A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Salvador vs. Tulum for Attractions, Nightlife, Beaches, and Couples

Should you visit Salvador or Tulum?

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

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

Salvador is a authentic, cultural, and historical city. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches. See Salvador travel costs.

Tulum

Tulum is a ancient, archeological, and tropical town. With stunning beauty, Tulum attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking. See Tulum travel costs.

Salvador and Tulum: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Salvador or Tulum?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Tulum than Salvador, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Tulum is better known for its museums and attractions, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Salvador is more popular for its historical sights. Tulum is more touristy than Salvador and is known for its archeological sights, beautiful beaches, and dramatic cenotes. Also, Tulum is famous for the Tulum archeological ruins. Salvador is well known for its West African influence, rich culinary scene, and colonial architecture.

How is Salvador different from Tulum?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Tulum and Salvador. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Salvador or Tulum?

Tulum is an unbeatable place for its museums and landmarks. Also, Salvador is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Tulum on the map. It's famous for its world-renowned archeological ruins. The Tulum Archeological Site is very popular for its Mayan temples and castles. You can also travel a bit further to see the Cobá Ruins.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Salvador. Many of the main sights are found in the historic part of town. In this area you'll find the Museu da Cidade, the Abelardo Rodrigues Museum, and the Casa do Benin. There are many ornate churches as well such as the São Francisco and the Carmelite Church.

Is the Food Better in Salvador or Tulum? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Salvador and Tulum can be an enjoyable experience.

Dining out in Salvador is an experience not to be missed. The city has rich African roots that are noticeable in the cuisine around town. Buffets have become popular in restaurants and many places offer a lunch buffet. They range in price and quality and you often pay by the weight. Common dishes include moqueca (seafood stew), vatapá (a type of curry), and acarajé (fried balls of beans and shrimp).

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Tulum. Despite being well established as a top tourist destination in Mexico, you'll still find authentic and delicious local cuisine. Favorite dishes around town include the ceviche, tacos al pastor, and sopa de lima (chicken soup).

Is Salvador or Tulum Better for Nightlife?

Tulum is an unbeatable place for its evening party scene. Also, Salvador is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

The nightlife in Tulum is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. It's world renowned for its wild nightlife scene and you'll find iconic beach parties, jungle raves, and trendy Tuluminati parties. Most of the local places that are a bit more affordable are in town, and the more touristy and expensive places are around the Middle Beach Zone.

Many people head to Salvador for the nightlife scene. Head to the old city for a mix of local music and authentic Brazilian activities. Further out, along the stretches of beach, you'll find larger music venues and dance clubs. The atmosphere is laid back and relaxed throughout the city and you'll find a very local vibe in many neighborhoods.

Is Salvador or Tulum Better for Resorts?

Tulum is an unbeatable place for its resorts. However, Salvador is not a resort destination.

Tulum offers an unforgettable resort vacation. If you're on a budget, you can stay in town for a more reasonable price, but if you want a classic beach vacation, head to the Zona Hotelera stretch along the coast. There are luxury hotels as well as resorts with beachfront pools and luxury restaurants.

Salvador is not a resort destination.

Is Salvador or Tulum Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Tulum is an unbeatable place for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Salvador is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

People travel to Tulum specifically to enjoy its famous scuba diving and snorkeling areas. The water along the coast is shallow and clear, which is perfect for snorkeling. There are also dive trips that take you a short distance out to diverse and beautiful reefs.

Salvador is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Salvador or Tulum Better for Beaches?

Tulum is an unbeatable place for the beach. Also, Salvador is still popular, but not quite as popular for its beaches.

The beaches in Tulum are among the best in the world. World class beaches with turquoise water and long stretches of sand make this a true beach-lovers paradise. Playa Paraíso is a favorite beach in the area and many consider it among the most beautiful beaches in Mexico.

The beaches at Salvador attract visitors from all over. Many of the beaches are sandy with warm water and tidal pools to explore. The most popular beach is Praia Farol da Barra, which can get crowded. North of the city is the more relaxed Praia Farol de Itapuã and if you want to learn to surf, head to Praia da Jaguaribe, which is home to several surfing schools.

Is Salvador or Tulum Better for its Old Town?

Salvador is a city with good options for its historic old town. However, Tulum does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Salvador to see the historical old town. The city served as the first Portuguese capital and today it still has colonial architecture and a historic atmosphere. At the historic heart of the city is the Pelourinho neighborhood, which has nice squares and cobblestone streets.

Tulum does not have a historic old town.

Is Salvador or Tulum Better for Hiking?

Tulum is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Salvador is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Tulum. There are coastal walks and routes that take you through the jungle or by archeological ruins. There are many places where you can enjoy a stroll through nature.

Salvador is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Salvador or Tulum?

Tulum is well known for its shopping areas. Also, Salvador is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Tulum. Quirky souvenir shops, local artisan boutiques, and colorful bazaars make shopping a fun experience. Make sure you check out Mercado Maya or the Tulum Bazaar while you're in town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Salvador. There are many local markets and shops around town where you can pick up traditional Brazilian items and artisan crafts.

Is Salvador or Tulum More Beautiful?

Tulum is well known for its scenery and beauty. However, Salvador is not a destination known for its beauty.

With stunning beauty, Tulum attracts visitors from all around. Clear blue water, sandy beaches, jungle covered archeological ruins, and hidden cenotes make this a stunningly beautiful place to visit.

Salvador is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Salvador or Tulum Better for Families?

Tulum is well known for its family-friendly activities. However, Salvador is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

Tulum is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will love the beaches and archeological sights as much as adults. You can also visit a cenote or see the sea turtles at Akumal Bay. If you're open to getting out of town, there are many adventure parks in the area as well.

