Tuesday 12 August 2008
Monday 11 August 2008
Vaccinations Brazil
Brazil
Summary of recommendations:
All travelers should visit either their personal physician or a travel health clinic 4-8 weeks before departure.
Malaria: Prophylaxis with Lariam, Malarone, or doxycycline is recommended for the states of Acre, Amapa, Amazonas, Maranhao (western part), Mato Grosso (northern part), Para (except Belem City), Rondonia, Roraima, and Tocantins, and for urban areas within these states, including the cities of Porto Velho, Boa Vista, Macapa, Manaus, Santarem, and Maraba.
Vaccinations: Hepatitis A Recommended for all travelers
Typhoid For travelers who may eat or drink outside major restaurants and hotels
Yellow fever Recommended for the northern part of Espiritu Santo and the western part of Santa Catarina; all areas in the states of Acre, Amapa, Amazones, Goias, Maranhao, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sol, Minas Gerais, Para, Rondonia, Roraima, and Tocantins; parts of the states of Bahia, Parana, Piaui, Rio Grande do Sul; the Federal District of Brasilia; and Sao Paulo. Required for travelers arriving from a yellow-fever-infected area in Africa or the Americas.
Hepatitis B For travelers who may have intimate contact with local residents, especially if visiting for more than 6 months
Rabies For travelers who may have direct contact with animals and may not have access to medical care
Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) Two doses recommended for all travelers born after 1956, if not previously given
Tetanus-diphtheria Revaccination recommended every 10 years
Medications
Travelers' diarrhea is the most common travel-related ailment. The cornerstone of prevention is food and water precautions, as outlined below. All travelers should bring along an antibiotic and an antidiarrheal drug to be started promptly if significant diarrhea occurs, defined as three or more loose stools in an 8-hour period or five or more loose stools in a 24-hour period, especially if associated with nausea, vomiting, cramps, fever or blood in the stool. A quinolone antibiotic is usually prescribed: either ciprofloxacin (Cipro)(PDF) 500 mg twice daily or levofloxacin (Levaquin) (PDF) 500 mg once daily for a total of three days. Quinolones are generally well-tolerated, but occasionally cause sun sensitivity and should not be given to children, pregnant women, or anyone with a history of quinolone allergy. Alternative regimens include a three day course of rifaximin (Xifaxan) 200 mg three times daily or azithromycin (Zithromax) 500 mg once daily. Rifaximin should not be used by those with fever or bloody stools and is not approved for pregnant women or those under age 12. Azithromycin should be avoided in those allergic to erythromycin or related antibiotics. An antidiarrheal drug such as loperamide (Imodium) or diphenoxylate (Lomotil) should be taken as needed to slow the frequency of stools, but not enough to stop the bowel movements completely. Diphenoxylate (Lomotil) and loperamide (Imodium) should not be given to children under age two.
Most cases of travelers' diarrhea are mild and do not require either antibiotics or antidiarrheal drugs. Adequate fluid intake is essential.
If diarrhea is severe or bloody, or if fever occurs with shaking chills, or if abdominal pain becomes marked, or if diarrhea persists for more than 72 hours, medical attention should be sought.
Though effective, antibiotics are not recommended prophylactically (i.e. to prevent diarrhea before it occurs) because of the risk of adverse effects, though this approach may be warranted in special situations, such as immunocompromised travelers.
Malaria in Brazil: prophylaxis is recommended for the states of Acre, Amapa, Amazonas, Maranhao (western part), Mato Grosso (northern part), Para (except Belem City), Rondonia, Roraima, and Tocantins, and for urban areas within these states, including the cities of Porto Velho, Boa Vista, Macapa, Manaus, Santarem, and Maraba, where transmission occurs on the periphery. Transmission is greatest in remote jungle areas where mining, lumbering and agriculture occur and which have been settled for less than five years. Malaria risk is negligible outside the states of "Legal Amazonia." For a map showing the risk of malaria in different parts of the country, go to the Pan American Health Organization.
Either mefloquine (Lariam), atovaquone/proguanil (Malarone)(PDF), or doxycycline may be given. Mefloquine is given once weekly in a dosage of 250 mg, starting one-to-two weeks before arrival and continuing through the trip and for four weeks after departure. Side-effects, which are typically mild, may include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, insomnisa, and nightmares. Rarely, severe reactions occur, including depression, anxiety, psychosis, hallucinations, and seizures. Mefloquine should not be given to anyone with a history of seizures, psychiatric illness, cardiac conduction disorders, or allergy to quinine or quinidine. Those taking mefloquine (Lariam) should read the Lariam Medication Guide (PDF). Atovaquone/proguanil (Malarone) is a recently approved combination pill taken once daily with food starting two days before arrival and continuing through the trip and for seven days after departure. Malarone may cause abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, headache, diarrhea, or dizziness, though usually mild. Serious adverse reactions are rare. Doxycycline is effective, but may cause an exaggerated sunburn reaction, which limits its usefulness in the tropics.
Long-term travelers who will be visiting malarious areas and may not have access to medical care should bring along medications for emergency self-treatment should they develop symptoms suggestive of malaria, such as fever, chills, headaches, and muscle aches, and cannot obtain medical care within 24 hours. See malaria for details. Symptoms of malaria sometimes do not occur for months or even years after exposure.
Insect protection measures are essential.
Travelers visiting only the coastal states from the horn to the Uruguay border and Iguacu Falls do not need prophylaxis.
For further information about malaria in Brazil, go to the World Health Organization.
Immunizations
The following are the recommended vaccinations for Brazil.
Hepatitis A vaccine is recommended for all travelers over one year of age. It should be given at least two weeks (preferably four weeks or more) before departure. A booster should be given 6-12 months later to confer long-term immunity. Two vaccines are currently available in the United States: VAQTA (Merck and Co., Inc.) (PDF) and Havrix (GlaxoSmithKline) (PDF). Both are well-tolerated. Side-effects, which are generally mild, may include soreness at the injection site, headache, and malaise.
Older adults, immunocompromised persons, and those with chronic liver disease or other chronic medical conditions who have less than two weeks before departure should receive a single intramuscular dose of immune globulin (0.02 mL/kg) at a separate anatomic injection site in addition to the initial dose of vaccine. Travelers who are less than one year of age or allergic to a vaccine component should receive a single intramuscular dose of immune globulin (see hepatitis A for dosage) in the place of vaccine.
Typhoid vaccine is recommended for all travelers, with the exception of short-term visitors who restrict their meals to major restaurants and hotels, such as business travelers and cruise passengers. It is generally given in an oral form (Vivotif Berna) consisting of four capsules taken on alternate days until completed. The capsules should be kept refrigerated and taken with cool liquid. Side-effects are uncommon and may include abdominal discomfort, nausea, rash or hives. The alternative is an injectable polysaccharide vaccine (Typhim Vi; Aventis Pasteur Inc.) (PDF), given as a single dose. Adverse reactions, which are uncommon, may include discomfort at the injection site, fever and headache. The oral vaccine is approved for travelers at least six years old, whereas the injectable vaccine is approved for those over age two. There are no data concerning the safety of typhoid vaccine during pregnancy. The injectable vaccine (Typhim Vi) is probably preferable to the oral vaccine in pregnant and immunocompromised travelers.
Yellow fever vaccine is recommended for all those greater than nine months of age traveling to areas in Brazil where yellow fever occurs, which includes the northern part of Espiritu Santo and the western part of Santa Catarina; all areas in the states of Acre, Amapa, Amazones, Goias, Maranhao, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sol, Minas Gerais, Para, Rondonia, Roraima, and Tocantins; parts of the states of Bahia, Parana, Piaui, Rio Grande do Sul (including the region of Target); the Federal District of Brasilia; and Sao Paulo (see the CDC map for details). A yellow fever alert was issued in January 2008 (see "Recent outbreaks" below). Yellow fever vaccine is recommended for Iguacu Falls, but is not necessary for the coastal cities, including Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Salvador, Recife, and Fortaleza.
Yellow fever vaccine is required for travelers greater than nine months of age arriving from a yellow-fever-infected country in Africa or the Americas. The vaccine is also required for travelers arriving from
Africa: Angola, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Sudan.
Americas: Bolivia, Columbia, Ecuador, and Peru.
In March 2002, an unvaccinated Texas man died from yellow fever after a 6-day fishing trip on the Rio Negro west of Manaus in the state of Amazonas. In 1996, a Tennessee resident died from yellow fever contracted during a nine-day trip along the Rio Negro and Amazon rivers. Yellow fever has also been reported from the states of Amapa, Goias, Maranhao, Mato Grosso, Minas Gerais, Para, Roraima, Sao Paulo, and Tocantins. For further details on yellow fever in Brazil, go to the Pan-American Health Organization (PDF).
Yellow fever vaccine (YF-VAX; Aventis Pasteur Inc.) (PDF) must be administered at an approved yellow fever vaccination center , which will give each vaccinee a fully validated International Certificate of Vaccination. Reactions to the vaccine, which are generally mild, include headaches, muscle aches, and low-grade fevers. Serious allergic reactions, such as hives or asthma, are rare and generally occur in those with a history of egg allergy. The vaccine should not in general be given to those who are younger than nine months of age, pregnant, immunocompromised, or allergic to eggs.
Hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for travelers who will have intimate contact with local residents or potentially need blood transfusions or injections while abroad, especially if visiting for more than six months. It is also recommended for all health care personnel. Two vaccines are currently licensed in the United States: Recombivax HB (Merck and Co., Inc.) (PDF) and Engerix-B (GlaxoSmithKline) (PDF). A full series consists of three intramuscular doses given at 0, 1 and 6 months. Engerix-B is also approved for administration at 0, 1, 2, and 12 months, which may be appropriate for travelers departing in less than 6 months. Side-effects are generally mild and may include discomfort at the injection site and low-grade fever. Severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) occur rarely.
Rabies vaccine is recommended only for those at high risk for animal bites, such as veterinarians and animal handlers, and for long-term travelers who may have contact with animals and may not have access to medical care. Rabies vaccine should also be considered for those making extended trips to remote areas in the northeastern and northern regions of the country, where most cases occur. In the past, most cases of rabies in Brazil were related to dog bites in urban areas. However, since 2004, most have been transmitted by bats in rural parts of the states of Pará and Maranhão (see "Recent outbreaks" below). A complete preexposure series consists of three doses of vaccine injected into the deltoid muscle on days 0, 7, and 21 or 28. Side-effects may include pain at the injection site, headache, nausea, abdominal pain, muscle aches, dizziness, or allergic reactions.
Any animal bite or scratch should be thoroughly cleaned with large amounts of soap and water and local health authorities should be contacted immediately for possible post-exposure treatment, whether or not the person has been immunized against rabies.
Tetanus-diphtheria vaccine is recommended for all travelers who have not received a tetanus-diphtheria immunization within the last 10 years.
Measles-mumps-rubella vaccine: two doses are recommended (if not previously given) for all travelers born after 1956, unless blood tests show immunity. Many adults born after 1956 and before 1970 received only one vaccination against measles, mumps, and rubella as children and should be given a second dose before travel. MMR vaccine should not be given to pregnant or severely immunocompromised individuals.
Cholera vaccine is not generally recommended. Only seven cases were reported for the year 2001 and none in 2002. Most travelers are at extremely low risk for infection. Two oral vaccines have recently been developed: Orochol (Mutacol), licensed in Canada and Australia, and Dukoral, licensed in Canada, Australia, and the European Union. These vaccines, where available, are recommended only for high-risk individuals, such as relief workers, health professionals, and those traveling to remote areas where cholera epidemics are occurring and there is limited access to medical care. The only cholera vaccine approved for use in the United States is no longer manufactured or sold, due to low efficacy and frequent side-effects.
In November 1998, a cholera outbreak was reported from Cortez municipality in the region of Mata-Sul, Pernambuco State, in the northeastern part of the country. The source of infection was thought to be the Rio Sirinhaem, which supplies 80% of the water used by the population. Another outbreak occurred in the municipality of Paranagua, Parana State, in March 1999.
Polio vaccine is not recommended for any adult traveler who completed the recommended childhood immunizations. Polio has been eradicated from the Americas, except for a small outbreak of vaccine-related poliomyelitis in the Dominican Republic and Haiti in late 2000.
Summary of recommendations:
All travelers should visit either their personal physician or a travel health clinic 4-8 weeks before departure.
Malaria: Prophylaxis with Lariam, Malarone, or doxycycline is recommended for the states of Acre, Amapa, Amazonas, Maranhao (western part), Mato Grosso (northern part), Para (except Belem City), Rondonia, Roraima, and Tocantins, and for urban areas within these states, including the cities of Porto Velho, Boa Vista, Macapa, Manaus, Santarem, and Maraba.
Vaccinations: Hepatitis A Recommended for all travelers
Typhoid For travelers who may eat or drink outside major restaurants and hotels
Yellow fever Recommended for the northern part of Espiritu Santo and the western part of Santa Catarina; all areas in the states of Acre, Amapa, Amazones, Goias, Maranhao, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sol, Minas Gerais, Para, Rondonia, Roraima, and Tocantins; parts of the states of Bahia, Parana, Piaui, Rio Grande do Sul; the Federal District of Brasilia; and Sao Paulo. Required for travelers arriving from a yellow-fever-infected area in Africa or the Americas.
Hepatitis B For travelers who may have intimate contact with local residents, especially if visiting for more than 6 months
Rabies For travelers who may have direct contact with animals and may not have access to medical care
Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) Two doses recommended for all travelers born after 1956, if not previously given
Tetanus-diphtheria Revaccination recommended every 10 years
Medications
Travelers' diarrhea is the most common travel-related ailment. The cornerstone of prevention is food and water precautions, as outlined below. All travelers should bring along an antibiotic and an antidiarrheal drug to be started promptly if significant diarrhea occurs, defined as three or more loose stools in an 8-hour period or five or more loose stools in a 24-hour period, especially if associated with nausea, vomiting, cramps, fever or blood in the stool. A quinolone antibiotic is usually prescribed: either ciprofloxacin (Cipro)(PDF) 500 mg twice daily or levofloxacin (Levaquin) (PDF) 500 mg once daily for a total of three days. Quinolones are generally well-tolerated, but occasionally cause sun sensitivity and should not be given to children, pregnant women, or anyone with a history of quinolone allergy. Alternative regimens include a three day course of rifaximin (Xifaxan) 200 mg three times daily or azithromycin (Zithromax) 500 mg once daily. Rifaximin should not be used by those with fever or bloody stools and is not approved for pregnant women or those under age 12. Azithromycin should be avoided in those allergic to erythromycin or related antibiotics. An antidiarrheal drug such as loperamide (Imodium) or diphenoxylate (Lomotil) should be taken as needed to slow the frequency of stools, but not enough to stop the bowel movements completely. Diphenoxylate (Lomotil) and loperamide (Imodium) should not be given to children under age two.
Most cases of travelers' diarrhea are mild and do not require either antibiotics or antidiarrheal drugs. Adequate fluid intake is essential.
If diarrhea is severe or bloody, or if fever occurs with shaking chills, or if abdominal pain becomes marked, or if diarrhea persists for more than 72 hours, medical attention should be sought.
Though effective, antibiotics are not recommended prophylactically (i.e. to prevent diarrhea before it occurs) because of the risk of adverse effects, though this approach may be warranted in special situations, such as immunocompromised travelers.
