Which place is cheaper, Saint John or Salvador?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Salvador or Saint John?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Salvador or Saint John, 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 Saint John?
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.
Saint John
With the popularity of the Caribbean rising, many islands have become touristy and expensive – but not St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
At only nine miles long and five miles wide, St. John is the smallest of the Virgin Islands, and, many argue, the prettiest. It's the kind of place that has maintained it's cultural identity, but still welcomes visitors from all over the world. With a population of just 5,000, the residents of St. John know everyone and everything happening on the island.
This island is perfect for people who want an undisturbed island getaway at any price. Between resorts and campgrounds there is a spot for everyone on St. John.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to Brazil, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Brazil.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySalvador $44Saint John $192
The average daily cost (per person) in Salvador is $44, while the average daily cost in Saint John is $192. 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 Saint John in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSalvador $24Saint John $106
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSalvador $48Saint John $212
Compare Hotels in Salvador and Saint John
Looking for a hotel in Salvador or Saint John? 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 $6.02Saint John $49
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:
- 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: $16
- Costa de Sauipe Transfer - Private Executive Van: $160
- Executive Transfer - Salvador International Airport to Hotels or Residencia: $32
- Hotel Vila Galé Mares - Transfers In / Out: $80
- Ivan Bahia, Private Transfer Salvador BA to Lençois (Chapada Diamantina): $300
- One Way transfer : Salvador airport to/ from Salvador da Bahia : $43
- One-Way Private Transfer to Boipeba Island: $120
- Praia do Forte Private Transfer From Salvador : $46
Is it cheaper to fly into Salvador or Saint John?
Prices for flights to both Saint John 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 $13Saint John $56
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 Cooking Experience with local in Salvador: $130
- Salvador by Night: Cultural Dinner and Show: $132
- Cultural Folkloric Show and Dinner in Salvador: $140
- Baiana Cooking Class with Market Visit & Lunch: $152
- Bahia By Night: Dinner and Folkloric show: $195
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Salvador $5.67Saint John $23
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: $7.65
- Salvador, Pelourinho: Scavenger Hunt and Self-Guided Tour: $7.65
- Salvador Sights Self Guided Tour (Vitória and Barra): $7.84
- Walking tour historic Pelourinho: $13
- Panoramic City Tour - Half Day in Salvador: $19
- Historic 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
- Panoramic Tour, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil: $25
- Salvador Panoramic City Tour: $25
- Historic City Tour in Salvador: $25
- Bahia 500 Years Historic Tour, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil: $25
Tours and Activities in Saint John
Here are a few actual costs in Saint John for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- USVI: Island & Beach Tours in St. Thomas & St. John (2 Days): $199
- St. John: A Private Island Adventure Tour & Trunk Bay Beach: $627
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySalvador $5.38Saint John $44
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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Salvador and Saint John, we can see that Saint John 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 Saint John is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Saint John would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint John 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 Saint John Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Salvador or Saint John?
Salvador has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Saint John experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Salvador or Saint John in the Summer?
Both Saint John and Salvador are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Saint John because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the summer, Salvador is around the same temperature as Saint John. Typically, the summer temperatures in Salvador in January average around 27°C (81°F), and Saint John averages at about 29°C (83°F)in July.
It's quite rainy in Salvador. In January, Salvador usually receives more rain than Saint Johnin July. Salvador gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulySalvador 27°C (81°F)Saint John 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Salvador or Saint John in the Autumn?
Both Saint John and Salvador during the autumn are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John year-round.
In April, Salvador is generally around the same temperature as Saint Johnin October. Daily temperatures in Salvador average around 26°C (80°F), and Saint John fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
Saint John gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Salvador. Salvador usually gets more rain in April than Saint Johnin October. Salvador gets 310 mm (12.2 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberSalvador 26°C (80°F)Saint John 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Salvador or Saint John in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Salvador and Saint John. Saint John attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Salvador is around the same temperature as Saint John in the winter. The daily temperature in Salvador averages around 24°C (75°F) in July, and Saint John fluctuates around 26°C (78°F)in January.
Salvador gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Salvador usually receives more rain than Saint Johnin January. Salvador gets 175 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuarySalvador 24°C (75°F)Saint John 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Salvador or Saint John in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Salvador as well as Saint John. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John throughout the year.
In the spring, Salvador is around the same temperature as Saint John. Typically, the spring temperatures in Salvador in October average around 26°C (78°F), and Saint John averages at about 27°C (80°F)in April.
Salvador receives a lot of rain in the spring. Salvador usually gets more rain in October than Saint Johnin April. Salvador gets 115 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilSalvador 26°C (78°F)Saint John 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint John and Salvador
| Salvador | Saint John | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (80°F) | 310 mm (12.2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 26°C (78°F) | 360 mm (14.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (76°F) | 244 mm (9.6 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (75°F) | 175 mm (6.9 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 127 mm (5 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (77°F) | 102 mm (4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (78°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (80°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 71 mm (2.8 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.