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

Should you visit Salvador or Iquique?

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

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

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.

Iquique

Located in a golden crescent of coastline, the beautiful beach city with an ocean that's several shades of blue and a historic centre that offers the perfect balance of culture and relaxation is counted among Chile's premier beach resorts. The city is home to the duty free zone called "Zofri" and a growing number of high rise resort hotels along its beaches. Slightly more expensive and polluted than neighboring population centers, such as Arica, Iquique and its chaotic duty-free shopping zone (zona franca) have become the perfect summer holiday destination for Chilean families.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Brazil, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Brazil, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Chile, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Chile.


Which place is cheaper, Iquique or Salvador?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Salvador is $44, while the average daily cost in Iquique is $96. 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 Iquique in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Salvador $24
    Iquique $43
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Salvador $48
    Iquique $86
Compare Hotels in Salvador and Iquique

Looking for a hotel in Salvador or Iquique? 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 Iquique


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 $6.02
    Iquique $23
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Salvador

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


  • 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 Iquique

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

  • Sandboard activity in Iquique with transfer: $60

Is it cheaper to fly into Salvador or Iquique?

Prices for flights to both Iquique 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 $13
    Iquique $34
Typical Food Prices in Salvador

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


  • 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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Salvador $5.67
    Iquique $27

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 Iquique

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

  • City tour of Iquique with navigation to the Esmeralda buoy: $50
  • Guided City Tour with Boat Trip to Esmeralda Buoy: $60
  • City Tour in Iquique: $89
  • Pintados Geoglyphs, Humberstone and Salar Crespo tour: $145

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Salvador $5.38
    Iquique $20
Typical Alcohol Prices in Salvador

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


  • Beers for 2
    $1.37
  • 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 Iquique, we can see that Iquique 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 Iquique would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Iquique 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 Iquique Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Salvador or Iquique?

Salvador has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Iquique. When comparing the sizes of Salvador and Iquique, 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.