Travel Answers

Does anyone know if she is still running language classes? I have tried to contact her, but heard nothing back. If not, any other recommendations?

Hi :) I am heading to Bahia at the end of March where I will be on a portugese course for 2 weeks before a 7 wk research project. I was wondering if anyone could estimate costs for food/travel/mobile phone line rental and going out costs per week?

Many Thanks :)

Hello, I'm Christina, 29 from London, UK. I'm visiting my (great) uncle in Salvador arriving on Friday 11th Jan 2013 and returning on Friday 23rd 2013. I'm travelling by myself and while I can do a few things with my uncle it would be nice to explore Bahia with people around my own age. There are some things you can't do with a 70yr old, go to clubs, actvities etc. I'm happy to hang out with other tourists, expats, etc. I would just appreciate spending some of my time with some fun people. I'll be staying in Bairro Nazaré. I have no idea how safe (or not) it is there or if it's close to any attractions but I'm happy to travel and do a bit of site seeing at the same time. Hope to make new friends, Christina

1. Do I need to buy bloco tickets in advance or can I buy ay of? If I need to buy in advance, can you suggest an online site where I can buy? 2. Do you know where I can get a ful schedule of blocos in English? 3. Have you been to the gay bloco? I heard it is a lot of fun. Thanks!!!

I just got into town after a 30 hour travel nightmare, am near the morro do cristo, anything going on tonight?

Hello all! I'm planning a 3 month stay in Salvador and I need some input from you experts. My main goals for my trip are: 1. To improve my Portuguese to an advanced level. I'm currently lower-intermediate. 2. To train in the Afro-Brazilian art of Capoeira which I've been practicing for the past 4 years. 3. To learn about Afro-Brazilian culture and the ancestorial link with Africa(I'm an African). 4. If possible experience Canaval. Any advance? Thanks!

What is the best town in Salvador to listen to live music and what are the least expensive accomodations?

I have trouble finding accommodation in salvador during the carnaval. all hostels offer only 6-day packages starting on 16 feb. me and my friends need lodging for less nights, 3 or 4 nights staring on 18/19 feb; do any of you guys know if it is possible to find accommodation on this requirements? the cheaper the better; we just want someplace to leave our bags and sleep, nothing fancy thankk you!

Could anyone suggest a reliable service/taxi to/from airport to Iberostar Bahia resort. Tks

Could anyone suggest a reliable service/taxi to/from airport to Iberostar Bahia resort. Tks

Hi guys. In Salvador for three with a friend. Will be teaching English in a local school and learning about the local areas/ having a great time. Would love to meet any locals/expats living or working in the area. Send me a message on xkennydaga@gmail.com Remove the x before the email. Kx

Hello all! I have been living in Salvador over a year now and would love to meet up with 'gringo's that live in Salvador too! I have looked on internations and not many people have signed up there, please reply if interested! Giselle, and a few others...

Hello, I'm looking for people that have done some guided trekkings in Chapada Diamantina. I found some interesting websites: infochapada.com/english/rote... amazonadventures.com/diamant... Does anyone have any recommendation about this? Or is it better to just book a hotel in Lençois and try to catch a local guide there? I will be visiting Brazil next December and January 2012. Thank you!

Please, somebody help! I need 4 badroom house in Salvador for the whole year, and i can't find it! Pweasee recommend me snth.

Hi! We would like to go from Salvador to Morro de S Paulo, but the trips seem to be very expensive -70 reais-, can anyone recommend a cheaper way? Thanx!!

Hi all, I'm in Salvador for just one day (getting to the airport at 6am, leaving at 2am) on April 22. any ideas for where to get a tour guide to pick me up and spend the whole day showing me around? I speak portuguese. I have suitcases, so hopefully I can leave those in a locker somewhere at the airport.

Hi! I will be arriving at Salvador late in the night, I wonder if anyone can recommend me a safe and unexpensive hotel near the airport...? Thanx! Susana

I am due to attend a wedding just outside Salvador da Bahia on Sat 18th June. I will be arriving on Friday 17th and staying until Sat 25th and wondered if it was worth staying in Salvador and the surrounding area for the whole time or should I fly down to Iguacu Falls and Rio? I want to know if there is plenty to do in Salvador for 10 days or if I should travel around Brazil? Thanks

Can somebody help me find a futbol schedule for Salvador? Would like to see if my dates me up with a local game here. thanks

Does not look like there are many. I found this one and have emailed them Maracaia Hostel Thanks

Hi VTers, I´m planning to spend a few weeks in Salvador de Bahia and take some portuguese lessons. Can you recommend my any schools? Apart from that, were should I find accomodation? I´ve been to Pelourinho before and I liked it, but i´m not sure it is the best option - too many tourists. Any suggestions are welcome! Thanx Susana

We are finalizing our trip to Bahia and are at a standstill. We are a family of 5, 2adults 2boys 22 & 17 and 1girl 17. We are arriving in Salvador on 19th Mar and rtn is Sun 27th Mar. We would like to combine Chapada Diamantina National Park and also some beach maybe even surfing. My husband wants to do a self drive but we have been unable to figure out how to put everything together. Any suggestions would be wonderful.

I'll be heading down to Salvador at the end of Feb for a week or so with the final days coinciding with first couple of days of Carnaval. ANY VT CREW GOING TO BE DOWN THERE AND WANT TO HAVE A DRINK?

