Which place is cheaper, La Paz 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 La Paz?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Salvador or La Paz, 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 La Paz?
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.
La Paz
La Paz, the administrative capital of Bolivia, has a breathtaking setting. The city is the highest national capital in the world, with an altitude ranging from about 4,058 m (13,313 ft) above sea level in El Alto, where the airport is located, to 3,100 m (10,170 ft) in the lower residential area. The dynamic and chaotic city was built in a canyon created by the Choqueyapu River. La Paz is now a fusion of architectural styles, cultures and beliefs, welcoming everyday new boutique hotels, modern shops, delicious restaurants and reinventing standing establishments. However, generally speaking, Bolivia remains more a backpacker hit than a mainstream tourist destination.
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 Bolivia, and The Best Budget Tours to Bolivia.
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Salvador Prices
Brazil PricesLa Paz Prices
Bolivia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySalvador $53La Paz $34
The average daily cost (per person) in Salvador is $53, while the average daily cost in La Paz is $34. 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 La Paz in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSalvador $24La Paz $9.63
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSalvador $48La Paz $19
Compare Hotels in Salvador and La Paz
Looking for a hotel in Salvador or La Paz? 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 La Paz Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Salvador $5.99La Paz $5.66
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$1.17
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 APT-HTL(SSA): $92
- Transfers between Salvador and Barra Grande Maraú: $290
- Transfer: Salvador to/from Praia do Forte/Guarajuba: $79
- Transfer: Salvador to/from Boipeba Island: $155
- Transfer to Sauipe Iberostar Palladium and Galé: $50
- Transfer roundtrip in Salvador with Historical City Tour: $72
- Transfer in Salvador: $179
- Transfer and return from DE Airport to Hotels in Salvador: $56
- Transfer Salvador and North Bayano Coast: $99
- Transfer Salvador Airport / Hotel in Salvador: $29
- Transfer Salvador - Morro DE São Paulo - Salvador: $57
- Transfer Minivan 8 places: $89
Typical Local Transportation Prices in La Paz
Some typical examples of transportation costs in La Paz are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$0.35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in La Paz
Also for La Paz, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Bus Station Transfer In_day: $25
- Bus Station Transfer Out_day: $25
- Bus Station Transfer Out_night: $25
- Cholitas Wrestling Ticket – La Paz Show + Transfer: $30
- From 3-Day Uyuni Salt Flats Tour with Bus Transfers: $190
- From Uyuni Salt Flats 2-Day Tour with Bus Transfers: $208
- From Uyuni Salt Flats 2-Day Tour with Bus Transfers: $260
- From Uyuni Salt Flats 3-Day Tour with Bus Transfers: $209
- From Uyuni Salt Flats 3-Day Tour with Bus Transfers: $170
- From Uyuni Salt Flats 3-Day Tour with Bus Transfers: $190
- La Paz - Uyuni: Comfortable Private Transfer with Tour Guide: $250
- Cholitas Wrestling Tickets and Transfer: $25
Is it cheaper to fly into Salvador or La Paz?
Prices for flights to both La Paz 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 $22La Paz $17
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$1.36
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
- Cooking class in Salvador, fun hands on experience with caips: $66
- 4h Cooking Class in 9 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $68
- 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
- Salvador by Night: Cultural Show and Dinner: $124
- Bahia Noite - Folklore and Dinner Show, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil: $131
Typical Food Prices in La Paz
For La Paz, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Fruit$0.43
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in La Paz
For La Paz, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Morning Food Tour with Cable Car & Local Markets: $27
- Bolivian Cooking Class: $30
- Learn Bolivian Cuisine/Cooking Class: $40
- Paceño Plates La Paz Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $49
- La Paz : Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $77
- Real Street Food Tour La Paz: $100
- Real Street Food Tour with Guide: $100
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Salvador $5.65La Paz $9.44
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: $80
- 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
- Beach Daytour to Praia do Forte, get to know the Coconut Coast: $129
- Beyond a Night Tour: An Autentic Bar Experience in Salvador: $22
- Brazilian Tasting experience Amazing Foods of Salvador da Bahia: $55
- City Tour Salvador Historica: $20
- City Tour in Salvador - Half Day: $20
- Cruise Ship Special Private Tour Salvador da Bahia Historic Old Town Bonfim and Barra: $178
- Culinary Traditions Tour: $180
Tours and Activities in La Paz
For La Paz, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Walking tour of the city of La Paz: $2.50
- Walking city tour La Paz: $2.50
- La Paz Half-Day Walking Tour: $3.00
- Be a Local - La Paz Walking Tour: $8.00
- City Walking Tour in La Paz: $8.00
- Be a Local Walking Tour: $8.00
- Private Viewpoint Tour with Snacks and Photos: $9.00
- La Paz Walking City tour plus Cable cars: $10
- Chualluma Street Art and Cholita Fashion Tour: $10
- City Tour plus Cable Car La Paz: $10
- Walking and Cable Car City Tour; Urban Experience: $14
- La Paz and El Alto: Cable Car Rides and Walking Tour: $15
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySalvador $5.36La Paz $6.40
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$1.36
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Drinks$2.72
Sample the Local Flavors in La Paz
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in La Paz:
- Pub Crawl with VIP Entry and Welcome Shot: $24
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Salvador and La Paz, we can see that Salvador is more expensive. And not only is La Paz much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to La Paz would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in La Paz 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 Salvador would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Salvador than you might in La Paz.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Salvador Expensive? and Is La Paz Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Salvador or La Paz?
Salvador has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of La Paz. When comparing the sizes of Salvador and La Paz, 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.