Salvador da Bahia Travel Forum

Hello all:

I am planning on moving to Salvador sometime in January (at least that is what I hope) to improve my Portuguese, make some contacts, and see the country. One of my dreams is to open a bar or restaurant in Brasil, at some point in the future. To that end I have a strong desire to work in a bar or restaurant, or something related to that. I understand getting a work visa is next to impossible. Is it unrealistic to think I can find a job in the service industry and work under the table? I.E. as a server, barback, etc?

Also, can anybody help me with the most basic of things, ie, housing, other jobs I can get, and good things to know?! I'm not really trying to make money...it's more about making contacts. As far as language goes I'm fluent in Spanish and have taken about a year of Portuguese, so I would say I'm intermediate/advanced but still have room for improvement. Obviously so many questions so if anyone is on Orkut, facebook, or gmail, lets connect! I will give you my info.

By the way I have lived in the Dominican Republic before so I am familiar with the developing world, although I'm hoping Salvador is a little more developed than Santo Domingo! Lets keep in touch guys and thanks!

I am curious about whether anyone gets sick from swimming in the ocean by areas where the rivers dump into the ocean? I know they do in Rio and it is advised not to go swimming on the beaches there but I am going to Salvador and would like to go kiteboarding. I have concerns though as I read that one of the more popular kiteboarding spots is close to an area where the river dumps into the ocean. Does anyone have experience with this who has visited from outside the country of Brazil?

Thanks to everyone for your help. We have returned. Everyone kind of freaked me out before we left about safey and crime. If you don't get drunk. wander around alone in dark places, act natural, and even use a small map and ask questions, barely know the language you csn have a safe and fun filled trip. Everyone was super nice and helpful. We traveled on public transport, even the cheaper non airconditioned buses and got where we wanted. We did not return to our hotel real late at night and it was not Carnaval time.

We will be in Salvador 4 days...what is the best and safest way to get around.
We are going August 7 to 11th.
what are the main attractions, the order to seee them? Things to do near the city and how to get there by public transport...culture, nature, folklore etc.

Anyone know where I can find a decent apartment/studio/ flat in Barra. if it had a washing machine and wi fi that'd be really excellent. so far been quoted really high prices per month. Thanks

Hi, I'll be staying in Salvador da Bahia for 3 months this summer and I was wondering if there's anywhere I can get brands like L'oreal, Clinique, Dermalogica, Origins, Aveda, Bare Escentuals or organic/local brands. It would be great to not have to bring lots of stuff with me knowing i could buy stuff there. Might as well contribute to the local economy and all too.

Superficial,girly, but practical question.

Thanks!

Hi

I just got quotes for accommodation in Barra for £23 per night with breakfast from Caledonia Languages and then it's another £5 for dinner.

Does anyone think I could get decent healthy food in Barra for less, so i'd just pay £23 per night?

By the way I was quoted £395 for portuguese lessons from 9am to 12.30pm for 10 days of lessons. Any opinions.

Caledonia offer it all, food, accom, lessons as a package.

Can anyone tell me how long it takes to get from the airport to the bus station by Taxi - I'm plannning to do this in the evening and want to make sure that I will get my connection. (otherwise I'm hanging about the bus station all night!!
Also with domestic flights in Brazil - do you have to book in 1 hour before? and can I assume that I will be able to clear the airport with bags quite quickly on landing?
thanks.

Hello,
I am planning to go to Salvador for 4 days approximately on the 3rd week of May. I've read about the terrible floods affecting the NE of Brazil, my sympathy for those who have had losses.
Does anyone know if Salvador has been affected? I may consider to stay in Rio if the situation is not looking very good.

thanks in advance
-L

Hi,

I'm planning a trip to Bahia for the beginning of june, hopefully for three months. I'm travelling from Ireland which could make for a very complicated journey, so I was wondering if anyone can give me a list of all the non-Brazilian airports connected to Salvador da Bahia SAA airport so I can see if any of those connect to my local airport so I can plan the least complicated journey possible.

I've looked at the airport website and it doesn't give me much info. Because all the other alternatives involve 3 or 4 flights, and because I will almost certainly have to change my returning flights, finding a flight that involves just one change would help me out a great deal.

Thanks!!!!

Can't wait to go.

I am planning on a visit to Salvador da Bahia and want to get major dental work done while there, since the cost is outrageous in the USA. All of the resources I've seen for Brazilian Dentists - particularly those who speak English, are in Rio de Janeiro or Sao Paolo. Can anyone suggest an online list of dentists in Salvador, with links to the clinic's websites? Or can anyone share their experiences with a particular dentist, either good or bad. I really prefer to go to someone who can communicate in English and who regularly sees foreigners who go to Brazil for the lower prices. Thanks.

Hi!