After we booked all our flights and some accommodation, we just discovered a problem with our Brazil itinerary that partially covers Carnival period. During the carnival we will stay in el Morro De Sao Paulo, and on March 7 we have a flight from Salvador to Rio (at noon). The problem is that we can't get to Salvador before our flight to Rio on March 7, so we will have to travel to Salvador one day before and spend 1 night there (March 6). As all hotels and hostels only offer 5 - 7 day packages during carnival period, how and where could we find 2 beds for just one night in Salvador? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks very much, Srechko, Toronto

Oi Gente, Esta é Jeff, do Texas. Estou indo para Salvador na semana de 7 de fevereiro e uma coisa que eu sempre tento fazer é começar educado na cena local, antes de chegar: o que eu chamo de "os sete". Se algum de vocês VTers poderia me dar apenas uma resposta pouco por todo ou qualquer um dos abaixo - seus favoritos - para Salvador, na Bahia ou no Nordeste. 1. Um livro ... algo que tem a alma não é muito histórica ou seca. 2. Uma Canção ... qualquer clássicos Bahia ou artistas de Salvador que eu poderia encontrar no iTunes ou outro. 3. Uma bebida ... o que os locals bebida. Algo mais locais do que caipirinhas. 4. Um prato ... uma refeição, local tradicional ou comida. 5. Uma palavra / frase ... uma saudação, ou algo exclusivo para o Nordeste ou do Brasil em geral. 6. Um pouco de notícias ... o que está acontecendo na Bahia recentemente (acho que a notícia Dilma é grande a nível nacional). Local / itens nacionais que têm sido notícia. 7. lugar pouco conhecido ... um lugar fora do trajeto onde se pode começar uma sensação real para a cultura (cidade pequena, pequeno clube em Salvador, local de boa música, etc) Meu Português não é tão bom, eu usei o tradutor do Google para alguns (muito) pode estar incorreta. Sinta-se livre para responder em Português - Estou aprendendo a amar a língua! Abcs, Jeff PS - Se você quiser ver as coletâneas de outros países, você pode ir aqui - vou acrescentar à coluna da Bahia como qualquer respostas vêm dentro .. docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0A... (POST IN ENGLISH) - SORRY SO LONG... The 7 Ones This is Jeff from Texas. I'm coming to Salvador the week of 7 february and one thing I always try to do is get educated on the local scene before arriving: what I call 'the seven ones'. If any of you VTers could give me just one little answer for all or any of the below - your favorites – for Salvador, Bahia or the Northeast. 1. A Book... something that has soul not too historical or dry. 2. A Song... any Bahia classics or Salvador artists that I could find on iTunes or otherwise. 3. A Drink... what the locals drink. Something more local than caipirinhas. 4. A Dish... a local, traditional meal or food. 5. A Word/Phrase... a greeting, or something unique to the Northeast or Brazil in general. 6. A bit of news... what is going on in Bahia lately (I guess that Dilma news is big nationally). Local/national items that have been in the news. 7. little-known place... a place off the path where one can get a real feel for the culture (small town, small club in Salvador, good music place, etc) My Portuguese isn't this good, I used Google translator so some (much) may be incorrect. Feel free to respond in Portuguese - I am learning to love the language! Abcs, Jeff PS - If you want to see the compilations of other countries, you can go here - I'll add to the Bahia column as any responses come in... docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0A...

Has anyone traveled between Porto Seguo and Salvador? I believe the bus from Salvador to Porto Seguro is an overnight trip - leaving Salvador at 9pm and arriving in Porto Seguro at 7am. BUT - I have been unable to find any information about the trip in the other direction. Does anyone know what time the bus leaves Porto Seguro going to Salvador and what time it arrives in Salvador? Also, if anyone has information on fares that would be helpful. Thank you.

We are a family of 6 and want to spend a few days in Salvador in December 2010 before driving up the coast to Joao Pessoa. Can anyone recommend a good, reasonably priced, safe place for a family to stay. Also we want to rent a vehicle for the 6 of us to drive up the coast. Any companies you can recommend? We are thinking about having 3 days in Salvador, what must we see?

I a planning to attend my 1st Carnaval in Salvador 2011. I am researching and finding (as expected) that the pousadas, apartments, and hotels are priced very high compared to even the high season. Ok, so given that can anyone recommend a a good place to stay for 2 or 3 50ish year old men. Not really looking for the big hotels, pousadas are fine, or even an apartment (with a relatively good rate for the carnaval season) we can share the cost. Also, are there any places not inside the city core that will still allow ready access to and from the circuits for the evenings. Looking at the map I see some islands very close to Salvador, it is reasonable to stay at one of these and boat/ferry to the city? I'm just brainstorming here and so will greatly appreciate any advise you can share. thanks in advance. George from Seattle

anyone can tell me wich bus/onibus goes from salvador's airport to rodoviaria? we arrive at 6.00 p.m. from europe and need to reach the rodoviaria at 7.30 p.m, do you know how long it takes? thanks

Hi there I've heard that transferring at Sao Paulo airport to go to Salvador is not easy. I read in one online article that you have to go through customs and then go back to an airline check-in desk and line up there again. I don't have much time between connections so I really would like to avoid lining up in the wrong line for an hour and then finding out I have to go somewhere else to line up, so any advice anyone can give would be great! I would be flying with TAM from Toronto Canada to Sao Paolo and then transferring to go to Salvador (also with TAM). Many thanks!