A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Salento vs. Salta for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Salento or Salta?

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

Should I visit Salento or Salta? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Salento or Salta?

Salento

Founded in 1850, Salento is one of the oldest towns in Quindio. This colonial Colombian town has retained much of its old world charm, with its colorful buildings, large square and, of course, the obligatory church. Because the main route between Cali and Bogota which used to pass through Salento was diverted, the town didn't develop as quickly as others in the Quindio region. This gave Salento the opportunity to evolve into a thriving community of craftsmen and artisans as well as remaining one of the region's most prolific coffee producers. Salento is located 24 km northeast of the departmental capital Armenia. However, unlike its colorful neighbor, Armenia itself has very little to offer tourists. Salento attracts those wishing to learn about the coffee regions and for those who simply admire breathtaking scenery, and especially the stunning Cocora Valley.

Salta

Located in the heart of the famous Northwest region of Argentina, at 1200m of elevation and at the foot of the Cerro San Bernardo, Salta is the largest city of the region and perhaps the most beautiful colonial city of Argentina. Founded in 1582 by the Spanish, Salta was an important stop for merchants who followed the usual trade road through Bolivia and Peru. Argentines call this city nestled in the foothills of the Andes and surrounded by mountains, of just over half a million inhabitants, Salta La Linda (Salta the Beautiful) and it's easy to see why. Young and traditional at the same time, Salta and its renowned museums, plaza side cafes and live musica folklorica of its bustling penas, is a sophisticated and lively city day and night.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Colombia, The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, The Best Wildlife Tours to Argentina, and The Best Eco Tours in Argentina.


Which place is cheaper, Salta or Salento?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Salento is $39, while the average daily cost in Salta is $45. 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 Salento and Salta in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Salento $11
    Salta $31
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Salento $22
    Salta $62
Compare Hotels in Salento and Salta

Looking for a hotel in Salento or Salta? 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 Salento


Hotels in Salta


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: Salento Hotel Prices and Salta Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Salento $14
    Salta $3.13

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Salento

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Salento:

  • Private Pereira Airport Transfer: To/From Salento: $54

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Salta

Also for Salta, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • One-Way or Round Trip Airport Transfer: $5.50
  • Transfer from Salta Airport: $7.19
  • Shared 1-Way or Round Trip SLA Airport Transfer: $8.00
  • Shared Transfer from Downtown Hotels in Salta to Airport: $12
  • Salta Airport Shuttle Transfer: $15
  • Salta Airport One-Way or Round-Trip Transfers: $45
  • Private 1-Way or Round Trip SLA Airport Transfer: $56
  • From Cafayate and Hornocal 2-Day Tour with Transfer: $88
  • From Salinas and Hornocal 2-Day Tour with Transfer: $99
  • Salta City Tour & Round Trip Transfers airport - hotel: $109
  • Combo: Cafayate Tour + Cachi + Transfers + Free Walking Tour: $117
  • Cafayate Wine Tour with Tastings and Transfers: $150

Is it cheaper to fly into Salento or Salta?

Prices for flights to both Salta and Salento 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
    Salento $16
    Salta $5.41

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Salento

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

  • Cooking Stories - Cocinando Historias: $46

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Salento $12
    Salta $27

Tours and Activities in Salento

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

  • Armenia, Quindio: Coffee Tour, Transportation, and Quimbaya Gold Museum: $64
  • Book a Private Tourist Guide through the Coffee Region: $141
  • Cocoa and Coffee Farm Tours from Pereira or Armenia: $188
  • Cocora, Salento and Filandia Tour: $115
  • Coffee Farm Tour at Finca El Ocaso from Salento: $90
  • Coffee Farm and Salento Walking Tour: $88
  • Coffee Tour Salento-Ocaso Farm- English Tour: $15
  • Coffee Tour at Finca El Ocaso Finca Tradicional-Español: $15
  • Coffee tour in the heart of the coffee region: $30
  • Filandia and Salento Coffee Towns Tour: $87
  • Filandia, Salento and Cocora Valley Private Tour: $144
  • Filandia, Salento and Cocora Valley Tour: $214

Tours and Activities in Salta

For Salta, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 4-Hour Guided Highlights City Tour: $16
  • Salta Private Tour with a Photojournalist : $18
  • Salta City Half Day Tour: $20
  • From City Tour of the city on a half-day ride: $20
  • Guided City Tour: $26
  • From Full-Day Scenic Tour to Cachi: $30
  • From Cachi and Los Cardones National Park Tour: $30
  • From Full-day tour to Cachi and Los Cardones National Park: $31
  • From Full-Day Tour to Cafayate, Land of Wines: $31
  • Tour to Cafayate from Salta : $31
  • Half-Day City Tour: Salta and San Lorenzo: $32
  • Full-Day Tour Cafayate Calchaqui Valleys with Wine: $32

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Salento $11
    Salta $5.50

Sample the Local Flavors in Salta

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Salta:

  • Cafayate: Full-day tour of wineries and wine tasting: $29
  • Full-day Cafayate, Lerma Valley, and Wine Tasting from Salta: $30
  • From Full-Day Tour to Cafayate with Wine Tasting: $30
  • From Cafayate Day Trip with Wine Tasting: $40
  • Half Day Wine Tasting in Salta: $147


When comparing the travel costs between Salento and Salta, we can see that Salta is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in South America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Salento Expensive? and Is Salta Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Salento or Salta?

Salta has a larger population, and is about 120 times larger than the population of Salento. When comparing the sizes of Salento and Salta, 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.