Salvador Travel Guide

Salvador is the capital of the state of Bahia, Brazil. With a charming Old Town (a World Heritage Site), a vibrant musical scene and popular Carnaval celebrations, it is considered one of the birthplaces of Brazilian culture. Salvador is an enchanting city full of mysteries and charms. There are millions of tourists every year flocking to Salvador to enjoy its beaches. Parts are best explored on foot, such as dense historical areas including the Pelourinho and the Lacerda Lift, the first urban lift in the world, and the Mercado Central.

There are a number of transportation options available in Salvador, including taxis, buses and car rentals. the bus fares are quite affordable, although the taxi fares can be quite expensive if one is traveling a long distance.

The situation of the shanty towns of Greater Salvador is similar to that of the Greater Rio's favelas. As in Rio, these areas in Salvador are not permanently occupied by the police. These conflicts are restricted to the slums of the Salvador metropolitan area and do not affect tourist areas of the city. A high degree of caution is recommended when visiting one of the several tourist attractions spread across the city, since Salvador has one of the highest street crime rates in Brazil.

There are luxury hotels on the beach. Salvador also has discount hotels that offer cheap rates for those on a budget. There are also hostels in Pelourinho that are reasonably priced, but noisy at night.