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

Should you visit Salvador or Puerto Madryn?

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

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

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.

Puerto Madryn

Puerto Madryn is mostly known as the gateway to Peninsula Valdes, welcoming tourists who come for whale watching. The Peninsula Valdes is a nature reserve designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site; 97 km long and 63 km wide, it is connected to the continent by an isthmus of 35 km from which we can see both gulfs, San Jose at north and the Nuevo at south.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Brazil, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Brazil, The Best 2-Week Tours in Argentina, and The Best 3-Week Tours in Argentina.


Which place is cheaper, Puerto Madryn 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 Puerto Madryn is $14. 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 Puerto Madryn in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Salvador $24
    Puerto Madryn $5.25
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Salvador $48
    Puerto Madryn $11
Compare Hotels in Salvador and Puerto Madryn

Looking for a hotel in Salvador or Puerto Madryn? 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 Puerto Madryn


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 Puerto Madryn Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Salvador $6.02
    Puerto Madryn $3.28
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:

  • Shared Transfer from the Airport to Hotels: $16
  • Arrival or Departure Shared Transfer from Airport to hotels in Salvador: $16
  • Tourism and Transfer Salvador and Morro de São Paulo: $23
  • Transfer Hotel in Salvador / Salvador Airport: $23
  • Transfer Salvador Airport / Hotel in Salvador: $24
  • Transfer Hotel Litoral Norte / Salvador Airport: $24
  • Transfer Salvador Airport / Hotel Litoral Norte: $24
  • Praia do Forte Shared Transfer From Salvador : $28
  • Salvador to Salvador de Bahia Airport: Departure Private Transfer: $29
  • Private Transfer from Salvador de Bahia Cruise Port to Salvador : $29
  • Private Transfer from Salvador to Salvador de Bahia Cruise Port: $29
  • Airport Transfer x Salvador Hotel - Sedan 1 to 4 people: $30

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Madryn

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Madryn:

  • From Punta Tombo Day Trip with Hotel Transfer: $131
  • Trelew Airport Shuttle Transfer To Puerto Madryn : $47

Is it cheaper to fly into Salvador or Puerto Madryn?

Prices for flights to both Puerto Madryn 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
    Puerto Madryn $5.69
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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Salvador $5.67
    Puerto Madryn $5.77

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

Typical Entertainment Prices in Puerto Madryn

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Puerto Madryn are as follows:


  • Whale Watching for Two
    $0.35

Tours and Activities in Puerto Madryn

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Puerto Madryn are as follows:

  • Kayaking adventure in Puerto Madryn: $60
  • Excursion to Punta Loma and Puerto Madryn for Cruisers: $60
  • From City and Punta Loma Tour: $70
  • Shore Excursion: Punta Loma+City Tour, for cruise passengers: $70
  • Punta Loma Shore Excursion with City tour: $75
  • Punta Loma Excursion for Cruise Passengers: $75
  • Full Day Peninsula Valdes Experience - optional Whale Watching : $87
  • Punta Tombo Tour, the Penguin Experience: $90
  • Full Day Peninsula Valdes Experience: $90
  • Shore Excursion Punta Loma Sea Lions Reserve Including Puerto Madryn City Tour : $95
  • 4 x 4 experience around Puerto Madryn: $100
  • Wonderful Punta Tombo Penguin Rookery Tour : $100

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Salvador $5.38
    Puerto Madryn $3.13
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 Puerto Madryn, we can see that Salvador is more expensive. And not only is Puerto Madryn much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Puerto Madryn would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Puerto Madryn 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 Puerto Madryn.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Salvador Expensive? and Is Puerto Madryn Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Salvador or Puerto Madryn?

Salvador has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Puerto Madryn. When comparing the sizes of Salvador and Puerto Madryn, 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 Puerto Madryn?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.

Should I visit Salvador or Puerto Madryn in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Salvador and Puerto Madryn.

Salvador is a little warmer than Puerto Madryn in the summer. The daily temperature in Salvador averages around 27°C (81°F) in January, and Puerto Madryn fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

Salvador gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Salvador usually receives more rain than Puerto Madryn. Salvador gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Puerto Madryn receives 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January
    Salvador 27°C (81°F) 
    Puerto Madryn 22°C (71°F)

Should I visit Salvador or Puerto Madryn in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Salvador as well as Puerto Madryn.

In the autumn, Salvador is much warmer than Puerto Madryn. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Salvador in April average around 26°C (80°F), and Puerto Madryn averages at about 14°C (58°F).

Salvador receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Salvador usually gets more rain in April than Puerto Madryn. Salvador gets 310 mm (12.2 in) of rain, while Puerto Madryn receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April
    Salvador 26°C (80°F) 
    Puerto Madryn 14°C (58°F)

Should I visit Salvador or Puerto Madryn in the Winter?

Both Puerto Madryn and Salvador are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.

In July, Salvador is generally much warmer than Puerto Madryn. Daily temperatures in Salvador average around 24°C (75°F), and Puerto Madryn fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

It's quite sunny in Puerto Madryn. Salvador usually receives less sunshine than Puerto Madryn during winter. Salvador gets 181 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Madryn receives 209 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Salvador. In July, Salvador usually receives more rain than Puerto Madryn. Salvador gets 175 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Puerto Madryn receives 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July
    Salvador 24°C (75°F) 
    Puerto Madryn 7°C (45°F)

Should I visit Salvador or Puerto Madryn in the Spring?

Both Puerto Madryn and Salvador during the spring are popular places to visit.

Salvador is much warmer than Puerto Madryn in the spring. The daily temperature in Salvador averages around 26°C (78°F) in October, and Puerto Madryn fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Salvador. Salvador usually gets more rain in October than Puerto Madryn. Salvador gets 115 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Puerto Madryn receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October
    Salvador 26°C (78°F) 
    Puerto Madryn 14°C (58°F)

Typical Weather for Puerto Madryn and Salvador

Salvador Puerto Madryn
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 27°C (81°F) 138 mm (5.4 in) 22°C (71°F) 11 mm (0.4 in)
Feb 27°C (81°F) 142 mm (5.6 in) 21°C (69°F) 18 mm (0.7 in)
Mar 27°C (81°F) 152 mm (6 in) 18°C (64°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Apr 26°C (80°F) 310 mm (12.2 in) 14°C (58°F) 14 mm (0.6 in)
May 26°C (78°F) 360 mm (14.2 in) 10°C (51°F) 17 mm (0.7 in)
Jun 25°C (76°F) 244 mm (9.6 in) 7°C (45°F) 14 mm (0.6 in)
Jul 24°C (75°F) 175 mm (6.9 in) 7°C (45°F) 18 mm (0.7 in)
Aug 24°C (75°F) 127 mm (5 in) 9°C (48°F) 16 mm (0.6 in)
Sep 25°C (77°F) 102 mm (4 in) 11°C (53°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Oct 26°C (78°F) 115 mm (4.5 in) 14°C (58°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 137 mm (5.4 in) 18°C (64°F) 14 mm (0.6 in)
Dec 26°C (80°F) 143 mm (5.6 in) 20°C (68°F) 12 mm (0.5 in)