Malaria in Brazil: prophylaxis is recommended for the states of Acre, Amapa, Amazonas, Maranhao (western part), Mato Grosso (northern part), Para (except Belem City), Rondonia, Roraima, and Tocantins, and for urban areas within these states, including the cities of Porto Velho, Boa Vista, Macapa, Manaus, Santarem, and Maraba, where transmission occurs on the periphery. Transmission is greatest in remote jungle areas where mining, lumbering and agriculture occur and which have been settled for less than five years. Malaria risk is negligible outside the states of "Legal Amazonia." For a map showing the risk of malaria in different parts of the country, go to the Pan American Health Organization.
Either mefloquine (Lariam), atovaquone/proguanil (Malarone)(PDF), or doxycycline may be given. Mefloquine is given once weekly in a dosage of 250 mg, starting one-to-two weeks before arrival and continuing through the trip and for four weeks after departure. Side-effects, which are typically mild, may include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, insomnisa, and nightmares. Rarely, severe reactions occur, including depression, anxiety, psychosis, hallucinations, and seizures. Mefloquine should not be given to anyone with a history of seizures, psychiatric illness, cardiac conduction disorders, or allergy to quinine or quinidine. Those taking mefloquine (Lariam) should read the Lariam Medication Guide (PDF). Atovaquone/proguanil (Malarone) is a recently approved combination pill taken once daily with food starting two days before arrival and continuing through the trip and for seven days after departure. Malarone may cause abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, headache, diarrhea, or dizziness, though usually mild. Serious adverse reactions are rare. Doxycycline is effective, but may cause an exaggerated sunburn reaction, which limits its usefulness in the tropics.
Long-term travelers who will be visiting malarious areas and may not have access to medical care should bring along medications for emergency self-treatment should they develop symptoms suggestive of malaria, such as fever, chills, headaches, and muscle aches, and cannot obtain medical care within 24 hours. See malaria for details. Symptoms of malaria sometimes do not occur for months or even years after exposure.
Insect protection measures are essential.
Travelers visiting only the coastal states from the horn to the Uruguay border and Iguacu Falls do not need prophylaxis.
For further information about malaria in Brazil, go to the World Health Organization.
Immunizations
The following are the recommended vaccinations for Brazil.
Hepatitis A vaccine is recommended for all travelers over one year of age. It should be given at least two weeks (preferably four weeks or more) before departure. A booster should be given 6-12 months later to confer long-term immunity. Two vaccines are currently available in the United States: VAQTA (Merck and Co., Inc.) (PDF) and Havrix (GlaxoSmithKline) (PDF). Both are well-tolerated. Side-effects, which are generally mild, may include soreness at the injection site, headache, and malaise.
Older adults, immunocompromised persons, and those with chronic liver disease or other chronic medical conditions who have less than two weeks before departure should receive a single intramuscular dose of immune globulin (0.02 mL/kg) at a separate anatomic injection site in addition to the initial dose of vaccine. Travelers who are less than one year of age or allergic to a vaccine component should receive a single intramuscular dose of immune globulin (see hepatitis A for dosage) in the place of vaccine.
Typhoid vaccine is recommended for all travelers, with the exception of short-term visitors who restrict their meals to major restaurants and hotels, such as business travelers and cruise passengers. It is generally given in an oral form (Vivotif Berna) consisting of four capsules taken on alternate days until completed. The capsules should be kept refrigerated and taken with cool liquid. Side-effects are uncommon and may include abdominal discomfort, nausea, rash or hives. The alternative is an injectable polysaccharide vaccine (Typhim Vi; Aventis Pasteur Inc.) (PDF), given as a single dose. Adverse reactions, which are uncommon, may include discomfort at the injection site, fever and headache. The oral vaccine is approved for travelers at least six years old, whereas the injectable vaccine is approved for those over age two. There are no data concerning the safety of typhoid vaccine during pregnancy. The injectable vaccine (Typhim Vi) is probably preferable to the oral vaccine in pregnant and immunocompromised travelers.
Yellow fever vaccine is recommended for all those greater than nine months of age traveling to areas in Brazil where yellow fever occurs, which includes the northern part of Espiritu Santo and the western part of Santa Catarina; all areas in the states of Acre, Amapa, Amazones, Goias, Maranhao, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sol, Minas Gerais, Para, Rondonia, Roraima, and Tocantins; parts of the states of Bahia, Parana, Piaui, Rio Grande do Sul (including the region of Target); the Federal District of Brasilia; and Sao Paulo (see the CDC map for details). A yellow fever alert was issued in January 2008 (see "Recent outbreaks" below). Yellow fever vaccine is recommended for Iguacu Falls, but is not necessary for the coastal cities, including Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Salvador, Recife, and Fortaleza.
Yellow fever vaccine is required for travelers greater than nine months of age arriving from a yellow-fever-infected country in Africa or the Americas. The vaccine is also required for travelers arriving from
Africa: Angola, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Sudan.
Americas: Bolivia, Columbia, Ecuador, and Peru.
In March 2002, an unvaccinated Texas man died from yellow fever after a 6-day fishing trip on the Rio Negro west of Manaus in the state of Amazonas. In 1996, a Tennessee resident died from yellow fever contracted during a nine-day trip along the Rio Negro and Amazon rivers. Yellow fever has also been reported from the states of Amapa, Goias, Maranhao, Mato Grosso, Minas Gerais, Para, Roraima, Sao Paulo, and Tocantins. For further details on yellow fever in Brazil, go to the Pan-American Health Organization (PDF).
Yellow fever vaccine (YF-VAX; Aventis Pasteur Inc.) (PDF) must be administered at an approved yellow fever vaccination center , which will give each vaccinee a fully validated International Certificate of Vaccination. Reactions to the vaccine, which are generally mild, include headaches, muscle aches, and low-grade fevers. Serious allergic reactions, such as hives or asthma, are rare and generally occur in those with a history of egg allergy. The vaccine should not in general be given to those who are younger than nine months of age, pregnant, immunocompromised, or allergic to eggs.
Hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for travelers who will have intimate contact with local residents or potentially need blood transfusions or injections while abroad, especially if visiting for more than six months. It is also recommended for all health care personnel. Two vaccines are currently licensed in the United States: Recombivax HB (Merck and Co., Inc.) (PDF) and Engerix-B (GlaxoSmithKline) (PDF). A full series consists of three intramuscular doses given at 0, 1 and 6 months. Engerix-B is also approved for administration at 0, 1, 2, and 12 months, which may be appropriate for travelers departing in less than 6 months. Side-effects are generally mild and may include discomfort at the injection site and low-grade fever. Severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) occur rarely.
Rabies vaccine is recommended only for those at high risk for animal bites, such as veterinarians and animal handlers, and for long-term travelers who may have contact with animals and may not have access to medical care. Rabies vaccine should also be considered for those making extended trips to remote areas in the northeastern and northern regions of the country, where most cases occur. In the past, most cases of rabies in Brazil were related to dog bites in urban areas. However, since 2004, most have been transmitted by bats in rural parts of the states of Pará and Maranhão (see "Recent outbreaks" below). A complete preexposure series consists of three doses of vaccine injected into the deltoid muscle on days 0, 7, and 21 or 28. Side-effects may include pain at the injection site, headache, nausea, abdominal pain, muscle aches, dizziness, or allergic reactions.
Any animal bite or scratch should be thoroughly cleaned with large amounts of soap and water and local health authorities should be contacted immediately for possible post-exposure treatment, whether or not the person has been immunized against rabies.
Tetanus-diphtheria vaccine is recommended for all travelers who have not received a tetanus-diphtheria immunization within the last 10 years.
Measles-mumps-rubella vaccine: two doses are recommended (if not previously given) for all travelers born after 1956, unless blood tests show immunity. Many adults born after 1956 and before 1970 received only one vaccination against measles, mumps, and rubella as children and should be given a second dose before travel. MMR vaccine should not be given to pregnant or severely immunocompromised individuals.
Cholera vaccine is not generally recommended. Only seven cases were reported for the year 2001 and none in 2002. Most travelers are at extremely low risk for infection. Two oral vaccines have recently been developed: Orochol (Mutacol), licensed in Canada and Australia, and Dukoral, licensed in Canada, Australia, and the European Union. These vaccines, where available, are recommended only for high-risk individuals, such as relief workers, health professionals, and those traveling to remote areas where cholera epidemics are occurring and there is limited access to medical care. The only cholera vaccine approved for use in the United States is no longer manufactured or sold, due to low efficacy and frequent side-effects.
In November 1998, a cholera outbreak was reported from Cortez municipality in the region of Mata-Sul, Pernambuco State, in the northeastern part of the country. The source of infection was thought to be the Rio Sirinhaem, which supplies 80% of the water used by the population. Another outbreak occurred in the municipality of Paranagua, Parana State, in March 1999.
Polio vaccine is not recommended for any adult traveler who completed the recommended childhood immunizations. Polio has been eradicated from the Americas, except for a small outbreak of vaccine-related poliomyelitis in the Dominican Republic and Haiti in late 2000.
Vaccinations Rio De Janeiro
Summary of recommendations:
The following recommendations are for short-term trips originating in North America or Europe and limited to Rio. For all other trips, please see Brazil (complete). All travelers should visit either their personal physician or a travel health clinic 4-8 weeks before departure.
Vaccinations: Hepatitis A Recommended for all travelers
Typhoid For travelers who may eat or drink outside major restaurants and hotels
Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) Two doses recommended for all travelers born after 1956, if not previously given
Tetanus-diphtheria Revaccination recommended every 10 years
Medications
Travelers' diarrhea is the most common travel-related ailment. The cornerstone of prevention is food and water precautions, as outlined below. All travelers should bring along an antibiotic and an antidiarrheal drug to be started promptly if significant diarrhea occurs, defined as three or more loose stools in an 8-hour period or five or more loose stools in a 24-hour period, especially if associated with nausea, vomiting, cramps, fever or blood in the stool. A quinolone antibiotic is usually prescribed: either ciprofloxacin (Cipro)(PDF) 500 mg twice daily or levofloxacin (Levaquin) (PDF) 500 mg once daily for a total of three days. Quinolones are generally well-tolerated, but occasionally cause sun sensitivity and should not be given to children, pregnant women, or anyone with a history of quinolone allergy. Alternative regimens include a three day course of rifaximin (Xifaxan) 200 mg three times daily or azithromycin (Zithromax) 500 mg once daily. Rifaximin should not be used by those with fever or bloody stools and is not approved for pregnant women or those under age 12. Azithromycin should be avoided in those allergic to erythromycin or related antibiotics. An antidiarrheal drug such as loperamide (Imodium) or diphenoxylate (Lomotil) should be taken as needed to slow the frequency of stools, but not enough to stop the bowel movements completely. Diphenoxylate (Lomotil) and loperamide (Imodium) should not be given to children under age two.
Most cases of travelers' diarrhea are mild and do not require either antibiotics or antidiarrheal drugs. Adequate fluid intake is essential.
If diarrhea is severe or bloody, or if fever occurs with shaking chills, or if abdominal pain becomes marked, or if diarrhea persists for more than 72 hours, medical attention should be sought.
Though effective, antibiotics are not recommended prophylactically (i.e. to prevent diarrhea before it occurs) because of the risk of adverse effects, though this approach may be warranted in special situations, such as immunocompromised travelers.
Immunizations
The following are the recommended vaccinations for Rio.
Hepatitis A vaccine is recommended for all travelers over one year of age. It should be given at least two weeks (preferably four weeks or more) before departure. A booster should be given 6-12 months later to confer long-term immunity. Two vaccines are currently available in the United States: VAQTA (Merck and Co., Inc.) (PDF) and Havrix (GlaxoSmithKline) (PDF). Both are well-tolerated. Side-effects, which are generally mild, may include soreness at the injection site, headache, and malaise.
Older adults, immunocompromised persons, and those with chronic liver disease or other chronic medical conditions who have less than two weeks before departure should receive a single intramuscular dose of immune globulin (0.02 mL/kg) at a separate anatomic injection site in addition to the initial dose of vaccine. Travelers who are less than one year of age or allergic to a vaccine component should receive a single intramuscular dose of immune globulin (see hepatitis A for dosage) in the place of vaccine.
Typhoid vaccine is recommended for all travelers, with the exception of short-term visitors who restrict their meals to major restaurants and hotels, such as business travelers and cruise passengers. It is generally given in an oral form (Vivotif Berna) consisting of four capsules taken on alternate days until completed. The capsules should be kept refrigerated and taken with cool liquid. Side-effects are uncommon and may include abdominal discomfort, nausea, rash or hives. The alternative is an injectable polysaccharide vaccine (Typhim Vi; Aventis Pasteur Inc.) (PDF), given as a single dose. Adverse reactions, which are uncommon, may include discomfort at the injection site, fever and headache. The oral vaccine is approved for travelers at least six years old, whereas the injectable vaccine is approved for those over age two. There are no data concerning the safety of typhoid vaccine during pregnancy. The injectable vaccine (Typhim Vi) is probably preferable to the oral vaccine in pregnant and immunocompromised travelers.
Tetanus-diphtheria vaccine is recommended for all travelers who have not received a tetanus-diphtheria immunization within the last 10 years.
Measles-mumps-rubella vaccine: two doses are recommended (if not previously given) for all travelers born after 1956, unless blood tests show immunity. Many adults born after 1956 and before 1970 received only one vaccination against measles, mumps, and rubella as children and should be given a second dose before travel. MMR vaccine should not be given to pregnant or severely immunocompromised individuals.
Recent outbreaks
An outbreak of dengue fever, a flu-like illness sometimes complicated by hemorrhage or shock, began in January 2002, chiefly affecting the state of Rio de Janeiro. More than 780,000 cases of dengue fever were reported for the year, including 2607 cases of dengue hemorrhagic fever and 145 deaths. See the World Health Organization and ProMED-mail (February 8 and March 1, 8, 15, 22, and 31, 2002) for details. The number of cases declined sharply by April 2002. However, more than 250,000 cases of dengue were reported during the first seven months of 2003. Dengue fever is transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, which bite primarily in the daytime and favor densely populated areas, though they also inhabit rural environments. No vaccine is available at this time. Insect protection measures are strongly advised, as below.
The largest previous dengue outbreak occurred in 1998, when more then 500,000 people were affected and all urban areas and all but four states/territories were involved. The southeast region was most affected, especially the States of Minas Gerais and Espirito Santo. The number of cases fell in 1999, but has been climbing sharply ever since. In 2000, Brazil reported 210,289 cases of dengue fever, including 40 cases of dengue hemorrhagic fever. In 2001, the number of cases of dengue fever rose to 390,701, and the number of cases of dengue hemorrhagic fever climbed to 675.
Other infections
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infection is reported, but travelers are not at risk unless they have unprotected sexual contacts or receive injections or blood transfusions.
Other infections include
• Leptospirosis (mainly urban areas; chief animal hosts are rodents, dogs, pigs, and mice)
• Cutaneous and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (occurring in suburban areas in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo)
• Visceral leishmaniasis (chiefly in the Northeast) (see Jorge Arias et al., The Reemergence of Visceral Leishmaniasis in Brazil (Emerging Infectious Diseases Vol. 2/No. 2 | April-June 1996)
• Brucellosis (the most common animal source is infected cattle)
For an overview, see Emerging Infectious Diseases--Brazil by Dr. Hooman Momen (Emerging Infectious Diseases Vol. 4./No. 1 January-March 1998).
Food and water precautions
Do not drink tap water unless it has been boiled, filtered, or chemically disinfected. Do not drink unbottled beverages or drinks with ice. Do not eat fruits or vegetables unless they have been peeled or cooked. Avoid cooked foods that are no longer piping hot. Cooked foods that have been left at room temperature are particularly hazardous. Avoid unpasteurized milk and any products that might have been made from unpasteurized milk, such as ice cream. Avoid food and beverages obtained from street vendors. Do not eat raw or undercooked meat or fish, including ceviche. Some types of fish may contain poisonous biotoxins even when cooked. Barracuda in particular should never be eaten. Other fish that may contain toxins include red snapper, grouper, amberjack, and sea bass.
