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

Should you visit Salvador or Humahuaca?

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

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

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.

Humahuaca

Located in the northwest region of Argentina, Humahuaca is a town nearly 3000m high in elevation, found on the border of the rio Grande. It is the largest settlement with the biggest population along the famous quebrada de Humahuaca gorge, but it has managed to keep its authenticity with its cobblestoned streets, adobe houses, quaint plazas filled with inhabitants of Andean traits and handicraft shops. If you have the chance to visit Humahuaca in February, during the carnival, you will appreciate how traditions are kept alive in this part of Argentina. Humahuaca has become a popular tourist destination in Argentina because of its beautiful setting next to the spectacular Serranía de Hornocal (colored mountains). While most visitors rapidly make their way through Humahuaca before continuing to the other two main Quebrada towns, Pumamarca and Tilcara, some enjoy spending a night or two there. Indeed, the town offers a perfect starting point to visit the region and has a few interesting landmarks not to miss, such as the historic church and Soto Avendano's Independence Monument. If you decide to stay in Humahuaca, remember that nights get chilly and ask the tourist office for any information (in the Cabildo, on the main square, opened Monday to Friday from 7h to 21h and Saturday from 9h to 12h and 13h to 16h and only Sunday mornings).

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Brazil, The Best 10-Day Tours in Brazil, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Argentina, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Argentina.


Which place is cheaper, Humahuaca or Salvador?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Salvador is $54, while the average daily cost in Humahuaca is $59. 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 Humahuaca in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Salvador $24
    Humahuaca $45
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Salvador $48
    Humahuaca $90
Compare Hotels in Salvador and Humahuaca

Looking for a hotel in Salvador or Humahuaca? 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 Humahuaca


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 $6.11
    Humahuaca $3.67
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Salvador

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


  • 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
  • Transfer in Salvador: $181
  • Transfer DE Salvador Airport to Iberostar or Grand Palladium: $179
  • 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
  • Costa de Sauipe Transfer - Private Executive Van: $141
  • Private Transfer from Salvador Airport: $137
  • Transfer Airport-Praia do Forte / Guarajuba 5 to 10 people by Salvador Receptivo: $135
  • Transfer Grand Palladium - Private Executive Van: $131
  • Private Transfer | One-Way Only (Arrival or Departure): $130

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Humahuaca

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

  • From Salta: 2-Day Cachi and Humahuaca Tour with Transfer: $66

Is it cheaper to fly into Salvador or Humahuaca?

Prices for flights to both Humahuaca 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 $23
    Humahuaca $5.04
Typical Food Prices in Salvador

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


  • 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: $70
  • 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: $120

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Salvador $5.76
    Humahuaca $25

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
  • Bahia 500 Years Historic Tour, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil: $25
  • Basílica do Senhor do Bonfim Salvador Private Walking Tour: $90
  • 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
  • City Tour Salvador Panoramic: $20
  • City Tour in Salvador - Half Day: $20

Tours and Activities in Humahuaca

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Humahuaca.

  • Hornocal: Full-Day Tour to the Hill of Seven Colors: $65
  • Tilcara: Humahuaca Tour + Hornocal + Quebrada de las Señoritas (Triple Combo): $95

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Salvador $5.47
    Humahuaca $5.98
Typical Alcohol Prices in Salvador

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


  • Beers for 2
    $1.39
  • Drinks
    $2.78


When comparing the travel costs between Salvador and Humahuaca, we can see that Humahuaca 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 Humahuaca Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Salvador or Humahuaca?

Salvador has a larger population, and is about 240 times larger than the population of Humahuaca. When comparing the sizes of Salvador and Humahuaca, 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.