Which place is cheaper, Saint Thomas or Salvador?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Salvador or Saint Thomas?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Salvador or Saint Thomas, 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 Thomas?
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 Thomas
Saint Thomas is a beautiful island in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Together with St. John, St. Croix, and Water Island, it forms the unincorporated territory of the United States. The island is also home to the territorial capital and port of Charlotte Amalie. The island's population is just over 50,000, which is slightly less than half of the territory's total population.
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 Thomas $218
The average daily cost (per person) in Salvador is $44, while the average daily cost in Saint Thomas is $218. 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 Thomas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSalvador $24Saint Thomas $131
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSalvador $48Saint Thomas $262
Compare Hotels in Salvador and Saint Thomas
Looking for a hotel in Salvador or Saint Thomas? 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 Thomas $37
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:
- Transfer Salvador to Barra Grande Round Trip: $300
- Ivan Bahia, Private Transfer Salvador BA to Lençois (Chapada Diamantina): $300
- Transfers between Salvador and Barra Grande Maraú: $285
- Costa de Sauipe Transfer - Private Executive Van: $160
- Transfer Grand Palladium - Private Executive Van: $150
- Private Transfer to/from Salvador Airport to/from Praia do Forte: $140
- Transfer in Salvador: $140
- Private Transfer from Salvador Airport: $136
- Private Transfer to/from Sauipe Resort By Minivan one way: $130
- Shared Transfer Salvador / Morro de São Paulo / Salvador: $130
- Transfer: Salvador to/from Boipeba Island: $128
- One-Way Private Transfer to Boipeba Island: $120
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint Thomas
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Saint Thomas are as follows:
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Scooter Rental$65
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Taxi Ride$5.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint Thomas
Also for Saint Thomas, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Charlotte Amalie to Cyril E. King Airport(STT)-Departure Transfer: $49
- Cyril E. King Airport STT to Charlotte Amalie Arrival Transfer: $49
- Cyril E.King Airport (STT) to St.Thomas-Arrival Private Transfer : $109
- PARADISE TAXI & TOURS USVI-St. Thomas- Airport Transfer to Ritz Carlton Elysian : $170
- PARADISE TAXI & TOURS USVI-St.Thomas-Airport Transfer to Marriott Frenchman Cove: $110
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI- St. Thomas - Airport Transfer to Red Hook Ferry: $160
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI-St Thomas- Airport Transfer Sapphire / Crystal Cove : $160
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI-St. Thomas Airport Transfer to Wyndham Margaritaville: $160
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI-St.Thomas-Airport Transfer Bluebeard’s / Yacht Haven: $110
- Private Airport Transfer in Luxury Vehicle- St. Thomas, USVI: $169
- Private Airport Transfer in St. Thomas from Cyril E. King Airport: $135
- Private Ground Transfers: $120
Is it cheaper to fly into Salvador or Saint Thomas?
Prices for flights to both Saint Thomas 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 Thomas $54
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint Thomas
For Saint Thomas, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Sunset & Harbor Lights Dinner Sail from the Marriott's Frenchman's Cove: $109
- Afternoon Snorkel, Pizza & Sunset Tour departing from St. Thomas & St. John: $110
- Flavors of St Thomas Walking Food Tour : $111
- St. John Dinner Sail to Lovango with Open Bar and Hors d'Oeuvres - Westin: $119
- Cruz Bay - PiZZA Pi Snorkel Sail: $159
- St. Thomas Dinner Sail to Lovango w/ Open Bar and Hors D'oeuvres - Ritz-Carlton: $159
- St. Thomas Dinner Sail to St. John with Open Bar & Hors D'oeuvres - Ritz-Carlton: $169
- Waterfront Harbor Dinner Sail from Frenchman's Reef: $209
- St Thomas Legends Luxury Dinner Sail from the Ritz Carlton: $209
- Swim w/Turtles at St. John, Pizza Pi & Snorkel a shipwreck. : $250
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Salvador $5.67Saint Thomas $60
Tours and Activities in Salvador
Here are a few actual costs in Salvador for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Afro-Brazilian Roots city Tour in Salvador with lunch at Favela: $150
- 3-Hour Private Tour of Salvador Capital Afro-Brazilian: $60
- Afro-Brazilian Roots Private City Tour in Salvador": $102
- Bahia 500 Years Historic Tour, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil: $25
- Bike Rentals and Bike Tours: $142
- Cachoeira Countryside Flavor Private Tour from Salvador: $160
- Candomblé Cerimony Tour: $61
- Candomble Religion Mysteries Private Tour in Salvador: $80
- City Tour in Salvador Discover the first capital of Brazil - En: $140
- Cruise Ship Special Private Tour Salvador da Bahia Historic Old Town Bonfim and Barra: $152
- Culinary Traditions Tour: $180
- Easy Diving - Lord Beach Snorkeling - Leaving Forte Beach by Emytour: $33
Tours and Activities in Saint Thomas
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Saint Thomas.
