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Salvador

Filed under: Lisa in Brazil - April 27th, 2006

Salvador as many know if a large city in Brazil in the state of Bahia. Salvador is known for its many afro-brazilian people as well as its amazing carnaval celebrations in the streets.

Salvador is along the coast and has some amazing beaches. Pelourinho is the oldest neighborhood in Salvador and has some beautiful architecture, and many tourists walking around with cameras. I was warned many times about this area and it being dangerous but I never encountered anything of the such. This area has many little shops to buy souvenirs such as the Bom Fim bracelets that are very popular in Salvador.

Bom Fim is a church that is located just outside the city of Salvador. The bracelets have been known to be good luck. If you make a wish and tie the bracelet on, your wish will come true, and you must leave the bracelet on until it falls off. Once the bracelet falls off, that signifies that your wish has come true. I currently have one on my left wrist:) Still waiting for the wish to come true!

Salvador also offers a day trip, or possible longer to a place called Morro do Sao Paulo. This is one of my favorite places in Brazil so far. From Salvador you take a bus costing about $50 reals one way to get to the island. Once you get there, you feel as though you are in another country. The Island is very small, and you can walk everywhere you want to go. There are 5 beaches, but most of the action resides within 3. The beaches are known by numbers, not names. Beach #2 is the place with the action. It is very easy to go to this Island with no place to stay and find one as soon as you get there (depending on season I suppose). Pousadas are similar to motels or hostels in a way. There are many along all beaches, varying in prices from $20 reals - $150 reals per person. This is an excellent place to go to relax and get away from things for a while. It is much less dangerous on this island that the city of Salvador. To return back to Salvador, you simply catch a bus from the same place you were dropped off. The return price is $50 reals as well.

Some of the recommended beaches to stay at in Salvador are Pituba, Itapua, Ondinha, Farol de Barra, and Amaralina. The water is very beautiful and green, and the water is good to swim in. There are also many palces to surf if that is what you are looking for. There are other beaches further from the center of the city with georgeous green water, but they are approximately a 40 min drive or a 1 hour bus ride.

Overall, Salvador was a beautiful place to visit, and if you are thinking of travelling there, make sure you go to Morro do Sao Paulo.