All travelers should bring along an antibiotic and an antidiarrheal drug to be started promptly if significant diarrhea occurs, defined as three or more loose stools in an 8-hour period or five or more loose stools in a 24-hour period, especially if accompanied by nausea, vomiting, cramps, fever or blood in the stool. Antibiotics which have been shown to be effective include ciprofloxacin (Cipro), levofloxacin (Levaquin), rifaximin (Xifaxan), or azithromycin (Zithromax). Either loperamide (Imodium) or diphenoxylate (Lomotil) should be taken in addition to the antibiotic to reduce diarrhea and prevent dehydration.
If diarrhea is severe or bloody, or if fever occurs with shaking chills, or if abdominal pain becomes marked, or if diarrhea persists for more than 72 hours, medical attention should be sought.
Insect and tick protection
Wear long sleeves, long pants, hats and shoes (rather than sandals). Apply insect repellents containing 25-50% DEET (N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide) or 20% picaridin (Bayrepel) to exposed skin (but not to the eyes, mouth, or open wounds). DEET may also be applied to clothing. Products with a lower concentration of either repellent need to be repplied more frequently. Products with a higher concentration of DEET carry an increased risk of neurologic toxicity, especially in children, without any additional benefit. Do not use either DEET or picaridin on children less than two years of age. For additional protection, apply permethrin-containing compounds to clothing, shoes, and bed nets. Permethrin-treated clothing appears to have little toxicity. Don't sleep with the window open unless there is a screen. If sleeping outdoors or in an accomodation that allows entry of mosquitoes, use a bed net, preferably impregnated with insect repellent, with edges tucked in under the mattress. The mesh size should be less than 1.5 mm. If the sleeping area is not otherwise protected, use a mosquito coil, which fills the room with insecticide through the night.
Swimming and bathing precautions
Avoid swimming, wading, or rafting in bodies of fresh water, such as lakes, ponds, streams, or rivers. Do not use fresh water for bathing or showering unless it has been heated to 150 degrees F for at least five minutes or held in a storage tank for at least three days. Toweling oneself dry after unavoidable or accidental exposure to contaminated water may reduce the likelihood of schistosomiasis, but does not reliably prevent the disease and is no substitute for the precautions above. Chlorinated swimming pools are considered safe.
General advice
Bring adequate supplies of all medications in their original containers, clearly labeled. Carry a signed, dated letter from the primary physician describing all medical conditions and listing all medications, including generic names. If carrying syringes or needles, be sure to carry a physician's letter documenting their medical necessity.Pack all medications in hand luggage. Carry a duplicate supply in the checked luggage. If you wear glasses or contacts, bring an extra pair. If you have significant allergies or chronic medical problems, wear a medical alert bracelet.
Make sure your health insurance covers you for medical expenses abroad. If not, supplemental insurance for overseas coverage, including possible evacuation, should be seriously considered. If illness occurs while abroad, medical expenses including evacuation may run to tens of thousands of dollars. For a list of travel insurance and air ambulance companies, go to Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad on the U.S. State Department website. Bring your insurance card, claim forms, and any other relevant insurance documents. Before departure, determine whether your insurance plan will make payments directly to providers or reimburse you later for overseas health expenditures. The Medicare and Medicaid programs do not pay for medical services outside the United States.
Pack a personal medical kit, customized for your trip (see description). Take appropriate measures to prevent motion sickness and jet lag, discussed elsewhere. On long flights, be sure to walk around the cabin, contract your leg muscles periodically, and drink plenty of fluids to prevent blood clots in the legs. For those at high risk for blood clots, consider wearing compression stockings.
Avoid contact with stray dogs and other animals. If an animal bites or scratches you, clean the wound with large amounts of soap and water and contact local health authorities immediately. Wear sun block regularly when needed. Use condoms for all sexual encounters. Ride only in motor vehicles with seat belts. Do not ride on motorcycles.
Ambulance services
For an ambulance in Brazil, call 193.
Physicians and hospitals
For an on-line list of physicians and hospitals, go to the U.S. Embassy website (click on U.S. Citizen Services from the menu at the top). The costs of medical treatment are considerably higher in Brazil than in most parts of the United States for similar care or treatment. Most physicians and hospitals expect payment at time of service.
Medical facilities (reproduced from the U.S. State Dept. Consular Information Sheet)
Medical care is generally good, but it varies in quality, particularly in remote areas, and it may not meet U.S. standards outside the major cities. The Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo is regularly used by U.S. Government personnel and other expatriates from throughout Brazil. The hospital phone is (55-11) 3747-1301.
Traveling with children
Make sure you have the names and contact information for qualified medical personnel in Brazil before you go abroad (see the U.S. Embassy website).
In general, the recommendations for infants and young children are the same as those for adults, except that certain vaccines and medications should not be administered to this age group. Most importantly, yellow fever vaccine is not approved for use in those under age nine months. Unless there is an extraordinary need to do so, children less than nine months of age should not be brought to areas where yellow fever occurs.
Food and water precautions, which are recommended for all travelers, must be strictly followed at all times, because diarrhea is especially dangerous in this age group and because the vaccines for hepatitis A and typhoid fever are not approved for children less than two years of age.
All children should be up-to-date on routine childhood immunizations, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Children who are 12 months or older should receive a total of 2 doses of MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccine, separated by at least 28 days, before international travel. Children between the ages of 6 and 11 months should be given a single dose of measles vaccine. MMR vaccine may be given if measles vaccine is not available, though immunization against mumps and rubella is not necessary before age one unless visiting a country where an outbreak is in progress. Children less than one year of age may also need to receive other immunizations ahead of schedule (see the accelerated immunization schedule).
Travel and pregnancy
International travel should be avoided by pregnant women with underlying medical conditions, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, or a history of complications during previous pregnancies, such as miscarriage or premature labor. For pregnant women in good health, the second trimester (18–24 weeks) is probably the safest time to go abroad and the third trimester the least safe, since it's far better not to have to deliver in a foreign country.
Before departure, make sure you have the names and contact information for physicians, clinics, and hospitals where you can obtain emergency obstetric care if necessary (see the U.S. Embassy website). In general, pregnant women should avoid traveling to countries which do not have modern facilities for the management of premature labor and other complications of pregnancy.
Yellow fever vaccine, which consists of live virus, should not in general be given to pregnant women. Unless absolutely necessary, pregnant women should not travel to areas where yellow fever occurs.
Strict attention to food and water precautions is especially important for the pregnant traveler because some infections, such as listeriosis, have grave consequences for the developing fetus. Additionally, many of the medications used to treat travelers' diarrhea may not be given during pregnancy. Quinolone antibiotics, such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro) and levofloxacin (Levaquin), should not be given because of concern they might interfere with fetal joint development. Data are limited concerning trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, but the drug should probably be avoided during pregnancy, especially the first trimester. Options for treating travelers' diarrhea in pregnant women include azithromycin and third-generation cephalosporins. For symptomatic relief, the combination of kaolin and pectin (Kaopectate; Donnagel) appears to be safe, but loperamide (Imodium) should be used only when necessary. Adequate fluid intake is essential.
Maps
Helpful maps are available in the University of Texas Perry-Castaneda Map Collection and the United Nations map library. If you have the name of the town or city you'll be visiting and need to know which state or province it's in, you might find your answer in the Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names.
The following recommendations are for short-term trips originating in North America or Europe and limited to Rio. For all other trips, please see Brazil (complete). All travelers should visit either their personal physician or a travel health clinic 4-8 weeks before departure.
Vaccinations: Hepatitis A Recommended for all travelers
Typhoid For travelers who may eat or drink outside major restaurants and hotels
Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) Two doses recommended for all travelers born after 1956, if not previously given
Tetanus-diphtheria Revaccination recommended every 10 years
Medications
Travelers' diarrhea is the most common travel-related ailment. The cornerstone of prevention is food and water precautions, as outlined below. All travelers should bring along an antibiotic and an antidiarrheal drug to be started promptly if significant diarrhea occurs, defined as three or more loose stools in an 8-hour period or five or more loose stools in a 24-hour period, especially if associated with nausea, vomiting, cramps, fever or blood in the stool. A quinolone antibiotic is usually prescribed: either ciprofloxacin (Cipro)(PDF) 500 mg twice daily or levofloxacin (Levaquin) (PDF) 500 mg once daily for a total of three days. Quinolones are generally well-tolerated, but occasionally cause sun sensitivity and should not be given to children, pregnant women, or anyone with a history of quinolone allergy. Alternative regimens include a three day course of rifaximin (Xifaxan) 200 mg three times daily or azithromycin (Zithromax) 500 mg once daily. Rifaximin should not be used by those with fever or bloody stools and is not approved for pregnant women or those under age 12. Azithromycin should be avoided in those allergic to erythromycin or related antibiotics. An antidiarrheal drug such as loperamide (Imodium) or diphenoxylate (Lomotil) should be taken as needed to slow the frequency of stools, but not enough to stop the bowel movements completely. Diphenoxylate (Lomotil) and loperamide (Imodium) should not be given to children under age two.
Most cases of travelers' diarrhea are mild and do not require either antibiotics or antidiarrheal drugs. Adequate fluid intake is essential.
If diarrhea is severe or bloody, or if fever occurs with shaking chills, or if abdominal pain becomes marked, or if diarrhea persists for more than 72 hours, medical attention should be sought.
Though effective, antibiotics are not recommended prophylactically (i.e. to prevent diarrhea before it occurs) because of the risk of adverse effects, though this approach may be warranted in special situations, such as immunocompromised travelers.
Immunizations
The following are the recommended vaccinations for Rio.
Hepatitis A vaccine is recommended for all travelers over one year of age. It should be given at least two weeks (preferably four weeks or more) before departure. A booster should be given 6-12 months later to confer long-term immunity. Two vaccines are currently available in the United States: VAQTA (Merck and Co., Inc.) (PDF) and Havrix (GlaxoSmithKline) (PDF). Both are well-tolerated. Side-effects, which are generally mild, may include soreness at the injection site, headache, and malaise.
Older adults, immunocompromised persons, and those with chronic liver disease or other chronic medical conditions who have less than two weeks before departure should receive a single intramuscular dose of immune globulin (0.02 mL/kg) at a separate anatomic injection site in addition to the initial dose of vaccine. Travelers who are less than one year of age or allergic to a vaccine component should receive a single intramuscular dose of immune globulin (see hepatitis A for dosage) in the place of vaccine.
Typhoid vaccine is recommended for all travelers, with the exception of short-term visitors who restrict their meals to major restaurants and hotels, such as business travelers and cruise passengers. It is generally given in an oral form (Vivotif Berna) consisting of four capsules taken on alternate days until completed. The capsules should be kept refrigerated and taken with cool liquid. Side-effects are uncommon and may include abdominal discomfort, nausea, rash or hives. The alternative is an injectable polysaccharide vaccine (Typhim Vi; Aventis Pasteur Inc.) (PDF), given as a single dose. Adverse reactions, which are uncommon, may include discomfort at the injection site, fever and headache. The oral vaccine is approved for travelers at least six years old, whereas the injectable vaccine is approved for those over age two. There are no data concerning the safety of typhoid vaccine during pregnancy. The injectable vaccine (Typhim Vi) is probably preferable to the oral vaccine in pregnant and immunocompromised travelers.
Tetanus-diphtheria vaccine is recommended for all travelers who have not received a tetanus-diphtheria immunization within the last 10 years.
Measles-mumps-rubella vaccine: two doses are recommended (if not previously given) for all travelers born after 1956, unless blood tests show immunity. Many adults born after 1956 and before 1970 received only one vaccination against measles, mumps, and rubella as children and should be given a second dose before travel. MMR vaccine should not be given to pregnant or severely immunocompromised individuals.
Recent outbreaks
An outbreak of dengue fever, a flu-like illness sometimes complicated by hemorrhage or shock, began in January 2002, chiefly affecting the state of Rio de Janeiro. More than 780,000 cases of dengue fever were reported for the year, including 2607 cases of dengue hemorrhagic fever and 145 deaths. See the World Health Organization and ProMED-mail (February 8 and March 1, 8, 15, 22, and 31, 2002) for details. The number of cases declined sharply by April 2002. However, more than 250,000 cases of dengue were reported during the first seven months of 2003. Dengue fever is transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, which bite primarily in the daytime and favor densely populated areas, though they also inhabit rural environments. No vaccine is available at this time. Insect protection measures are strongly advised, as below.
The largest previous dengue outbreak occurred in 1998, when more then 500,000 people were affected and all urban areas and all but four states/territories were involved. The southeast region was most affected, especially the States of Minas Gerais and Espirito Santo. The number of cases fell in 1999, but has been climbing sharply ever since. In 2000, Brazil reported 210,289 cases of dengue fever, including 40 cases of dengue hemorrhagic fever. In 2001, the number of cases of dengue fever rose to 390,701, and the number of cases of dengue hemorrhagic fever climbed to 675.
Other infections
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infection is reported, but travelers are not at risk unless they have unprotected sexual contacts or receive injections or blood transfusions.
Other infections include
• Leptospirosis (mainly urban areas; chief animal hosts are rodents, dogs, pigs, and mice)
• Cutaneous and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (occurring in suburban areas in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo)
• Visceral leishmaniasis (chiefly in the Northeast) (see Jorge Arias et al., The Reemergence of Visceral Leishmaniasis in Brazil (Emerging Infectious Diseases Vol. 2/No. 2 | April-June 1996)
• Brucellosis (the most common animal source is infected cattle)
For an overview, see Emerging Infectious Diseases--Brazil by Dr. Hooman Momen (Emerging Infectious Diseases Vol. 4./No. 1 January-March 1998).
Food and water precautions
Do not drink tap water unless it has been boiled, filtered, or chemically disinfected. Do not drink unbottled beverages or drinks with ice. Do not eat fruits or vegetables unless they have been peeled or cooked. Avoid cooked foods that are no longer piping hot. Cooked foods that have been left at room temperature are particularly hazardous. Avoid unpasteurized milk and any products that might have been made from unpasteurized milk, such as ice cream. Avoid food and beverages obtained from street vendors. Do not eat raw or undercooked meat or fish, including ceviche. Some types of fish may contain poisonous biotoxins even when cooked. Barracuda in particular should never be eaten. Other fish that may contain toxins include red snapper, grouper, amberjack, and sea bass.
All travelers should bring along an antibiotic and an antidiarrheal drug to be started promptly if significant diarrhea occurs, defined as three or more loose stools in an 8-hour period or five or more loose stools in a 24-hour period, especially if accompanied by nausea, vomiting, cramps, fever or blood in the stool. Antibiotics which have been shown to be effective include ciprofloxacin (Cipro), levofloxacin (Levaquin), rifaximin (Xifaxan), or azithromycin (Zithromax). Either loperamide (Imodium) or diphenoxylate (Lomotil) should be taken in addition to the antibiotic to reduce diarrhea and prevent dehydration.
If diarrhea is severe or bloody, or if fever occurs with shaking chills, or if abdominal pain becomes marked, or if diarrhea persists for more than 72 hours, medical attention should be sought.
