Photo by Cleverson Magalhães on Unsplash

Welcome to

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State of Bahia, Brazil

Salvador, known as the "Capital of Joy", is a vibrant and culturally rich destination in Brazil. Founded in 1549, it is Brazil's first capital and stands out for its history, colonial architecture, and Afro-Brazilian traditions. The city offers paradisiacal beaches, unique cuisine, and a warm atmosphere that captivates visitors from around the world.

Some highlights of Salvador:

Pelourinho

UNESCO World Heritage Site, with cobblestone streets and colorful houses.

Elevador Lacerda

Iconic connection between the Upper and Lower City.

Church of Nosso Senhor do Bonfim

A symbol of faith and Bahian tradition.

Beaches

Porto da Barra, Itapuã, and Flamengo are among the most visited.

Cuisine

Don’t miss acarajé, moqueca, and cocada.

How to Get to Salvador?

You may need a visa to enter Brazil. Read more about it here.

By Air

Salvador International Airport – Deputado Luiz Eduardo Magalhães (SSA) receives domestic and international flights. Major airlines offer direct connections from cities in Europe, North America, and Latin America.

Distance from the city center: 28 km
Transportation options:
- Executive Bus / Metro: Available directly from the airport.
- Taxi/Ridesharing Apps: Uber and 99 are widely used.
- Car Rental: Various rental companies are available at the airport.

By Land

Salvador is connected by major highways such as BR-101 and BR-324. Intercity bus companies provide travel from neighboring cities and other regions of Brazil.

It’s possible to buy intercity bus tickets online with services such as Clickbus🔗 and Flixbus🔗 .

Salvador is also accessible by sea via the Passenger Maritime Terminal. However, this service is offered exclusively to cruise ships during peak season (Dec-Feb).

Climate and What to Bring

Typical day in July, Salvador

Sunny or Partly Cloudy

24°C

30°C

75°F

86°F

Humidity: 85%+

UV Index: 11+

Salvador is a humid tropical city next to the Atlantic ocean, thus not observing seasons and severe temperature fluctuation.

Suggestions:

Light and comfortable clothing;
Sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses;
Sweatshirts as the venues all have central air conditioning;
Swimwear to enjoy the beaches
Comfortable walking shoes, as some areas have cobblestone streets or uneven terrain;
Mosquito repellent, especially if visiting outdoor areas in the evening;
A reusable water bottle to stay hydrated in the heat.

Currency and Exchange

The Brazilian Real (BRL, R$) is the official currency of Brazil. Exchange offices are available at the airport, malls, and downtown.

Cards: The vast majority of establishments accept international credit and debit cards.

Paper currency: Some establishments may not accept high denomination bills (R$ 50+).

Communication

Portuguese is the official language of Brazil. Although English is spoken at hotels and some tourist establishments, English proficiency in general is quite low in the country, so learning some basic phrases and words is highly recommended.

Hello – Olá

Good morning – Bom dia

Good afternoon – Boa tarde

Good evening – Boa noite

Please – Por favor

You're welcome – De nada

See you later – Até logo

I don't know – Não sei

Yes – Sim

No – Não*

Excuse me – Com licença

Thank you – Obrigado**

* The very common portuguese "ão" is pronounced as "on"
** Women use "Obrigada"

For mobile data (5G) most Brazilians use one of three carriers:

Claro, TIM, and Vivo

SIM cards are available in most small stores, bookstores, and supermarkets. Just ask for a "Chip de Celular" (pronounced as "sheep dee celular"), as they're called here in the country.

Local Transportation

Authorized Taxi and Ridesharing apps

The preferable method of transportation: Safe, convenient, and accessible for getting around.

For ridesharing apps, most Brazilians use one of two applications: Uber and 99.

Metro

Connects important areas, including the airport to downtown. However it does not reach the conference center.

Buses

Cover most of the city (including the convention center) but can be unreliable and crowded during peak hours.

Safety

Big cities in Brazil are notable internationally for their criminal activity, so keeping yourself safe in Salvador is very important. Unlike other countries where there are 'pockets' of criminal activity, Brazilian cities have multiple 'pockets' of safety. This change of mindset is very important for keeping yourself safe not just in Salvador, but in any other big city in Brazil.

As a rule of thumb, avoid unnecessary walks in unfamiliar areas (especially at nighttime), always preferring to take 'private' transportation.

Exercise normal levels of caution when in “safe areas”, which may include:

Enclosed environments (such as shopping malls, the convention center itself, the airport, hotels, private transportation such as ridesharing apps or authorized taxis, etc);
Very ‘touristy’ areas with a police presence, such as popular landmarks like “Farol da Barra” or “Pelourinho”, cultural centers, and well-frequented beaches during the day (if there is no visible police presence exercise increased caution);
Areas with good lighting and regular foot traffic, especially in the evening;
Restaurants, cafés, and entertainment venues in well-known, reputable districts / neighborhoods.

Exercise increased levels of caution when in public places (such as on the beach, public transportation or out on the streets), always following the tips below:

Avoid displaying valuables (such as high sums of cash, jewelry or expensive electronics), especially in crowded areas.
Keep your phone and wallet securely stored when not in use, preferably in a front pocket or a zippered bag.
Avoid walking alone, particularly in unfamiliar or poorly lit areas at night.
Stay aware of your surroundings and trust your instincts—if a place feels unsafe, leave immediately.
Be mindful of common scams, such as people distracting you while an accomplice steals your belongings.