A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Salvador vs. Arequipa for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Salvador or Arequipa?

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

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

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.

Arequipa

Sitting in the middle of the Misti, Chachani and PichuPichu volcanoes of Peru is the enchanting city of Arequipa. With 468 years of history, the city is full of Spanish colonial architecture. Known to locals as the "white city," the city center, Plaza de Armas, is quite the sight with buildings of sillar white stone made from the rocks of the surrounding volcanoes.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Brazil, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Brazil, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Peru, and The Best Cultural Tours in Peru.


Which place is cheaper, Arequipa or Salvador?

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

  • Salvador Prices
    Brazil Prices
    Arequipa Prices
    Peru Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Salvador $51
    Arequipa $60

The average daily cost (per person) in Salvador is $51, while the average daily cost in Arequipa is $60. 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 Arequipa in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Salvador $23
    Arequipa $24
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Salvador $46
    Arequipa $48
Compare Hotels in Salvador and Arequipa

Looking for a hotel in Salvador or Arequipa? 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 Salvador


Hotels in Arequipa


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 Arequipa Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Salvador $5.78
    Arequipa $6.36
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Salvador

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Salvador:


  • Bus from Airport
    $1.13

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Salvador

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Salvador:

  • Airport Transfer x Salvador Hotel - Sedan 1 to 4 people: $30
  • Airport Transfer-Grand Palladium Imbassai 1 to 4 people by Salvador Receptivo: $65
  • Arrival or Departure Shared Transfer from Airport to hotels in Salvador: $15
  • Costa de Sauipe Transfer - Private Executive Van: $135
  • Executive Transfer - Salvador International Airport to Hotels or Residencia: $31
  • Hotel Vila Galé Mares - Transfers In / Out: $89
  • Iberostar Bahia, Roundtrip Transfers: $100
  • Praia do Forte Shared Transfer From Salvador : $26
  • Praia do Forte to Salvador Airport SSA-Departure Private Transfer: $55
  • Private Airport Transfer to Salvador – Sedan for Up to 3 People: $60
  • Private Roundtrip Transfer Between Airport and Hotel (COVID-19 Prepared): $65
  • Private Transfer Airport and hotels Litoral Norte BA: $77

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Arequipa

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


  • Taxi Ride
    $1.43
  • Bus Ride
    $0.46
  • Taxi Ride
    $1.00

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arequipa

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Arequipa:

  • 2 Day Trek Including Transfer to Puno / Colca Canyon: $179
  • 2-Day Colca Canyon Tour with optional transfer to Puno: $132
  • Arequipa Airport (AQP) Private Transfer to Arequipa City: $23
  • Arequipa Airport Arrival Transfer: $13
  • Arequipa Bus Station Arrival Transfer : $25
  • Colca Canyon + Transfer To Puno: $103
  • Colca Canyon 2-Day Tour with Lodge Stay and Transfer to Puno: $283
  • Colca Canyon Day Trip with Transfer to Puno: $65
  • Colca Canyon Sightseeing Tour 2D1N and Transfer to Puno: $147
  • Full Day Tour Including Transfer to Puno / Colca Canyon: $112
  • Full Day Tour to Colca including Transfer to Puno: $60
  • Koh Lanta any hotel to Krabi airport Private transfer: $81

Is it cheaper to fly into Salvador or Arequipa?

Prices for flights to both Arequipa 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Salvador $21
    Arequipa $25
Typical Food Prices in Salvador

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


  • Dinner for 2
    $1.31

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Salvador

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

  • Bahia Noite - Folkloric Show and Dinner, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil: $68
  • Cooking class in Salvador, an authentic dinning experience: $85
  • Folklore Tour with Buffet Dinner: $91
  • Hands-On Bahian Cooking Class with Caipirinhas in Salvador: $95
  • Bahia Noite - Folklore and Dinner Show, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil: $95
  • Folk Show - Bahia Night (Dinner Included) by Salvador Receptivo: $110
  • Private Bahian Cooking Class - An Amazing Experience!: $140
  • Salvador by Night: Cultural Dinner and Show: $146
  • Cultural Folkloric Show and Dinner in Salvador: $170
  • Authentic Cooking Class with Market Visit & Lunch: $175
  • Culinary Afro-Brazilian Delights & Churrascaria dinner.: $179
  • Bahia By Night: Dinner and Folkloric show: $195

Typical Food Prices in Arequipa

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


  • Coke
    $0.43
  • Lunch
    $3.01
  • Ice Cream
    $1.15
  • Fruit
    $0.86
  • Ice Cream
    $1.00

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Arequipa

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

  • Cooking Class at La Plantation: $35
  • Peruvian Cooking Experience in Arequipa: $35
  • Peruvian Cooking Class in arequipa: $50
  • Peruvian Cooking Class: $53
  • Private Cooking Class in Arequipa: $57
  • Food Tour Gastronomic Guided : $113

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Salvador $5.45
    Arequipa $19

Tours and Activities in Salvador

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

  • Salvador Sights Self Guided Tour (Vitória and Barra): $4.48
  • Walking tour historic Pelourinho: $12
  • City Tour in Salvador - Half Day: $19
  • Historic City Tour - Half Day in Salvador: $19
  • Salvador Historical City Center Tour: $22
  • Salvador Panoramic City Tour: $22
  • Panoramic Tour, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil: $25
  • Historic City Tour in Salvador: $25
  • Panoramic City Tour in Salvador: $25
  • Bahia 500 Years Historic Tour, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil: $25
  • Historical Salvador City Tour: $26
  • Panoramic Salvador Half Day City Tour: $26

Typical Entertainment Prices in Arequipa

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


  • Monastery Entry
    $2.87
  • Salsa Class
    $2.87
  • Movie Ticket
    $3.13
  • Hot Springs
    $2.87

Tours and Activities in Arequipa

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

  • Countryside Tour Arequipa: $18
  • 8-Hours Tour in Arequipa Laguna de Salinas with Pick-up: $20
  • Chili River White Water Rafting Adventure with Pickup: $20
  • From Salinas Lagoon Half Day Tour: $21
  • Tour Colca Full Day Promotional Price: $22
  • Full Day Tour Sillar Route and Culebrillas Canyon Arequipa: $23
  • Arequipa City Tour and food and drinks experience: $25
  • Half day Sillar Stone Tour from Arequipa: $25
  • Ticket for Planetarium and Star Observatory: $27
  • Pillones Waterfall Tour | Stone Forest | Arequipa: $27
  • Full Day Tour to Colca Canyon from Arequipa: $28
  • Walking tour history, legends & mysteries : $28

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Salvador $5.17
    Arequipa $17
Typical Alcohol Prices in Salvador

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Salvador:


  • Beers for 2
    $1.31
  • Drinks
    $2.63

Typical Alcohol Prices in Arequipa

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


  • Beer
    $2.58


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


Which is Bigger, Salvador or Arequipa?

Salvador has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Arequipa. When comparing the sizes of Salvador and Arequipa, 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.