Insect and tick protection
Wear long sleeves, long pants, hats and shoes (rather than sandals). Apply insect repellents containing 25-50% DEET (N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide) or 20% picaridin (Bayrepel) to exposed skin (but not to the eyes, mouth, or open wounds). DEET may also be applied to clothing. Products with a lower concentration of either repellent need to be repplied more frequently. Products with a higher concentration of DEET carry an increased risk of neurologic toxicity, especially in children, without any additional benefit. Do not use either DEET or picaridin on children less than two years of age. For additional protection, apply permethrin-containing compounds to clothing, shoes, and bed nets. Permethrin-treated clothing appears to have little toxicity. Don't sleep with the window open unless there is a screen. If sleeping outdoors or in an accomodation that allows entry of mosquitoes, use a bed net, preferably impregnated with insect repellent, with edges tucked in under the mattress. The mesh size should be less than 1.5 mm. If the sleeping area is not otherwise protected, use a mosquito coil, which fills the room with insecticide through the night.
Swimming and bathing precautions
Avoid swimming, wading, or rafting in bodies of fresh water, such as lakes, ponds, streams, or rivers. Do not use fresh water for bathing or showering unless it has been heated to 150 degrees F for at least five minutes or held in a storage tank for at least three days. Toweling oneself dry after unavoidable or accidental exposure to contaminated water may reduce the likelihood of schistosomiasis, but does not reliably prevent the disease and is no substitute for the precautions above. Chlorinated swimming pools are considered safe.
General advice
Bring adequate supplies of all medications in their original containers, clearly labeled. Carry a signed, dated letter from the primary physician describing all medical conditions and listing all medications, including generic names. If carrying syringes or needles, be sure to carry a physician's letter documenting their medical necessity.Pack all medications in hand luggage. Carry a duplicate supply in the checked luggage. If you wear glasses or contacts, bring an extra pair. If you have significant allergies or chronic medical problems, wear a medical alert bracelet.
Make sure your health insurance covers you for medical expenses abroad. If not, supplemental insurance for overseas coverage, including possible evacuation, should be seriously considered. If illness occurs while abroad, medical expenses including evacuation may run to tens of thousands of dollars. For a list of travel insurance and air ambulance companies, go to Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad on the U.S. State Department website. Bring your insurance card, claim forms, and any other relevant insurance documents. Before departure, determine whether your insurance plan will make payments directly to providers or reimburse you later for overseas health expenditures. The Medicare and Medicaid programs do not pay for medical services outside the United States.
Pack a personal medical kit, customized for your trip (see description). Take appropriate measures to prevent motion sickness and jet lag, discussed elsewhere. On long flights, be sure to walk around the cabin, contract your leg muscles periodically, and drink plenty of fluids to prevent blood clots in the legs. For those at high risk for blood clots, consider wearing compression stockings.
Avoid contact with stray dogs and other animals. If an animal bites or scratches you, clean the wound with large amounts of soap and water and contact local health authorities immediately. Wear sun block regularly when needed. Use condoms for all sexual encounters. Ride only in motor vehicles with seat belts. Do not ride on motorcycles.
Ambulance services
For an ambulance in Brazil, call 193.
Physicians and hospitals
For an on-line list of physicians and hospitals, go to the U.S. Embassy website (click on U.S. Citizen Services from the menu at the top). The costs of medical treatment are considerably higher in Brazil than in most parts of the United States for similar care or treatment. Most physicians and hospitals expect payment at time of service.
Medical facilities (reproduced from the U.S. State Dept. Consular Information Sheet)
Medical care is generally good, but it varies in quality, particularly in remote areas, and it may not meet U.S. standards outside the major cities. The Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo is regularly used by U.S. Government personnel and other expatriates from throughout Brazil. The hospital phone is (55-11) 3747-1301.
Traveling with children
Make sure you have the names and contact information for qualified medical personnel in Brazil before you go abroad (see the U.S. Embassy website).
In general, the recommendations for infants and young children are the same as those for adults, except that certain vaccines and medications should not be administered to this age group. Most importantly, yellow fever vaccine is not approved for use in those under age nine months. Unless there is an extraordinary need to do so, children less than nine months of age should not be brought to areas where yellow fever occurs.
Food and water precautions, which are recommended for all travelers, must be strictly followed at all times, because diarrhea is especially dangerous in this age group and because the vaccines for hepatitis A and typhoid fever are not approved for children less than two years of age.
All children should be up-to-date on routine childhood immunizations, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Children who are 12 months or older should receive a total of 2 doses of MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccine, separated by at least 28 days, before international travel. Children between the ages of 6 and 11 months should be given a single dose of measles vaccine. MMR vaccine may be given if measles vaccine is not available, though immunization against mumps and rubella is not necessary before age one unless visiting a country where an outbreak is in progress. Children less than one year of age may also need to receive other immunizations ahead of schedule (see the accelerated immunization schedule).
Travel and pregnancy
International travel should be avoided by pregnant women with underlying medical conditions, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, or a history of complications during previous pregnancies, such as miscarriage or premature labor. For pregnant women in good health, the second trimester (18–24 weeks) is probably the safest time to go abroad and the third trimester the least safe, since it's far better not to have to deliver in a foreign country.
Before departure, make sure you have the names and contact information for physicians, clinics, and hospitals where you can obtain emergency obstetric care if necessary (see the U.S. Embassy website). In general, pregnant women should avoid traveling to countries which do not have modern facilities for the management of premature labor and other complications of pregnancy.
Yellow fever vaccine, which consists of live virus, should not in general be given to pregnant women. Unless absolutely necessary, pregnant women should not travel to areas where yellow fever occurs.
Strict attention to food and water precautions is especially important for the pregnant traveler because some infections, such as listeriosis, have grave consequences for the developing fetus. Additionally, many of the medications used to treat travelers' diarrhea may not be given during pregnancy. Quinolone antibiotics, such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro) and levofloxacin (Levaquin), should not be given because of concern they might interfere with fetal joint development. Data are limited concerning trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, but the drug should probably be avoided during pregnancy, especially the first trimester. Options for treating travelers' diarrhea in pregnant women include azithromycin and third-generation cephalosporins. For symptomatic relief, the combination of kaolin and pectin (Kaopectate; Donnagel) appears to be safe, but loperamide (Imodium) should be used only when necessary. Adequate fluid intake is essential.
Maps
Helpful maps are available in the University of Texas Perry-Castaneda Map Collection and the United Nations map library. If you have the name of the town or city you'll be visiting and need to know which state or province it's in, you might find your answer in the Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names.
Thursday 31 July 2008
Salvador da Bahia Sports Travel
Diving in and around Salvador
For those of you who enjoy diving or snorkelling here are some diving operators in Salvador:
Dive Bahia
Av. Sete de Setembro, 3809 Porto da Barra-Salvador
Fone: (071) 264-3820 - E Mail: divebahia@uol.com.br
http://www.divebahia.hpg.ig.com.br
Bahia Scuba
Av. Contorno, 1010, loja 12, Bahia Marina
http://www.bahiascuba.com.br/
E Mail: bahiascuba@bahiascuba.com.br
Tel.:(71)321-0156
Fax:(71)322-0044 / 9975-3839
AQUATECH
Av. Otávio Mangabeira, 815, loja 15, Shopping Pituba Sol, Pituba Tel: (071)
1345-1933
SALVADOR DIVE
Av.Garibaldi, 92, Garibaldi
Tels: (071) 245-6872 / 99836935
SEA VIEW
R. Prof. Lemos Brito, 28, 2.o andar, Barra
Tel: (071) 264-3111
SUBMARINER DIVE CENTER
R. da Paciência, 223,1.o andar, Rio Vermelho
Tel: (071) 264-3111
E Mail: submariner@submariner.com.br
http://www.submariner.com.br/
UNDERWATER
Av. Conceição da Praia, 26, Comércio
Tel: (071) 264-3111
kite surf
On the beach of Piatà near a little bridge there is a Barraca that is the bahianos kite surfers meeting point.....there is a littel river near here so it's not to much crowded and they can do his sport in the perfect way...betwwen the 4 and 6 pm the termic wind is perfect!
Beach Soccer
If you like soccer at all you really should join in on a pick up game at the beach. You'll encounter all levels of play. You can either join a game or just juggle in a circle with others. Soccer at the beach can be a sticky issue for some, so try not to play too close to sun bathers. If you don't feel confident enough to play then you should at least watch a game.
This is where I played a lot since it was near where I lived. This is Praia da Amaralina. The sand was dry and soft here, "areia fofa". You get winded real fast. On Sundays you'll find games down this entire beach.
CHELITO-Fishing, diving, and boating.
Did you ever experience the colour of the DEEP BLUE SEA? Unbelievable!
Go linefishing with a local fisherman, he knows how to find the best spots, he will show you how to fish on a longline, he will let you pull his line if you like, and he will do what he can to make sure you dont feel uncomfortable during the trip. He knows what bait to use, and provides ofcourse whatever is needed.
Snacks and drinks can be arranged, or bring your own.
The captain is familiar with the sea, the bay, and all the islands around here, and will gladly take you to the best locations for a daytyrip. He is an experienced diver too, and the boat is equipped with air compression equipment.
If you go during the months of august and september, you will have opportunity to see humpback whales!!!!
Price goes from 300R$ to go to the nearest islands for up to 6 people.
Fishingtrips are around 300R$ for 1 prs, and 600R$ for up to4 prs.
Divingtrips have to be arranged individually.
For fishing, you are welcome to bring your own gear, or you can use the "original stuff" that is long nylonlines with hooks and lead attatched, pulled by hand.
Bring sunprotection, a hat and some clothes in case of sun and/or rain.
• Theme: Fishing Trips
• Address: Porto Da Barra
• Phone: +55-71-91055317 Den/engl/portug
• Directions: In front of Forte Santa Maria Call me, or (Send me a mail,after mid march until september) ask for Ronaldinho directly on the ramp in Porto Da Barra
For those of you who enjoy diving or snorkelling here are some diving operators in Salvador:
Dive Bahia
Av. Sete de Setembro, 3809 Porto da Barra-Salvador
Fone: (071) 264-3820 - E Mail: divebahia@uol.com.br
http://www.divebahia.hpg.ig.com.br
Bahia Scuba
Av. Contorno, 1010, loja 12, Bahia Marina
http://www.bahiascuba.com.br/
E Mail: bahiascuba@bahiascuba.com.br
Tel.:(71)321-0156
Fax:(71)322-0044 / 9975-3839
AQUATECH
Av. Otávio Mangabeira, 815, loja 15, Shopping Pituba Sol, Pituba Tel: (071)
1345-1933
SALVADOR DIVE
Av.Garibaldi, 92, Garibaldi
Tels: (071) 245-6872 / 99836935
SEA VIEW
R. Prof. Lemos Brito, 28, 2.o andar, Barra
Tel: (071) 264-3111
SUBMARINER DIVE CENTER
R. da Paciência, 223,1.o andar, Rio Vermelho
Tel: (071) 264-3111
E Mail: submariner@submariner.com.br
http://www.submariner.com.br/
UNDERWATER
Av. Conceição da Praia, 26, Comércio
Tel: (071) 264-3111
kite surf
On the beach of Piatà near a little bridge there is a Barraca that is the bahianos kite surfers meeting point.....there is a littel river near here so it's not to much crowded and they can do his sport in the perfect way...betwwen the 4 and 6 pm the termic wind is perfect!
Beach Soccer
If you like soccer at all you really should join in on a pick up game at the beach. You'll encounter all levels of play. You can either join a game or just juggle in a circle with others. Soccer at the beach can be a sticky issue for some, so try not to play too close to sun bathers. If you don't feel confident enough to play then you should at least watch a game.
This is where I played a lot since it was near where I lived. This is Praia da Amaralina. The sand was dry and soft here, "areia fofa". You get winded real fast. On Sundays you'll find games down this entire beach.
CHELITO-Fishing, diving, and boating.
Did you ever experience the colour of the DEEP BLUE SEA? Unbelievable!
Go linefishing with a local fisherman, he knows how to find the best spots, he will show you how to fish on a longline, he will let you pull his line if you like, and he will do what he can to make sure you dont feel uncomfortable during the trip. He knows what bait to use, and provides ofcourse whatever is needed.
Snacks and drinks can be arranged, or bring your own.
The captain is familiar with the sea, the bay, and all the islands around here, and will gladly take you to the best locations for a daytyrip. He is an experienced diver too, and the boat is equipped with air compression equipment.
If you go during the months of august and september, you will have opportunity to see humpback whales!!!!
Price goes from 300R$ to go to the nearest islands for up to 6 people.
Fishingtrips are around 300R$ for 1 prs, and 600R$ for up to4 prs.
Divingtrips have to be arranged individually.
For fishing, you are welcome to bring your own gear, or you can use the "original stuff" that is long nylonlines with hooks and lead attatched, pulled by hand.
Bring sunprotection, a hat and some clothes in case of sun and/or rain.
• Theme: Fishing Trips
• Address: Porto Da Barra
• Phone: +55-71-91055317 Den/engl/portug
• Directions: In front of Forte Santa Maria Call me, or (Send me a mail,after mid march until september) ask for Ronaldinho directly on the ramp in Porto Da Barra
Salvador da Bahia Warnings or Dangers
no jewelery, less money
Salvador is a big city, with a lot of mininos da rua and poor people that can do robbery only to eat, so dress in simply way, without jewelery, wothes or precious thing, not a lot of money, but you can take cradit cards cause are not true money!
In the beaches don't leave your bags alone, a pair of shorts or snikers are expensive for a lot of people.
You have to respect the difference, you can travel, but the most of the people have only the money to eat!!!
Pelourinho Pickpockets & Street Thieves
If you can avoid Pelo altogether, it's a much more authentic trip. However, there are fine reasons to go there (Dada's restaurant, great shops hidden away, beautiful colonial architecture), so if you must go, then do so. It's not unsafe, its just a hassle. Schoolchildren will incessantly approach you asking for 1R (often with just a finger raised if they dont speak your language) and women will offer their newborn babies as evidence that they havent enough to eat, while you try to enjoy your lunch at an outside table at the cafe. Dont look to the restaurant for assistance, often, they will expect you to give to the needy. Simply be firm in your refusal, should you choose that route (If you vacation on a budget like I do, you will give a bit, but your hard earned reais are valuable to you!!) and walk away. Often you can be charmed by people claiming to work for AXE BAHIA who will offer you fitas (ribbons) as gifts, at no cost. before you know it, you'll have on a necklace that costs $10R. Not that much, indeed, but when you hadnt planned to spend ANYTHING on a necklace you neither want or need, it can become an annoyance. Be firm in your refusal and dont make any conversation with people in an effort to try to explain why you cant help everyone.
Don't Rely on the Policia Militar
I set out on foot for a restaurant about an hour after sunset on Monday, 14 July 2003. I soon got lost. I should have turned around and gone back the way I'd come. Instead I walked on, finding myself on Ave Contorno, the main street leading from Campo Grande in the Upper City to the center of the Lower City.
Halfway down I decided to take a ladeira, a small lane, directly back to the Upper City. I was reassured by the presence of a policeman, a member of the Policia Militar, at the head of the ladeira.
The cop's response to my request for directions was to signal two thugs who knocked and held me down, rifled my pockets, and ripped off my watch and pouchete (money belt).
A friendly passerby then took me by the arm and led me to a police car at Praca Castro Alves; those cops drove me to the Policia Militar station in the Pelourinho, where I gave a statement which was entered into a computer. Had they taken me to the Policia Turismo instead, something more might have been done.
Lesson: Warnings about avoiding the ladeiras connecting the Upper and Lower Cities are to be taken seriously. Otherwise, Salvador is still one of my favorite places.
