Which place is cheaper, Guatemala City 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 Guatemala City?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Salvador or Guatemala City, 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 Guatemala City?
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.
Guatemala City
Referred to by the locals as "Guate," Guatemala City is the largest and most modern city in Guatemala, as well as its capital. While the atmosphere of the place is big, dirty, and dangerous with city fumes and skyscrapers, it is the hub of the country. It is the place where travelers first step foot into Guatemala and, though it is a place of modern chaos, it does have some of the best galleries and museums as well as a selection of bars, cafes, and restaurants.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Brazil, The Best 10-Day Tours in Brazil, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Guatemala, and The Best Adventure Tours to Guatemala.
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Salvador Prices
Brazil PricesGuatemala City Prices
Guatemala Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySalvador $52Guatemala City $56
The average daily cost (per person) in Salvador is $52, while the average daily cost in Guatemala City is $56. 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 Guatemala City in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSalvador $24Guatemala City $25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSalvador $48Guatemala City $50
Compare Hotels in Salvador and Guatemala City
Looking for a hotel in Salvador or Guatemala City? 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 and Guatemala City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Salvador $5.91Guatemala City $6.28
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$1.15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Salvador
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Salvador:
- Arrival or Departure Shared Transfer from Airport to hotels in Salvador: $15
- Private Transfer to Salvador de Bahia Airport (SSA): $17
- Private Transfer from Salvador de Bahia Airport (SSA): $17
- Tourism and Transfer Salvador and Morro de São Paulo: $25
- Salvador Airport Transfer to Salvador City Hotels: $26
- Shared Transfer - North Coast: $27
- Private Transfer and City Tour in Salvador.: $27
- Transfer Hotel in Salvador / Salvador Airport: $30
- Transfer Salvador Airport / Hotel in Salvador: $30
- Roundtrip Private Transfer from Salvador de Bahia airport (SSA): $33
- Salvador Airport (SSA) to Salvador - Arrival Private Transfer: $37
- Transfer Hotel Litoral Norte / Salvador Airport: $37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guatemala City
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guatemala City:
- Airport Transfer for Large Groups – Private Bus: $195
- From Guatemala City One way shared transfer to Semuc Champey: $49
- From One way shared transfer to El Paredon: $59
- Guatemala Airport (GUA) to San Felipe de Lara - Arrival Transfer: $179
- Guatemala Airport Roundtrip Transfer to Antigua Guatemala: $56
- Guatemala City Airport (GUA) to Quetzaltenango-Arrival Transfer: $160
- One way Shared Transfer to Antigua: $24
- One way private transfer to Antigua: $69
- One way shared transfer to Panajachel: $44
- Private Museums Tour with Transfers: $225
- La Aurora Airport (GUA): One-Way Private Transfer to Antigua: $32
- PRIVATE TRANSFER From Airport/Guate City to ANTIGUA or Vice-versa: $42
Is it cheaper to fly into Salvador or Guatemala City?
Prices for flights to both Guatemala City 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 $22Guatemala City $27
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$1.34
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
- 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: $68
- Savour Salvador Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $75
- 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
- Bahia Noite - Folklore and Dinner Show, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil: $120
- Salvador by Night: Cultural Show and Dinner: $124
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guatemala City
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Guatemala City.
- Guatemala: Wine and Pizza Tasting Experience: $35
- Antigua: Authentic Guatemalan Cooking Class: $80
- Small-Group Cooking Class in Antigua from Guatemala City: $120
- Food Tour Zona 4: Dinner Date Experience: $125
- Antigua Market, Cooking Class and Choco Museum from Guatemala City: $188
- Pacaya Volcano Vistas + Enjoy Pizza with Great Volcano Views: $205
- Pacaya Volcano. Tour and pizza making on Volcanic Heat: $275
- Puerto Quetzal: Private Tour Pacaya Volcano 4x4 and Pizza: $550
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Salvador $5.57Guatemala City $1.23
Tours and Activities in Salvador
Here are a few actual costs in Salvador for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Salvador Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $5.12
- Authentic Bars Tour in Santo Antônio Beyond the Carmo!: $20
- Historic City Tour - Half Day in Salvador: $20
- City Tour Salvador Historica: $20
- City Tour in Salvador - Half Day: $20
- Beyond a Night Tour: An Autentic Bar Experience in Salvador: $22
- Historic City Tour in Salvador: $24
- Full Day Tour to Frades Islands + Itaparica: $25
- Walking tour historic Pelourinho: $25
- Salvador Panoramic City Tour: $25
- Salvador Historical City Center Tour: $25
- Bahia 500 Years Historic Tour, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil: $25
Tours and Activities in Guatemala City
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Guatemala City are as follows:
- Graffiti Walking Tour in 4 Grados Norte Guatemala City: $20
- Historic Center Walking Tour; Art and History: $27
- Volcano-Grown Coffee Tasting Experience: $28
- Half-Day Guatemala City Explorer Tour: $34
- Walking Tour: $35
- Walking Tour of Guatemala City's Historical Center: $35
- Guatemala city walking tour everyday 2 persons and up: $39
- Half Day Antigua Guatemala Tour: $40
- Private Tour in the Historic Center of Guatemala City: $45
- Guatemala City Express: Half-day city tour: $45
- Antigua Guatemala Express Half Day Colonial Charm Tour: $45
- City walking tour Guatemala City and Relieff Map: $47
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySalvador $5.29Guatemala City $6.97
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$1.34
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Drinks$2.69
Sample the Local Flavors in Guatemala City
Also in Guatemala City, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Guatemala City Legends Tour + Craft Beers at El Cadejo Brewery: $105
When comparing the travel costs between Salvador and Guatemala City, we can see that Guatemala City 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. Even though Salvador is in South America and Guatemala City is in Central America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Salvador Expensive? and Is Guatemala City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Salvador or Guatemala City?
Salvador has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Guatemala City. When comparing the sizes of Salvador and Guatemala City, 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.