A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Salvador vs. Paracas for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Salvador or Paracas?

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

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

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.

Paracas

Paracas, also known as El Chaco, is a resort town on the Southern coast of the country, about 150 miles south of Lima. The town in located in one of the oldest regions of Peru, with a history dating back to 900 BC and offers many pre-Inca cultural sites throughout the area. Paracas is possibly best known for being home to the Paracas National Reserve, a nature reserve boasting one of the most abundant and diverse ecosystems in the world.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Brazil, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Brazil, The Best Eco Tours in Peru, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Peru.


Which place is cheaper, Paracas 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 Paracas is $63. 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 Paracas in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Salvador $24
    Paracas $22
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Salvador $48
    Paracas $44
Compare Hotels in Salvador and Paracas

Looking for a hotel in Salvador or Paracas? 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 Paracas


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 Paracas Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Salvador $6.02
    Paracas $19
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:

  • Airport Transfer x Salvador Hotel - Sedan 1 to 4 people: $30
  • Airport Transfer-Grand Palladium Imbassai 1 to 4 people by Salvador Receptivo: $65
  • Airport Transfer-Grand Palladium Imbassai 5 to 10 people by Salvador Receptivo: $95
  • Arrival or Departure Shared Transfer from Airport to hotels in Salvador: $16
  • Costa de Sauipe Transfer - Private Executive Van: $157
  • Executive Transfer - Salvador International Airport to Hotels or Residencia: $31
  • Hotel Vila Galé Mares - Transfers In / Out: $78
  • Iberostar Praia do Forte, In/Out transfers: $97
  • Ivan Bahia, Private Transfer Salvador BA to Lençois (Chapada Diamantina): $299
  • One Way transfer : Salvador airport to/ from Salvador da Bahia : $43
  • One-Way Private Transfer to Boipeba Island: $120
  • Praia do Forte Shared Transfer From Salvador : $28

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Paracas

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Paracas:

  • Direct Private Transfer From Paracas to Lima, English Speaking Driver: $163
  • Lima: Private taxi transfer from Lima airport to Paracas: $129
  • Oneway Transfer from San Juan Airport, Hotel, Airbnb to Bayamon: $60
  • Bus Station Private Transfer: $16
  • Private Transfer From Paracas To Lima With 2 Stops: $175
  • Private Transfer From San Juan Airport (SJU) to /from San Juan: $44
  • Private Transfer from Pisco Cruise Port to Lima City Hotels: $78
  • Private Transfer from Pisco Cruise Port to Lima hotels: $87
  • Private Transfer from Pisco Port to Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM): $78
  • Private Transfer from Pisco Port to Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM): $87
  • Private Transfer from Pisko Cruise Port to Lima City Hotels: $87

Is it cheaper to fly into Salvador or Paracas?

Prices for flights to both Paracas 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
    Paracas $23
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
  • 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

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Paracas

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Paracas.

  • From Lima:Paracas,Ica and cooking class Ceviche semi-private: $139

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Salvador $5.67
    Paracas $25

Tours and Activities in Salvador

Here are a few actual costs in Salvador for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Salvador, Vitória & Barra: Scavenger Hunt Self-Guided Tour: $7.68
  • Salvador, Pelourinho: Scavenger Hunt and Self-Guided Tour: $7.68
  • Salvador Sights Self Guided Tour (Vitória and Barra): $7.87
  • Walking tour historic Pelourinho: $13
  • Historic City Tour - Half Day in Salvador: $19
  • Panoramic City Tour - Half Day in Salvador: $19
  • Full Day Tour to Frades Islands + Itaparica: $22
  • Regular Tour to Forte Beach - Leaving Salvador by Bahia Top Turismo: $24
  • Bahia 500 Years Historic Tour, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil: $25
  • Salvador Historical City Center Tour: $25
  • Historic City Tour in Salvador: $25
  • Salvador Panoramic City Tour: $25

Tours and Activities in Paracas

Here are a few actual costs in Paracas for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Ballestas Islands Morning Boat Tour: $20
  • Ballestas Islands Tour Boat with roof: $20
  • 4-Hour Guided Tour Paracas National Reserve: $20
  • From Ballestas Islands Guided Boat Tour: $20
  • Boat Tour of the Ballestas Islands in Paracas: $20
  • Ballestas Islands Tour: $24
  • Ballestas Islands Sightseeing Boat Ride from Paracas: $24
  • Islas Ballestas Boat Tour - The Galapagos of Peru: $25
  • From Scenic Boat Tour to Ballestas Island: $25
  • Ballestas Islands Tour - Paracas: $25
  • Ballestas Islands Group Tour from Paracas : $26
  • From Ballestas Islands Guided Tour: $26

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Salvador $5.38
    Paracas $11
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 Paracas, we can see that Paracas 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 Paracas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Paracas 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 Paracas Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Salvador or Paracas?

Salvador has a larger population, and is about 2270 times larger than the population of Paracas. When comparing the sizes of Salvador and Paracas, 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.