Travel Guides: All Countries / South America / Brazil / Bahia / Salvador
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| | | Samba in Salvador |  | Why go on holiday to Salvador?
Salvador in the north eastern state of Bahia offers an explosive and utterly beguiling introduction to Brazil. From beautiful beaches to pastel-coloured houses, from the sound of drums to samba reggae, this is the kind of place that will get under your skin and leave you itching for more.
A week here is not enough; two weeks allows you the time to fully appreciate this dazzling city as well as sample some of the state's stunning natural attractions.
How much will it cost?
Visitors to Salvador can choose from an extremely wide range of accommodation, from simple hostels, B&Bs to upmarket hotels.
Prices for B&B in a three star hotel starts from around £15 per person per night, climbing to more than £48 per person per night for a five star property. Alternatively, pousadas - small, privately run hotels – are an excellent option catering to all budgets. Return flights in October are around £600pp.
When should I go?
The best time to visit is after the rainy season in November. December-April are the hottest months when temperatures can reach 37C. The rainy season runs between May and October.
Who's it for?
First-time visitors to Brazil, holidaymakers on a multi-centre tour of the country, beach lovers, package holidaymakers, and party animals hungry for a slice of Carnival without the tourist hordes of Rio.
What are the must-sees?
Start your exploration in the historic heart beat of the cityin the 16th centuryPelourinho district which brims with bars, restaurants, shops and art galleries. Expect elegant, colonial architecture, steep, cobbled streets and public squares which often come alive with music – crowds love the African-inspired percussion bands and graceful displays of capeoira, a combination of gymnastics, martial arts and dance. Party-lovers should hang around on Tuesdays when drinking and dancing lasts until the early hours.
The city's architectural gems feature 34 colonial churches, including the baroque façade of St Francis church, the Cathedral Basilica, and Senhor do Bonfim, where every year during the second fortnight of January, Bahians in traditional costume wash its steps.
Other musts-sees include the Museu Afro-Brasileira dedicated to the state's African history and art. Don't forget to check out the Lacerda Elevator, an Art Deco structure which whisks passengers 85m from the city's elevated, historic area to the port. Here, the touristy Model Market boasts more than 300 stalls offering arts and crafts.
When you fancy lounging around, hop on a bus and head to the beaches of Pituba, Armacao, Placaford or Itapoa. Barra, lined with bars and restaurants, is one of the liveliest seaside spots but can get sleazy at night.
If you have time on your hands, delve inland into the Chapada Diamantina National Park, a paradise or nature lovers, walkers, horse riders. The region is awash with rivers and waterfalls for swimming, caves with impressive stalagmites and stalactites and sleepy hamlets. Use the small, laid back town of Lencois as a base for discovering the region.
What will I spend?
As a rough guide: pint of beer £1, roll of film £5.50, moderate restaurant meal £10, litre of petrol 50p, four-mile taxi ride £3.50.
Any special events?
There's tons of events to choose from but the most well known is Carnival in February when the city arguably hosts one of the world's biggest and best of its kind. Trios Electricos - large bands that play music close in style to the Afro Blocos through enormous sound systems - dominate the floats, so if percussion, Latin music or just letting your hair down is your thing, then head here and not Rio. Book accommodation well in advance if you plan to visit during Carnival.
On December 4 every year, Candomblé, a religious practice brought to Brazil from Africa by slaves, is celebrated with the Festa de Santa Barbara. A procession is followed by eating a local dish containing okra called caruru.
On December 31 and January 1, the festival of Senhor Bom Jesus dos Navegantes consists of boating action, beaches and plenty of booze. Music and food are thrown in for good measure.
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| | Fact File : Salvador |
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| | | Salvador | | Did you know?
Capoeria was originally developed in the 16th century by African slaves as a form of self-defence. Today, it combines martial arts, gymnastics and dance.
Language
Portuguese
Visas
No visa required for UK citizens.
Getting there
Varig, British Airways, Thomsonfly and TAP Portugal.
Flying time from London
12 hours
Getting around
Salvador is a walkable city. Use the Lacerda Elevator to get from the historic district down to the port area. A good bus network operates in the city.
Currency
Real (one real = 100 centavos)
Costs
As a rough guide: pint of beer £1, roll of film £5.50, moderate restaurant meal £10, litre of petrol 50p, four-mile taxi ride £3.50.
Weather
The best time to visit is after the rainy season in November. December-April are the hottest months when temperatures can reach 37. The rainy season runs between May and October.
Time difference
Three hours behind GMT.
International dialling code from the UK
00 55
Voltage
110V, 120V, 60Hz AC
Opening hours
Banks 10am-4pm, shops 9am-6pm Monday-Friday, 9am-1pm Saturday (city shops and shopping malls stay open longer, and are sometimes open on Sundays).
Health - Before you go
Seek medical advice at least six weeks before travel. Inoculations recommended for diptheria and tetanus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, meningococcal meningitis, polio, rabies, tuberculosis, typhoid, and yellow fever. Seek advice on malaria medication.
Health - When you are there
Make sure you have adequate health insurance. Low standards of medical care in some areas may make it necessary to travel elsewhere. An embassy, consulate or five-star hotel can usually recommend a good place to seek advice. Make sure you drink plenty of (bottled) water to avoid dehydration.
Warnings
Be careful of street scams and bag snatchers. Use common sense, don't dress expensively or carry valuable cameras or watches. Expect beggars and, whatever you do, don't get mixed up with drugs - Brazilian jails are no fun.
Emergency
Police 190. British embassies in: Brasilia SES, Avenida das Nacoes, Q 801, cj K lote 8. Tel: 225 2710; Rio de Janeiro, Praia do Flamengo 284, 2nd floor, Flamengo. Tel: 553 3223.
Customs
The Brazilians greet each other with a kiss on each cheek - the right one first.
Pets
You are allowed to take pets in with the correct papers, but they won't be allowed back into Britain until they have undergone a six-month quarantine.
Tipping
10% is added to bills.
Tourist office
Brazilian Tourist Office, 32 Green Street, London W1K 7AT. Tel. 020 7629 6909 or email: tourism@brazil.org.uk
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| | Available rental properties in Salvador |
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