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

Should you visit Salvador or Tamarindo?

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

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

Tamarindo

Tamarindo is a scenic, laid back, and chill town. Tamarindo offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include beaches, shopping, and nightlife. See Tamarindo travel costs.

Salvador and Tamarindo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Salvador or Tamarindo?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Salvador. Although Salvador and Tamarindo are both popular with visitors, Salvador has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Salvador is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, and historical sights, while Tamarindo is known for its impressive beauty. Salvador is popular for its West African influence, rich culinary scene, and colonial architecture. It is also home to São Francisco. Tamarindo is popular for its surfing, wildlife, and leatherback sea turtles.

How is Salvador different from Tamarindo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Salvador is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Tamarindo is not a good town for its museums and history.

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.

While most people don't head to Tamarindo specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. Aside from a few art galleries, there aren't many real museums around town.

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

Salvador is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Tamarindo is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Salvador. 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).

Tamarindo is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There's a combination of beach bars and restaurants in town that offer local cuisine and international options. Many places have a laid back vibe that fits with the town's atmosphere but you'll also find some more upscale options.

Is Salvador or Tamarindo Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Salvador and Tamarindo.

Salvador is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. 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.

Many people head to Tamarindo for the nightlife scene. The town has beach bars, dance clubs, and regular parties that attract tourists and locals alike. The evening has a vibrant atmosphere that is perfect for unwinding after a day of surfing or swimming.

Is Salvador or Tamarindo Better for Beaches?

Both Salvador and Tamarindo have superb 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 Tamarindo attract visitors from all over. The beaches are popular with surfers but the currents can be strong so swimmers should use caution. The golden sand and beautiful setting make this a fun and chill beach destination. There are also plenty of water sports to choose from.

Is Salvador or Tamarindo Better for its Old Town?

Salvador is a nice place to visit for its old town. However, Tamarindo 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.

Tamarindo does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Salvador or Tamarindo?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Tamarindo 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 Tamarindo. You'll find most of the souvenir shops along Diria Grand Boulevard. There are a few upscale clothing boutiques and jewelry shops as well.

Is Salvador or Tamarindo More Beautiful?

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

Tamarindo offers plenty of beauty for visitors. The golden sand beaches offer a beautiful setting where you can relax and soak up a chill beachfront vibe.

Salvador is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Salvador or Tamarindo Better for Families?

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

Tamarindo is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The golden beaches offer a great escape for families. The surf can be a bit strong, but the kids will love seeing the sea turtles or going horseback riding. There are also beginning surfing lessons available.

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 Tamarindo Better for Couples?

Salvador and Tamarindo are both superb to visit as a couple.

Couples visit Salvador frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

Tamarindo is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Couples will enjoy romantic horseback rides along the beach, sunset cruises, and romantic meals. For the adventurous, there's surfing lessons and wildlife tours.

Is Salvador or Tamarindo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Salvador and Tamarindo are superb 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.

Tamarindo is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There are plenty of hostels in the area and many wonderful activities that let you experience everything that Costa Rica has to offer.

Is Salvador or Tamarindo 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 Tamarindo.

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 Tamarindo offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are three public bus lines through town.

Is Salvador or Tamarindo a more walkable city?

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

Tamarindo is a very walkable destination. The town is easy to walk around and explore on foot.

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 Tamarindo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Tamarindo or Salvador?

How long in Salvador or Tamarindo?

In either Salvador or Tamarindo, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Tamarindo than Salvador because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 3-4 days is a good amount of time for Salvador, and 3-5 days is enough time in Tamarindo.

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

Couples should spend more time in Salvador than Tamarindo. 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 Salvador than Tamarindo 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 Salvador.

One day in Salvador or Tamarindo?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Salvador. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

The town of Tamarindo offers nightlife and food. 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 Tamarindo?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the authentic destination of Salvador. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Tamarindo is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. 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 Tamarindo?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historical city of Salvador. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Tamarindo is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Tamarindo, 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 Tamarindo?

Salvador is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Tamarindo 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 town 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 Luxury Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica.

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

When is the best time to visit Salvador or Tamarindo?

Salvador has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Tamarindo experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Salvador or Tamarindo in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Salvador and Tamarindo. The summer months attract visitors to Salvador because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Tamarindo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In January, Salvador is generally around the same temperature as Tamarindoin July. Daily temperatures in Salvador average around 27°C (81°F), and Tamarindo fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

In Salvador, it's very sunny this time of the year. Salvador usually receives more sunshine than Tamarindo during summer. Salvador gets 246 hours of sunny skies, while Tamarindo receives 164 hours of full sun in the summer.

Tamarindo receives a lot of rain in the summer. Salvador gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Salvador usually receives less rain than Tamarindoin July. Salvador gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 164 mm (6.5 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 Tamarindo in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Salvador as well as Tamarindo. The shopping scene are the main draw to Salvador this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Tamarindo throughout the year.

Salvador is around the same temperature as Tamarindo in the autumn. The daily temperature in Salvador averages around 26°C (80°F) in April, and Tamarindo fluctuates around 27°C (81°F)in October.

In the autumn, Salvador often gets more sunshine than Tamarindoin October. Salvador gets 190 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tamarindo receives 169 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Tamarindo. Salvador receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Salvador usually gets more rain in April than Tamarindoin October. Salvador gets 310 mm (12.2 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, December to May in Tamarindo is the dry season. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Tamarindo.

Should I visit Salvador or Tamarindo in the Winter?

Both Tamarindo and Salvador are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Salvador for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Plenty of visitors come to Tamarindo because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the winter, Salvador is cooler than Tamarindo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Salvador in July average around 24°C (75°F), and Tamarindo averages at about 27°C (81°F)in January.

It's quite sunny in Tamarindo. Salvador usually receives less sunshine than Tamarindo during winter. Salvador gets 181 hours of sunny skies, while Tamarindo receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Salvador. In July, Salvador usually receives more rain than Tamarindoin January. Salvador gets 175 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 8 mm (0.3 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 Tamarindo in the Spring?

Both Tamarindo and Salvador during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Salvador in the spring for the beaches. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Tamarindo year-round.

In October, Salvador is generally cooler than Tamarindoin April. Daily temperatures in Salvador average around 26°C (78°F), and Tamarindo fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).

In Tamarindo, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Salvador. In the spring, Salvador often gets less sunshine than Tamarindoin April. Salvador gets 228 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tamarindo receives 255 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Salvador. Salvador usually gets more rain in October than Tamarindoin April. Salvador gets 115 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year. December to May is the dry season in Tamarindo. Also, June to November in Tamarindo is the hurricane season.

Typical Weather for Tamarindo and Salvador