Should you visit Sao Paulo or Salvador?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sao Paulo or Salvador, this travel cost comparison can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Sao Paulo
With a population of around 11 million, and 20 million in the metropolitan area, Sao Paulo is the largest city in Brazil. It's also one of the wealthiest cities in the southern hemisphere, although you don't have to look far to see the income disparities and inequalities that exist. The city is diverse and culturally rich, with excellent food, music, and entertainment.
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.
Which city is cheaper, Salvador or Sao Paulo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Sao Paulo is $41, while the average daily cost in Salvador is $34. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Sao Paulo and Salvador in more detail.
Accommodation
The prices for places to stay in Sao Paulo can vary by date, location, and type. Generally, the average cost for accommodation per person is $23, while a typical double-occupancy hotel room for two people will cost around $46.
A hotel room in Salvador is about $38 This assumes double occupancy and modest accommodations.
Food
The average traveler spends about $11 per day in Sao Paulo for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
In Salvador travelers spend around $10 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
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Food
Meals for one day
Sao Paulo $11
Salvador $10
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sao Paulo
For Sao Paulo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Sao Paulo - Pinheiros Gourmet Food Tour (4 hours tour + 3 dishes included):
$45
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Brazilian Cooking Class:
$79
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Cooking Class in São Paulo:
$268
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Private Food Tour in São Paulo:
$278
Typical Food prices in Salvador
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Salvador:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Salvador
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Salvador.
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Pelourinho By Night - Dinner & Show:
$70
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Pelourinho By Night With Folkloric Show and Dinner:
$80
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Private Tour to Cultural Show and Dinner in Salvador:
$80
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Private Cooking Experience in Salvador:
$100
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Salvador by Night: Cultural Dinner and Show:
$110
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Bahia By Night: Dinner and Folkloric show:
$114
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Cooking Class with a Local and Spice Gift:
$125
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Bahia By Night Dinner and Dance Show Ticket:
$135
Local Transportation
Sao Paulo's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $4.61 per person, per day on transportation in Sao Paulo.
While taxis and private drivers typically cost much more than public transportation, people usually spend around $4.70 per day to get around in Salvador.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sao Paulo
Also for Sao Paulo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Airport Transfer: São Paulo Hotels to GRU International Airport:
$50
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CGH Airport transfer Sao Paulo city / Hotel:
$38
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Creative & Natural Transfer São Paulo-Paraty:
$375
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Departure Private Transfer São Paulo to Guarulhos Airport GRU by Standard Car:
$43
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Departure Private Transfer São Paulo to Guarulhos Airport GRU in Business Car:
$82
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Departure Private Transfer São Paulo to Guarulhos Airport GRU in Luxury Van:
$77
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Guarulhos International Airport Transfer:
$100
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Low Cost Private Transfer From Governador André Franco Montoro International Airport to Guarulhos City - One Way:
$122
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Low Cost Private Transfer From Governador André Franco Montoro International Airport to São Paulo City - One Way:
$122
-
Private Airport Transfer: Sao Paulo to Sao Paulo-Guarulhos Int. Airport (GRU):
$23
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Private Airport Transfer: Sao Paulo-Guarulhos Int. Airport (GRU) to Sao Paulo:
$23
-
Private Airport Transfer: Sao Paulo/Congonhas Airport (CGH) to Sao Paulo:
$22
Typical Local Transportation prices in Salvador
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Salvador:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Salvador
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Salvador:
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Private One Way Airport Transfer - Morro de São Paulo:
$366
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Ivan Bahia, Private Transfer Lençois (Chapada Diamantina) to / from Salvador BA:
$280
-
Transfer Salvador to Barra Grande Round Trip:
$200
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Private Transfer from Salvador to Boipeba Round Trip:
$170
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Private Transfer to/from Salvador Airport to/from Praia do Forte:
$140
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Private Transfer from/to Salvador Airport From/to Grand Palladium Imbassai:
$115
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Grand Palladium Imbassai Private Transfer 4 to 12 Pax:
$114
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Iberostar Praia do Forte or Bahia Private Transfer 4 to 12 Pax:
$107
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Praia do Forte Private Transfer From Salvador:
$103
-
Morro de São Paulo Shared Transfer From/To Salvador:
$100
-
Round Trip Transfer Salvador Airport to Hotels:
$95
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Transfer From Salvador to Morro de São Paulo Round Trip Semi Terrestre:
$95
Is it cheaper to fly into Sao Paulo or Salvador?
Prices for flights to both Salvador and Sao Paulo 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.
Entertainment
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Sao Paulo can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $3.16 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Activities, things to do, and other forms of entertainment usually cost around $4.43 per person, per day in Salvador. This cost includes the price of admission tickets to attractions and museums as well as daily tours.
Tours and Activities in Sao Paulo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sao Paulo.
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Downtown São Paulo: An audio tour tracing the city's epic history:
$5.00
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Virtual Live Tour of Sao Paulo Graffiti Hosted by Artist:
$25
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Street art is not for lazy tourists :P:
$25
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São Paulo Like a Local: Customized Private Tour:
$31
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Discover Sao Paulo History Guided Tour:
$31
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Paulista Avenue Walking Tour:
$31
-
Private São Paulo Historic Center Walking Tour:
$45
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Small Group Highlights Tour in São Paulo:
$49
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City Tour Meet São Paulo Half-Day:
$50
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Alternative City Tour:
$50
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Rain Forest Trail - Cantareira Natural Park day tour from São Paulo:
$58
-
Embu das Artes Largest Handicraft Fair Tour from São Paulo:
$58
Tours and Activities in Salvador
Here are a few actual costs in Salvador for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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4-Days Experience at Salvador de Bahia, Savour the cultural fusion - Brasil:
$690
-
8h City Tour of Salvador da Bahia:
$80
-
African historical walking tour 03 hours:
$90
-
Beaches North Coast 2 tours with overnight hotel Coconut Coast experience:
$509
-
Best Value Full Day Sightseeing Tour Salvador the first Capital of Brazil:
$104
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Cachoeira Countryside Flavor Private Tour from Salvador:
$110
-
Candomble Religion Mysteries Private Tour in Salvador:
$80
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Candomblé Ceremony Private Tour from Salvador:
$70
-
Chapada Diamantina Adventure:
$2,898
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Costa de Camaçari 3 days 2 night, beach, tour, hotel, meals, guide:
$477
-
Cruise Ship Special Private Tour Salvador da Bahia Historic Old Town Bonfim and Barra:
$136
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Discover the Ancient Deities of Brazil's Candomblé (Online Experience):
$15
Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Sao Paulo, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $2.75.
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Salvador may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $5.92 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Sample the Local Flavors in Sao Paulo
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Sao Paulo:
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4 Hours Pub Crawl in Vila Madalena:
$69
Typical Alcohol prices in Salvador
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Salvador:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sao Paulo and Salvador, we can see that Sao Paulo is more expensive. And not only is Salvador much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Sao Paulo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sao Paulo than you might in Salvador.
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