A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Salvador vs. Puerto Vallarta for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Beaches

Should you visit Salvador or Puerto Vallarta?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Salvador or Puerto Vallarta, 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.

Salvador

Salvador is a historical, authentic, and cultural city. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Salvador travel costs.

Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta is a colorful, laid-back, and cultural town. Other popular activities here include scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and shopping. See Puerto Vallarta travel costs.

Salvador and Puerto Vallarta: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Salvador or Puerto Vallarta?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Puerto Vallarta than Salvador. While Salvador is larger than Puerto Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Puerto Vallarta is very popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and shopping, while Salvador attracts visitors for its museums and attractions and historical sights. Salvador is famous for its West African influence, rich culinary scene, and colonial architecture. Puerto Vallarta is famous for its natural beauty and vibrant nightlife. It is also well known for the Malecon.

How is Salvador different from Puerto Vallarta?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Puerto Vallarta and Salvador. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Salvador or Puerto Vallarta?

Salvador is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Puerto Vallarta is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

Many visitors head to Salvador specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Many of the main sights are found in the historic part of town. In this area you'll find the Museu da Cidade, the Abelardo Rodrigues Museum, and the Casa do Benin. There are many ornate churches as well such as the São Francisco and the Carmelite Church.

Puerto Vallarta is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are a number of historical sights around town like Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish.

Is the Food Better in Salvador or Puerto Vallarta? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Salvador and Puerto Vallarta can be an enjoyable experience.

Dining out in Salvador is an experience not to be missed. The city has rich African roots that are noticeable in the cuisine around town. Buffets have become popular in restaurants and many places offer a lunch buffet. They range in price and quality and you often pay by the weight. Common dishes include moqueca (seafood stew), vatapá (a type of curry), and acarajé (fried balls of beans and shrimp).

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Puerto Vallarta. The charming character combined with the authentic local cuisine makes for a wonderful culinary experience. There's everything from taco stands to romantic restaurants that you can try.

Is Salvador or Puerto Vallarta Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Salvador and Puerto Vallarta.

Salvador is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. Head to the old city for a mix of local music and authentic Brazilian activities. Further out, along the stretches of beach, you'll find larger music venues and dance clubs. The atmosphere is laid back and relaxed throughout the city and you'll find a very local vibe in many neighborhoods.

Many people head to Puerto Vallarta for the nightlife scene. You'll find a mix of active clubs, cozy bars, and cosmopolitan cafes. Head to the Romantic Zone or Los Muertos Beach for some of the best places.

Is Salvador or Puerto Vallarta Better for Resorts?

Puerto Vallarta is an unbeatable place for its resorts. However, Salvador is not a resort destination.

Puerto Vallarta offers an unforgettable resort vacation. There are many different places to stay from all-inclusive resorts to high end hotels or beachfront properties.

Salvador is not a resort destination.

Is Salvador or Puerto Vallarta Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Puerto Vallarta is well known for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Salvador is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors go to Puerto Vallarta to enjoy scuba diving and snorkeling. Divers in the area may get to experience once in a lifetime opportunities like diving with manta rays, dolphins, whale sharks, hammerheads, or schools of jacks.

Salvador is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Salvador or Puerto Vallarta Better for Beaches?

Both Salvador and Puerto Vallarta have excellent beaches worth visiting.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Salvador. Many of the beaches are sandy with warm water and tidal pools to explore. The most popular beach is Praia Farol da Barra, which can get crowded. North of the city is the more relaxed Praia Farol de Itapuã and if you want to learn to surf, head to Praia da Jaguaribe, which is home to several surfing schools.

The beaches at Puerto Vallarta attract visitors from all over. There are many beaches spread out around town that have soft sand and blue water. Most have all of the amenities you could need. Popular beaches include Playa de los Muertos, Playa Mismaloya, and Playa Conchas Chinas.

Is Salvador or Puerto Vallarta Better for its Old Town?

Salvador is very good for its historic old town charm. However, Puerto Vallarta does not have a historic old town.

Salvador offers a nice historic old town area. The city served as the first Portuguese capital and today it still has colonial architecture and a historic atmosphere. At the historic heart of the city is the Pelourinho neighborhood, which has nice squares and cobblestone streets.

