A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Salvador vs. Cabo San Lucas for Nightlife, Couples, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Salvador or Cabo San Lucas?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Salvador or Cabo San Lucas, 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.

Salvador

Salvador is a authentic, cultural, and historical city. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches. See Salvador travel costs.

Cabo San Lucas

Cabo San Lucas is a scenic, idyllic, and wild city. The famous beauty of Cabo San Lucas is one of the main draws. Other popular activities here include scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking. See Cabo San Lucas travel costs.

Salvador and Cabo San Lucas: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Salvador or Cabo San Lucas?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Cabo San Lucas than Salvador, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Cabo San Lucas is better known for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, historical sights, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Salvador is more popular for its museums and attractions. Cabo San Lucas is more touristy than Salvador and is known for its beautiful coastline, all-inclusive resorts, and vibrant nightlife scene. Also, Cabo San Lucas is famous for Land's End. Salvador is well known for its West African influence, rich culinary scene, and colonial architecture.

How is Salvador different from Cabo San Lucas?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Cabo San Lucas and Salvador. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Salvador or Cabo San Lucas?

Salvador is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Cabo San Lucas is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Salvador. Many of the main sights are found in the historic part of town. In this area you'll find the Museu da Cidade, the Abelardo Rodrigues Museum, and the Casa do Benin. There are many ornate churches as well such as the São Francisco and the Carmelite Church.

Cabo San Lucas offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are several historical sights in the area such as the Church of Saint Luke and San Jose del Cabo.

Is the Food Better in Salvador or Cabo San Lucas? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Salvador and Cabo San Lucas can be an enjoyable experience.

Dining out in Salvador is an experience not to be missed. The city has rich African roots that are noticeable in the cuisine around town. Buffets have become popular in restaurants and many places offer a lunch buffet. They range in price and quality and you often pay by the weight. Common dishes include moqueca (seafood stew), vatapá (a type of curry), and acarajé (fried balls of beans and shrimp).

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Cabo San Lucas. If you step away from the all-you-can-eat buffets in the resorts, and the tourist hot spots, you'll find some excellent local Mexican cuisine and nice fine dining restaurants. Fresh seafood and local produce make the dishes unique.

Is Salvador or Cabo San Lucas Better for Nightlife?

Cabo San Lucas is an unbeatable place for its evening party scene. Also, Salvador is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

The nightlife in Cabo San Lucas is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. It has a long reputation of being one of Mexico's best party destinations. There are wild, all-night dance parties, crazy and crowded clubs, and music that lasts well into the morning. The best nightlife can be found in the blocks around Plaza Bonita, near the marina boardwalk.

Many people head to Salvador for the nightlife scene. Head to the old city for a mix of local music and authentic Brazilian activities. Further out, along the stretches of beach, you'll find larger music venues and dance clubs. The atmosphere is laid back and relaxed throughout the city and you'll find a very local vibe in many neighborhoods.

Is Salvador or Cabo San Lucas Better for Resorts?

Cabo San Lucas is well known for its resorts. However, Salvador is not a resort destination.

Cabo San Lucas is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. Many of the resorts are along parts of the coastline where it's not safe to swim. If you really want to enjoy swimming at a beachfront property, make sure you do some research in advance. Medano Beach is a nice area to consider.

Salvador is not a resort destination.

Is Salvador or Cabo San Lucas Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Cabo San Lucas is well known for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Salvador is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors go to Cabo San Lucas to enjoy scuba diving and snorkeling. There are many snorkeling and scuba diving excursions that go out on half day and full day trips. Some of the best snorkeling is found at Cabo Pulmo, which has the only living coral reef in the Sea of Cortez.

Salvador is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Salvador or Cabo San Lucas Better for Beaches?

Both Salvador and Cabo San Lucas have high quality beaches worth visiting.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Salvador. Many of the beaches are sandy with warm water and tidal pools to explore. The most popular beach is Praia Farol da Barra, which can get crowded. North of the city is the more relaxed Praia Farol de Itapuã and if you want to learn to surf, head to Praia da Jaguaribe, which is home to several surfing schools.

The beaches at Cabo San Lucas attract visitors from all over. Because of the water conditions, it's not safe to swim at many of the beaches in the area. This is particularly true on the Pacific side of the city. Many people consider Medano Beach to be one of the best in the area, but also nice are Lover's Beach, the ironically named Divorce Beach, and Chileno Beach.

Is Salvador or Cabo San Lucas Better for its Old Town?

Cabo San Lucas is well known for its historic old town charm. Also, Salvador is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town.

Many visitors go to Cabo San Lucas to see the historical old town. San Jose del Cabo is an "old town" that's a bit outside of town. It's particularly nice to visit on Thursdays when there's a nice market.

Salvador is a good destination for visiting its old town. The city served as the first Portuguese capital and today it still has colonial architecture and a historic atmosphere. At the historic heart of the city is the Pelourinho neighborhood, which has nice squares and cobblestone streets.

