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

Should you visit Salvador or Rosario Islands?

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

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

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.

Rosario Islands

The Rosario Islands, also referred to as Coral Islands of Rosario, is an archipelago located off the coast of Colombia, approximately 100 kilometres (62 miles) from Cartagena. The Rosario Islands are integrated by 28 islands and all of them form one of the 46 Natural National Parks of Colombia, created to protect one of the most important coral reefs in the Colombian Caribbean Coast. Only three of these islands are property of the Colombian state. Before establishing the national park in 1977, wealthy families used this natural paradise to build their summer houses, but then the government allowed them to keep their properties, only if they paid annual rent and taxes to be there, and complied with certain rules to preserve the ecosystem of the islands. People can visit the national park area of the islands, and tours are available. Isla Rosario has an aquarium and open-sea oceanarium that people can visit. Activities on the Rosario Islands include swimming, snorkeling and fishing, among others. The best time to visit Colombia in general, and especially the Rosario Islands is the dry-season months from December to March. These uninterrupted sunny days are just perfect for a Caribbean coastal experience and to enjoy all the activities it has to offer.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Brazil, The Best 10-Day Tours in Brazil, The Best Luxury Tours to Colombia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Colombia.


Which place is cheaper, Rosario Islands or Salvador?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Salvador is $45, while the average daily cost in Rosario Islands is $87. 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 Rosario Islands in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Salvador $25
    Rosario Islands $33
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Salvador $50
    Rosario Islands $66
Compare Hotels in Salvador and Rosario Islands

Looking for a hotel in Salvador or Rosario Islands? 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 Rosario Islands


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 Rosario Islands Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Salvador $6.21
    Rosario Islands $46
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Salvador

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Salvador:


  • Bus from Airport
    $1.21

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Salvador

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Salvador:

  • Airport Transfer - Sauípe Resorts 05 to 10 people by Salvador Receptivo: $95
  • Airport Transfer - Sauipe Resorts 1 to 4 people by Salvador Receptivo: $65
  • 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: $17
  • Costa de Sauipe Transfer - Private Executive Van: $164
  • Executive Transfer - Salvador International Airport to Hotels or Residencia: $33
  • Hotel Vila Galé Mares - Transfers In / Out: $74
  • Iberostar Bahia, Roundtrip Transfers: $77
  • Iberostar Praia do Forte, In/Out transfers: $87
  • One Way transfer : Salvador airport to/ from Salvador da Bahia : $43

Is it cheaper to fly into Salvador or Rosario Islands?

Prices for flights to both Rosario Islands 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
    Rosario Islands $28
Typical Food Prices in Salvador

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Salvador:


  • Dinner for 2
    $1.41

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Salvador

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

  • Bahia Noite - Folkloric Show and Dinner, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil: $68
  • 7-Recipe Boozy Cooking Class in Salvador: $75
  • Salvador by Night: Cultural Dinner and Show: $104
  • Folk Show - Bahia Night (Dinner Included) by Salvador Receptivo: $110
  • Private Bahian Cooking Class - An Amazing Experience!: $113
  • Cultural Folkloric Show and Dinner in Salvador: $130
  • Private Cooking Experience with local in Salvador: $130
  • Baiana Cooking Class with Market Visit & Lunch: $156
  • Bahia By Night: Dinner and Folkloric show: $195

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Salvador $5.86
    Rosario Islands $14

Tours and Activities in Salvador

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

  • Salvador, Pelourinho: Scavenger Hunt and Self-Guided Tour: $7.91
  • Salvador, Vitória & Barra: Scavenger Hunt Self-Guided Tour: $7.91
  • Salvador Sights Self Guided Tour (Vitória and Barra): $8.10
  • Walking tour historic Pelourinho: $13
  • Panoramic City Tour - Half Day in Salvador: $18
  • Historic City Tour - Half Day in Salvador: $18
  • Full Day Tour to Frades Islands + Itaparica: $23
  • Regular Tour to Forte Beach - Leaving Salvador by Bahia Top Turismo: $25
  • Salvador Historical City Center Tour: $25
  • Salvador Panoramic City Tour: $25
  • Panoramic Tour, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil: $25
  • Bahia 500 Years Historic Tour, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil: $25

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Salvador $5.56
    Rosario Islands $5.98
Typical Alcohol Prices in Salvador

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Salvador:


  • Beers for 2
    $1.41
  • Drinks
    $2.83

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: $72


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Salvador and Rosario Islands, we can see that Rosario Islands 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 Rosario Islands would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rosario Islands 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 Rosario Islands Expensive?.