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

Should you visit Salta or Valparaiso?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Salta and Valparaiso can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Salta or Valparaiso?

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.

Valparaiso

Valparaiso, often referred to as Valpo, is an attractive city on the Pacific Coast in Chile. The city has a population of about 300,000 and is only 120 kilometers west of Santiago. The city's main industries aside from tourism include shipping and petroleum refining.

Valparaiso is popular with travelers because of its bohemian culture and brightly colored homes. It also offers some wonderful views of the Pacific Ocean. Although the city is short on specific sights, the atmosphere and beautiful setting make it a wonderful place to visit.

Valparaiso has a mild Mediterranean climate that is comparable to San Francisco or Santa Barbara. The summer is dry but fog is common year around. Rain can be heavy during the winter season and snow falls occasionally in the highest parts of the city. Winds can also be strong during the winter months.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Argentina, The Best Eco Tours in Argentina, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Chile, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Chile.


Which place is cheaper, Valparaiso or Salta?

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 Salta is $45, while the average daily cost in Valparaiso is $82. 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 Salta and Valparaiso in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Salta $31
    Valparaiso $36
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Salta $62
    Valparaiso $72
Compare Hotels in Salta and Valparaiso

Looking for a hotel in Salta or Valparaiso? 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 Salta


Hotels in Valparaiso


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: Salta Hotel Prices and Valparaiso Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Salta $3.13
    Valparaiso $4.83

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Salta

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

  • Combo: Cafayate, Cachi and Humahuaca, transfers and walking tour: $177
  • Combo: Cafayate Tour + Cachi + Transfers + Free Walking Tour: $117
  • From Cafayate and Hornocal 2-Day Tour with Transfer: $88
  • From Salinas and Hornocal 2-Day Tour with Transfer: $99
  • Humahuaca, 7-color Hill & round trip transfers airport - hotel in Salta: $167
  • Salta Airport One-Way or Round-Trip Transfers: $45
  • Salta Airport Shuttle Transfer: $15
  • Salta City Tour & Round Trip Transfers airport - hotel: $109
  • Cafayate Wine Tour with Tastings and Transfers: $150
  • One-Way or Round Trip Airport Transfer: $5.50
  • Private 1-Way or Round Trip SLA Airport Transfer: $56
  • Shared 1-Way or Round Trip SLA Airport Transfer: $8.00

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Valparaiso

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Valparaiso are as follows:


  • Taxi Ride
    $3.14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Valparaiso

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Valparaiso:

  • Valparaiso to Santiago Private Transfer or Santiago to Valparaiso: $142
  • Transfers from Valparaiso or Viña del Mar to Santiago: $120
  • Small group transfer from Valparaiso/S.Antonio+Tour in Santiago: $140
  • Private transfer from Valparaiso or Viña del Mar to San Antonio : $133
  • Private Valparaiso Visit William Cole Winery & Transfer to Hotel: $270
  • Private Transfer from Viña del Mar to Arturo Merino Benítez (SCL) Airport: $260
  • Private Transfer from Viña Del Mar or Valparaiso City Hotel To Santiago City: $89
  • Private Transfer from Valparaiso Hotel or port To Santiago Airport or Hotel: $110
  • Private Transfer from Valparaiso Cruise Port to Santiago Hotels: $208
  • Private Transfer Viña del Mar to Santiago Airport: $170

Is it cheaper to fly into Salta or Valparaiso?

Prices for flights to both Valparaiso and Salta 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
    Salta $5.41
    Valparaiso $38

Typical Food Prices in Valparaiso

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Valparaiso:


  • Empanada
    $1.88

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Valparaiso

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

  • Cooking Classes in Viña del Mar Learn to Make Tapas and Desserts: $65
  • Learn to Cook Like a Local: Private Cooking Class in a Viña del Mar Home: $102

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Salta $27
    Valparaiso $18

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

Typical Entertainment Prices in Valparaiso

Here are a few typical costs in Valparaiso for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Boat Tour
    $4.19

Tours and Activities in Valparaiso

Here are a few actual costs in Valparaiso for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 2 Hour Walking Tour in Valparaiso: $35
  • Explore Valparaíso and Viña del Mar Tour: $58
  • Famous Valparaíso! Premium Walking Tour with a Native Guide: $40
  • Famous Viña del Mar! Premium Walking Tour with a Native Guide: $40
  • Full Day Private Walking Tour with a Native Guide & Public Transport: $120
  • Full-Day Tour of Valparaíso, Viña del Mar, Reñaca & Concón: $180
  • Gastronomic Tour in Valparaiso: $189
  • Guided Panoramic Tour in Valparaíso: $40
  • Half-Day Chilean Pacific Coast Tour: Viña del Mar, Reñaca and Concón: $112
  • Half-Day Valparaiso City Highlights Tour: $112
  • Horse Ride & BBQ in Ritoque Beach&Dunes FROM VALPO. Private Tour: $298
  • Isla Negra Museum & CasaBlanca Winery From Valpo. Private Tour: $299

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Salta $5.50
    Valparaiso $7.78

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

Typical Alcohol Prices in Valparaiso

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Valparaiso are as follows:


  • Beer
    $0.99

Sample the Local Flavors in Valparaiso

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Valparaiso:

  • A Hop-On Hop-Off Wine Tour Service from Casablanca : $75
  • Private Wine Tour in Valparaiso: $250
  • Santiago: Valparaíso Walking Tour & Casablanca Wine Tasting: $320


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Salta and Valparaiso, we can see that Valparaiso is more expensive. And not only is Salta much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Salta would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Salta 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 Valparaiso would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Valparaiso than you might in Salta.

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


Which is Bigger, Salta or Valparaiso?

Salta has a larger population, and is about 82% larger than the population of Valparaiso. When comparing the sizes of Salta and Valparaiso, 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.