A Travel Price Comparison for Brazil Salvador vs. Ilha Grande for Food, Couples, Backpackers, and Families

Should you visit Salvador or Ilha Grande?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Salvador or Ilha Grande, 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.

Salvador

Salvador is a cultural, historical, and authentic city. Visitors also love the beaches, shopping, and museums. See Salvador travel costs.

Ilha Grande

Ilha Grande offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include food and scuba diving and snorkeling. See Ilha Grande travel costs.

Salvador and Ilha Grande: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Salvador or Ilha Grande?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Salvador. Although Salvador and Ilha Grande are both popular with visitors, Salvador has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Salvador is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, beaches, historical sights, and shopping, while Ilha Grande is known for its scuba diving & snorkeling and impressive beauty. Salvador is more touristy than Ilha Grande and is popular for its West African influence, rich culinary scene, and colonial architecture. It is also home to São Francisco. Ilha Grande is popular for

How is Salvador different from Ilha Grande?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Ilha Grande and Salvador. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Salvador or Ilha Grande?

Salvador is a very popular place for its museums and history. However, Ilha Grande does not have museums and landmarks.

Salvador offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Many of the main sights are found in the historic part of town. In this area you'll find the Museu da Cidade, the Abelardo Rodrigues Museum, and the Casa do Benin. There are many ornate churches as well such as the São Francisco and the Carmelite Church.

Ilha Grande does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Salvador or Ilha Grande? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Salvador is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Ilha Grande is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Salvador has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The city has rich African roots that are noticeable in the cuisine around town. Buffets have become popular in restaurants and many places offer a lunch buffet. They range in price and quality and you often pay by the weight. Common dishes include moqueca (seafood stew), vatapá (a type of curry), and acarajé (fried balls of beans and shrimp).

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Ilha Grande area. The island still has a quiet, local vibe and that can be seen in the restaurants around town as well. Many places are locally owned and serve up traditional dishes. In particular, the seafood is excellent.

Is Salvador or Ilha Grande Better for Nightlife?

Salvador is a very popular place for nightlife and partying. However, Ilha Grande is lacking in good options for its evening party scene.

Salvador has a large number of nightlife venues. Head to the old city for a mix of local music and authentic Brazilian activities. Further out, along the stretches of beach, you'll find larger music venues and dance clubs. The atmosphere is laid back and relaxed throughout the city and you'll find a very local vibe in many neighborhoods.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Ilha Grande. It's a quiet island with a national park and most people visit specifically to get away from the busy and active city scene.

Is Salvador or Ilha Grande Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Ilha Grande is well known for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Salvador is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors go to Ilha Grande to enjoy scuba diving and snorkeling. There are several places where you can rent snorkeling or dive equipment. The area has coral and tropical fish, with the occasional sea turtle sighting. The visibility is generally good and the experience is worth enjoying, but make sure you check on water conditions.

Salvador is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Salvador or Ilha Grande Better for Beaches?

Salvador is a very popular place for the beach. However, Ilha Grande is not a beach destination.

Salvador is considered a top beach destination. Many of the beaches are sandy with warm water and tidal pools to explore. The most popular beach is Praia Farol da Barra, which can get crowded. North of the city is the more relaxed Praia Farol de Itapuã and if you want to learn to surf, head to Praia da Jaguaribe, which is home to several surfing schools.

Ilha Grande is not a beach destination.

Is Salvador or Ilha Grande Better for its Old Town?

Salvador is a popular place for its old town. However, Ilha Grande does not have a historic old town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Salvador. The city served as the first Portuguese capital and today it still has colonial architecture and a historic atmosphere. At the historic heart of the city is the Pelourinho neighborhood, which has nice squares and cobblestone streets.

Ilha Grande does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Salvador or Ilha Grande?

Salvador is a popular place for its shopping opportunities. However, Ilha Grande is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Salvador. There are many local markets and shops around town where you can pick up traditional Brazilian items and artisan crafts.

Ilha Grande is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Salvador or Ilha Grande More Beautiful?

