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

Should you visit Salvador or San Pedro?

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

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

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.

San Pedro

San Pedro is the largest town on Ambergris Caye, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Belize. Here you can find a tropical paradise with warm weather, clear blue waters, plenty of activities such as snorkeling and scuba diving, and a host of hotels, restaurants, and other amenities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to Brazil, The Best G Adventures Tours to Brazil, The Best Budget Tours to Belize, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Belize.


Which place is cheaper, San Pedro or Salvador?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Salvador is $44, while the average daily cost in San Pedro is $135. 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 San Pedro in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Salvador $24
    San Pedro $66
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Salvador $48
    San Pedro $132
Compare Hotels in Salvador and San Pedro

Looking for a hotel in Salvador or San Pedro? 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 San Pedro


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Salvador $6.02
    San Pedro $34
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Salvador

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


  • Bus from Airport
    $1.17

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Salvador

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Salvador:

  • Shared Transfer from the Airport to Hotels: $16
  • Arrival or Departure Shared Transfer from Airport to hotels in Salvador: $16
  • Transfers: Airport, Hotels, Maritime Terminals, Bus Station.: $23
  • Tourism and Transfer Salvador and Morro de São Paulo: $24
  • Transfer Salvador Airport / Hotel Litoral Norte: $24
  • Transfer Hotel in Salvador / Salvador Airport: $24
  • Transfer Salvador Airport / Hotel in Salvador: $24
  • Praia do Forte Shared Transfer From Salvador : $28
  • Private Transfer from Salvador to Salvador de Bahia Cruise Port: $29
  • Salvador to Salvador de Bahia Airport: Departure Private Transfer: $29
  • Salvador Airport (SSA) to Salvador - Arrival Private Transfer: $29
  • Private Transfer from Salvador de Bahia Cruise Port to Salvador : $29

Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Pedro

Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Pedro:

  • Cave Tubing and Zipline Adventure (Boat Transfer): $205

Is it cheaper to fly into Salvador or San Pedro?

Prices for flights to both San Pedro 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
    San Pedro $40
Typical Food Prices in Salvador

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


  • 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 San Pedro

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

  • Belizean Sunset and Cultural Dinner Cruise: $120

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Salvador $5.67
    San Pedro $33

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 San Pedro

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

  • Sunset Tiki Bar Cruise in Caye Caulker, Belize: $45
  • Shark & Ray Afternoon Swim Tiki Bar Cruise: $45
  • 3 Hours Barrier Reef Tour in Caye Caulker, Belize: $54
  • Ambergris Caye Sunset Sail Tour on the 40' Sirena Azul Sailboat: $75
  • SAN PEDRO; Belizean Food Experience: $86
  • Hol Chan Marine Reserve Snorkel Tour on the 40' Sirena Azul Sailboat: $89
  • Belize Hol Chan Marine Reserve & Shark Ray Alley Snorkel Tour - Ambergris Caye: $93
  • Hol Chan Full-Day Bucket List Snorkeling and Marine Life Tour: $95
  • Hol Chan, Shark Ray Full-Day Snorkeling Tour From San Pedro Belize: $110
  • All-Inclusive Full-Day Hol Chan Snorkeling Tour : $120
  • Mexico Rocks Day Sail Shared Guided Tour: $129
  • Exclusive All-in-1 Full Day Shared Guided Tour: $139

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Salvador $5.38
    San Pedro $16
Typical Alcohol Prices in Salvador

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


  • Beers for 2
    $1.37
  • Drinks
    $2.74


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


Which is Bigger, Salvador or San Pedro?

Salvador has a larger population, and is about 320 times larger than the population of San Pedro. When comparing the sizes of Salvador and San Pedro, 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 San Pedro?

