Which place is cheaper, Galapagos Islands 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 Galapagos Islands?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Salvador or Galapagos Islands, 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 Galapagos Islands?
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.
Galapagos Islands
The Galapagos Islands are a small archipelago of islands belonging to Ecuador in the eastern Pacific Ocean. The Galapagos archipelago is world-renowned for its unique and fearless wildlife, much of which was inspiration for Charles Darwin's Theory of Natural Selection. Thanks to a lack of natural predators, friendly wildlife such as sea lions and gigantic sea tortoises let visitors get up close. This archipelago of about 19 islands and many smaller islets found over 620 miles off Ecuador's coast in the Pacific Ocean is a double World Heritage site, where both land and sea are protected. Each island boasts its own unique landscape, ranging from black, volcanic rocks to white sand beaches and gemstone-blue waters. There is no bad time to visit the Galapagos Islands but the busiest months for tourism tend to be June, July and August, as well as mid-December to mid-January. This is when prices are at their highest.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Brazil, The Best 10-Day Tours in Brazil, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Ecuador, and The Best Honeymoon Tours in Ecuador.
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Salvador Prices
Brazil PricesGalapagos Islands Prices
Ecuador Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySalvador $54Galapagos Islands $160
The average daily cost (per person) in Salvador is $54, while the average daily cost in Galapagos Islands is $160. 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 Galapagos Islands in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSalvador $24Galapagos Islands $65
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSalvador $48Galapagos Islands $130
Compare Hotels in Salvador and Galapagos Islands
Looking for a hotel in Salvador or Galapagos Islands? 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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Salvador $6.11Galapagos Islands $54
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:
- Transfers between Salvador and Barra Grande Maraú: $290
- Transfer Salvador to Barra Grande Round Trip: $240
- Praia do Forte Private Transfer by 12-Seat Minivan: $230
- Transfer in Salvador: $183
- Transfer DE Salvador Airport to Iberostar or Grand Palladium: $183
- Transfer: Salvador to/from Boipeba Island: $155
- Salvador Airport Private Transfer by 12-Seater Minivan: $150
- Airport Transfer-Grand Palladium Imbassai 5 to 10 people by Salvador Receptivo: $145
- Shared Transfer Salvador / Morro de São Paulo / Salvador: $144
- Costa de Sauipe Transfer - Private Executive Van: $142
- Transfer Grand Palladium - Private Executive Van: $132
- Private Transfer to Salvador Airport from Praia do Forte: $130
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Galapagos Islands
Also for Galapagos Islands, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Baltra Airport to Hotels in Santa Cruz Island: $137
- Private Transfer from Hotels in Santa Cruz to Baltra Airport: $137
Is it cheaper to fly into Salvador or Galapagos Islands?
Prices for flights to both Galapagos Islands 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 $23Galapagos Islands $55
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: $71
- 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: $121
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Salvador $5.76Galapagos Islands $35
Tours and Activities in Salvador
Here are a few actual costs in Salvador for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- "Memories of Salvador" a 6 hour city tour thru times: $141
- 3-Hour Private Tour of Salvador Capital Afro-Brazilian: $110
- Afro Tour Walking - Walking: $34
- 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
- Beach Daytour to Praia do Forte, get to know the Coconut Coast: $129
- 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
Tours and Activities in Galapagos Islands
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Galapagos Islands.
- Giant Turtle Watching and Lava Tunnels Tour: $40
- Bay Tour in Santa Cruz - Galapagos Islands: $60
- Isabela Island Tour in Galapagos with Kayak: $64
- Hiking Tour to Sierra Negra Volcano: $67
- Half Day Bay Tour in Santa Cruz Island: $75
- BiciTour Giant Turtles and Lava Tunnel in Galapagos: $90
- Kayaking Experience in Franklin Bay: $95
- Walk Inside an Active Volcano: Sulfur Mines Fumaroles Experience: $99
- Tintoreras Islet Tour from Isabela - Hiking & Snorkeling: $108
- Santa Cruz Highland Tour: Giant Tortoises, Lava Tunnel & Gemelos: $158
- Full Day Tour Pinzon Island + La Fe/Las Palmas - Snorkeling & Fishing: $175
- Beach Wildlife and Snorkel Adventure with Underwater Specialist: $179
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySalvador $5.47Galapagos Islands $15
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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Salvador and Galapagos Islands, we can see that Galapagos Islands 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 Galapagos Islands would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Galapagos Islands 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 Galapagos Islands Expensive?.
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.