SALVADOR DA BAHIA...
Land of All Rites And Myths

Salvador da Bahia is provably the most sought after tourist destination in Brazil.
Located in Bahia de Todos os Santos (Bay of All Saints), it's been the most important port in the Southern Hemisphere until the 18th. century, and first Brazilian capital - ended in 1763 - when it was moved to Rio and later to Brasilia, since 1960.
An estimated 1.3 million slaves were brought from Africa before slavery was abolished in 1888.
No wonder that African cultural influence is so visible anywhere and everywhere.
From spicy dishes - vatapá, acarajé, carurú, bobó de camarão, etc. - to its religious syncretism, reflected through Candomblé (Brazilian voodoo) and the ritualistic fight/dance of Capoeira.

Salvador da Bahia will cast a spell on you.

Here the party never ends. Salvadorians make their parties in the streets. there is always something to celebrate, particularly between New Year's Eve and carnaval (Carnival).
Religious events turn into parties as well...

And talking about carnival, you wouldn't want to miss it - that is, if you don't mind to share it with two other million people.
Actually, it's considered to be the biggest street festival in the world.
The three official circuits are swept by the "trio-elétricos"...

• Osmar goes from Campo Grande to Castro Alves Square
• Dodô goes from Farol da Barra to Ondina
• Batatinha goes through Pelourinho

Who knows?
If you are lucky enough you may even come across Gilberto Gil's band - who is also Brazil's Minister of Culture nowadays.

Nature is another enchanted word in Salvador da Bahia.
From the Coconut Coast in the North to the Whale Coast in the South, you will find canyons, forests, rivers, waterfalls, caves, beaches and more.
A myriad of options for sports, nature and adventure...

• caving
• climbing
• rappel
• parachuting
• trekking
• horseback riding
• sandboarding
• surfing
• windsurfing
• diving
• fishing
• rafting

Beaches have an enormous ecological diversity: from the calm inlets and open sea inlets to the ones surrounded by reefs, forming a natural swimming pool.
With almost 50 km. of beaches, you have many to choose from. Among others...

• Porto da Barra
• Farol da Barra
• Ondina beach
• Amarainha
• Pituba
• Armaçâo
• Corsário and Jaguaribe beaches
• Itapuã
• Stella Maris

For surf lovers, Itacaré is your place.

Salvador da Bahia's predominant hill and valley topography has divided the city in cidade alta (upper city) and cidade baixa (lower city), connected through Plano Inclinado Gonçalves (cable car) and world famous Lacerda lift.
The Historical Center - declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO - has thousands of 16th., 17th., 18th. and 19th. centuries houses and colonial buildings.
It's divided in three main areas...

• Municipal Square on the Largo de Sâo Francisco
• The Pelourinho
• The Largo do Carmo ending at Santo Antonio Além do Carmo

Please do not miss...

• Sé Square
• Municipal Square
• City Hall
• Rio Branco Palace
• Archiepiscopate Palace
• Largo do Cruzeiro do São Francisco
• Municipal Plaza
• Largo do Carmo

Museums:

• Carlos Costa Pinto Museum
• UFBA Sacred Art Museum (in the Santa Tereza Convent)
• Bahia Museum of Art
• Abelardo Rodrigues Museum

Churches:

• Church of Ajuda
• Church of the Lord's Ascension
• Church of the Third Order of Saint Domingos
• Our Lady of Penna
• Basilica Cathedral
• Church of Our Lord of Bonfim
• Saint Francis Church and Convent

Forts are also a very interesting sight.
Under Portuguese rule, several forts were built along Bahia's seashore...

• San Antonio da Barra Fort
• São Marcelo
• San Pedro
• The Santo Antonio Além do Carmo Fort
• São Diego
• Santa Maria Fort
• The Monte Serrat/ São Felipe Fort
• Santa Maria
• Santo Alberto Fort

Salvador da Bahia is a unique travel experience and one of the most joyful, exhilarating and culturally diverse cities you will ever encounter in South America...

How to Get There:

By Air:
Through Luis Eduardo Magalhães Int. Airport.

By Road:
BR-101 and BR-116 highways cross Bahia from North to South.

By Sea:
Hundreds of cruise ships stop in Salvador particularly in summer.

Where to Stay:

You can opt from pousadas set up in historical houses or high quality hotels.
Here are some in the middle range...

Atlantic Towers,
Av. Oceanica, 1545 Ondina, 41140-131
Catharina Paraguacu,
Rua Joao Gomes 128- Rio Vermelho, 41950-640
Cores do Mar,
Av. Octavio Mangabeira, 9311- Praia de Patamares, 41650-000, Salvador
Grande Da Barra,
Av. Sete de Setembro, 3564 - Porto da Barra, 40130-001
Marazul,
Av. Sete de Setembro 3937 - Barra, 40140-110
Monte Pascoal Praia,
Av. Oceanica, 591 - Barra, 40170-010
San Marino,
Av.Presidente Vargas,889-Barra, 40140-130

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