North-East Region, State of Bahia
Salvador Travel Guide
Discover the vibrant rhythms of Salvador, where Afro-Brazilian culture is reflected in the historic Pelourinho district, capoeira performances, and traditional Bahian cuisine
Salvador, the capital of Bahia, is a key center of Afro-Brazilian culture and the birthplace of Capoeira. Its history as Brazil's first capital adds to its cultural and historical significance. The Pelourinho district, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is known for its 17th- and 18th-century buildings, museums, and cultural performances. Salvador's location on the northeastern coast makes it popular for its beaches, especially around Porto da Barra. Salvador is also famous for hosting one of Brazil's largest Carnaval celebrations, and for its vibrant nightlife in Rio Vermelho.
Top 10 Things to See & Do in Salvador
Explore the Pelourinho historic district (tour)
Visit Sao Francisco Church and Convent (Igreja e Convento de São Francisco)
Relax at Porto da Barra Beach, and watch the sunset from the lighthouse (Farol da Barra)
Visit the Jorge Amado house
Go shopping in Mercado Modelo
Take a ride in the famous elevator, Elevador Lacerda
Take a Bahian cooking class to learn about Afro-Brazilian cuisine (tickets)
Learn the rhythms of Samba in a percussion class (tickets)
Visit a seaside favela on the Afro-Brazilian Roots private tour, for a unique cultural experience (tickets)
Want to get out of the city? Nearby Salvador is the town of Cachoeira, a historical colonial town. Take a day trip to learn about colonial history, the African legacy and cultural traditions, and the struggle for the independence of Brazil (tickets).
Where to stay in Salvador
Find cheap accommodation for your stay in Salvador, or check out my personal recommendations:
Hotels
Fasano - best for those seeking an international hotel (see prices)
Hotel Casa do Amarelindo - located in the historic area of Pelourinho (see prices)
Pousadas (Guesthouses)
Point do Rio Vermelho - guesthouse with a pool located in Rio Vermelho (see prices)
Pousada Villa Encantada - LGBTQIA+ friendly guesthouse located by Flamengo Beach (see prices)
Backpacker Hostels
Nomads Hostel - social vibe with daily activities, best for backpackers (see prices)
Where is Salvador, Brazil
Closest airport
Salvador-Deputado Luís Eduardo Magalhães International Airport (SSA)
Main bus terminal
Terminal Rodoviário de Salvador
Terminal Marítimo de São Joaquim, Tourist Terminal Náutico da Bahia
Main ports
How to get to Salvador
Salvador has frequent flight and bus connections. There are direct international flights to Salvador from Lisbon, Paris, Madrid, Buenos Aires, and other cities. Domestic flights connect Salvador with most major Brazilian cities including Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Recife, and more.
Long-distance busses are available from major cities, including Porto Seguro (12.5 hours), Maceio (10.5 hours) Recife (14 hours) and various cities as far north as Fortaleza.
Click here to see available tickets and timetables for busses to and from Salvador.
How to get to Salvador from Itacare
There is no direct bus between Salvador and Itacare, you will need to first take a bus to Bom Despacho, then take a ferry to Salvador:
Take a bus from Itacare to Bom Despacho, taking around 5+ hours (tickets & timetable)
Take the ferry from Bom Despacho to Terminal Marítimo de São Joaquim (map). The ferry runs hourly and takes around 1 hour. The ferry ticket costs R$6.5 on weekdays and R$8 on weekends.
How to get to Salvador from Chapada Diamantina
There are three busses per day from Chapada Diamantina to Salvador. The bus runs from Palmeiras to Lencois, then on to Salvador. From Palmeiras, the trip takes around 8 hours, and from Lencois takes 7 hours. There is only one overnight bus available per day.
Lencois to Salvador - tickets & timetable
Palmeiras to Salvador - tickets & timetable
Tickets for the overnight bus do often sell out, so it's best book this ticket in advance.
How to get to Salvador from Morro de Sao Paulo
Option 1: Ferry, bus, and speedboat (cheapest route)
Take a speedboat from Morro de São Paulo to Valenca (40 minutes). The boat terminal, Terminal Fluvial de Valença (map) is around 20 minutes walk or a quick Uber ride to the bus station, Rodoviária de Valença (map).
Take a bus to from Valenca to Bom Despacho (2 hours). The ferry terminal and bus station are adjacent making it easy to transfer to the bus (tickets).
Take a ferry from Bom Despacho to Terminal Marítimo de São Joaquim (map) (1 hour)
Option 2: By sea (fastest route)
The easiest route is to take a direct ferry from Morro de Sao Paulo to Salvador. This trip is more expensive than the first route, but avoids the need to make transfers. The trip takes around 2.5 hours.