Salvador has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but San Pedro experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Salvador or San Pedro in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Salvador and San Pedro. San Pedro attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In January, Salvador is generally around the same temperature as San Pedroin July. Daily temperatures in Salvador average around 27°C (81°F), and San Pedro fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Pedro this time of the year. In Salvador, it's very sunny this time of the year. Salvador usually receives more sunshine than San Pedro during summer. Salvador gets 246 hours of sunny skies, while San Pedro receives 226 hours of full sun in the summer.

San Pedro receives a lot of rain in the summer. Salvador gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Salvador usually receives less rain than San Pedroin July. Salvador gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while San Pedro receives 243 mm (9.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January and July
    Salvador 27°C (81°F) 
    San Pedro 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Salvador or San Pedro in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Salvador as well as San Pedro. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Pedro throughout the year.

Salvador is around the same temperature as San Pedro in the autumn. The daily temperature in Salvador averages around 26°C (80°F) in April, and San Pedro fluctuates around 26°C (80°F)in October.

In the autumn, Salvador often gets around the same amount of sunshine as San Pedroin October. Salvador gets 190 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Pedro receives 196 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in San Pedro. Salvador receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Salvador usually gets more rain in April than San Pedroin October. Salvador gets 310 mm (12.2 in) of rain, while San Pedro receives 255 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April and October
    Salvador 26°C (80°F) 
    San Pedro 26°C (80°F)

Should I visit Salvador or San Pedro in the Winter?

Both San Pedro and Salvador are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to San Pedro because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the winter, Salvador is around the same temperature as San Pedro. Typically, the winter temperatures in Salvador in July average around 24°C (75°F), and San Pedro averages at about 24°C (74°F)in January.

Salvador usually receives less sunshine than San Pedro during winter. Salvador gets 181 hours of sunny skies, while San Pedro receives 199 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in San Pedro. It's quite rainy in Salvador. In July, Salvador usually receives more rain than San Pedroin January. Salvador gets 175 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while San Pedro receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July and January
    Salvador 24°C (75°F) 
    San Pedro 24°C (74°F)

Should I visit Salvador or San Pedro in the Spring?

Both San Pedro and Salvador during the spring are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Pedro year-round.

In October, Salvador is generally around the same temperature as San Pedroin April. Daily temperatures in Salvador average around 26°C (78°F), and San Pedro fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

In San Pedro, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Salvador. In the spring, Salvador often gets less sunshine than San Pedroin April. Salvador gets 228 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Pedro receives 256 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Salvador. Salvador usually gets more rain in October than San Pedroin April. Salvador gets 115 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while San Pedro receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October and April
    Salvador 26°C (78°F) 
    San Pedro 27°C (80°F)

Typical Weather for San Pedro and Salvador

Salvador San Pedro
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 27°C (81°F) 138 mm (5.4 in) 24°C (74°F) 138 mm (5.4 in)
Feb 27°C (81°F) 142 mm (5.6 in) 24°C (76°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Mar 27°C (81°F) 152 mm (6 in) 26°C (78°F) 25 mm (1 in)
Apr 26°C (80°F) 310 mm (12.2 in) 27°C (80°F) 52 mm (2 in)
May 26°C (78°F) 360 mm (14.2 in) 28°C (82°F) 105 mm (4.1 in)
Jun 25°C (76°F) 244 mm (9.6 in) 28°C (82°F) 258 mm (10.2 in)
Jul 24°C (75°F) 175 mm (6.9 in) 28°C (82°F) 243 mm (9.6 in)
Aug 24°C (75°F) 127 mm (5 in) 28°C (82°F) 187 mm (7.4 in)
Sep 25°C (77°F) 102 mm (4 in) 28°C (82°F) 287 mm (11.3 in)
Oct 26°C (78°F) 115 mm (4.5 in) 26°C (80°F) 255 mm (10 in)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 137 mm (5.4 in) 25°C (77°F) 183 mm (7.2 in)
Dec 26°C (80°F) 143 mm (5.6 in) 25°C (76°F) 138 mm (5.4 in)