Tourist Hunters
If you are walking around Pelourinho, be carefull, 'cause even being an amazing place, its colours hiddes many dangers, and the most popular are the Hunters !!! These guys are there everyday, like caracters from a comic book story, almost all the time just watching people, or better, their "victms". They first come to you friendly, then try to get your confidence, and once you trust them you're trapped, specially if you're a girl or woman. Men are not out of risk, they have no problem in making you pay them everything they ask you ! They also take you to areas out from Pelourinho, where you'll be an easy target, you'll get robbed, they steal cameras, money, tennis shoes, watches and so on, you're lucky if you come back home with your clothe, so whatch out ! They're so damn crazy that they fight in between to see who will go to the next girl or guy ! The Touristic Police Station in Pelourinho has a book with many snaps showing these troublemakers' faces, so if you have the unpleasant experience of being robbed or hurt by a hunter, go directily there and luckly you will find your agressor. The best you can do if you go to Pelourinho is: to walk prefferencially in groups, not carrying a lot of money, NEVER show your money in a wide open place, not carrying whatches or expansive tennis shoes, and be always wide oppened eyes whereever you go for a drink. You shall also don't give the guys any kind of attention, just say " não, obrigado", and follow your way up. I'm a local, and be sure that following these advices yo will have a good experience at Pelourinho !
PS: Take care also with the capoeira players, many of them are hunters as well ! If they ask you for money for snaps of their public showtimes, DO NOT PAY, 'cause Pelourinho is a free place, and all that you don't buy shall not be payed, if they threat you, just call the police !
• Phone: 71-32414120
Most bahian (salty) dishes are...
Most bahian (salty) dishes are prepared with dende oil. Dende is a special kind of palm tree (Elaeis guineensis, Jacq., Monocotiledonae, Palmae) and its oil is very thick and strong. Moqueca, Acaraje, Vatapa, Abara, all of those are fried in dende oil or have it in its composition. The thing is, it takes time to get your tummy used to this oil. So when you eat any of those dishes, be sure everything in your intestins is in order and eat nothing else that's strong the same day. Make sure the food was not re-heated, if you eat acaraje look at the pan where the lady is frying them - the oil must be black with an orange-brownish aureole. There should be an onion in the pan too, frying. The onion will help the flavour and your intestins as well. Don't eat acaraje on the beach or somewhere you can see the dow's been standing for the whole day. You have to eat the acaraje when it's still hot.
Be careful
Salvador, like many places in Brazil unfortunately, can be dangerous. While we were there I remember seeing police on almost every street corner where there were tourists. In a way this is good, but the fact that it is necessary is sad. Stay clear of the downtown area in Ciudade Alta at night -- as well as the elevator. Taxis at night from point to point is a great idea. We had no problems outside of downtown -- Pelourinho, Barra, Ondina felt good to be at night.
The infamous Rua 28 de Dezembro.
As for Pelourinho, heavy policing keeps the area generally very safe, there is, however, an area which should be off-limits to anybody who doesn't know what they could be getting into by entering it, and that is the area to the right of Praça da Sé as one enters the praça, and to right of Terreiro de Jesus as one enters from Praça da Sé. The first street parallel to Praça da Sé is okay during the day, it's the electronics shop district, but by night this street and certainly those deeper into this area should definitely be avoided. It's beyond me what runs through the minds of those hare-brained tourists who consider wandering these unwelcoming-looking streets at all! The far side of this area (called vinte-e-oito -- twenty-eight -- by the locals, after one of the principal streets running through it -- Rua 28 de Dezembro -- also known as Rua dos Tijolos) is defined by the Ladeira de São Francisco. This is the street that descends from the Igreja de São Francisco to the right as one faces the church, heading straight down to the infamous Rua 28 de Dezembro.
Don't walk home alone!
What ever you do, dont' walk home alone in Salvador Bahia, especially at night/early hours of the morning. Small gangs of thieves hang around waiting for easy (drunk) tourists to punch and rob. Take a taxi or walk with others. Even if they are strangers. They are very blatent. You have to remember there are no security cameras in places like this. All you have to depend on is the fat policeman who is not particulary interested in your passport and wallet getting stolen.
acaraje. danger or maybe pleasure of mouth?
If you walk out to the street, you will see those ladies in traditinal looking dress making tasty looking sandwiches. hmm I was there very hungry, so I went to them, and asked what that was. of course, I ended up feeling the language barrier once again. and decided just to try it.
yes I did try it. but.. hmmmmmmmmmmmm gotta say.. it wasn't my cup of tea. =)
the girl I met in Bahia said she can't stop eating it cause it's just too delicious for her. the sandwich itself has more than 1000 kcal, which is pretty fattening, still she can't stop eating it cause it's too nice. I didn't think I would ever like it like her does, cause.. it has got really weird, strong smell. I heard that even in brazil, some don't ever eat it.
but again.. eating aracaje gave me good taste of difference of two cultures. maybe thoe weird differences are somethings that my travel was for.. =)
Dangerous to walk around in Salvador
Salvador is picturesque, with very interesting afrobrazilian culture and the best souvenirs’ shopping in Brazil but it is dangerous. We were told by a policeman not to walk in the midday on a distance of 0.5km on the central street on the harbor, as an attack by thieves was possible. We were also told not to go to less touristic areas of the small old town and not to wonder around after 5 o’clock in the afternoon. All these made are stay to Salvador rather tiring…
Poverty and Crime
The one negative thing about Salvador is the enormous poverty of many of its inhabitants. In Pelhouirino be prepared to be followed everywhere you go by hordes of begging street children– you will often have children come up to your table if you are eating outside to ask for food. This can be very difficult emotionally as it is impossible to give money and/or food to all of them. There are also areas that are strictly off limits to foreigners because they are considered dangerous. Pelhourino has many policemen patrolling the area (basically just to protect the tourists) who will come after you if you wander down certain streets to warn you that it is not safe. Although we truly loved Salvador and made some wonderful friends there, these aspects of the city became very wearing and we were glad to leave for our quiet island part of the trip after three days.
Salvador is a big city, with a lot of mininos da rua and poor people that can do robbery only to eat, so dress in simply way, without jewelery, wothes or precious thing, not a lot of money, but you can take cradit cards cause are not true money!
In the beaches don't leave your bags alone, a pair of shorts or snikers are expensive for a lot of people.
You have to respect the difference, you can travel, but the most of the people have only the money to eat!!!
Pelourinho Pickpockets & Street Thieves
If you can avoid Pelo altogether, it's a much more authentic trip. However, there are fine reasons to go there (Dada's restaurant, great shops hidden away, beautiful colonial architecture), so if you must go, then do so. It's not unsafe, its just a hassle. Schoolchildren will incessantly approach you asking for 1R (often with just a finger raised if they dont speak your language) and women will offer their newborn babies as evidence that they havent enough to eat, while you try to enjoy your lunch at an outside table at the cafe. Dont look to the restaurant for assistance, often, they will expect you to give to the needy. Simply be firm in your refusal, should you choose that route (If you vacation on a budget like I do, you will give a bit, but your hard earned reais are valuable to you!!) and walk away. Often you can be charmed by people claiming to work for AXE BAHIA who will offer you fitas (ribbons) as gifts, at no cost. before you know it, you'll have on a necklace that costs $10R. Not that much, indeed, but when you hadnt planned to spend ANYTHING on a necklace you neither want or need, it can become an annoyance. Be firm in your refusal and dont make any conversation with people in an effort to try to explain why you cant help everyone.
Don't Rely on the Policia Militar
I set out on foot for a restaurant about an hour after sunset on Monday, 14 July 2003. I soon got lost. I should have turned around and gone back the way I'd come. Instead I walked on, finding myself on Ave Contorno, the main street leading from Campo Grande in the Upper City to the center of the Lower City.
Halfway down I decided to take a ladeira, a small lane, directly back to the Upper City. I was reassured by the presence of a policeman, a member of the Policia Militar, at the head of the ladeira.
The cop's response to my request for directions was to signal two thugs who knocked and held me down, rifled my pockets, and ripped off my watch and pouchete (money belt).
A friendly passerby then took me by the arm and led me to a police car at Praca Castro Alves; those cops drove me to the Policia Militar station in the Pelourinho, where I gave a statement which was entered into a computer. Had they taken me to the Policia Turismo instead, something more might have been done.
Lesson: Warnings about avoiding the ladeiras connecting the Upper and Lower Cities are to be taken seriously. Otherwise, Salvador is still one of my favorite places.
Tourist Hunters
If you are walking around Pelourinho, be carefull, 'cause even being an amazing place, its colours hiddes many dangers, and the most popular are the Hunters !!! These guys are there everyday, like caracters from a comic book story, almost all the time just watching people, or better, their "victms". They first come to you friendly, then try to get your confidence, and once you trust them you're trapped, specially if you're a girl or woman. Men are not out of risk, they have no problem in making you pay them everything they ask you ! They also take you to areas out from Pelourinho, where you'll be an easy target, you'll get robbed, they steal cameras, money, tennis shoes, watches and so on, you're lucky if you come back home with your clothe, so whatch out ! They're so damn crazy that they fight in between to see who will go to the next girl or guy ! The Touristic Police Station in Pelourinho has a book with many snaps showing these troublemakers' faces, so if you have the unpleasant experience of being robbed or hurt by a hunter, go directily there and luckly you will find your agressor. The best you can do if you go to Pelourinho is: to walk prefferencially in groups, not carrying a lot of money, NEVER show your money in a wide open place, not carrying whatches or expansive tennis shoes, and be always wide oppened eyes whereever you go for a drink. You shall also don't give the guys any kind of attention, just say " não, obrigado", and follow your way up. I'm a local, and be sure that following these advices yo will have a good experience at Pelourinho !
PS: Take care also with the capoeira players, many of them are hunters as well ! If they ask you for money for snaps of their public showtimes, DO NOT PAY, 'cause Pelourinho is a free place, and all that you don't buy shall not be payed, if they threat you, just call the police !
• Phone: 71-32414120
Most bahian (salty) dishes are...
Most bahian (salty) dishes are prepared with dende oil. Dende is a special kind of palm tree (Elaeis guineensis, Jacq., Monocotiledonae, Palmae) and its oil is very thick and strong. Moqueca, Acaraje, Vatapa, Abara, all of those are fried in dende oil or have it in its composition. The thing is, it takes time to get your tummy used to this oil. So when you eat any of those dishes, be sure everything in your intestins is in order and eat nothing else that's strong the same day. Make sure the food was not re-heated, if you eat acaraje look at the pan where the lady is frying them - the oil must be black with an orange-brownish aureole. There should be an onion in the pan too, frying. The onion will help the flavour and your intestins as well. Don't eat acaraje on the beach or somewhere you can see the dow's been standing for the whole day. You have to eat the acaraje when it's still hot.
Be careful
Salvador, like many places in Brazil unfortunately, can be dangerous. While we were there I remember seeing police on almost every street corner where there were tourists. In a way this is good, but the fact that it is necessary is sad. Stay clear of the downtown area in Ciudade Alta at night -- as well as the elevator. Taxis at night from point to point is a great idea. We had no problems outside of downtown -- Pelourinho, Barra, Ondina felt good to be at night.
The infamous Rua 28 de Dezembro.
As for Pelourinho, heavy policing keeps the area generally very safe, there is, however, an area which should be off-limits to anybody who doesn't know what they could be getting into by entering it, and that is the area to the right of Praça da Sé as one enters the praça, and to right of Terreiro de Jesus as one enters from Praça da Sé. The first street parallel to Praça da Sé is okay during the day, it's the electronics shop district, but by night this street and certainly those deeper into this area should definitely be avoided. It's beyond me what runs through the minds of those hare-brained tourists who consider wandering these unwelcoming-looking streets at all! The far side of this area (called vinte-e-oito -- twenty-eight -- by the locals, after one of the principal streets running through it -- Rua 28 de Dezembro -- also known as Rua dos Tijolos) is defined by the Ladeira de São Francisco. This is the street that descends from the Igreja de São Francisco to the right as one faces the church, heading straight down to the infamous Rua 28 de Dezembro.
Don't walk home alone!
What ever you do, dont' walk home alone in Salvador Bahia, especially at night/early hours of the morning. Small gangs of thieves hang around waiting for easy (drunk) tourists to punch and rob. Take a taxi or walk with others. Even if they are strangers. They are very blatent. You have to remember there are no security cameras in places like this. All you have to depend on is the fat policeman who is not particulary interested in your passport and wallet getting stolen.
acaraje. danger or maybe pleasure of mouth?
If you walk out to the street, you will see those ladies in traditinal looking dress making tasty looking sandwiches. hmm I was there very hungry, so I went to them, and asked what that was. of course, I ended up feeling the language barrier once again. and decided just to try it.
yes I did try it. but.. hmmmmmmmmmmmm gotta say.. it wasn't my cup of tea. =)
the girl I met in Bahia said she can't stop eating it cause it's just too delicious for her. the sandwich itself has more than 1000 kcal, which is pretty fattening, still she can't stop eating it cause it's too nice. I didn't think I would ever like it like her does, cause.. it has got really weird, strong smell. I heard that even in brazil, some don't ever eat it.
but again.. eating aracaje gave me good taste of difference of two cultures. maybe thoe weird differences are somethings that my travel was for.. =)
Dangerous to walk around in Salvador
Salvador is picturesque, with very interesting afrobrazilian culture and the best souvenirs’ shopping in Brazil but it is dangerous. We were told by a policeman not to walk in the midday on a distance of 0.5km on the central street on the harbor, as an attack by thieves was possible. We were also told not to go to less touristic areas of the small old town and not to wonder around after 5 o’clock in the afternoon. All these made are stay to Salvador rather tiring…
Poverty and Crime
The one negative thing about Salvador is the enormous poverty of many of its inhabitants. In Pelhouirino be prepared to be followed everywhere you go by hordes of begging street children– you will often have children come up to your table if you are eating outside to ask for food. This can be very difficult emotionally as it is impossible to give money and/or food to all of them. There are also areas that are strictly off limits to foreigners because they are considered dangerous. Pelhourino has many policemen patrolling the area (basically just to protect the tourists) who will come after you if you wander down certain streets to warn you that it is not safe. Although we truly loved Salvador and made some wonderful friends there, these aspects of the city became very wearing and we were glad to leave for our quiet island part of the trip after three days.
Salvador da Bahia Tourist Traps
Pelhourinho in general!
Most of Pelhourinho is one big tourist trap... Seems like people from all over the city flock to try and get a piece of the pie. It can be quite overwhelming... so make sure you don't spen your whole trip there or you will become jaded!
People who come and beg for moeny generally are doing it every day... If you are going to give just give and keep it moving... like wise if you are not going to.... Hmmming and Haaaing just gets you deeper in and more people will want to come and see who the suckers is so they can try and get a piece of the pie!
I suggest getting a map and just going to a new location every day.... tht is what I did and it was alot of fun!
Candomble is a religion. You...
Candomble is a religion. You have to respect it as you want yours to be respected. Sometimes though travel agencies or tourist guides set up 'candomble fests' that are not true at all, that are just theatre and apply a lot of tricks to make you shocked and impressed. If you want to see a show representing candomble theatrically, go to Ballet Folclorico da Bahia, from mondays to sundays except tuesdays, at Pelourinho (Teatro Miguel Santana). If you want to attend a serious cerimony, get informed not at the Tourist Bureau, but at CEAO (Centre of Afro-oriental studies of the Federal University of Bahia - it's in Pelourinho).
Here's a good hint to find out if it's a serious fest you'll attend or just a fake one: most serious candomble temples wont allow you to take pictures or videotape the cerimony, or record the music. Also nothing is charged from you to watch those festivities. You can never go wearing black clothes and the main room is divided by gender.
Watch out for the Bahians!!