Puerto Vallarta does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Salvador or Puerto Vallarta?

Puerto Vallarta is well known for its shopping areas. Also, Salvador is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Puerto Vallarta. There's a mix of shopping malls, open-air markets, boutiques, and international brands.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Salvador. There are many local markets and shops around town where you can pick up traditional Brazilian items and artisan crafts.

Is Salvador or Puerto Vallarta Better for Families?

Puerto Vallarta is well known for its family-friendly activities. However, Salvador is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

Puerto Vallarta is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will love the water parks and thrilling activities, such as Aquaventuras Water Park or Los Veranos Canopy Tour. There's rock climbing and ropes courses at Las Animas Aventura Park. You'll also find horseback riding and even pirate boat tours in the area.

For families, Salvador is not always the best place to visit. It has a reputation for being dangerous, so many families don't plan to spend much time here, but the city has parks, recreational activities like climbing, and a number of kid-friendly museums to explore. There are also many ice cream shops and family-friendly restaurants.

Is Salvador or Puerto Vallarta Better for Couples?

Salvador and Puerto Vallarta are both excellent to visit as a couple.

Couples visit Salvador frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The historical center is charming and the perfect place to explore as a couple. There are also parks around town and many cultural experiences that visitors truly enjoy.

Puerto Vallarta is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Couples looking for a romantic getaway will enjoy sunset boat trips, horseback riding, and adventure sports. There are also many restaurants where you can enjoy a romantic dinner or a refreshing drink.

Is Salvador or Puerto Vallarta Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Salvador and Puerto Vallarta are excellent places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Salvador is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. Backpackers love the historical architecture and the authenticity that this city offers. There are also a number of hostels around town.

Puerto Vallarta is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There are hostels around, as well as many adventure sports or thrilling activities that backpackers will enjoy.

Is Salvador or Puerto Vallarta Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Salvador and Puerto Vallarta.

You'll find some public transit in Salvador, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses around town that are divided into two different classes - the common bus and the executive bus.

While Puerto Vallarta offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are blue, green or orange buses that travel around town.

Is Salvador or Puerto Vallarta a more walkable city?

Puerto Vallarta is well known for its ease of walking around. However, Salvador is not particularly known for its walkability.

Puerto Vallarta is a very walkable destination. There are several walkable neighborhoods in town such as 5 de Diciembre, el Centro, and Zona Romantica.

Salvador is generally not a very walkable city. While it's possible to walk around town, you should really understand which areas are safe and which parts of town are dangerous. Sometimes the dangerous areas are just a couple of blocks that are surrounded by an otherwise safe neighborhood, so you should really understand where you are before heading out on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Salvador Worth Visiting? and Is Puerto Vallarta Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Puerto Vallarta or Salvador?

How long in Salvador or Puerto Vallarta?

In either Salvador or Puerto Vallarta, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Puerto Vallarta than Salvador because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 3-4 days is a good amount of time for Salvador, and 3-5 days is enough time in Puerto Vallarta.

Families should spend more time in Puerto Vallarta than Salvador. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Puerto Vallarta, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Puerto Vallarta than Salvador. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Puerto Vallarta that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Puerto Vallarta than Salvador if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Puerto Vallarta.

One day in Salvador or Puerto Vallarta?

The authentic destination of Salvador offers nightlife and food. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

The town of Puerto Vallarta offers museums and nightlife. Most people come for the beaches. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Salvador or Puerto Vallarta?

The city of Salvador offers food and shopping. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Puerto Vallarta is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Salvador or Puerto Vallarta?

Salvador is a great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. This city offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Puerto Vallarta is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Puerto Vallarta, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Salvador or Puerto Vallarta?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Salvador. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Puerto Vallarta is a great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Brazil, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Brazil, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Mexico, and The Best Luxury Tours to Mexico.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Salvador and Puerto Vallarta, we can see that Puerto Vallarta is more expensive. And not only is Salvador much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Salvador is in South America and Puerto Vallarta is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Puerto Vallarta would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Puerto Vallarta 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 Puerto Vallarta Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Salvador or Puerto Vallarta?

Salvador has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Puerto Vallarta. When comparing the sizes of Salvador and Puerto Vallarta, 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.