Which place is cheaper, Montanita or Salvador?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Salvador or Montanita?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Salvador or Montanita, 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 Montanita?
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.
Montanita
Montanita is a small village located on Manglaralto parish along the southern coast of Ecuador. The Pacific Coast of Ecuador is lined with beach towns, either small villages with local fisherman or larger towns more set up for foreign travellers like Montanita. With one of the best beaches in Ecuador, one of the best surf breaks in the region, and a great laid-back atmosphere Montanita is a great little getaway, especially for the hippies of the world. It has also become a popular weekend destination for English teachers and Spanish students coming from Guayaquil and Quito. The beachfront village of Montanita has a laid-back atmosphere and steady stream of cosmopolitan backpackers, with as many South Americans as gringos.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Brazil, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Brazil, The Best G Adventures Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Ecuador.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySalvador $44Montanita $96
The average daily cost (per person) in Salvador is $44, while the average daily cost in Montanita 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 Montanita in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSalvador $24Montanita $41
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSalvador $48Montanita $82
Compare Hotels in Salvador and Montanita
Looking for a hotel in Salvador or Montanita? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Salvador $6.02Montanita $39
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:
- Transfer Salvador to Barra Grande Round Trip: $300
- Ivan Bahia, Private Transfer Salvador BA to Lençois (Chapada Diamantina): $299
- Transfers between Salvador and Barra Grande Maraú: $280
- Costa de Sauipe Transfer - Private Executive Van: $157
- Transfer Grand Palladium - Private Executive Van: $146
- Private Transfer to/from Salvador Airport to/from Praia do Forte: $140
- Transfer in Salvador: $137
- Private Transfer from Salvador Airport: $132
- Shared Transfer Salvador / Morro de São Paulo / Salvador: $130
- Private Transfer to/from Sauipe Resort By Minivan one way: $130
- Transfer: Salvador to/from Boipeba Island: $126
- One-Way Private Transfer to Boipeba Island: $120
Is it cheaper to fly into Salvador or Montanita?
Prices for flights to both Montanita 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 $13Montanita $28
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$1.37
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
- Salvador by Night: Cultural Dinner and Show: $130
- Private Cooking Experience with local in Salvador: $130
- Cultural Folkloric Show and Dinner in Salvador: $140
- Baiana Cooking Class with Market Visit & Lunch: $150
- Bahia By Night: Dinner and Folkloric show: $195
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Salvador $5.67Montanita $31
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": $100
- Bahia 500 Years Historic Tour, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil: $25
- Bike Rentals and Bike Tours: $141
- Cachoeira Countryside Flavor Private Tour from Salvador: $160
- Candomblé Cerimony Tour: $60
- Candomble Religion Mysteries Private Tour in Salvador: $80
- City Tour in Salvador Discover the first capital of Brazil - En: $137
- Costa de Camaçari Beach and Praia Tour: $129
- 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: $108
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySalvador $5.38Montanita $7.86
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$1.37
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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 Montanita, we can see that Montanita 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 Montanita would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Montanita 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 Montanita Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Salvador or Montanita?
Salvador has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Montanita experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Salvador or Montanita in the Summer?
Both Montanita and Salvador during the summer are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montanita year-round.
Salvador is around the same temperature as Montanita in the summer. The daily temperature in Salvador averages around 27°C (81°F) in January, and Montanita fluctuates around 25°C (78°F)in July.
It's quite sunny in Salvador. In the summer, Salvador often gets more sunshine than Montanitain July. Salvador gets 246 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montanita receives 107 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Salvador. Salvador usually gets more rain in January than Montanitain July. Salvador gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Montanita receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulySalvador 27°C (81°F)Montanita 25°C (78°F)
Should I visit Salvador or Montanita in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Salvador and Montanita. Montanita attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the autumn, Salvador is around the same temperature as Montanita. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Salvador in April average around 26°C (80°F), and Montanita averages at about 26°C (78°F)in October.
Salvador usually receives more sunshine than Montanita during autumn. Salvador gets 190 hours of sunny skies, while Montanita receives 117 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Salvador gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Salvador usually receives more rain than Montanitain October. Salvador gets 310 mm (12.2 in) of rain, while Montanita receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberSalvador 26°C (80°F)Montanita 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Salvador or Montanita in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Salvador as well as Montanita. The warm climate attracts visitors to Montanita throughout the year.
In July, Salvador is generally cooler than Montanitain January. Daily temperatures in Salvador average around 24°C (75°F), and Montanita fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
In the winter, Salvador often gets more sunshine than Montanitain January. Salvador gets 181 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montanita receives 88 hours of full sun.
Salvador receives a lot of rain in the winter. Salvador usually gets more rain in July than Montanitain January. Salvador gets 175 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Montanita receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuarySalvador 24°C (75°F)Montanita 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Salvador or Montanita in the Spring?
Both Montanita and Salvador are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Montanita because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Salvador is around the same temperature as Montanita in the spring. The daily temperature in Salvador averages around 26°C (78°F) in October, and Montanita fluctuates around 27°C (81°F)in April.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Salvador. Salvador usually receives more sunshine than Montanita during spring. Salvador gets 228 hours of sunny skies, while Montanita receives 133 hours of full sun in the spring.
It's quite rainy in Salvador. In October, Salvador usually receives more rain than Montanitain April. Salvador gets 115 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Montanita receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilSalvador 26°C (78°F)Montanita 27°C (81°F)
Typical Weather for Montanita and Salvador
| Salvador | Montanita | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (80°F) | 310 mm (12.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| May | 26°C (78°F) | 360 mm (14.2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (76°F) | 244 mm (9.6 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (75°F) | 175 mm (6.9 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 127 mm (5 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (77°F) | 102 mm (4 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (78°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (80°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
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.