You'll be pegged as a tourist from the word go. You'll also be desended upon almost immediately by big ladies dressed as Bahian's who will almost force you to take a picture with them. THEN, they will ask for money for the privilage. They will ask for alot. In dollars. They only need a few reais...not a few dollars.
Pay them. At least something small. Or they will continue to hassle you.
taking photos of capoeira
if you take photos of people dancing capoeira, you are very likely to have guys asking you to donate money to capoeira schools.
these guys are usually drug addicts who have nothing to do with the capoeira guys but are looking for easy money and they can be quite agressive.
ask the dancers before you take a photo to make sure any possible money goes in their pockets and not in some criminal guys pocket. for the rest of brazil don't worry.
brazilians love having their photo taken.
ask the guys before taking a photo.
let a girl take the photo.
Internet joint
At the bottom of the hill that runs from Largo do Pelourinho, you'll find this place by hanging a left at Rua do Paco. It's one of the first doors on the right and you'll see the signs for "internet". Just don't get trapped on VT too long!
Mercado Modelo - It´s not cheap !!
Get off the Mercado Modelo, they give the price as your face !
Prefer to by handcrafts at the airport.
Only the T-shirts are cheap, but the quality...
Street food
Do not eat food that is sold on the street. It is not prepared in good (clean enough) conditions. I was trapped in the toilet for half a day after eating a tipical bahiense snack on the street!
If you really want to try, take only a bite, and throw away the rest.
Solar Do Unhão
Solar Do Unhão is a cool place. There is jazz in the evenings out front, there's a modern art gallery and the dance presentation in the restaurant is highly recognized, but the food is overpriced and not that good. I'd recommend going there for all the things I mentioned above, but I wouldn't recommend sitting down for a meal, unless you want a good seat for the show. You can usually wander in the restaurant close enough to see it and they won't kick you out if you don't sit down for lunch or dinner. If you do go take a cab. Busing or walking is not a good idea for safety reasons.
Taxi drivers know who is local...
Taxi drivers know who is local and who isn't. If you're coming from another country there isn't really much you can do about this. Brazilians from other cities sometimes try to talk with a baiano accent. One thing you might try if you have to take a cab for safety reasons or just don't want to bus it is get an idea of what the fare should be from a local like the hotel front desk, shopkeeper or waitress and negotiate the fare with the cab driver before you take off. The driver may or may not agree to a price ahead of time, but this way at least he'll know that you know the fair price and will be less likely to rip you off.
If you Are Alone Girls will approach you
.
If you are travelling by your self and if you are specially a boy alone, girls will approach you offering themselves to accompany you.
When it happend to me it was quite annoying because she didnýt let me get throug and I was scared about others trying to take my pack or the things I Had on my pockets out, but hopfully she just wanted to offer me herself, Just say you donýt need anyone and they will go away.
Not oNly Girls Will Approach You
Not only girls will approach you, All kind of people will approach you offering local stuff or aking you for money or to buy them some food, from kids to adults men and women, all the people around Pelourinho are looking for walking dollars (tourists) to take their money out. It is a bit tiring and makes the visit a bit difficult to enjoy.
Pousadas - Know where to stay !
Some of the Pousadas in the northern section of Salvador are in some run down areas. Know what area you will be in before you book your hotel / pousada.
Most of Pelhourinho is one big tourist trap... Seems like people from all over the city flock to try and get a piece of the pie. It can be quite overwhelming... so make sure you don't spen your whole trip there or you will become jaded!
People who come and beg for moeny generally are doing it every day... If you are going to give just give and keep it moving... like wise if you are not going to.... Hmmming and Haaaing just gets you deeper in and more people will want to come and see who the suckers is so they can try and get a piece of the pie!
I suggest getting a map and just going to a new location every day.... tht is what I did and it was alot of fun!
Candomble is a religion. You...
Candomble is a religion. You have to respect it as you want yours to be respected. Sometimes though travel agencies or tourist guides set up 'candomble fests' that are not true at all, that are just theatre and apply a lot of tricks to make you shocked and impressed. If you want to see a show representing candomble theatrically, go to Ballet Folclorico da Bahia, from mondays to sundays except tuesdays, at Pelourinho (Teatro Miguel Santana). If you want to attend a serious cerimony, get informed not at the Tourist Bureau, but at CEAO (Centre of Afro-oriental studies of the Federal University of Bahia - it's in Pelourinho).
Here's a good hint to find out if it's a serious fest you'll attend or just a fake one: most serious candomble temples wont allow you to take pictures or videotape the cerimony, or record the music. Also nothing is charged from you to watch those festivities. You can never go wearing black clothes and the main room is divided by gender.
Watch out for the Bahians!!
You'll be pegged as a tourist from the word go. You'll also be desended upon almost immediately by big ladies dressed as Bahian's who will almost force you to take a picture with them. THEN, they will ask for money for the privilage. They will ask for alot. In dollars. They only need a few reais...not a few dollars.
Pay them. At least something small. Or they will continue to hassle you.
taking photos of capoeira
if you take photos of people dancing capoeira, you are very likely to have guys asking you to donate money to capoeira schools.
these guys are usually drug addicts who have nothing to do with the capoeira guys but are looking for easy money and they can be quite agressive.
ask the dancers before you take a photo to make sure any possible money goes in their pockets and not in some criminal guys pocket. for the rest of brazil don't worry.
brazilians love having their photo taken.
ask the guys before taking a photo.
let a girl take the photo.
Internet joint
At the bottom of the hill that runs from Largo do Pelourinho, you'll find this place by hanging a left at Rua do Paco. It's one of the first doors on the right and you'll see the signs for "internet". Just don't get trapped on VT too long!
Mercado Modelo - It´s not cheap !!
Get off the Mercado Modelo, they give the price as your face !
Prefer to by handcrafts at the airport.
Only the T-shirts are cheap, but the quality...
Street food
Do not eat food that is sold on the street. It is not prepared in good (clean enough) conditions. I was trapped in the toilet for half a day after eating a tipical bahiense snack on the street!
If you really want to try, take only a bite, and throw away the rest.
Solar Do Unhão
Solar Do Unhão is a cool place. There is jazz in the evenings out front, there's a modern art gallery and the dance presentation in the restaurant is highly recognized, but the food is overpriced and not that good. I'd recommend going there for all the things I mentioned above, but I wouldn't recommend sitting down for a meal, unless you want a good seat for the show. You can usually wander in the restaurant close enough to see it and they won't kick you out if you don't sit down for lunch or dinner. If you do go take a cab. Busing or walking is not a good idea for safety reasons.
Taxi drivers know who is local...
Taxi drivers know who is local and who isn't. If you're coming from another country there isn't really much you can do about this. Brazilians from other cities sometimes try to talk with a baiano accent. One thing you might try if you have to take a cab for safety reasons or just don't want to bus it is get an idea of what the fare should be from a local like the hotel front desk, shopkeeper or waitress and negotiate the fare with the cab driver before you take off. The driver may or may not agree to a price ahead of time, but this way at least he'll know that you know the fair price and will be less likely to rip you off.
If you Are Alone Girls will approach you
.
If you are travelling by your self and if you are specially a boy alone, girls will approach you offering themselves to accompany you.
When it happend to me it was quite annoying because she didnýt let me get throug and I was scared about others trying to take my pack or the things I Had on my pockets out, but hopfully she just wanted to offer me herself, Just say you donýt need anyone and they will go away.
Not oNly Girls Will Approach You
Not only girls will approach you, All kind of people will approach you offering local stuff or aking you for money or to buy them some food, from kids to adults men and women, all the people around Pelourinho are looking for walking dollars (tourists) to take their money out. It is a bit tiring and makes the visit a bit difficult to enjoy.
Pousadas - Know where to stay !
Some of the Pousadas in the northern section of Salvador are in some run down areas. Know what area you will be in before you book your hotel / pousada.
Salvador da Bahia Nightlife
OFF Club: Wild and Raunchy
Staying in Pelorinho, there is not any thing really going on past 1am. Used to going to clubs at around this time, we got into a taxi and asked the driver to take us to any nightclub that was open. He took us to OFF club. IT is not immediately evident that it is a gay club as there were a few heterosexual couples. The downstairs area gave the impression that nothing was going on. It was sparsely populated with people scattered on sofas looking quite bored.
Aftert about an hour we went upstairs and the party was in full swing. The bartenders/dancers were on the tables. The men in just yellow pants and the women in yellow pants and bikin top. Alcohol was being poured into peoples mouths straight from the bottle, after which they were blindfolded and given a head spin. They were also blowing whistles.
It was alot of fun... made me almost forget that I couldnt pull most of the men in there!!!
Looks like anything goes... the less clothes the better
• Theme: Nightclub
• Address: Street D'Avila Days, 33 Barra
• Phone: (71) 2656215.
• Website: www.offclub.com.br
Live shows
All the night there is a show in Pelourino, if you have enough time to search are good, but a little bit ‘touristic’. Every mondey and thusday drums band play here.
Olodum and Timbalada blocos have special drums and dancing school for ‘minhos de rua’ (children that live alone inthe street), to give them a job, so you can find show of this school...try in the newspaper ‘A Tarde’. In the same newspaper you can find show of ‘samba de roda’ (ancient samba session), pagode music, or brega music in different part of Bhaia. Don’t stop to search.....Bahia is music!
Some place ask for long tousersn no bermuda.
Samba De Pagode, Live Music Bar: Samba
She is working here every evening, and has been doing that for more than 30 years!
Espetinho de churrasco, com salada e farofa ; 1 R$!
Beers are cheap too.
The place is packed with locals every evening, they come for dancing and showing off their fantastic abilities into the sexy samba De Pagode! Dont miss this fabulous spot!!!
There is no doubt, that the locals coming here, are wearing their best clothes!, Dress modest for a dancing night.
• Theme: Dancing
• Address: Pelourinho
• Directions: Pelourinho. I forgot the name of the bar, but you will easily find it in a X-road just behind the "Cantinha La Lua area" on the way down to the Pelourinho. Desciption: Near the "restaurant with the basket elevator", A Bahiana is on the corner,
Rio Vermelho: Best Hopping Areas in Salvador da Bahia
The best hopping area in Salvador da Bahia is Rio Vermelho. Ask for "Mercado do pesce" and then walk around to find out the square you like more. Not far from the street action there are several pubs and clubs to explore. On Thursday-Saturday, from 10pm till late.
Every Tuesday in Pelourinho there is the "Terza da Bencao" (Tuesday’s Blessing). The historic centre turns into a big live music shows. Don’t miss Olodum drum troupe. www.olodum.com.br for information on concerts and Carnival rehearsals and be ready to get wild.
Pelourinho is the classic place for tourists therefore after 11pm, most of the "normal" people go home to caught the last bus and you turn just into a ball of dollars rolling down the street for hookers and street vendors...
Itapoan offers two spots. One is a square full of people drinking "cerveza" and the other one is by the Lagoa de Abate just few minutes walking from the most famous acaraje of Salvador: Cira's. Friday-Sunday, from 8pm till late.
Dress casual.
• Theme: Eating and Drinking
• Address: Rio Vermelho, Mercado do pesce.
• Phone: 0055 71 91859179
• Directions: If you go to Rio Vermelho hopping area ask for "Mercado do pesce" and then walk around to find out the square you like more.
• Website: http://www.travelnostress.com/nightlifespot.htm
Portal: Get the light side of the ghetto!
Only few minutes by car from Pelourinho operates this warehouse show house. Starting off around 8pm until 1.00pm depending on the night. Very basic but that is Bahia! Better to go with some local guide. Anyway there is security at the door and inside. Make an agreement with some taxi driver in order to collect you at the door when you are ready to leave.
Most of the music is pagode (the real heart of the ghetto), sometimes reggae, hip hop and very seldom electronic.
Age 16-20. Dress a bit down.
• Theme: Live Music
• Phone: 0055 71 91859179
• Directions: Only few minutes by car from Pelourinho, next the ferryboat in Comercio. Ask to a taxi driver.
• Website: http://www.travelnostress.com/nightlifespot.htm
Bahia Cafe: Upscale partying
I cannot remember what night I went here, but if you get the book "Salvador for Partiers" it tells you what is on on what nights. It is a restaurant and bar as well as a club, so when we got there people were eating and listening to music at the same time.
The entrance was 25 Reais which ensures a certain amount of alcohol, maybe 20 Reais or so. so you get a card of some sort, which they mark off how many drinks you have had. If you go over the amount you paid on the door, you pay the excess at the end.
This was the only club that we wnet to that played Pop/R&B/Rap. They only played about half an hour of it and the rest of the music was Brazillian pop music and other random stuff.
Classy and sophisticated
• Theme: Nightclub
• Website: http://www.bahiacafe.com.br/
Beco da Gal: Live music in Salvador da Bahia
Very popular on Wednesday is the kind of place you go if you feel like street party all night although it takes place in a alley and you pay for it (5 Real). Live pagode and samba. Get there at 10pm.
Dress down. Age 25-40.
• Theme: Live Music
• Phone: 0055 71 91859179
• Directions: Next to the "Perini" supermarket in Rio Vermelho.
• Website: http://www.travelnostress.com/nightlifespot.htm
Fashion Club: Clubbing in Salvador de Bahia
The club scene in Salvador is limited to the small Salvador’s elite. Almost all the clubs offer live music too and only few of them leave djs take over completely of the dance floor. Fashion Club is the classic club in Salvador with a bit of everything. Two floors, big dance floor for a college crowd. Djs stage and live music. Age 18-25. Get there 10pm or queue.
Dress up
• Theme: Nightclub
• Address: Av. Otavio Mangabeira 2471, Jardim do Namorados
• Website: http://salvador.fashionclub.com.br
Aeroclube: RockinRio
They have a few different things going on at Aeroclube... Its basically a nightclub... mostly very young folk... On Moday Nights they have Rock in Rio... which is the night I went on... unfortunately I got the in the early hours of the monring to it was winding down... I also went on another day where the people were slightly older and Samba music was playing...
No dresscode I remember
• Theme: Nightclub
• Address: av. Otávio Mangabeira, 6000 • Boca do Rio
• Website: http://www.aeroclubeplazashow.com.br/
Atellier Maria Adair: Atellier Maria Adair
My favourite bar. This is simply a wonderful place to spend the night. It's in a house in Pelourinho, under the atellier of the artist Maria Adair. The pub is her son's and is just about one of the cutest places in town - the crafts made and painted by the artist are everywhere (inside the glass tables, hanging from the ceiling, the menu...). Service is EXCELLENT - extra compliments for Barreto, the chief waiter. You can buy the crafts if you want to, and I tell you, they are not expensive. They have the best drinks in town, the best food (with greek, french and italian items). Amongst the drinks I recommend my favourite Suco do Orgasmo (Juice of Orgasm). It's coffee licqueur, with coffee icecream, vanilla icecream, ginger, gin and a tiny bit of triple sec.
• Theme: Eating and Drinking
• Directions: Rua J. Castro Rabêlo, 2, - Pelourinho, phone 321-3363. In the same street as Quincas Berro D'Água Square.
• Other Contact: If you're homofobic, your nights
Bar do Goethe: Bar do Goethe
Very good atmosphere, nice serving, good prices, good food, always a good cultural alternative. The chief waiter, Miguel, will do his best to serv you. I strongly recommend the fried aipim (yukka). They are masters in it, although it's a german bar...
Indoors and outdoors ambiences.
as long as you're not naked, anything goes...