How to get to Salvador from Boipeba
There are three main ways to travel to Salvador from Boipeba, depending on budget and time constraints. There are also convenient private transfers available.
Option 1: Speedboat, bus, and ferry (the cheapest route)
Take a speedboat from Boipeba to Valença (1 hour). Speedboats run between 10 am and 5 pm.
From the boat terminal, Terminal Fluvial de Valença, the Rodoviária de Valença bus station is around a 20-minute walk or a quick Uber ride.
Take a bus from Valença to Bom Despacho (2 hours). In Bom Despacho, the ferry terminal and bus station are adjacent, making it quick and easy to transfer (tickets & timetable).
Take a ferry from Bom Despacho to Terminal Marítimo de São Joaquim in Salvador (1 hour).
Option 2: Truck and Catamaran (via Morro de Sao Paulo)
Take a 5-minute boat transfer from Boipeba to Morro de São Paulo airport, then continue by catamaran.
From Morro de São Paulo, head to the ferry terminal and take a catamaran directly to Salvador’s Tourist Terminal Náutico da Bahia, located in front of Mercado Modelo (2.5 hours).
This route is more expensive but is faster, with a direct boat trip from Morro de São Paulo to Salvador.
Option 3: Speedboat and flight (the fastest, most expensive route)
Take a 5-minute boat transfer from Boipeba to Morro de São Paulo airport.
From Morro de São Paulo, take an Air Taxi flight (lightweight plane) directly to Salvador International Airport. The flight takes around 30 minutes.
How to get around Salvador
Getting around Salvador is relatively straightforward, with several transportation options available. The city's public transportation system includes a bus and subway system that connects various areas of the city and the airport.
See this guide for more details on How to get to Salvador City Centre from the Airport
Fares for Public Transport in Salvador, 2024
The fare for the subway is R$4.10 for a one-way trip, while the fare for the bus is R$5.20. Public bus 1001, running through Pelourinho and Barra to the airport, charges the same fare. You can pay the bus fare with cash or the SalvadorCard when boarding. Up to date routes and timetables can be found on Google Maps by searching for directions.
Ride-sharing services like 99 and Uber are widely available and inexpensive, and are a safer way to travel after dark.
Things to know before you go
Be Cautious with Valuables: Like any big city, it’s important to remain mindful of safety, even in popular tourist areas like Pelourinho. Pickpocketing is common, despite the presence of police in the streets. Keep an eye on your belongings at all times and leave jewelry and large sums of money at your accommodation. Stick to well-lit, busy areas, avoid walking down dark streets, and never visit the beach at night.
Tourist-friendly areas include Barra, Rio Vermelho, and Itaigara. Have fun and use common sense - for example, do not leave your belongings unattended on the beach.
Use ride-sharing apps such as Uber or 99 (set up with credit card payment before going out) to move around the city.
Tourist Police: If you find yourself in need of assistance, Salvador has a tourist police station called Delegacia de Proteção ao Turista (DELTUR), open 24 hours a day, where English-speaking officers are available to help tourists.
Where to stay: A great hostel in Salvador, located by the beach in Barra, is Nomads Hostel. It brings together both foreigners and Brazilians, hosts daily sports and activities, and organizes opportunities to attend local events with other guests. It is also the only hostel with a co-working space for digital nomads. See their Instagram for inspiration.
Museums are Free on Wednesdays: For those who love history and culture, Salvador’s museums are a must-see, and even better, they are free on Wednesdays. Salvador has a wide range of museums to explore, including the Afro-Brazilian Museum, the Museum of Sacred Art, MAM Museu de Arte Moderna, Fundação Casa de Jorge Amado, and many more.
Capoeira: Salvador is the birthplace of capoeira, an Afro-Brazilian martial art that blends dance, music, and acrobatics. As you explore the city, especially in Pelourinho, you’ll often see groups practicing capoeira in the streets to the rhythm of live music. Watching or joining a "roda de capoeira" (capoeira circle) is one of the most authentic cultural experiences you can have in Salvador. You can participate in capoeira classes if you're interested in learning this martial art.
Local Cuisine: Bahian cuisine is renowned for its bold flavors and African roots, making it a highlight of any trip to Salvador. Be sure to try local specialties like "acarajé" (a deep-fried black-eyed pea fritter filled with shrimp and spices), "moqueca" (a coconut milk-based seafood stew), and "vatapá" (a creamy, spicy paste made from bread, shrimp, and coconut milk). Want to learn to cook Bahian food? Sign up here for a local cooking class.
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