For families, Salvador is not always the best place to visit. It has a reputation for being dangerous, so many families don't plan to spend much time here, but the city has parks, recreational activities like climbing, and a number of kid-friendly museums to explore. There are also many ice cream shops and family-friendly restaurants.

Is Salvador or Tulum Better for Couples?

Tulum is an unbeatable place for couples. Also, Salvador is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Tulum has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. Beautiful beaches, world famous archeological sights, and a wild nightlife scene make this a great honeymoon or couple's destination. There are also spas, cenotes, and even cooking classes that you can take together.

Salvador is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. The historical center is charming and the perfect place to explore as a couple. There are also parks around town and many cultural experiences that visitors truly enjoy.

Is Salvador or Tulum Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Salvador and Tulum are high quality places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Salvador is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. Backpackers love the historical architecture and the authenticity that this city offers. There are also a number of hostels around town.

Tulum is very popular with the backpacker crowd. It's no longer an undiscovered backpacker paradise, but there are still affordable options in the area and there's a great nightlife scene.

Is Salvador or Tulum Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Salvador and Tulum.

You'll find some public transit in Salvador, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses around town that are divided into two different classes - the common bus and the executive bus.

While Tulum offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are shared vans, Collectivos, that provide transportation through the area. The Tiburon is also a local bus that runs along the coastline.

Is Salvador or Tulum a more walkable city?

Tulum is well known for its ease of walking around. However, Salvador is not particularly known for its walkability.

Tulum is a very walkable destination. It's easy to walk around downtown Tulum and explore on foot.

Salvador is generally not a very walkable city. While it's possible to walk around town, you should really understand which areas are safe and which parts of town are dangerous. Sometimes the dangerous areas are just a couple of blocks that are surrounded by an otherwise safe neighborhood, so you should really understand where you are before heading out on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Salvador Worth Visiting? and Is Tulum Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Tulum or Salvador?

How long in Salvador or Tulum?

In either Salvador or Tulum, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Tulum than Salvador because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 3-4 days is a good amount of time for Salvador, and 3-5 days is enough time in Tulum.

Families should spend more time in Tulum than Salvador. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Tulum, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Tulum than Salvador. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Tulum that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Tulum than Salvador if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Tulum.

One day in Salvador or Tulum?

In Salvador, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this authentic destination offers. It's also a great beach destination, too. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

The beautiful town of Tulum offers museums and nightlife. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Salvador or Tulum?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Salvador. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Tulum is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Salvador or Tulum?

Salvador is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Salvador. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Tulum is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Tulum, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Salvador or Tulum?

You'll find food and shopping around the authentic destination of Salvador. Most people come for the beaches. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Tulum is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Brazil, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Brazil, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, and The Best Historical Tours in Mexico.

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

Which is Bigger, Salvador or Tulum?

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

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Salvador is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Tulum has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Salvador or Tulum in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Salvador and Tulum. The beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Salvador this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Tulum for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Salvador is around the same temperature as Tulum. Typically, the summer temperatures in Salvador in January average around 27°C (81°F), and Tulum averages at about 28°C (83°F)in July.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tulum this time of the year. In Salvador, it's very sunny this time of the year. Salvador usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Tulum during summer. Salvador gets 246 hours of sunny skies, while Tulum receives 232 hours of full sun in the summer.

Tulum receives a lot of rain in the summer. Salvador gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Salvador usually receives around the same amount of rain as Tulumin July. Salvador gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Tulum receives 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the summer. September to February in Salvador is the dry season. Also, March to August is the rainy season in Salvador.

Should I visit Salvador or Tulum in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Salvador as well as Tulum. Many travelers come to Salvador for the shopping scene. Additionally, many visitors come to Tulum in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In April, Salvador is generally around the same temperature as Tulumin October. Daily temperatures in Salvador average around 26°C (80°F), and Tulum fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tulum. In the autumn, Salvador often gets less sunshine than Tulumin October. Salvador gets 190 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tulum receives 216 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Tulum. Salvador receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Salvador usually gets more rain in April than Tulumin October. Salvador gets 310 mm (12.2 in) of rain, while Tulum receives 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, November to April in Tulum is the dry season. June to October in Tulum is the rainy season. Also, June to October in Tulum is the hurricane season.

Should I visit Salvador or Tulum in the Winter?

Both Tulum and Salvador are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Salvador in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Tulum for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Salvador is around the same temperature as Tulum in the winter. The daily temperature in Salvador averages around 24°C (75°F) in July, and Tulum fluctuates around 23°C (74°F)in January.

It's quite sunny in Tulum. Salvador usually receives less sunshine than Tulum during winter. Salvador gets 181 hours of sunny skies, while Tulum receives 213 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Salvador. In July, Salvador usually receives more rain than Tulumin January. Salvador gets 175 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Tulum receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the winter. The dry season in Salvador is September to February. The rainy season in Salvador is March to August.

Should I visit Salvador or Tulum in the Spring?

Both Tulum and Salvador during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Salvador for the beaches during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Tulum because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Salvador is around the same temperature as Tulum. Typically, the spring temperatures in Salvador in October average around 26°C (78°F), and Tulum averages at about 27°C (81°F)in April.

In Tulum, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Salvador. In the spring, Salvador often gets less sunshine than Tulumin April. Salvador gets 228 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tulum receives 273 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Salvador. Salvador usually gets more rain in October than Tulumin April. Salvador gets 115 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Tulum receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year. November to April is the dry season in Tulum. June to October is the rainy season in Tulum. Also, the hurricane season in Tulum is June to October.

Typical Weather for Tulum and Salvador