A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Salvador vs. La Paz for Beaches, Attractions, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Salvador or La Paz?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Salvador or La Paz, 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 nightlife, food, and beaches. See Salvador travel costs.

La Paz

La Paz is a authentic, cultural, and beautiful city. Other popular activities here include scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and shopping. See La Paz travel costs.

Salvador and La Paz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Salvador or La Paz?

Visitors will generally find more to do in La Paz than Salvador. While Salvador is larger than La Paz, La Paz has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. La Paz is more popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping, while Salvador is known for its nightlife and historical sights. Salvador is popular for its West African influence, rich culinary scene, and colonial architecture. La Paz is popular for its beautiful beaches, fascinating cultural setting, and authentic local atmosphere. It is also home to Balandra Beach.

How is Salvador different from La Paz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between La Paz 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 La Paz?

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Salvador or La Paz.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Salvador can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into La Paz. Sights and landmarks around town include La Paz Cathedral, the Museo de Antropología e Historia de Baja California Sur, the the Museo de Arte de Baja California Sur, and Teatro Juarez.

Is the Food Better in Salvador or La Paz? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Salvador and La Paz 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 La Paz. As the capital of Baja California Sur, you'll find many local restaurants that serve traditional and authentic Mexican cuisine. The recipes include seafood and local produce. You'll find everything from food stalls to high end restaurants around town.

Is Salvador or La Paz Better for Nightlife?

Salvador is notable for nightlife and partying. Also, La Paz is not as famous, but is still a good city 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 La Paz. There are many bars and restaurants around the Malecón.

Is Salvador or La Paz Better for Resorts?

La Paz is a nice place to visit for its resorts. However, Salvador is not a resort destination.

La Paz has a few great resort options. There are a number of hotels and resorts around town that make for a nice vacation.

Salvador is not a resort destination.

Is Salvador or La Paz Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

La Paz is well known for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Salvador is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors go to La Paz to enjoy scuba diving and snorkeling. There are organized diving and snorkeling excursions available around town. It's location by the Sea of Cortez makes diving a world class experience.

Salvador is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Salvador or La Paz Better for Beaches?

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

The beaches in La Paz are among the best in the world. The beaches in the area are the main draw, and you'll find beaches that are family-friendly, romantic, or full of amenities. Some consider the beaches in the area among the best in Mexico.

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 La Paz Better for its Old Town?

Salvador is a city with good options for its old town. However, La Paz 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.

La Paz does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Salvador or La Paz?

La Paz 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 La Paz. Local boutiques, souvenir shops, and art galleries all make for interesting shopping opportunities.

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 La Paz Better for Families?

La Paz is well known for its family-friendly activities. However, Salvador is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

La Paz is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Older kids will enjoy swimming with whale sharks, whale watching, and experiencing the region's wildlife. There are also many beaches in the area where kids can play.

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 La Paz Better for Couples?

Salvador is notable for its romantic activities. Also, La Paz is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

Salvador is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

La Paz is a good city for couples to visit. Couples will enjoy walking along the beach promenade known as Malecon. There are also beaches and amazing animal experiences such as whale watching or dolphin viewing.

Is Salvador or La Paz Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Salvador and La Paz 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.

La Paz is very popular with the backpacker crowd. The city offers an authentic experience and hostels that make it a budget-friendly option for backpackers.

Is Salvador or La Paz 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 La Paz.

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 La Paz offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There's a cheap local bus system around town.

Is Salvador or La Paz a more walkable city?

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

La Paz is a very walkable destination. The city is very walkable.

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 La Paz Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in La Paz or Salvador?

How long in Salvador or La Paz?

It's fun to spend time in either Salvador or La Paz. In our opinion, La Paz has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in La Paz than Salvador. In general, 3-4 days is a good amount of time for Salvador, and 2-4 days is enough time in La Paz.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in La Paz 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 La Paz.

One day in Salvador or La Paz?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Salvador. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The city of La Paz offers museums and nightlife. Most people come for the beaches. 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 La Paz?

Salvador is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

La Paz is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in La Paz, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Salvador or La Paz?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Salvador. Most people come for the beaches. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

La Paz is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. 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 La Paz?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the cultural destination of Salvador. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

La Paz is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. 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 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 Budget Tours to Mexico, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Mexico.

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

Which is Bigger, Salvador or La Paz?

Salvador has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of La Paz. When comparing the sizes of Salvador and La Paz, 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.

When is the best time to visit Salvador or La Paz?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Salvador is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but La Paz has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Salvador or La Paz in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Salvador and La Paz. The beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Salvador this time of year. Also, many travelers come to La Paz for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.

In January, Salvador is generally cooler than La Pazin July. Daily temperatures in Salvador average around 27°C (81°F), and La Paz fluctuates around 30°C (86°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in La Paz this time of the year. In Salvador, it's very sunny this time of the year. Salvador usually receives less sunshine than La Paz during summer. Salvador gets 246 hours of sunny skies, while La Paz receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.

Salvador gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Salvador usually receives more rain than La Pazin July. Salvador gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while La Paz receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer. September to February in Salvador is the dry season. Also, March to August is the rainy season in Salvador.

Should I visit Salvador or La Paz in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Salvador as well as La Paz. Many travelers come to Salvador for the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to La Paz in the autumn for the shopping scene.

Salvador is around the same temperature as La Paz in the autumn. The daily temperature in Salvador averages around 26°C (80°F) in April, and La Paz fluctuates around 27°C (80°F)in October.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in La Paz. In the autumn, Salvador often gets less sunshine than La Pazin October. Salvador gets 190 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Paz receives 272 hours of full sun.

Salvador receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Salvador usually gets more rain in April than La Pazin October. Salvador gets 310 mm (12.2 in) of rain, while La Paz receives 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Salvador or La Paz in the Winter?

Both La Paz and Salvador are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Salvador in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to La Paz for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Salvador is a little warmer than La Paz. Typically, the winter temperatures in Salvador in July average around 24°C (75°F), and La Paz averages at about 18°C (65°F)in January.

It's quite sunny in La Paz. Salvador usually receives less sunshine than La Paz during winter. Salvador gets 181 hours of sunny skies, while La Paz receives 200 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Salvador. In July, Salvador usually receives more rain than La Pazin January. Salvador gets 175 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while La Paz receives 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter. The dry season in Salvador is September to February. The rainy season in Salvador is March to August.

Should I visit Salvador or La Paz in the Spring?

Both La Paz and Salvador during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Salvador for the beaches during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to La Paz because of the beaches.

In October, Salvador is generally a little warmer than La Pazin April. Daily temperatures in Salvador average around 26°C (78°F), and La Paz fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

In La Paz, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Salvador. In the spring, Salvador often gets less sunshine than La Pazin April. Salvador gets 228 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Paz receives 292 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Salvador. Salvador usually gets more rain in October than La Pazin April. Salvador gets 115 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while La Paz receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for La Paz and Salvador