Ilha Grande is a nice place to visit for its scenery and beauty. However, Salvador is not a destination known for its beauty.

Ilha Grande offers plenty of beauty for visitors. The secluded beaches and surrounding nature make this a beautiful island to explore. It's made up of a national park and there are hiking trails and many scenic spots.

Salvador is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Salvador or Ilha Grande Better for Families?

Ilha Grande is a nice place to visit for its family-friendly activities. However, Salvador is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Ilha Grande. Most families who visit the island come for the beaches. There are also many nice hikes, waterfalls, and even wildlife that the kids will enjoy. In the village there are a few restaurants. Many aren't geared specifically to kids, but they do have a selection that kids might enjoy.

For families, Salvador is not always the best place to visit. It has a reputation for being dangerous, so many families don't plan to spend much time here, but the city has parks, recreational activities like climbing, and a number of kid-friendly museums to explore. There are also many ice cream shops and family-friendly restaurants.

Is Salvador or Ilha Grande Better for Couples?

Salvador and Ilha Grande are both very good to visit as a couple.

Couples visit Salvador frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The historical center is charming and the perfect place to explore as a couple. There are also parks around town and many cultural experiences that visitors truly enjoy.

Ilha Grande is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Scenic beaches and beautiful nature make this a wonderful couples retreat that's not far from Rio de Janeiro. The beaches have a more relaxed and quiet vibe than many places in Brazil and the island still holds on to its undiscovered atmosphere.

Is Salvador or Ilha Grande Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Salvador and Ilha Grande are very good places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Salvador is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. Backpackers love the historical architecture and the authenticity that this city offers. There are also a number of hostels around town.

Ilha Grande is very popular with the backpacker crowd. It is possible to reach the island with a backpacker's budget, but it will take you more time than if you hire a private tour. Once you're on the island there are some hostels and budget hotels to choose from as well.

Is Salvador or Ilha Grande Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Salvador is a popular place for times when you don't have a car. However, Ilha Grande is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Salvador has some public transit options. There are buses around town that are divided into two different classes - the common bus and the executive bus.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Ilha Grande. You'll need to take a boat to reach the island, and once you're there, there are not vehicles around.

Is Salvador or Ilha Grande a more walkable city?

Ilha Grande is well known for its ease of walking around. However, Salvador is not particularly known for its walkability.

Ilha Grande is a very walkable destination. There are no cars on the island and very few roads. You'll spend a lot of time hiking around, which is the best way to enjoy the island. They don't call it "big island" for no reason though, so make sure you understand the distance between destinations.

Salvador is generally not a very walkable city. While it's possible to walk around town, you should really understand which areas are safe and which parts of town are dangerous. Sometimes the dangerous areas are just a couple of blocks that are surrounded by an otherwise safe neighborhood, so you should really understand where you are before heading out on foot.

Should I spend more time in Ilha Grande or Salvador?

How long in Salvador or Ilha Grande?

It's fun to spend time in either Salvador or Ilha Grande. In our opinion, Salvador has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Salvador than Ilha Grande. In general, 3-4 days is a good amount of time for Salvador, and 2-4 days is enough time in Ilha Grande.

Families should spend more time in Ilha Grande than Salvador. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Ilha Grande, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Salvador than Ilha Grande. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Salvador that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Salvador than Ilha Grande if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Salvador.

One day in Salvador or Ilha Grande?

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Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historical city of Salvador. It's also a great beach destination, too. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

The of Ilha Grande offers scuba diving and snorkeling and food. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Salvador or Ilha Grande?

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Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the historical destination of Salvador. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This city offers something for everyone. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Ilha Grande is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Ilha Grande, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Salvador or Ilha Grande?

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The cultural city of Salvador offers shopping and museums. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Ilha Grande is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Salvador or Ilha Grande?

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Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Salvador. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people come for the beaches. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Ilha Grande is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Brazil, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Brazil, The Best Luxury Tours to Brazil, and The Best Budget Tours to Brazil.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Salvador and Ilha Grande, we can see that Ilha Grande 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 Ilha Grande would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ilha Grande 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 Ilha Grande Expensive?.