - Estancia 25 de Mayo: $100
  • Private Country Afternoon with Horseback Riding Initiation and Dinner Show: $125
  • Estancia 25 de Mayo in El Calafate - PM visit with dinner: $186

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Salvador $5.92
    El Calafate $9.10

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: $150
  • Ivan Bahia's TOP Cachoeira & Recôncavo Cultural Heritage day-tour from Salvador: $438
  • Salvador Main tourist attractions: $38
  • Sand Dunes of Mangue Seco PRIVATE Full Day Tour from Salvador: $350
  • 4-Days Experience at Salvador de Bahia, Savour the cultural fusion - Brasil: $758
  • 5 hours Historical Tour: $45
  • Afro-Brazilian Roots Private City Tour in Salvador": $106
  • BEST SCHOOL TOUR in Salvador (Frades+Itaparica): $30
  • Bahia 500 Years Historic Tour, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil: $25
  • Bike Rentals and Bike Tours: $58
  • Cachoeira Countryside Flavor Private Tour from Salvador: $130
  • Candomblé Ceremony Tour from Salvador: $80

Typical Entertainment prices in El Calafate

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for El Calafate's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Glacerium Museum
    $3.41

Tours and Activities in El Calafate

For El Calafate, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • El Calafate History Museum Tour: $9.00
  • city tour: $20
  • city tour: $33
  • Panoramic Tour with Punta Walichu: $34
  • Perito Moreno Glacier & Optional Boat Cruise: $36
  • El Calafate City Tour and Walichu caves: $43
  • Perito Moreno Glacier Sightseeing from El Calafate: $45
  • From Full-Day Tour to El Chaltén: $46
  • Calafate City Tour with Walichu Caves: $49
  • El Calafate Balconies Experience: 3-Hour 4WD Tour: $52
  • Alternative tour to the Perito Moreno Glacier: $55
  • 4x4 adventure through the Balconies of Calafate: $59

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Salvador $5.62
    El Calafate $4.56
Typical Alcohol prices in Salvador

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


  • Beers for 2
    $1.43
  • Drinks
    $2.85

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: $73

Typical Alcohol prices in El Calafate

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


  • Beer
    $0.02
  • Alcohol
    $0.91

Sample the Local Flavors in El Calafate

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

  • Calafate Wine Tours | Pedestrian City Tour Paired with Wines: $40

How are these travel costs calculated?

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

Which is Bigger, Salvador or El Calafate?

Salvador is bigger, and its population is about 339 times larger than the population of El Calafate. When comparing the population of Salvador vs. El Calafate, 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 and the activities 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.
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Salvador vs. El Calafate Travel Comparison

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