Salvador da Bahia, Brazil is one of the most underrated cities in South America. Located in the middle of the Atlantic coast between Rio and Recife, Salvador is the center of Afro-Brazilian culture.
The city was discovered by Amerigo Vespucci and the Portuguese began to quickly exploit the sugar cane resources. Needing significant labor to work on the sugar plantations, Portugal exported more than five million Africans to become slaves in Brazil. More than 80 percent of Salvador’s more than two million residents are of Afro-Brazilian descent.
Salvador’s food, music, dance and every other bit of its culture has been influenced by the Afro-centric population and the city is one of the most vibrant in the already incredibly vibrant country of Brazil.
Salvador Sights
Carnaval is the biggest event to take place in Salvador and it rivals those in Rio and São Paulo. More than a million revelers take to the streets each year in a flashy and colorful display of dance, sex, and music splashed with cahaça.
The historic downtown area, named Pelourinho or the Cidade Alta (Upper City), sits on a steep cliff overlooking the Bay of All Saints. Made up of narrow cobblestone streets, beautiful squares fronted by Baroque churches, colonial mansions, and the most charming restaurants and hotels. The main square, the Terriero de Jesus, is is home to the can’t miss 17th century Catedral Basilica and Afro-Brazilian museum. At night many of the squares attract crowds of tourists and locals with concerts and impromptu entertainers.
Salvador’s best shopping can be found in the Mercado Modelo, in the Ciudad Baixa, or lower city. It’s quite touristy, but you will be able to find anything Salvador has to offer like drums, tambourines, berimbaus, woodcarvings, linen tablecloths, hammocks, and jewelry.
For beaches, Salvador has more than 30 miles so take your pick. It’s best to avoid the Bay side, but head to oceanfront beaches such as Barra or Jardim de Alah.
Salvador Hotels
Backpackers and budget vacationers generally stay in Pelourinho, while those with money stay at the beach resorts just out of town. For one of the few mid range accomadations in Pelourinho, try Pousada Redfish (Tel: 071-3243-8473), which is a cool new hotel in a restored colonial house. Rooms have decent amenities and small balconies.
For the elite traveler, Pestana Bahia is perhaps the best hotel in Salvador. All 430 rooms in this colossal hotel have ocean views and first class amenities.
Dining in Salvador
The best restaurants, such as Maria Mata Mouro, can be found inPelourinho, but some of the most memorable Bahian and Brazilian dishes can be found in small traditional restaurants and food stalls. Moqueca is the most popular Bahian dish. It’s made with seafood stewed with coconut milk, lime juice, cilantro, onion, and tomato.
Getting to Salvador, Brazil
Salvador’s Aeroporto Deputado Luis Eduardo Magalhães is 32 km from downtown and has daily flights with GOL, TAM, Varig, TAP, and Air Europe to Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Lisbon, Madrid, and Miami.
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