- Children's Treasure Hunt Walking Tour: $10
- Unforgettable Charlotte Amalie: Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
- Nature and Sightseeing Tour at Phantasea Tropical Botanical Garden: $16
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in the US Virgin Islands: $27
- Coral World Ocean Park General Admission Ticket: $29
- Admission Ticket to Coral World Ocean Park & Coki Beach: $35
- Admission Ticket to Coral World & Coki Point Beach with Snorkeling: $40
- Cruise Ship Port Shuttle to St John Ferry : $44
- Cruise Ship Suttle to Ferry going to St. John: $45
- Sunset Kayak Tour in the Mangrove Lagoon, St Thomas: $49
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI - St. Thomas, Virgin Islands- Island Scenic Tour: $49
- Vi Top Taxi & Tours USVI-Scenic Island Tour ,St. Thomas: $50
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySalvador $5.38Saint Thomas $27
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Saint Thomas
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Saint Thomas:
- Wine Tasting with Fine Art Downtown Experience: $60
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Salvador and Saint Thomas, we can see that Saint Thomas 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 Thomas 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 Thomas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint Thomas 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 Thomas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Salvador or Saint Thomas?
Salvador has a larger population, and is about 140 times larger than the population of Saint Thomas. When comparing the sizes of Salvador and Saint Thomas, 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 Saint Thomas?
Salvador has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Saint Thomas experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Salvador or Saint Thomas in the Summer?
Both Saint Thomas and Salvador during the summer are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Thomas year-round.
In the summer, Salvador is around the same temperature as Saint Thomas. Typically, the summer temperatures in Salvador in January average around 27°C (81°F), and Saint Thomas averages at about 29°C (83°F)in July.
In Saint Thomas, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Salvador. In the summer, Salvador often gets less sunshine than Saint Thomasin July. Salvador gets 246 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 287 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Salvador. Salvador usually gets more rain in January than Saint Thomasin July. Salvador gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulySalvador 27°C (81°F)Saint Thomas 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Salvador or Saint Thomas in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Salvador and Saint Thomas. Saint Thomas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Salvador is generally around the same temperature as Saint Thomasin October. Daily temperatures in Salvador average around 26°C (80°F), and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Thomas this time of the year. Salvador usually receives less sunshine than Saint Thomas during autumn. Salvador gets 190 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 235 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Saint Thomas receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Salvador gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Salvador usually receives more rain than Saint Thomasin October. Salvador gets 310 mm (12.2 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberSalvador 26°C (80°F)Saint Thomas 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Salvador or Saint Thomas in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Salvador as well as Saint Thomas. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Thomas throughout the year.
Salvador is around the same temperature as Saint Thomas in the winter. The daily temperature in Salvador averages around 24°C (75°F) in July, and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 26°C (78°F)in January.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Thomas. In the winter, Salvador often gets less sunshine than Saint Thomasin January. Salvador gets 181 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 240 hours of full sun.
Salvador receives a lot of rain in the winter. Salvador usually gets more rain in July than Saint Thomasin January. Salvador gets 175 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuarySalvador 24°C (75°F)Saint Thomas 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Salvador or Saint Thomas in the Spring?
Both Saint Thomas and Salvador are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Thomas because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the spring, Salvador is around the same temperature as Saint Thomas. Typically, the spring temperatures in Salvador in October average around 26°C (78°F), and Saint Thomas averages at about 27°C (80°F)in April.
It's quite sunny in Saint Thomas. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Salvador. Salvador usually receives less sunshine than Saint Thomas during spring. Salvador gets 228 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.
It's quite rainy in Salvador. In October, Salvador usually receives more rain than Saint Thomasin April. Salvador gets 115 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilSalvador 26°C (78°F)Saint Thomas 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint Thomas and Salvador
| Salvador | Saint Thomas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.