Which place is cheaper, Ilha Grande or Salvador?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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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.
Where Should I go: Salvador or Ilha Grande?
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.
Ilha Grande
Ilha Grande is a large, beautiful, island located off the southeast coast of Brazil. The island has few inhabitants, resulting in mostly unadulterated beaches and landscapes. There are over a dozen trails and beaches to explore, some of which have been called the best beaches in Brazil. Due to the limited number of inhabitants, ATMs are sparse on the island, so be sure to have cash with you before getting there.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to Brazil, The Best G Adventures Tours to Brazil, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Rio de Janeiro, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Foz Do Iguacu.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySalvador $41Ilha Grande $64
The average daily cost (per person) in Salvador is $41, while the average daily cost in Ilha Grande is $64. 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 Ilha Grande in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSalvador $22Ilha Grande $35
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSalvador $44Ilha Grande $70
Compare Hotels in Salvador and Ilha Grande
Looking for a hotel in Salvador or Ilha Grande? 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 $5.64Ilha Grande $17
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$1.10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Salvador
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Salvador:
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Salvador HTL-APT(SSA): $66
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Salvador APT-HTL(SSA): $66
- Transfers: Airport, Hotels, Maritime Terminals, Bus Station.: $24
- Transfers between Salvador and Barra Grande Maraú: $260
- Transfer: Salvador to/from Praia do Forte/Guarajuba: $56
- Transfer: Salvador to/from Boipeba Island: $117
- Transfer to Sauipe Iberostar Palladium and Galé: $46
- Transfer to Iberostar Selection Praia do Forte or Bahia: $40
- Transfer in Salvador: $129
- Transfer between Salvador Airport and Costa do Sauipe: $87
- Transfer Vila Galé Mares (Guarajuba) - Executive Van - Private: $111
- Transfer Vila Galé Marés (Guarajuba) - Private: $66
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ilha Grande
Also for Ilha Grande, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From Angra dos Reis: Shared Transfer to Rio de Janeiro: $56
- From Angra dos Reis: Speedboat Transfer to Araçatiba: $25
- From Araçatiba: Speedboat Transfer to Angra dos Reis: $25
- From Shared Transfer to Rio de Janeiro: $43
- From Speedboat Transfer to Angra dos Reis: $25
- From Rio de Janeiro:Shared Roundtrip Transfer to Araçatiba: $97
- Private Transfer Angra dos Reis to Rio de Janeiro: $91
- Private Transfer from Angra dos Reis to Airport GIG in Rio : $174
- Private Transfer from GIG to anywhere in the City Angra dos Reis: $174
- Regular Transfer Angra dos Reis x Rio de Janeiro and Airports: $34
Is it cheaper to fly into Salvador or Ilha Grande?
Prices for flights to both Ilha Grande 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 $12Ilha Grande $19
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$1.28
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Salvador
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Salvador.
- Bahia Noite - Folkloric Show and Dinner, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil: $68
- 9-Recipe Boozy Cooking Class in Salvador: $85
- 9-Recipe Boozy Cooking Class with Market Visit: $85
- Folk Show - Bahia Night (Dinner Included) by Salvador Receptivo: $110
- Private Bahian Cooking Class - An Amazing Experience!: $113
- Salvador by Night: Cultural Dinner and Show: $121
- Culinary Afro-Brazilian Delights & Churrascaria dinner.: $124
- Private Cooking Experience with local in Salvador: $130
- CITY ESCAPE: Relax on night in Paradies with Breakfast & Dinner: $139
- Cultural Folkloric Show and Dinner in Salvador: $140
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Salvador $5.32Ilha Grande $6.20
Tours and Activities in Salvador
Here are a few actual costs in Salvador for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Afro-Brazilian Roots city Tour in Salvador with lunch at Favela: $180
- "Memories of Salvador" a 6 hour city tour thru times : $132
- 3-Hour Private Tour of Salvador Capital Afro-Brazilian: $60
- Afro-Brazilian Roots Private City Tour in Salvador": $93
- Bahia 500 Years Historic Tour, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil: $25
- Beach Daytour to Praia do Forte, get to know the Coconut Coast: $121
- Bike Rentals and Bike Tours: $144
- Cachoeira Countryside Flavor Private Tour from Salvador: $160
- Candomblé Cerimony Tour: $56
- Candomble Religion Mysteries Private Tour in Salvador: $180
- City Tour in Salvador Discover the first capital of Brazil: $148
- Coconut Beach Costal day tour with Lunch at the Jaquipe River: $176
Tours and Activities in Ilha Grande
For Ilha Grande, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Boat Tour To The Beaches Of Angra Dos Reis: $20
- Ilha Grande - From Abrãao: Lopes Mendes beach tour & trekking: $25
- Walking Abraão Historical Tour and Natural Pool: $33
- Half-Day Ilha Grande Schooner Tour: $40
- Tour Of The Motorboat The Paradisiac Islands Of Angra Dos Reis: $41
- Schooner Cruise with Caipirinha drinks by the Blue Lagoon: $50
- Angra dos Reis with Speedboat Tour and Paradise Islands: $58
- Rio de Janeiro: Ilha Grande with Boat Tour & Optional Lunch: $58
- Ilha Grande - Private Historical Walking Tour with Natural Pool.: $60
- Angra Dos Reis Daily Tour To Paradise. Boat Trip Lunch And Fruits Included: $65
- Full-Day Ilha Grande Northern Coast Speedboat Tour: $67
- From Rio: Full-Day Angra dos Reis Cruise & Island Tour: $70
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySalvador $5.05Ilha Grande $9.94
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$1.28
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Drinks$2.56
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: $100
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?.
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.