Which place is cheaper, Galapagos Islands or Salvador?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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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 Eco Tours in Brazil, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Brazil, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Ecuador, and The Best Honeymoon Tours in Ecuador.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySalvador $44Galapagos Islands $138
The average daily cost (per person) in Salvador is $44, while the average daily cost in Galapagos Islands is $138. 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 $6.02Galapagos 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$1.17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Salvador
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Salvador:
- Ivan Bahia, Private Transfer Salvador BA to Lençois (Chapada Diamantina): $299
- Transfers between Salvador and Barra Grande Maraú: $284
- Costa de Sauipe Transfer - Private Executive Van: $156
- Transfer Grand Palladium - Private Executive Van: $146
- Private Transfer to/from Salvador Airport to/from Praia do Forte: $140
- Private Transfer from Salvador Airport: $132
- Private Transfer to/from Sauipe Resort By Minivan one way: $130
- Shared Transfer Salvador / Morro de São Paulo / Salvador: $130
- Transfer: Salvador to/from Boipeba Island: $128
- Private Transfer from Salvador International Airport to Salvador: $110
- Transfer Morro de Sao Paulo round trip: $107
- Iberostar Praia do Forte, In/Out transfers: $97
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: $144
- Private Transfer from Hotels in Santa Cruz to Baltra Airport: $138
- Transfer from Santa Cruz Island to Isabela Island: $55
- Transfer from Santa Cruz Island to Isabela Island: $60
- Transfer from Santa Cruz Island to San Cristobal Island: $48
- Transfer from Santa Cruz Island to San Cristobal Island: $64
- Transfer in + Visit to the giant turtle nature reserve: $205
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 $13Galapagos Islands $33
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$1.37
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Salvador
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Salvador.
- 7-Recipe Boozy Cooking Class in Salvador: $75
- 7-Recipe Boozy Cooking Class in Salvador: $75
- Private Bahian Cooking Class - An Amazing Experience!: $113
- Private Cooking Experience with local in Salvador: $130
- Salvador by Night: Cultural Dinner and Show: $132
- Cultural Folkloric Show and Dinner in Salvador: $140
- Baiana Cooking Class with Market Visit & Lunch: $152
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Salvador $5.67Galapagos Islands $35
Tours and Activities in Salvador
Here are a few actual costs in Salvador for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Afro-Brazilian Roots Private City Tour in Salvador": $102
- Bahia 500 Years Historic Tour, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil: $25
- Cachoeira Countryside Flavor Private Tour from Salvador: $160
- Candomblé Cerimony Tour: $61
- Candomble Religion Mysteries Private Tour in Salvador: $80
- City Tour in Salvador Discover the first capital of Brazil - En: $136
- Costa de Camaçari Beach and Praia Tour: $130
- Cruise Ship Special Private Tour Salvador da Bahia Historic Old Town Bonfim and Barra: $151
- Easy Diving - Lord Beach Snorkeling - Leaving Forte Beach by Emytour: $33
- Fort Beach Tour and Tamar Project: $107
- Full City Tour Historic and Panoramic: $140
- Full Day Tour to Frades Islands + Itaparica: $21
Tours and Activities in Galapagos Islands
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Galapagos Islands.
- Private Tour Sighting Giant Tortoises and Lava Tunnels: $36
- Isabela Island Wetlands Walking Tour: $40
- Bay Tour in Santa Cruz - Galapagos Islands: $60
- Isabela Island Tour in Galapagos with Kayak and Snorkeling: $64
- FERRY TICKET From: Isabela / To: Santa Cruz (AM): $65
- FERRY TICKET From: Santa Cruz / To: San Cristobal (PM): $65
- Hiking Tour to Sierra Negra Volcano: $67
- Half Day Bay Tour in Santa Cruz Island: $72
- Private BiciTour Giant Tortoises and Lava Tunnel in Galapagos: $90
- Half Day Tour in Sierra Negra Volcano & Lava Fields: $90
- Kayaking Experience in Franklin Bay: $95
- Tintoreras Islet Tour from Isabela - Hiking & Snorkeling in Galapagos Islands: $99
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySalvador $5.38Galapagos 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$1.37
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Drinks$2.74
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: $105
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.