A Travel Price Comparison for Brazil Salvador vs. Manaus for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Salvador or Manaus?

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

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

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.

Manaus

Manaus is a Brazilian city, capital of the state of Amazonas, and is located on the Rio Negro a few miles before it meets the Rio Solimões to form the Amazon River. The city is a major departure point for those visiting the Amazon Rainforest, though there are a few sights worth seeing within the city itself as well.

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


Which place is cheaper, Manaus 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 Manaus 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 Manaus in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Salvador $24
    Manaus $42
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Salvador $48
    Manaus $84
Compare Hotels in Salvador and Manaus

Looking for a hotel in Salvador or Manaus? 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 Manaus


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 Manaus Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Salvador $6.02
    Manaus $7.94
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:

  • 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 between Salvador and Barra Grande Maraú: $284
  • Transfer: Salvador to/from Praia do Forte/Guarajuba: $61
  • Transfer: Salvador to/from Boipeba Island: $128
  • Transfer Salvador Airport / Hotel Litoral Norte: $23
  • Transfer Morro de Sao Paulo round trip: $107
  • Transfer Iberostar Bahia / Praia do Forte - Private: $49
  • Transfer Hotel in Salvador / Salvador Airport: $23
  • Transfer Grand Palladium - Private Executive Van: $146
  • Transfer Grand Palladium (Imbassai) - Private: $51
  • Transfer Airport-Praia do Forte / Guarajuba 1 to 4 people by Salvador Receptivo: $58

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Manaus

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

  • 24-hour hotel transfer - airport in Manaus: $17
  • 24-hour private group transfer service airport -> hotel: $97
  • Manaus Airport (MAO) to Manaus hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $24
  • Manaus Airport(MAO) to Manaus hotels- Round-Trip Private Transfer: $48
  • Manaus hotels to Manaus Airport(MAO) - Departure Private Transfer: $24
  • Manaus private Airport transfer: $30
  • Manaus to Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) - Departure Private Transfer: $23
  • Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) to Manaus - Arrival Private Transfer: $21
  • Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) to Manaus - Arrival Private Transfer: $23
  • Private 24-hour transfer from the Hotel to the Airport in Manaus: $16
  • Private Transfer - Airport - Hotel / Hotel - Airport: $35
  • Private Transfer 24h Airport to Hotel in Manaus: $16

Is it cheaper to fly into Salvador or Manaus?

Prices for flights to both Manaus 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
    Manaus $12
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

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Manaus

For Manaus, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Folklore Amazonian Dinner Show: $42
  • Food Tour: $50

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Salvador $5.67
    Manaus -

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 Manaus

For Manaus, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Walking Tours in Manaus: $15
  • Like a Local Customized Guided Welcome Tour: $30
  • Manaus City Tour e Musa: $50
  • MUSA and INPA Museums with Observation Tower Tour: $50
  • City Tour in Manaus at Teatro Amazonas and Praça da Matriz: $50
  • Half-Day City Tour: $54
  • Full-Day Tour on the Amazon River: $55
  • Amazon Negro River Half-Day Expedition Tour: $55
  • Manaus Sightseeing Tour: $64
  • Solimoes River Piranha Fishing and Alligator Watching Tour: $66
  • Tour to Presidente Figueiredo Waterfalls: $68
  • Amazon Waterfalls Tour: $70

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Salvador $5.38
    Manaus $2.84
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 Manaus, we can see that Manaus 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 Manaus would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Manaus 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 Manaus Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Salvador or Manaus?

Salvador has a larger population, and is about 70% larger than the population of Manaus. When comparing the sizes of Salvador and Manaus, 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.


When is the best time to visit Salvador or Manaus?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.

Should I visit Salvador or Manaus in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Salvador as well as Manaus.

In January, Salvador is generally around the same temperature as Manaus. Daily temperatures in Salvador average around 27°C (81°F), and Manaus fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Salvador this time of the year. In the summer, Salvador often gets more sunshine than Manaus. Salvador gets 246 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Manaus receives 114 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Manaus. Salvador receives a lot of rain in the summer. Salvador usually gets less rain in January than Manaus. Salvador gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Manaus receives 264 mm (10.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January
    Salvador 27°C (81°F) 
    Manaus 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Salvador or Manaus in the Autumn?

Both Manaus and Salvador are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.

Salvador is around the same temperature as Manaus in the autumn. The daily temperature in Salvador averages around 26°C (80°F) in April, and Manaus fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

Salvador usually receives more sunshine than Manaus during autumn. Salvador gets 190 hours of sunny skies, while Manaus receives 112 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Manaus. It's quite rainy in Salvador. In April, Salvador usually receives around the same amount of rain as Manaus. Salvador gets 310 mm (12.2 in) of rain, while Manaus receives 311 mm (12.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April
    Salvador 26°C (80°F) 
    Manaus 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Salvador or Manaus in the Winter?

Both Manaus and Salvador during the winter are popular places to visit.

In the winter, Salvador is cooler than Manaus. Typically, the winter temperatures in Salvador in July average around 24°C (75°F), and Manaus averages at about 28°C (82°F).

In Manaus, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Salvador often gets less sunshine than Manaus. Salvador gets 181 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Manaus receives 214 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Salvador. Salvador usually gets more rain in July than Manaus. Salvador gets 175 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Manaus receives 85 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July
    Salvador 24°C (75°F) 
    Manaus 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Salvador or Manaus in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Salvador and Manaus.

In October, Salvador is generally cooler than Manaus. Daily temperatures in Salvador average around 26°C (78°F), and Manaus fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).

In Salvador, it's very sunny this time of the year. Salvador usually receives more sunshine than Manaus during spring. Salvador gets 228 hours of sunny skies, while Manaus receives 171 hours of full sun in the spring.

Manaus receives a lot of rain in the spring. Salvador gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Salvador usually receives around the same amount of rain as Manaus. Salvador gets 115 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Manaus receives 113 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October
    Salvador 26°C (78°F) 
    Manaus 29°C (84°F)

Typical Weather for Manaus and Salvador

Salvador Manaus
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 27°C (81°F) 138 mm (5.4 in) 27°C (81°F) 264 mm (10.4 in)
Feb 27°C (81°F) 142 mm (5.6 in) 27°C (81°F) 290 mm (11.4 in)
Mar 27°C (81°F) 152 mm (6 in) 27°C (81°F) 335 mm (13.2 in)
Apr 26°C (80°F) 310 mm (12.2 in) 28°C (82°F) 311 mm (12.3 in)
May 26°C (78°F) 360 mm (14.2 in) 27°C (81°F) 279 mm (11 in)
Jun 25°C (76°F) 244 mm (9.6 in) 28°C (82°F) 115 mm (4.5 in)
Jul 24°C (75°F) 175 mm (6.9 in) 28°C (82°F) 85 mm (3.4 in)
Aug 24°C (75°F) 127 mm (5 in) 28°C (83°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
Sep 25°C (77°F) 102 mm (4 in) 29°C (84°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Oct 26°C (78°F) 115 mm (4.5 in) 29°C (84°F) 113 mm (4.4 in)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 137 mm (5.4 in) 28°C (83°F) 174 mm (6.8 in)
Dec 26°C (80°F) 143 mm (5.6 in) 28°C (82°F) 220 mm (8.6 in)