Can any body please privide the English version to the new Brazil Airline, Azul and TAM airlines?

Thank you.

I'm a Manchester United fan and I'm already going to miss the first leg of the Inter V Man Utd match because I'll be in Cuiaba doing a Pantanal tour and I have not seen european football matches (Premier League, La Liga, Serie A) anywhere in Sao Paulo or Parity so far...I doubt Rio will be much better.

What about Salvador? Will they show these EXTREMELY important matches for football fans ANYWHERE?

Thanks guys :)

wondering if anyone has recently flown to Recife from Salvador and knows what the prices are round trip, am having problems with Tams“ site. Also, same question for the bus and how long is it to Olinda via Recife and can it be done overnight? Or are there any other suggestions for places to visit nearby Salvador for two - three days that are small and friendly for a single female traveller. Thanks

Hi everyone, I really want to go to Bahia for carnival but I don't really have any extra funds available at the moment. However what I am able to do is get to Bahia. I have friends who work at United air and have gotten me a few free random flights in the past. They told me that getting me to Brazil for Carnival should be no problem. My question is... Is it possible for me to go to Bahia with little to no money?? For you natives or permanent residents living there, do you think it's a good idea? What I have heard so far is "if you can just get there you're set, party it up" Well I have roundtrip tickets so... Should I do it? Oh and btw, I'm 22 male from Hawaii and I'm looking to party HARD if its possible!

Some things I've been pondering are: A. WOOFING (maybe not a good idea since it's so short notice B. hospitality club/couchsurfing (I'm considering this but they require your passport number... Identity theft suddenly pops in my mind so I don't know about either of those..) What are your thoughts...?

Someone reccommended me to spend couple of night in Morro de Sao Paolo (instead of afull week in Salvador de Bahia.
First, I looked at the map and the island is very close to Sao Paolo, but the only way to get there (plane or boat) is from Salvador. Am I right?
Then, I wander if someone can share experience on this place, like what to do (besides continous parties on the 2nd beach..), good accommodation (50-75 USD per rroom per night), how to move from place to place (no cars there..) etc.

We will be in Salvador da Bahia at the beginning of March. What will be the best place to stay in or around Salvador? We want a nice but not too expensive place (no dorms..), close to the beaches. I heard about Barra district and also about the island of Itaparica, but not much else.

we are planning to go to Salvador for Carnival. Just wondering any tip about things to do and avoid. We paln to be there from Feb 17 to Feb feb 25. Anyone coming, may be we could meet-up for a drink? We have rented an apartment in Barra and looking forward to great time.

Thank for any tips...

Hi.

I would appreciate if somebody could give me advice - I will travel to Salvador by airplane and from Salvador to Recife by bus. I need names and locations of Bus Station where I can get a bus to Recife and a way how to book the bus travel. I do not speak Portuguese.

Thank You for help.

Ian

i would like to buy a small quality cd player in salvador,hopefully at a low price.where can i find one?

obrigado!

i would like to buy a dru or to as well as a cavaquinho and maybe something else.i know these can be found in pelourinho but perhaps there is a better place?i also have no idea how much these things are worth?

obrigado!

how much should i expect to pay for a taxi from the rodoviaria to pelourinho? also, is the bus from praca da se good enough to get to the airport or should i get a taxi?

obrigado!

can anyone please direct me to any naturist beaches official or unofficial in this state please

Hi,
This is my first trip to Brazil. I have been in Salvador for 5 days in Barra. If any one wants to meet up for a drink or check out some sights let me know. Obrigado

hi, we are staying at the iberostar bahia, praia do forte, does any know or can recommend a local diving club

Anyone have a recommendation for a nice, safe, and reasonably-priced rental apartment in Salvador Bahia, preferably in Barra?

We are a group of 3 male friends traveling together, and planning to spend 3 or 4 days on Ilha de Boipepa, in August. Is anyone familiar with either the Pousada Tassimirim or the Pousada Santa Clara? If so, can you tell me a little about the owners and the ambience of these places?

Many thanks!
Bernard

Hey, I'm heading to Porto Seguro next week and I am hoping to play golf at Terravista Golf Course. Are there any golfers out there that I could hook up with? I'll be in PS from Mar. 27th til April 3rd. Looking at the website, the course looks awesome. Has anyone else played there? Thanks in advance, Dave

I am going to Salvador next week only just for a week. I am searching a nice cheap hotel there and nice peolple to party there. I know Salvador a little bit- but I think there still new things to know like praia do forte or morro de sao paolo

Kiku

Hi,
Any one been to this area/hotel recently? could you give some pointers about must see or do while in this area and Brazil and poss cost.
It is our first time to South America and we have heard that May/June are bad months to visit, hope not! We usually visit Maldives every year but found this deal so here goes.
Appreciate any info advice - many thanks!

Maldivesaddict