A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Salvador vs. Isla Mujeres for Beaches, Families, Couples, and Food

Should you visit Salvador or Isla Mujeres?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Salvador or Isla Mujeres, 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 cultural, historical, and authentic city. And you can't forget about the food, beaches, and shopping. See Salvador travel costs.

Isla Mujeres

Isla Mujeres is a relaxing, laid back, and idyllic island. Isla Mujeres offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include shopping, nightlife, and food. See Isla Mujeres travel costs.

Salvador and Isla Mujeres: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Salvador or Isla Mujeres?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Salvador. Although Salvador and Isla Mujeres are both popular with visitors, Salvador has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Salvador is more popular for its museums and attractions, nightlife, and historical sights, while Isla Mujeres is known for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty. Salvador is popular for its West African influence, rich culinary scene, and colonial architecture. It is also home to São Francisco. Isla Mujeres is popular for its award-winning beaches, underwater marine life, and tranquil atmosphere.

How is Salvador different from Isla Mujeres?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Isla Mujeres 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 Isla Mujeres?

Salvador is notable for its sights and museums. However, Isla Mujeres is a mediocre island for its museums and history.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around 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.

If you're looking to pass the time, head to a museum or historic sight in Isla Mujeres. Nobody really heads to this island for the museums.

Is the Food Better in Salvador or Isla Mujeres? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Salvador and Isla Mujeres 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 Isla Mujeres. The island has many restaurants, particularly along Hidalgo Street in the Centro area. They typically have a laid back island vibe and serve local seafood or other popular cuisines.

Is Salvador or Isla Mujeres Better for Nightlife?

Salvador is notable for nightlife and partying. Also, Isla Mujeres is not as famous, but is still a good island to visit for its evening party scene.

Salvador has plenty to do after the sun goes down. 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Isla Mujeres. Many people visit the island as a day trip, but those who spend the night will enjoy hanging out at the beach bars along Playa Norte. Many have a laid back vibe and some have live music or DJs.

Is Salvador or Isla Mujeres Better for Resorts?

Isla Mujeres is an unbeatable place for its resorts. However, Salvador is not a resort destination.

Isla Mujeres offers an unforgettable resort vacation. Despite its small size, there are a range of impressive resorts on the island. Accommodation ranges from affordable hostels to stunning luxury resorts.

Salvador is not a resort destination.

Is Salvador or Isla Mujeres Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Isla Mujeres is an unbeatable place for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Salvador is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

People travel to Isla Mujeres specifically to enjoy its famous scuba diving and snorkeling areas. There are many great snorkeling and diving areas just off the island. It's easy to arrange tours that will take you to the best spots. Popular areas include Manchones Reef, the Underwater Museum of Art, and Garrafon Natural Park.

Salvador is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Salvador or Isla Mujeres Better for Beaches?

Isla Mujeres is an unbeatable place for the beach. Also, Salvador is still popular, but not quite as popular for its beaches.

The beaches in Isla Mujeres are among the best in the world. The island has spectacular beaches where the white sand meets the blue water. The idyllic setting is the perfect place to relax with a drink or soak up the island vibe. Playa Norte is an award winning beach that has calm water and stunning snorkeling. Playa Centro has many restaurants and bars, and you'll likely see people sunbathing topless. There's a beach club at Playa Albatros as well as hammocks, umbrellas, and recreational activities.

The beaches at Salvador attract visitors from all over. 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.

Is Salvador or Isla Mujeres Better for its Old Town?

Salvador is a good destination for its old town. However, Isla Mujeres does not have a historic old town.

Many people head to Salvador to see the 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.

Isla Mujeres does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Salvador or Isla Mujeres?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Isla Mujeres and Salvador.

Many visitors go to Salvador to go shopping. There are many local markets and shops around town where you can pick up traditional Brazilian items and artisan crafts.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Isla Mujeres. Head downtown for the best opportunities to pick up gifts or souvenirs. You'll find local jewelry, art, and handicrafts.

Is Salvador or Isla Mujeres More Beautiful?

Isla Mujeres is a nice place to visit for its scenery and beauty. However, Salvador is not a destination known for its beauty.

Isla Mujeres offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Beautiful beaches with white sand and blue water make this a beautiful destination. The underwater world is also spectacular to explore.

Salvador is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Salvador or Isla Mujeres Better for Families?

Isla Mujeres is an unbeatable place for its family-friendly activities. However, Salvador is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

Isla Mujeres is an amazing family-friendly island to visit. Kids will love the outdoor sports, which include kayaking, surfing, cave exploration, and snorkeling or diving. There are also opportunities to get up close with marine life or spend the day playing at a water park.

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 Isla Mujeres Better for Couples?

Isla Mujeres is an unbeatable place for couples. Also, Salvador is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Isla Mujeres has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. It's a world class honeymoon destination and couples enjoy the white powdery sand beaches, turquoise blue waters, and laid back island vibe. There's diving and snorkeling as well as romantic hotels and wonderful local restaurants.

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 Isla Mujeres Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Salvador and Isla Mujeres are great 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.

Isla Mujeres is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There are a handful of hostels on the island that offer budget accommodation and a social atmosphere.

Is Salvador or Isla Mujeres 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 Isla Mujeres.

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 Isla Mujeres offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are two bus routes around the island that are operated by Isleños Bus.

Is Salvador or Isla Mujeres a more walkable city?

Isla Mujeres is well known for its ease of walking around. However, Salvador is not particularly known for its walkability.

Isla Mujeres is a very walkable destination. The most walkable part of the island is the North part, which is the town center.

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 Isla Mujeres Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Isla Mujeres or Salvador?

How long in Salvador or Isla Mujeres?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Salvador or Isla Mujeres to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Salvador than Isla Mujeres because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-4 days is a good amount of time for Salvador, and 1-2 days is enough time in Isla Mujeres.

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

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

One day in Salvador or Isla Mujeres?

In Salvador, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this authentic city offers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

The island of Isla Mujeres offers food and scuba diving and snorkeling. Most people come for the beaches. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Salvador or Isla Mujeres?

Salvador is a fun place to experience. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring.

Isla Mujeres is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this island makes for a great vacation. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Isla Mujeres, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Salvador or Isla Mujeres?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the cultural destination of Salvador. Most people come for the beaches. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Isla Mujeres is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Salvador or Isla Mujeres?

Salvador is a popular place to visit. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Isla Mujeres is a great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This island 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 Historical Tours in Mexico, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Mexico.

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

Which is Bigger, Salvador or Isla Mujeres?

Salvador has a larger population, and is about 220 times larger than the population of Isla Mujeres. When comparing the sizes of Salvador and Isla Mujeres, 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.