• Theme: Concert
• Directions: AV. SETE DE SETEMBRO, 1809 - CORREDOR DA VITÓRIA Inside the Goethe Institut (can't miss it - red and yellow house just before Campo Grande) SALVADOR/BAHIA/BRASIL - TEL.: (0xx71) 336-1580
• Other Contact: http://www.bardogoethe.hpg.com.br
Roda de Choro: Roda de Choro
THere is a big sensation among the scholars of music about what appeared first - Jazz or Choro. Choro (means 'weep' in portuguese) is a brazilian jazz-like music, with some special spicy touches and very peculiar beat and groove. Every thursday of the year you can check what's all about in this traditional Roda de Choro. In the group Janela Brasileira ('BRazilian Window') play some of the best musicians in Salvador, including the master Cacá do Pandeiro. Other unique qualities:
It's free
It's wonderful
It's in a very pleasant cabaret of a very pleasant theatre
This theatre is in a very pleasant square
As long as you don't show up naked...
• Theme: Concert
• Directions: Av. Sete de Setembro - Passeio Publico Cabare dos Novos Teatro Vila Velha Campo Grande
• Other Contact: www.teatrovilavelha.com.br (port
BOTECO DO FRANÇA: BOTECO DO FRANÇA
If you'd like to go to a nice pub with indoor and outdoor possibilities, good serving, good price, excellent food, full but not crowded, then Boteco do França (Franc,a) is your call. Just across the street from the Sesi Theatre in Rio Vermelho, getting the local breeze and having a good time all night long. You won't be bothered by beggers there, since it's traditionally not a touristy place. Franca is the name of the owner, an experienced waiter that after working for years in excellent restaurant-pubs like Extudo and Postudo made his dream come true: now he is the boss, the waiters are the best and never in a bad mood, meals are quick and delicious, price is accessible and he doesn't have a time to close - they will remain open until the last clients decides to go home, and will not make frowny faces to scare you away.
Whatever you want. I'd recommend a pullover, though, since the sea breeze can get pretty cold sometimes...
• Theme: Eating and Drinking
• Directions: Rio Vermelho, just across the street from Teatro Sesi (100 m after Cheiro de Pizza)
• Other Contact: Now open for mondays and for lun
French Quartier: French Quartier
If you like good quality jazz and a nice view to the ocean and don't mind paying a bit more money for a pleasant night, this is your place. It gets very crowded from thursday to sunday, so I recommend you get there before 22h.
Check their site or call to see what's the musical attraction of the night. There is always a good thing going on...
I recommend you dress yourself up a bit better before going there. Nothing fancy, but sober. And take a coat with you, the air conditioning is severe.
• Theme: Live Music
• Directions: Jardim dos Namorados Av. Otávio Mangabeira, s/n, Lote 1, Quadra 2, Pituba - Salvador - Bahia CEP: 41.715-900 TelFax: (71) 240-1491
• Other Contact: www.frenchquartier.com.br
"Tereza Batista" square: "Terca de Bencao" in Pelourinho
Live music in Salvador da Bahia on Tuesday means Pelourinho. Mainly Teresa Batista square, where Olodum use to perform. Small but powerful place with the right mixture between tourists and locals. Get there at 9pm.
Dress casual
• Theme: Live Music
• Address: Praca Tereza Batista
• Directions: Pelourinho
• Website: http://www.olodum.com.br
Centro Cultural Do Bispo: Live music in Salvador da Bahia
Centro Cultural Do Bispo is far more than a "casa de show." It is a social and cutural center open to experiments in music, dance and the visual arts. During the day, it offers workshops in several artistic mediums, as diverse as experimental theatre to dj studio. Insofar as its nightlife goes, one finds a surprisingly seemless mix between foreigners of all nationalities and the local bahianos. Check out the schedules in order to be sure of what is going on each week. Although Pelourinho has countless spots that can't be missed, Bispo is definitely unique among them on Friday and Saturday nights. The cultural group Circo Maluko performs live music: samba, afro, maracatu, flamenco and more, always closing the night with a DJ spinning electronic music. Get there at 10pm. Age 18-30.
Dress alternative casual.
• Theme: Live Music
• Address: The address is Rua do Bispo 11, Pelourinho
• Directions: Near Praca da Se', Salvador da Bahia.
• Website: http://www.travelnostress.com/nightlifespot.htm
Pimentinha: hang out on Monday
Hanging around outside this bizarre bar before clubbing is the hedonistic ritual on Monday in Salvador da Bahia. Age 20-30. Get there at 9pm.
Dress casual.
• Theme: Eating and Drinking
• Address: Rua Dom Eugenio Sales 11
• Directions: Boca do Rio
Staying in Pelorinho, there is not any thing really going on past 1am. Used to going to clubs at around this time, we got into a taxi and asked the driver to take us to any nightclub that was open. He took us to OFF club. IT is not immediately evident that it is a gay club as there were a few heterosexual couples. The downstairs area gave the impression that nothing was going on. It was sparsely populated with people scattered on sofas looking quite bored.
Aftert about an hour we went upstairs and the party was in full swing. The bartenders/dancers were on the tables. The men in just yellow pants and the women in yellow pants and bikin top. Alcohol was being poured into peoples mouths straight from the bottle, after which they were blindfolded and given a head spin. They were also blowing whistles.
It was alot of fun... made me almost forget that I couldnt pull most of the men in there!!!
Looks like anything goes... the less clothes the better
• Theme: Nightclub
• Address: Street D'Avila Days, 33 Barra
• Phone: (71) 2656215.
• Website: www.offclub.com.br
Live shows
All the night there is a show in Pelourino, if you have enough time to search are good, but a little bit ‘touristic’. Every mondey and thusday drums band play here.
Olodum and Timbalada blocos have special drums and dancing school for ‘minhos de rua’ (children that live alone inthe street), to give them a job, so you can find show of this school...try in the newspaper ‘A Tarde’. In the same newspaper you can find show of ‘samba de roda’ (ancient samba session), pagode music, or brega music in different part of Bhaia. Don’t stop to search.....Bahia is music!
Some place ask for long tousersn no bermuda.
Samba De Pagode, Live Music Bar: Samba
She is working here every evening, and has been doing that for more than 30 years!
Espetinho de churrasco, com salada e farofa ; 1 R$!
Beers are cheap too.
The place is packed with locals every evening, they come for dancing and showing off their fantastic abilities into the sexy samba De Pagode! Dont miss this fabulous spot!!!
There is no doubt, that the locals coming here, are wearing their best clothes!, Dress modest for a dancing night.
• Theme: Dancing
• Address: Pelourinho
• Directions: Pelourinho. I forgot the name of the bar, but you will easily find it in a X-road just behind the "Cantinha La Lua area" on the way down to the Pelourinho. Desciption: Near the "restaurant with the basket elevator", A Bahiana is on the corner,
Rio Vermelho: Best Hopping Areas in Salvador da Bahia
The best hopping area in Salvador da Bahia is Rio Vermelho. Ask for "Mercado do pesce" and then walk around to find out the square you like more. Not far from the street action there are several pubs and clubs to explore. On Thursday-Saturday, from 10pm till late.
Every Tuesday in Pelourinho there is the "Terza da Bencao" (Tuesday’s Blessing). The historic centre turns into a big live music shows. Don’t miss Olodum drum troupe. www.olodum.com.br for information on concerts and Carnival rehearsals and be ready to get wild.
Pelourinho is the classic place for tourists therefore after 11pm, most of the "normal" people go home to caught the last bus and you turn just into a ball of dollars rolling down the street for hookers and street vendors...
Itapoan offers two spots. One is a square full of people drinking "cerveza" and the other one is by the Lagoa de Abate just few minutes walking from the most famous acaraje of Salvador: Cira's. Friday-Sunday, from 8pm till late.
Dress casual.
• Theme: Eating and Drinking
• Address: Rio Vermelho, Mercado do pesce.
• Phone: 0055 71 91859179
• Directions: If you go to Rio Vermelho hopping area ask for "Mercado do pesce" and then walk around to find out the square you like more.
• Website: http://www.travelnostress.com/nightlifespot.htm
Portal: Get the light side of the ghetto!
Only few minutes by car from Pelourinho operates this warehouse show house. Starting off around 8pm until 1.00pm depending on the night. Very basic but that is Bahia! Better to go with some local guide. Anyway there is security at the door and inside. Make an agreement with some taxi driver in order to collect you at the door when you are ready to leave.
Most of the music is pagode (the real heart of the ghetto), sometimes reggae, hip hop and very seldom electronic.
Age 16-20. Dress a bit down.
• Theme: Live Music
• Phone: 0055 71 91859179
• Directions: Only few minutes by car from Pelourinho, next the ferryboat in Comercio. Ask to a taxi driver.
• Website: http://www.travelnostress.com/nightlifespot.htm
Bahia Cafe: Upscale partying
I cannot remember what night I went here, but if you get the book "Salvador for Partiers" it tells you what is on on what nights. It is a restaurant and bar as well as a club, so when we got there people were eating and listening to music at the same time.
The entrance was 25 Reais which ensures a certain amount of alcohol, maybe 20 Reais or so. so you get a card of some sort, which they mark off how many drinks you have had. If you go over the amount you paid on the door, you pay the excess at the end.
This was the only club that we wnet to that played Pop/R&B/Rap. They only played about half an hour of it and the rest of the music was Brazillian pop music and other random stuff.
Classy and sophisticated
• Theme: Nightclub
• Website: http://www.bahiacafe.com.br/
Beco da Gal: Live music in Salvador da Bahia
Very popular on Wednesday is the kind of place you go if you feel like street party all night although it takes place in a alley and you pay for it (5 Real). Live pagode and samba. Get there at 10pm.
Dress down. Age 25-40.
• Theme: Live Music
• Phone: 0055 71 91859179
• Directions: Next to the "Perini" supermarket in Rio Vermelho.
• Website: http://www.travelnostress.com/nightlifespot.htm
Fashion Club: Clubbing in Salvador de Bahia
The club scene in Salvador is limited to the small Salvador’s elite. Almost all the clubs offer live music too and only few of them leave djs take over completely of the dance floor. Fashion Club is the classic club in Salvador with a bit of everything. Two floors, big dance floor for a college crowd. Djs stage and live music. Age 18-25. Get there 10pm or queue.
Dress up
• Theme: Nightclub
• Address: Av. Otavio Mangabeira 2471, Jardim do Namorados
• Website: http://salvador.fashionclub.com.br
Aeroclube: RockinRio
They have a few different things going on at Aeroclube... Its basically a nightclub... mostly very young folk... On Moday Nights they have Rock in Rio... which is the night I went on... unfortunately I got the in the early hours of the monring to it was winding down... I also went on another day where the people were slightly older and Samba music was playing...
No dresscode I remember
• Theme: Nightclub
• Address: av. Otávio Mangabeira, 6000 • Boca do Rio
• Website: http://www.aeroclubeplazashow.com.br/
Atellier Maria Adair: Atellier Maria Adair
My favourite bar. This is simply a wonderful place to spend the night. It's in a house in Pelourinho, under the atellier of the artist Maria Adair. The pub is her son's and is just about one of the cutest places in town - the crafts made and painted by the artist are everywhere (inside the glass tables, hanging from the ceiling, the menu...). Service is EXCELLENT - extra compliments for Barreto, the chief waiter. You can buy the crafts if you want to, and I tell you, they are not expensive. They have the best drinks in town, the best food (with greek, french and italian items). Amongst the drinks I recommend my favourite Suco do Orgasmo (Juice of Orgasm). It's coffee licqueur, with coffee icecream, vanilla icecream, ginger, gin and a tiny bit of triple sec.
• Theme: Eating and Drinking
• Directions: Rua J. Castro Rabêlo, 2, - Pelourinho, phone 321-3363. In the same street as Quincas Berro D'Água Square.
• Other Contact: If you're homofobic, your nights
Bar do Goethe: Bar do Goethe
Very good atmosphere, nice serving, good prices, good food, always a good cultural alternative. The chief waiter, Miguel, will do his best to serv you. I strongly recommend the fried aipim (yukka). They are masters in it, although it's a german bar...
Indoors and outdoors ambiences.
as long as you're not naked, anything goes...
• Theme: Concert
• Directions: AV. SETE DE SETEMBRO, 1809 - CORREDOR DA VITÓRIA Inside the Goethe Institut (can't miss it - red and yellow house just before Campo Grande) SALVADOR/BAHIA/BRASIL - TEL.: (0xx71) 336-1580
• Other Contact: http://www.bardogoethe.hpg.com.br
Roda de Choro: Roda de Choro
THere is a big sensation among the scholars of music about what appeared first - Jazz or Choro. Choro (means 'weep' in portuguese) is a brazilian jazz-like music, with some special spicy touches and very peculiar beat and groove. Every thursday of the year you can check what's all about in this traditional Roda de Choro. In the group Janela Brasileira ('BRazilian Window') play some of the best musicians in Salvador, including the master Cacá do Pandeiro. Other unique qualities:
It's free
It's wonderful
It's in a very pleasant cabaret of a very pleasant theatre
This theatre is in a very pleasant square
As long as you don't show up naked...
• Theme: Concert
• Directions: Av. Sete de Setembro - Passeio Publico Cabare dos Novos Teatro Vila Velha Campo Grande
• Other Contact: www.teatrovilavelha.com.br (port
BOTECO DO FRANÇA: BOTECO DO FRANÇA
If you'd like to go to a nice pub with indoor and outdoor possibilities, good serving, good price, excellent food, full but not crowded, then Boteco do França (Franc,a) is your call. Just across the street from the Sesi Theatre in Rio Vermelho, getting the local breeze and having a good time all night long. You won't be bothered by beggers there, since it's traditionally not a touristy place. Franca is the name of the owner, an experienced waiter that after working for years in excellent restaurant-pubs like Extudo and Postudo made his dream come true: now he is the boss, the waiters are the best and never in a bad mood, meals are quick and delicious, price is accessible and he doesn't have a time to close - they will remain open until the last clients decides to go home, and will not make frowny faces to scare you away.
Whatever you want. I'd recommend a pullover, though, since the sea breeze can get pretty cold sometimes...
• Theme: Eating and Drinking
• Directions: Rio Vermelho, just across the street from Teatro Sesi (100 m after Cheiro de Pizza)
• Other Contact: Now open for mondays and for lun
French Quartier: French Quartier
If you like good quality jazz and a nice view to the ocean and don't mind paying a bit more money for a pleasant night, this is your place. It gets very crowded from thursday to sunday, so I recommend you get there before 22h.
Check their site or call to see what's the musical attraction of the night. There is always a good thing going on...
I recommend you dress yourself up a bit better before going there. Nothing fancy, but sober. And take a coat with you, the air conditioning is severe.
• Theme: Live Music
• Directions: Jardim dos Namorados Av. Otávio Mangabeira, s/n, Lote 1, Quadra 2, Pituba - Salvador - Bahia CEP: 41.715-900 TelFax: (71) 240-1491
• Other Contact: www.frenchquartier.com.br
"Tereza Batista" square: "Terca de Bencao" in Pelourinho
Live music in Salvador da Bahia on Tuesday means Pelourinho. Mainly Teresa Batista square, where Olodum use to perform. Small but powerful place with the right mixture between tourists and locals. Get there at 9pm.
Dress casual
• Theme: Live Music
• Address: Praca Tereza Batista
• Directions: Pelourinho
• Website: http://www.olodum.com.br
Centro Cultural Do Bispo: Live music in Salvador da Bahia
Centro Cultural Do Bispo is far more than a "casa de show." It is a social and cutural center open to experiments in music, dance and the visual arts. During the day, it offers workshops in several artistic mediums, as diverse as experimental theatre to dj studio. Insofar as its nightlife goes, one finds a surprisingly seemless mix between foreigners of all nationalities and the local bahianos. Check out the schedules in order to be sure of what is going on each week. Although Pelourinho has countless spots that can't be missed, Bispo is definitely unique among them on Friday and Saturday nights. The cultural group Circo Maluko performs live music: samba, afro, maracatu, flamenco and more, always closing the night with a DJ spinning electronic music. Get there at 10pm. Age 18-30.
