Salvador on a budget: how to do it well
Short answer
Salvador is good on a budget, with cheap transport, free churches and street food. Plan on about R$185 per person per day (bed R$80, food R$70, sights R$20, transport R$15).
A realistic daily budget
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | R$80 | R$200 | R$550 |
| Food & drink | R$70 | R$150 | R$300 |
| Sights & tickets | R$20 | R$60 | R$150 |
| Local transport | R$15 | R$50 | R$120 |
| Per person, per day | R$185 | R$460 | R$1,120 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Salvador day-cost table.
Free things to do
- Walk the Pelourinho's squares and colourful colonial streets
- Watch capoeira and drummers around Terreiro de Jesus
- Visit the Igreja do Senhor do Bonfim and tie a fita ribbon
- Watch the sunset at the Farol da Barra
- Swim at Porto da Barra beach
- Walk Santo Antônio Além do Carmo and its bay views
Cheap eats
- Acarajé from a baiana stall: about R$15–25
- Por quilo lunch: about R$30–50
- Tapioca crêpe: about R$10–20
- Coconut water on the beach: about R$6–10
- Moqueca shared for two: about R$80–150
Where to sleep for less
Hostels in colonial houses in the Pelourinho and Santo Antônio cost about R$120–250 for a double, with dorm beds cheaper.
Getting around cheaply
Use Uber or 99 (Barra to the Pelourinho about R$15–25). The metro from the airport costs about R$5. The Elevador Lacerda and funicular link upper and lower towns cheaply.
A sample budget day
- Morning: Pelourinho and São Francisco church (about R$10–15)
- Lunch: por quilo restaurant (about R$40)
- Afternoon: Elevador Lacerda (R$0.50), Mercado Modelo; Uber to Barra (about R$20)
- Evening: Porto da Barra sunset and acarajé (about R$20)
- Total: about R$100 plus your bed, roughly R$170–185
More ways to save
- Visit outside Carnival and New Year for lower prices.
- Carry little cash and a backup card.
- Eat lunch as the main meal, when por quilo restaurants are best.
- Share Uber rides in groups.
- Book Morro de São Paulo catamarans ahead in summer.
- Use free Tuesday-night music events in the Pelourinho where they run.
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Common questions
Can I visit Salvador on a budget?
Yes, at about R$185 a day with hostels, por quilo lunches and Uber.
What is the cheapest way from the airport?
The metro (line 2), about R$5, then Uber for the last part.
What is free in Salvador?
The Pelourinho streets, Bonfim church, the Farol da Barra sunset and Porto da Barra beach.