Which place is cheaper, Tulum or Salvador?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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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.
Where Should I go: Salvador or Tulum?
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.
Tulum
When you think of ancient ruins you probably picture dusty archaeological digs surrounded by sand and professors in khaki shorts. What if I told you there is a way to see ancient ruins and visit a tropical beach? That's exactly what you find in Tulum, Mexico.
Built near the end of Mayan era, the ruins of Tulum served as a port before the arrival of the Spanish. It may have been called Zama, meaning City of Dawn, given that these ruins face the sunrise. Because of Tulum's access to both land and sea routes, this spot was an important hub for the trade industry. It may have had another claim to fame, too. According to some murals and other works around the site, it seems this spot was an important site for the worship of the Diving or Descending God. Today, the area is the third most visited archaeological site in all of Mexico with daily tour buses dropping off visitors.
This area is usually packed with people looking to get a glimpse of the seaside ruins. To avoid crowds and capture the best view of the day, try to arrive as early as possible.
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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySalvador $44Tulum $122
The average daily cost (per person) in Salvador is $44, while the average daily cost in Tulum is $122. 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 Tulum in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSalvador $24Tulum $60
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSalvador $48Tulum $120
Compare Hotels in Salvador and Tulum
Looking for a hotel in Salvador or Tulum? 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 and Tulum Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Salvador $6.02Tulum $28
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:
- 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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Tulum
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Tulum are as follows:
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Scooter Rental$18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tulum
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tulum:
- Cancun Airport Departure transfer from Akumal, Tulum: $191
- Departure Private Transfer from Tulum to Cancun Airport CUN by Minivan - Minibus: $117
- One Way Private Tulum Transfers to or from Cancun Airport: $160
- Private Luxury Transfer Tulum to Cancun Airport: $220
- Private Transfer From Cancun Airport - Tulum: $208
- Private Transfer Tulum Zone - Cancun International Airport: $160
- Private Transfer Tulum-Bacalar with optional 2h in Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve: $210
- Private Transfer in Vehicle from Tulum to Cancun Airport : $91
- Round-trip Private Transfer Cancun Airport to TULUM - up to 9 pax: $299
- Roundtrip Private Transfer from Cancun Airport to Tulum: $254
- Roundtrip Transfer from Cancun Airport to Tulum: $269
- Tulum to Bacalar - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $153
Is it cheaper to fly into Salvador or Tulum?
Prices for flights to both Tulum 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 $13Tulum $34
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
Typical Food Prices in Tulum
Some typical examples of dining costs in Tulum are as follows:
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Lunch$3.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tulum
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Tulum.
- Tulum Local Walking Food Tour: $86
- Vegan Walking Food Tour with Tasting: $87
- Mexican Cooking from Scratch and Mezcal Tasting in a Local Home in Tulum: $87
- Mayan Night Guided Tour, Cenote Swim and Mayan Dinner: $209
- Private transfer for 5 hours (go dinner,cenotes, shopping and more) : $299
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Salvador $5.67Tulum $32
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 Tulum
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Tulum are as follows:
- Audioguide Tulum, Audioguide-App Mayastadt Tulum, Tour Tulum Archaeological Site: $4.31
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - The Return Home: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Coba Ruins: The trail of the Mayas: $10
- Tulum Archeological Site Skip-the-Line Ticket: $12
- Skip-the-Line Entrance Ticket: $12
- Self-Guided Mayan Ruins Tour: $13
- Explore Coba: The Ultimate Self-Guided Audio & Map Tour: $15
- Archeological Guided Walking Tour in Tulum: $20
- Archaeological Site Guided Walking Tour: $20
- Tulum Mural Tours: $36
- Playa del Carmen: ATV, Cenote, and Zipline Tour with a Meal: $41
- Entrance tickets to swim in 4 Cenotes in Casa Tortuga Park: $42
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySalvador $5.38Tulum $25
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 Tulum
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Tulum:
- 30 Minutes Brewery Tour in Tulum: $39
- Wine Tasting at Pan y Vino Tulum: $58
- Beer Tasting and Brewery Tour: $69
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. 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.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulySalvador 27°C (81°F)Tulum 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Salvador or Tulum in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Salvador as well as Tulum. 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.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberSalvador 26°C (80°F)Tulum 27°C (81°F)
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. 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.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuarySalvador 24°C (75°F)Tulum 23°C (74°F)
Should I visit Salvador or Tulum in the Spring?
Both Tulum and Salvador during the spring are popular places to visit. 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.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilSalvador 26°C (78°F)Tulum 27°C (81°F)
Typical Weather for Tulum and Salvador
| Salvador | Tulum | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (80°F) | 310 mm (12.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| May | 26°C (78°F) | 360 mm (14.2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (76°F) | 244 mm (9.6 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 192 mm (7.6 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (75°F) | 175 mm (6.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 127 mm (5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (77°F) | 102 mm (4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 228 mm (9 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (78°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (80°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 72 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.