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

Should you visit Salvador or Salento?

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

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

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.

Salento

Founded in 1850, Salento is one of the oldest towns in Quindio. This colonial Colombian town has retained much of its old world charm, with its colorful buildings, large square and, of course, the obligatory church. Because the main route between Cali and Bogota which used to pass through Salento was diverted, the town didn't develop as quickly as others in the Quindio region. This gave Salento the opportunity to evolve into a thriving community of craftsmen and artisans as well as remaining one of the region's most prolific coffee producers. Salento is located 24 km northeast of the departmental capital Armenia. However, unlike its colorful neighbor, Armenia itself has very little to offer tourists. Salento attracts those wishing to learn about the coffee regions and for those who simply admire breathtaking scenery, and especially the stunning Cocora Valley.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Brazil, The Best 10-Day Tours in Brazil, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Colombia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia.


Which place is cheaper, Salento 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 Salento is $32. 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 Salento in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Salvador $25
    Salento $11
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Salvador $50
    Salento $22
Compare Hotels in Salvador and Salento

Looking for a hotel in Salvador or Salento? 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 Salento


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 Salento Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Salvador $6.15
    Salento $14
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Salvador

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


  • Bus from Airport
    $1.20

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Salvador

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Salvador:

  • Shared Transfer from the Airport to Hotels: $17
  • Transfers: Airport, Hotels, Maritime Terminals, Bus Station.: $24
  • Tourism and Transfer Salvador and Morro de São Paulo: $25
  • Transfer Salvador Airport / Hotel Litoral Norte: $25
  • Transfer Salvador Airport / Hotel in Salvador: $25
  • Transfer Hotel Litoral Norte / Salvador Airport: $25
  • Transfer Hotel in Salvador / Salvador Airport: $25
  • Praia do Forte Shared Transfer From Salvador : $29
  • Private Transfer from Salvador de Bahia Cruise Port to Salvador : $30
  • Private Transfer from Salvador to Salvador de Bahia Cruise Port: $30
  • Salvador Airport (SSA) to Salvador - Arrival Private Transfer: $30
  • Airport Transfer x Salvador Hotel - Sedan 1 to 4 people: $30

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Salento

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Salento:

  • Pereira Airport Private Transfer Service: $55

Is it cheaper to fly into Salvador or Salento?

Prices for flights to both Salento 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
    Salento $9.38
Typical Food Prices in Salvador

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


  • Dinner for 2
    $1.40

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
  • 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

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Salento

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

  • Cooking Stories - Cocinando Historias: $46

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Salvador $5.80
    Salento $12

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: $7.80
  • Salvador, Vitória & Barra: Scavenger Hunt Self-Guided Tour: $7.80
  • Salvador Sights Self Guided Tour (Vitória and Barra): $8.02
  • 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: $23
  • Regular Tour to Forte Beach - Leaving Salvador by Bahia Top Turismo: $25
  • Salvador Historical City Center Tour: $25
  • Bahia 500 Years Historic Tour, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil: $25
  • Historic City Tour in Salvador: $25
  • Salvador Panoramic City Tour: $25

Tours and Activities in Salento

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

  • Coffee tour in the heart of the coffee region: $28
  • City tour + Nature: $32
  • Santa Rita Waterfall and Salento Hike Tour: $49
  • Filandia and Salento Coffee Towns Tour: $63
  • Private Colombian Coffee Farm Tour with Tastings in Armenia: $78
  • Cocora Valley and Salento Hike Tour: $79
  • Coffee Tour at Finca El Ocaso: $84
  • Coffee Farm and Salento Walking Tour with Lunch: $87
  • Private birding tour for beginners and intermediate: $90
  • Coffe Experience: Daily departure from Salento: $91
  • Cocora Valley and Salento Guided Hiking Tour: $91
  • Coffee Tour and Salento Walking Tour with lunch: $96

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Salvador $5.51
    Salento $11
Typical Alcohol Prices in Salvador

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


  • Beers for 2
    $1.40
  • Drinks
    $2.80

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 Salento, we can see that Salvador is more expensive. And not only is Salento much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Salento would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Salento 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 Salento.

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


Which is Bigger, Salvador or Salento?

Salvador has a larger population, and is about 660 times larger than the population of Salento. When comparing the sizes of Salvador and Salento, 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.