Which place is cheaper, El Calafate or Salvador?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Brazil, The Best 10-Day Tours in Brazil, The Best 2-Week Tours from Buenos Aires, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Argentina.
-
Salvador Prices
Brazil PricesEl Calafate Prices
Argentina Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySalvador $53El Calafate $58
The average daily cost (per person) in Salvador is $53, while the average daily cost in El Calafate is $58. 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 personSalvador $24El Calafate $36
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSalvador $48El Calafate $72
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.
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 $6.02El Calafate $4.17
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:
- 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 in Salvador: $180
- Transfer and return from DE Airport to Hotels in Salvador: $56
- Transfer Salvador to Barra Grande Round Trip: $240
- Transfer Salvador and North Bayano Coast: $100
- Transfer Salvador Airport / Hotel in Salvador: $29
- Transfer Salvador Airport / Hotel Litoral Norte: $36
- Transfer Salvador - Morro DE São Paulo - Salvador: $58
Hired Cars and Shuttles in El Calafate
Also for El Calafate, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfer - Downtown: $35
- Airport Transfer Calafate Regular Bus or Private Car: $20
- Bus Transfer to Moreno Glacier from El Calafate: $77
- Calafate: Airport Transfer: $12
- Direct Private Transfer: El Calafate Airport to El Chaltén: $300
- El Calafate Airport (FTE) Private Transfer to El Calafate City: $40
- Kayaking on Lake Argentino with Transfers: $120
- Perito Moreno Mini Trek Pro (Optional Transfer): $540
- Private Airport Transfer: $270
- Transfers Between Airport and Hotels: $32
- FTE Aiport transfer Group 4 to 6 people with luggage: $210
- Glacier Huemul: Private Transfer Service: $640
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 daySalvador $22El Calafate $6.64
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.
- 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
- Cooking class in Salvador, fun hands on experience with caips: $66
- 4h Cooking Class in 9 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $68
- Traditional Moqueca Cooking Class: $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
- Salvador by Night: Cultural Show and Dinner: $124
- Bahia Noite - Folklore and Dinner Show, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil: $132
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: $55
- Estancia 25 de Mayo Dinner & Show with Transfer: $88
- Country Afternoon with Dinner Show - Estancia 25 de Mayo: $92
- Estancia 25 de Mayo Tour with Dinner & Transfer: $138
- Estancia 25 de Mayo in El Calafate - PM visit with dinner: $165
- Lakes and Caves Tour with Dinner and Wine Included: $181
- Lakes and Caves Tour with Dinner: $197
- Estancia 25 de Mayo Experience with Dinner and Horseback Riding: $225
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Salvador $5.68El Calafate $52
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
- Authentic Bars Tour in Santo Antônio Beyond the Carmo!: $20
- Bahia 500 Years Historic Tour, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil: $25
- Basílica do Senhor do Bonfim Salvador Private Walking Tour: $89
- Beach Daytour to Praia do Forte, get to know the Coconut Coast: $127
- Beyond a Night Tour: An Autentic Bar Experience in Salvador: $22
- City Tour Salvador Historica: $20
- City Tour Salvador Panoramic: $20
- City Tour in Salvador - Half Day: $20
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: $15
- Self-Guided History Museum Tour: $15
- Yeti Ice Bar: An Icy Adventure in the Heart of El Calafate: $33
- Guided Tour of the National Park + Perito Moreno Glacier + Boat Cruise (optional): $48
- Calafate: Perito Moreno Glacier Guided Full-Day Tour: $52
- Perito Moreno Glacier Guided Expedition with optional Cruise: $60
- Full Day Guided Tour Perito Moreno National Park and Glacier: $60
- Round Trip Ticket-Bus to Perito Moreno Glacier from El Calafate: $61
- Bus ticket to Puerto Natales, Chile: $62
- Perito Moreno Glacier & Optional Boat Cruise: $69
- Perito Moreno Glacier Guided Tour: $69
- Perito Moreno Glacier Full Day Tour with Optional Boat Safari: $76
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one daySalvador $5.39El Calafate $8.26
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
When comparing the travel costs between Salvador and El Calafate, we can see that El Calafate 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 El Calafate Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Salvador or El Calafate?
Salvador has a larger population, and is about 340 times larger than the population of El Calafate. When comparing the sizes of Salvador and 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 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.