Which place is cheaper, Medellin 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 Medellin?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Salvador or Medellin, 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 Medellin?
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.
Medellin
In addition to big improvements in public safety, Medellin has witnessed a huge surge in urban development projects, including Colombia's first metro system and cable cars to service poorer neighborhoods located high on the mountain sides. There is an abundance of parks, libraries, museums and public spaces with many cultural events taking place. Many travelers also enjoy visiting the surrounding villages, where life is simple and landscapes and nature reserves are wonderful. Medellin has now become one of the "it" cities in the world, with tons of tourists visiting and foreigners settling and retiring here. Beautiful mountains, warm weather, friendly locals, and a vibrant culture are just a few of the reasons why you should visit Medellin.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Brazil, The Best 10-Day Tours in Brazil, The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, and The Best Eco Tours in Colombia.
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Salvador Prices
Brazil PricesMedellin Prices
Colombia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySalvador $54Medellin $31
The average daily cost (per person) in Salvador is $54, while the average daily cost in Medellin is $31. 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 Medellin in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSalvador $24Medellin $4.91
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSalvador $48Medellin $9.82
Compare Hotels in Salvador and Medellin
Looking for a hotel in Salvador or Medellin? 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 Medellin Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Salvador $6.11Medellin $4.28
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$1.19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Salvador
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Salvador:
- Airport Transfer x Salvador Hotel - Sedan 1 to 4 people: $45
- Airport Transfer-Grand Palladium Imbassai 1 to 4 people by Salvador Receptivo: $95
- Airport Transfer-Grand Palladium Imbassai 5 to 10 people by Salvador Receptivo: $145
- Arrival or Departure Shared Transfer from Airport to hotels in Salvador: $17
- Costa de Sauipe Transfer - Private Executive Van: $142
- Iberostar Bahia, Roundtrip Transfers: $105
- Praia do Forte Private Transfer From Salvador: $62
- Private Airport Transfer to Salvador: $80
- Private Airport Transfer: Salvador City → SSA Airport: $100
- Private Transfer Airport/Hotels in Salvador: $26
- Private Transfer From Sauípe to Salvador da Bahia: $100
- Private Transfer Salvador: $30
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Medellin
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Medellin:
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Taxi$1.71
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Medellin
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Medellin:
- Airport Transfers: $120
- Airport Transfers Medellín (per way): $50
- Arrival Transfer Medellin Airport MDE to Medellin City by Minivan: $167
- Guatapé Private Transfer: José María Córdova Airport: $48
- Medellín - Arboletes, Antioquia Transfer by Van: $50
- Medellín Airport Private Transfer Service (Departure): $35
- Medellín Private Transfer from Olaya Herrera (EOH) Airport to Medellín City: $47
- Medellín Private Transfer: José María Córdova Airport: $31
- Medellín to or from Guatapé Private Transfer: $78
- Medellín to or from Guatapé Private Transfer: $73
- Medellín: Guatapé and Medellín City Door-to-Door Transfer: $93
- Medellín: José María Córdova Airport Private Transfer: $33
Is it cheaper to fly into Salvador or Medellin?
Prices for flights to both Medellin 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 $23Medellin $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$1.39
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Salvador
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Salvador.
- Eat and drink before you fly: Cooking class near Salvador airport: $50
- Enjoy before flying: Cooking class near Salvador airport: $50
- 4h Cooking Class in Salvador with 9 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $65
- 4h Cooking Class in 9 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $68
- Cooking class in Salvador, fun hands on experience with caips: $71
- 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
- Bahia Noite - Folklore and Dinner Show, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil: $121
Typical Food Prices in Medellin
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Medellin:
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Lunch$2.17
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Medellin
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Medellin.
- Medellín: Comuna 13 True Story and Street Food Tour: $11
- Medellín: Empanada Cooking Class by Local Chef in Comuna 13: $19
- A night in Medellín: food tour and bars in El Poblado!: $32
- Medellín: Comuna 13 Street Art and Street Food Tour: $38
- Empanada Cooking Class by Local Chef in Comuna 13 (Small Groups): $39
- Food tour with 12 tastings in the best area of Medellin: $40
- Private Empanada Cooking Class in Guatape: $45
- Street Food Tour in Medellín with Tastings: $55
- Medellín: Guided Street Food Tour with Tastings (El Poblado): $56
- Cooking Class Preparing Colombian Empanadas: $56
- Private Night City Tour on Electric Bicycle + Gourmet Dinner: $59
- Gastronomy and Street Food Tour in Sabaneta Colombia Experience: $60
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Salvador $5.76Medellin $13
Tours and Activities in Salvador
Here are a few actual costs in Salvador for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Salvador Sights Self Guided Tour (Vitória and Barra): $4.53
- City Tour in Salvador - Half Day: $20
- City Tour Salvador Panoramic: $20
- City Tour Salvador Historica: $20
- Historic City Tour - Half Day in Salvador: $20
- Beyond a Night Tour: An Autentic Bar Experience in Salvador: $22
- Historic City Tour in Salvador: $24
- Walking tour historic Pelourinho: $24
- Salvador Panoramic City Tour: $25
- Panoramic City Tour in Salvador: $25
- Panoramic Tour, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil: $25
- Bahia 500 Years Historic Tour, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil: $25
Tours and Activities in Medellin
Here are a few actual costs in Medellin for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Guided Electric Bicycle Tour of Guatapé: $7.98
- History and Street Art Tour in Comuna 13: $8.00
- Medellín: Comuna 13 Tour with Snacks and a Local Guide: $9.75
- Medellín: Comuna 13 and Graffiti Walking Tour with Snacks: $10
- Medellin Historic Walking Tour: $11
- Entry Ticket to the Museum of Modern Art of Medellin: $11
- Medellín: Explore Downtown And Live The Real City Experience: $11
- Shared Tour of Medellin's Historic & Cultural Downtown: $12
- Shared Tour Poblado, Provenza & Manila Districts: $12
- Shared Tour Medellin's Violence & Post-conflict after Pablo: $12
- Medellín: Comuna 13 Tour Through Color, Snacks & History: $12
- Complete Tour in Comuna 13: Graffiti, History and Street Delights: $13
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySalvador $5.47Medellin $7.46
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$1.39
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Drinks$2.78
Sample the Local Flavors in Medellin
Also in Medellin, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl in El Poblado with Drinks, Games and VIP: $7.50
- Guided Medellin Pub Crawl: $18
- Rooftop Bar Crawl with VIP Access & Hidden Clubs: $27
- Medellín Nightlife: Rooftop Bar Crawl: $85
- Medellin Private Bar Crawl: $145
- NightOUT Medellin Gay Bar Crawl: $150
- Medellin LGBTQ Rooftop Bar Crawl: $150
- Medellín Pub Crawl Tour with Drinks: $175
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Salvador and Medellin, we can see that Salvador is more expensive. And not only is Medellin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Medellin would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Medellin 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 Medellin.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Salvador Expensive? and Is Medellin Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Salvador or Medellin?
Salvador has a larger population, and is about 36% larger than the population of Medellin. When comparing the sizes of Salvador and Medellin, 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.