Is Salvador or Cabo San Lucas Better for Hiking?

Cabo San Lucas is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Salvador is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Cabo San Lucas. It's not hard to get out into nature and you'll find many great hiking trails that go through varied and beautiful landscapes.

Salvador is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Salvador or Cabo San Lucas?

Cabo San Lucas is well known for its shopping areas. Also, Salvador is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Cabo San Lucas. There are many great shopping areas where you can pick up souvenirs or other interesting items to remember your trip. There are mall, markets, and boutique vendors that sell a variety of products.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Salvador. There are many local markets and shops around town where you can pick up traditional Brazilian items and artisan crafts.

Is Salvador or Cabo San Lucas More Beautiful?

Cabo San Lucas is an unbeatable place for its scenery and beauty. However, Salvador is not a destination known for its beauty.

The famous beauty of Cabo San Lucas is one of the main draws. Beautiful beaches, stunning natural beauty, and striking landscapes make this a world class tropical destination.

Salvador is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Salvador or Cabo San Lucas Better for Families?

Cabo San Lucas is well known for its family-friendly activities. However, Salvador is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

Cabo San Lucas is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will love the snorkeling, boat rides, and kid-friendly cuisine. There are many places where kids can get up close and personal with animals, such as Wild Canyon’s Kingdom or camel riding. You might even be able to see migrating whales during your visit. Surfing, fishing, and hiking are also popular in the area.

For families, Salvador is not always the best place to visit. It has a reputation for being dangerous, so many families don't plan to spend much time here, but the city has parks, recreational activities like climbing, and a number of kid-friendly museums to explore. There are also many ice cream shops and family-friendly restaurants.

Is Salvador or Cabo San Lucas Better for Couples?

Cabo San Lucas is an unbeatable place for couples. Also, Salvador is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Cabo San Lucas has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. It has long been a favorite honeymoon destination and couples who enjoy a beach paradise with wildlife, diving, and outdoor adventures will appreciate Cabo San Lucas. There's also amazing Mexican food and world class resorts.

Salvador is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. The historical center is charming and the perfect place to explore as a couple. There are also parks around town and many cultural experiences that visitors truly enjoy.

Is Salvador or Cabo San Lucas Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Salvador and Cabo San Lucas are high quality places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Salvador is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. Backpackers love the historical architecture and the authenticity that this city offers. There are also a number of hostels around town.

Cabo San Lucas is very popular with the backpacker crowd. It's a popular tourist destination, and there are a number of hostels and activities that backpackers will enjoy.

Is Salvador or Cabo San Lucas Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Salvador and Cabo San Lucas.

You'll find some public transit in Salvador, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses around town that are divided into two different classes - the common bus and the executive bus.

While Cabo San Lucas offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. Buses make up the main form of public transit. They are called Subercabos and run between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo.

Is Salvador or Cabo San Lucas a more walkable city?

Cabo San Lucas is well known for its ease of walking around. However, Salvador is not particularly known for its walkability.

Cabo San Lucas is a very walkable destination. The town is relatively easy to walk around with many things close together.

Salvador is generally not a very walkable city. While it's possible to walk around town, you should really understand which areas are safe and which parts of town are dangerous. Sometimes the dangerous areas are just a couple of blocks that are surrounded by an otherwise safe neighborhood, so you should really understand where you are before heading out on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Salvador Worth Visiting? and Is Cabo San Lucas Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Cabo San Lucas or Salvador?

How long in Salvador or Cabo San Lucas?

Both Salvador and Cabo San Lucas have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Cabo San Lucas than in Salvador. Usually, 3-4 days is a good amount of time for Salvador, and 3-7 days is enough time in Cabo San Lucas.

Families should spend more time in Cabo San Lucas than Salvador. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Cabo San Lucas, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Cabo San Lucas than Salvador. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Cabo San Lucas that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Cabo San Lucas than Salvador if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Cabo San Lucas.

One day in Salvador or Cabo San Lucas?

In Salvador, you'll find museums and nightlife. Most people come for the beaches. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The beautiful city of Cabo San Lucas offers museums and nightlife. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Salvador or Cabo San Lucas?

Salvador is a great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Cabo San Lucas is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Salvador or Cabo San Lucas?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Salvador. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. It offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Cabo San Lucas is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's no surprise that nightlife is why people visit. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Cabo San Lucas, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Salvador or Cabo San Lucas?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the city of Salvador. It's also a great beach destination, too. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

Cabo San Lucas is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that nightlife is why people visit. It is common to spend one week here. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Cabo San Lucas has to offer. This city offers something for everyone.

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.

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

Which is Bigger, Salvador or Cabo San Lucas?

Salvador has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Cabo San Lucas. When comparing the sizes of Salvador and Cabo San Lucas, 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.