Which place is cheaper, Santa Marta or Salvador?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Salvador or Santa Marta, 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.
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.
Santa Marta is a city in the Magdalena Department of Colombia's Costa Norte. Over the last decade, security has steadily been replacing the shadow of the Colombia's violent past. One destination in Colombia's northeast region is now attracting more international visitors: the coastal Caribbean area of Santa Marta. Established in 1525 by the Spanish as a base of conquest, Santa Marta sits at the foot of the world's highest coastal mountain range, the towering Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. It is South America's oldest European-founded town and the second most important colonial city on Colombia's Caribbean coast. While many travelers complain about Santa Marta's horrible traffic and unsightly urban sprawl, the city holds a numerous amounts of great hotels, bars and restaurants and holds a few fantastic destinations nearby to which you can go during the daytime.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Brazil, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Brazil, The Best Eco Tours in Colombia, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Colombia.
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 Santa Marta 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 Santa Marta in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Salvador or Santa Marta? 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.
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Salvador:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Salvador:
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Santa Marta:
Also for Santa Marta, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Santa Marta 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.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Salvador:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Salvador.
For Santa Marta, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
For Santa Marta, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Here are a few actual costs in Salvador for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
For Santa Marta, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Salvador:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Salvador:
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Santa Marta from other travelers:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Salvador and Santa Marta, we can see that Salvador is more expensive. And not only is Santa Marta much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Santa Marta would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Santa Marta 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 Santa Marta.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Salvador Expensive? and Is Santa Marta Expensive?.
Salvador has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Santa Marta. When comparing the sizes of Salvador and Santa Marta, 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.