Which place is cheaper, Mendoza or Salvador?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Salvador or Mendoza?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Salvador or Mendoza, 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 Mendoza?
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.
Mendoza
Mendoza is a city in western Argentina and more precisely in the desertic Cuyo region. Mendoza is the center of the Argentinian wine industry and is famed around the world for its vineyards and wine production. Spread across the valley of the Rio Mendoza and in the foothills of the Andean mountain range, Mendoza is also near the Aconcagua, the highest mountain outside of the Himalayas. The bustling and scenic city of wide, leafy avenues, atmospheric plazas and cosmopolitan cafes spoils visitors with unique natural attractions and historical landmarks. If you can, visit Mendoza during the harvest festival at the end of February. There are many events and festivals in Mendoza and they are usually free. Each has a different theme, and they usually have a stage with singing and dancing and booths that sell food around a plaza. Seventy percent of Argentina's wines are produced here, and Mendoza is especially known for its world-famous malbecs.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to Brazil, The Best G Adventures Tours to Brazil, The Best Photography Tours in Argentina, and The Best Luxury Tours to Argentina.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySalvador $44Mendoza $7.23
The average daily cost (per person) in Salvador is $44, while the average daily cost in Mendoza is $7.23. 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 Mendoza in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSalvador $24Mendoza $2.75
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSalvador $48Mendoza $5.50
Compare Hotels in Salvador and Mendoza
Looking for a hotel in Salvador or Mendoza? 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 Mendoza Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Salvador $6.07Mendoza $1.43
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$1.18
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.: $23
- Transfers between Salvador and Barra Grande Maraú: $287
- Transfer: Salvador to/from Praia do Forte/Guarajuba: $62
- Transfer: Salvador to/from Boipeba Island: $129
- Transfer to Sauipe Iberostar Palladium and Galé: $48
- Transfer to Iberostar Selection Praia do Forte or Bahia: $43
- Transfer from Salvador Airport to North Coast of Bahia: $99
- Transfer between Salvador Airport and Costa do Sauipe: $95
- Transfer Vila Galé Mares (Guarajuba) - Executive Van - Private: $121
- Transfer Vila Galé Marés (Guarajuba) - Private: $40
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mendoza
Also for Mendoza, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 3 Wineries+Lunch with Unlimited Wine+Transfer included: $180
- Achaval Ferrer+Almuerzo Lagarde(Guia Michelin).Transfer privado: $230
- Arrival Private Transfer from Mendoza Airport MDZ to Valle de Uco: $80
- Atamisque Winery + Lunch at Ruda Cocina. Transfer included: $210
- Chandon Winery + Enemigo Lunch (Michelin Guide). Transfer included: $250
- Chandon+Lunch Quimera Bistro (Michelin Guide).Private transfer: $260
- Departure Private Transfer Valle de Uco to Mendoza Airport MDZ : $80
- Desgustación Domaine Bousquet+Almuerzo en Ruda. Transfer privado: $230
- Las Leñas to Mendoza Int Airport (MDZ)-Departure Private Transfer: $43
- Mendoza Bodega Tempus Alba + Trapiche + Transfer incluido: $550
- Mendoza Int Airport (MDZ) to Las Leñas - Arrival Private Transfer: $44
- Mendoza Private Airport Transfers: $35
Is it cheaper to fly into Salvador or Mendoza?
Prices for flights to both Mendoza 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 $13Mendoza $3.23
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$1.38
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Salvador
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Salvador.
- 9-Recipe Boozy Cooking Class in Salvador: $85
- 9-Recipe Boozy Cooking Class in Salvador: $85
- Private Bahian Cooking Class - An Amazing Experience!: $113
- Private Cooking Experience with local in Salvador: $130
- Salvador by Night: Cultural Dinner and Show: $133
- Cultural Folkloric Show and Dinner in Salvador: $140
- Baiana Cooking Class with Market Visit & Lunch: $154
- Bahia By Night: Dinner and Folkloric show: $195
Typical Food Prices in Mendoza
For Mendoza, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Empanadas$0.01
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mendoza
For Mendoza, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Traditional lunch with pairing, private cooking class and show: $110
- Bar Safari: 4 Best Mendoza’s Bars in 1 night. + Full Dinner: $137
- Full-Day Small-Group Mendoza Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $181
- Empanadas Cooking Class in a local's kitchen: $200
- Visit Los Toneles + Saffron Dinner (Michelin Star). With Transfer: $240
- Night Visit to Bodega Toneles + Dinner at El Enemigo. Transport: $270
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Salvador $5.72Mendoza $2.04
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: $150
- Afro-Brazilian Roots Private City Tour in Salvador": $103
- Bahia 500 Years Historic Tour, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil: $25
- Bike Rentals and Bike Tours: $143
- Cachoeira Countryside Flavor Private Tour from Salvador: $160
- Candomblé Cerimony Tour: $62
- Candomble Religion Mysteries Private Tour in Salvador: $80
- City Tour in Salvador Discover the first capital of Brazil: $141
- Cruise Ship Special Private Tour Salvador da Bahia Historic Old Town Bonfim and Barra: $152
- Culinary Traditions Tour: $180
- Easy Diving - Lord Beach Snorkeling - Leaving Forte Beach by Emytour: $33
- Exclusive & Private Walking Tour in Pelourinho Salvador 3 hours: $38
Tours and Activities in Mendoza
For Mendoza, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Mendoza Walking Tour: The history of the City and main Park!: $11
- Mendoza Walking Tour Visit the Park and the City: $11
- Tour autoguiado en bicicleta por Luján de Cuyo (Mendoza): $19
- Malbec Experience in Bodega Tierras Altas: $20
- Half-Day Sightseeing City Tour: $21
- Renacer Winery Experience: $25
- City tour with visit to General San Martin Park: $30
- Mendoza City Tour: $34
- 3 Wineries Tour Half Day: $36
- Half-Day Sightseeing Tour: $37
- Private tour to explore the natural corners of Mendoza: $38
- 12-KM River Rafting Tour in the Andes: $39
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySalvador $5.43Mendoza $1.23
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$1.38
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Drinks$2.76
Typical Alcohol Prices in Mendoza
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Mendoza:
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Beer$0.01
Sample the Local Flavors in Mendoza
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Mendoza:
- Classic Wine Tasting: $22
- Half-Day Wine Tour with Tastings: $36
- Premium Wine Tasting: $45
- Full Day Wine Tour with 3 Course Lunch: $96
- Argentinean Asado with Local Host and Wine Tasting: $99
- Full-Day Private Luján De Cuyo Wine Tour from Mendoza: $143
- Private Wine Tour, Tastings and Lunch with Pairings: $150
- wine tours in wine country mendoza Argentina: $160
- Wine Tour with Lunch from Mendoza: $164
- Wine Tour with Lunch and Transport in Mendoza: $170
- Full Day Private Uco Valley Wine Tour from Mendoza: $178
- Mendoza Wine Tour with Lunch: $180
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Salvador and Mendoza, we can see that Salvador is more expensive. And not only is Mendoza much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Mendoza would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mendoza 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 Mendoza.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Salvador Expensive? and Is Mendoza Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Salvador or Mendoza?
Salvador has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Mendoza. When comparing the sizes of Salvador and Mendoza, 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.