Dress alternative casual.
• Theme: Live Music
• Address: The address is Rua do Bispo 11, Pelourinho
• Directions: Near Praca da Se', Salvador da Bahia.
• Website: http://www.travelnostress.com/nightlifespot.htm
Pimentinha: hang out on Monday
Hanging around outside this bizarre bar before clubbing is the hedonistic ritual on Monday in Salvador da Bahia. Age 20-30. Get there at 9pm.
Dress casual.
• Theme: Eating and Drinking
• Address: Rua Dom Eugenio Sales 11
• Directions: Boca do Rio
Salvador da Bahia Restaurants
Point do Guarana da Amazonia: A Taste of the Amazon
You find this little place on the main street of Barra that leads to Pelourinho. It only has a couple of tables and people from the beach or passersby usually come for the bowl of tasty dish from the Amazon region.
As far as I know, this is the only place in Salvador where you can taste the culinary delights from the northern state of Para, which I found the most delicious (and unusual) in the whole country. They get the ingredients for the dishes from Ilha de Marajo. Since I was just coming from this beautiful island, I was happy to talk to the friendly owner about her native land.
It's the most famous acai spot of Salvador. You can get it in a bowl of different size. They also have guarana and juice, ice cream made from variety of fruits of the Amazon, like acai, cupuacu (certainly my favourite!), bacuri and muruci. If you are lucky, you can also get cupuacu cake and this is very yummy too! From the main dishes they offer tacaca (the absolute winner!!) and manicoba.
I don't need to mention that I took every opportunity to visit this place:)
• Theme: Local
• Price: less than US$10 » Currency Converter
• Comparison: less expensive than average
• Address: Avenida Sete de Setembro
• Directions: Barra, across the street from Porto da Barra beach
SENAC: "All you can eat "restaurant near J Amado Museum
SEnac is a school of cuisine, weiters and barman and this is a school restauranti in the center of Pelourinho, in a a colonial building. U can find comida bahiana, like plates from other part of Brasil.
There are two types of buffet:
Comida Típica - 40 plates and 12 desserts, from mon to sat 11h30 to 15h30,and 18h30 to 23h.
Comida a Peso - u pay the weight of the food u have in the plate from mon to friday, from11h30 to 15 pm
Endereço
Cep: 40.025-140 Email
restaurantepelourinho@ba.senac.br
Telefone (71) 3324-4550 Fax (71) 3324-4551
• Theme: Buffet
• Price: US$11-20 » Currency Converter
• Comparison: about average
• Address: Praça José de Alencar, 13
• Phone: (71) 3324-4550
• Directions: Pelourino district - In the square of Jorge Amado museum, if you are in front of the museum the restaurant it's on the left square side near a beautifull curch, it's inside a Foundation, at the first floor.
• Other Contact: restaurantepelourinho@ba.senac.b
Sorriso da Dadá: Dadá's Smile, must be inspired by the moqueca! :-)
Cool, colorful and funky atmosphere, Sorriso da Dada exists in an old house in the heart of Pelourinho...
There are individual little rooms that create a cozy/warm atmosphere... Tim and I decided that we were sat in the "Gringo" room- back in the very back... Cool room though, with a big mural of Dada herself with that famous smile!
The service was good enough... The menu featured traditional Bahian offerings.
Let's see, Tim had chicken in a banana cream sauce... was quite nice and tasty!
And yes, I had moqueca... see my general tip for the recipe!
The portions were pretty huge, we couldn't finish them.
We drank caipirinhas of course... they were strong as heck here.
• Theme: Local
• Price: US$21-30 » Currency Converter
• Comparison: more expensive than average
• Address: Rua Frei Vicente, 5
• Phone: (71) 3321-9642
Sorveteria da Ribeira: The Best Ice Cream in the City
It has been considered the best ice cream in the city for more than 70 years. People come even from Itapoa to another point of the city to taste a great variety of flavours, from nuts and chocolate to all imaginable fruits from the Amazon region. They have a reputation for the ice cream being made from natural fruit.
A beautiful view of the sea of Ribeira and the low price bring the visitors back. About 800 people come daily on weekends.
It's open daily from 10am to 10:30pm.
They offer 52 sorts of ice creams and a lot of them launched themselves. Some of their specialities are the flavours of mangaba, jaca, carambola and tapioca.
My favourites were tapioca and cupuacu. Ah, yummy!!!
• Theme: Ice Cream
• Price: less than US$10 » Currency Converter
• Comparison: less expensive than average
• Address: Largo da Ribeira, 87, Ribeira
• Phone: 71 3316 5451
• Directions: the end of Ribeira bus line
Maria Mata Mouro: Lovely atmosphere, delicious food, great service
Named after literature written by the Brazilian Hilda Histh, about a character, Maria Mata Mouro felt pleasure in what she ate. (I think I've got this right, correct me if I'm wrong!) This place is a darling little gem in the heart of Pelourinho... the atmosphere is charming and quaint, the back garden seating area is lush and romantic, the service is attentive but not overbearing... we had a lovely dinner here!
The menu is heavily influenced by Italian cuisine but not entirely... Ask for the table by the trickling fountain in the back. We had prosecco here... several bottles! The couvert was deeeelicious.... great breads, flat breads & dips. We had the matarmouro salad & Carpaccio to start- both were presented well and tasted great. I had Penne ao Pesto for dinner (the ONLY night I didn't have a moqueca of some sort!!!) and Tim had the Burgundy Filet with risotto. We were impressed with both
Why is it we NEVER have room for dessert when the offerings sound soo incredibly good!??!?!
• Theme: Eclectic/International
• Price: US$21-30 » Currency Converter
• Comparison: more expensive than average
• Address: Rua Inacio Acioly #8
• Phone: 321-4244
• Directions: Pelourinho
• Website: www.mariamatamouro.com
Dishes of the street
This is a list of bahia dishes that you can eat from vendor on the strret or on the beaches.
Quejo fundido: rectangular chunks of cheese served on a stick after been tosted over coal, slyghtly salty and with oregano.(1 or 2 Reais)
Acarajè and Abarà: acarajè is deep fried bread of mashed bkackeyed beans flour, in dendè oil (strong palm oil) filled with sundried shrimps, pimenta (hot pepper souce), vatapà (special paste with shrimp, peanuts, coconut milk) cururù and sald. Abarà is similar to acarajè, but boiled in palm leafs. This product are cooked and selled from ‘Baianas de Acarajè’, women dressed with tipical crinolin white dress ( white is the color of Iansa, orisha of the wind in condomblè).(1-3 reais)
Churrasco: it’s like a kebab, chunk of meat, served with farofa ( made with tapioca flour) ( 1-2 reais)
Boi Preto: Churrasco: a world of meat
One time in your trip have to try a churrasco: the meat are cooked on the grill on a big ‘churrasco’ (spit), the waiter arrive at the table with the churrasco and explain the type of meat, so you can choose to take a piece or not, afert arrive another weiter so.....you can eat all you want since you put a red button on your plate.
The best Churrasco in Salvador is Boi Preto.
• Theme: Steakhouse
• Price: US$21-30 » Currency Converter
• Comparison: about average
• Directions: on Orla Maritima road north side
Yemanja: Tasty & traditional acarajé, moqueca & caipirinhas
Famous for its traditional and delicious Bahian cuisine... Charming decor (A lovely mural of the sea decorates the back wall; the side wall features broken china pieces set in stone for unique effect), servers in typical Bahian dress of white dresses and headresses and a lively and bustling atmosphere, located along the beach.
Be sure to peruse the dessert cart overflowing with delectable Bahian desserts of coconut and such.
We began with Acarajé... fried cakes of beands, onions, dende oil and shrimp with a typical pureed yuca-type sauce.
Tim and I shared scrumptuous moqueca de pitu, a sweet-tasting freshwater prawn in the traditional coconut, garlic, onion, parsley, pepper and tomato stew.
Then, for dessert Ninon convinced me to try this dessert of sweet curtled milk, not as bad as it sounds! :-)
• Theme: Local
• Price: US$21-30 » Currency Converter
• Comparison: more expensive than average
• Address: Av. Otavio Mangabeira 4655
• Directions: Boca do Rio, The Beaches
• Website: http://www.restauranteyemanja.com.br/
Il Forno: Great pizza selection
This pizza joint in Barra near the lighthouse is located in a nice old house that has been transformed into a pizzeria. The menu had at least 40 different kinds of pizza and the service was prompt and attentive. I ate downstairs, but there is also an upstairs with a patio. The kitchen is open so you can watch them putting your pizza into one of the ovens and smell the cheese melting while you wait starving.
I ordered a Broccoli and Garlic pie and drank an Antarctica chopp. The pizza was better than I expected and the mere fact that they have so many great choices on the menu, makes this place worth a try.
• Theme: Pizza
• Price: less than US$10 » Currency Converter
• Comparison: about average
• Address: Rua Almirante Marques de Leao 77
• Phone: 071 264 7287
• Directions: Near the lighthouse in Barra
Sorriso da Dada: A gap-toothed wonder
Don't let the exterior appearance deter you from eating at Dada. Once inside, you'll find a cozy room with paintings of the proprietor herself, Dada. She is a warm looking Afro-Brazilian woman usually depicted in traditional clothing and with a bright smile accented by a charming gap between her two front teeth. Too bad I didn't meet her while I was at her restaurant. Based on the photos of famous celebrities (Hillary Clinton, for example) on the walls with her, she looks like a very friendly lady.
I started with a caipirinha, the national drink of Brazil that's made with sugar, lime, ice and a sugarcane liquor called cachaca. Then, I ate a couple appetizers which filled me up just fine. The casquinha de siri (crabmeat) was really good. I also had vatapa. Yum.
• Theme: Local
• Price: US$11-20 » Currency Converter
• Comparison: more expensive than average
• Address: Rua Frei Vicente, 5
• Phone: 071 321 9642
• Directions: Pelourinho
• Website: www.dadabahia.com.br
Lambreta Grill: Fresh Seafood Simply Prepared
Spectacularly well-hidden, this gem boasts freshly caught & grilled seafood on lambretas (think fajita grills). There arent many frills in the decor, but the caiprinhas here will make your remember that you are INDEED in Brasil. Very popular with the locals, this place is often crowded and lively. Ask to sit upstairs if downstairs if flooded with families for a quieter experience.
Shrimp with garlic & oil, little mollusks (cant remember the local name) with the pureed sauces draped over them. Order two plates of these delicacies per couple (i.e.,2 platters for 4 people). Mistakenly we didn't, and were politely yearning for more even after the meal was done.
**this is one place in Brasil (Bahia particularly) where you can find broccoli in winter** The vegetables in this restaurant are absolute perfection!
• Theme: Local
• Price: US$11-20 » Currency Converter
• Comparison: less expensive than average
• Address: Rua Alexandre Gusmão, 70
• Phone: 335-0107
• Directions: Rio Vermelho
Sucos: Excellent Selection of Tropical Fruit Blends
Brazil is one of those countries where tropical fruit is in abundance. Local markets are usually the place where you find the greatest selection of fruit from the area which may vary as to the region. Mango, papaya, pineapple, bananas, coconut, passion fruit, guava, cashew, melon and watermelon you can get nearly everywhere. Still the most exotic fruit comes from the Amazon region. Ah, I just never had enough of acai, cupuacu, bacuri, murici and graviola.
To get your daily dose of vitamins you can instead go to the near juice bar. You can find them in all bigger Brazilian cities.
It was a Saturday towards noon and I was strolling the streets of Barra with Lidija. After the long Friday night we were just in need of some vitamins. She liked Sucos and used to go there quite often. So she suggested we could have a breakfast there.
What a difficult decision among so many different fruit and mixtures, the choice was really endless. After a long consideration we took one cupuacu and one selected tropical fruit blend, both of them with the addition of guarana and crunchy cereals. They were absolutely delicious!!! and besides, an excellent energy supply :))
The good thing about Sucos is that they even offer home delivery 24 hours a day.
• Theme: Local
• Price: less than US$10 » Currency Converter
• Comparison: about average
• Address: Rua Marques de Ceravelas
• Phone: +55 71 3331 0693
• Directions: Barra
Sorriso da Dada: Dessert to die for
You didn't think I'd skip dessert, did you? I can't remember what this was called, but it was an amazing, rich chocolate cake of some kind. The cake was moist, almost wet, so it's possible that it was made without flour. The sauce on it was a warm, creamy, sugary coconut wonder. Wow. It was great!
CASA DA GAMBOA: Bahian Elegance
One of the most elegant restaurants in Pelourinho, Casa da Gamboá serves up a Bahian "nouvelle cuisine." The classic Bahian dishes such as bobó de camarão are still on the menu, but the kitchen has gone beyond to create some fabulous modern fare. The camarão ao molho de manga is a tropical explosion of flavor; big juicy prawns are flamed in cognac and served with large pieces of mango in a creamy mango sauce. The elegant peixe tropical, or catch of the day, is grilled in a clove, cinnamon, and fruit sauce. Open from 12:00hrs to 23:00hrs
• Theme: Local
• Price: US$11-20 » Currency Converter
• Comparison: about average
• Address: Rua João de Deus 31, Pelourinho
• Phone: +55 71 3321 3393
Village Novo: Dish of today-Prato de dia!
From 13.h to 17.h , many both tourists and local people have discovered that the Village now has turned into a restaurant. You can choose, either to eat in the restaurant, or to take away. Prices are around 6 R$ for a large portion.
The new thing here is that they serve an everyday different dish. Always local food. Grand portions of well prepared Bahiana cuisine, from cosido, feijoada, to muqueca!
Mondays though, only the standard breakfast, pancakes, sandwiches, and lasagna(big and good!)
• Theme: Local
• Price: less than US$10 » Currency Converter
• Comparison: least expensive
• Address: Avenida 7 de Setembro 3659
• Directions: Porto Da Barra
• Website: www.villagenovo.com
Acido Naturais: Vitaminas and sandwich paradise
This is the paradise of Vitaminas ( local fruit milksake made with an incredible variety of fruits) or u can try a good Acai' ( iced amazonas fuit with Guarana' and flakes, pure energy!) or Cupuacu or Claorofilas.
If u are hangy u can made your sandwich and u pay the right wheigt ( comida a kilo).
there is also a corner where u can buy surf apparels, shirts, hats,...
• Theme: Health Food
• Price: less than US$10 » Currency Converter
• Comparison: about average
• Phone: Pituba 71-452300
• Directions: There are 2 restaurant: Imbui' - On rua das Araras, paralle to Av. Jorge Amado 71-3622434 Pituba - Parallel road of Av. Paulo VI, turn near Super pao, and turn lef on the corner of Gm Supermercado 71-452300
• Other Contact: Imbui' 71-3622434
Baraca Da Benta: Tira Gostos at the Beach
On the Porto Da Barra Beach, you will find her baraca underneath a forest of umbrellas.
In there Benta is cooking her delicious fishes on her little burner every day. She buys the fish from the fishermen when they come in, and serves them immediately for her hungry costumers, who will be waiting while drinking a beer in the baraca.
The place is a very popular spot for local Salvadorians, who always gather there because of the friendly and fast service.
To keep her costumers comfortable she and the girls helping her, will see that you dont melt, by occationally cooling the sand and everybodys feet with seawater.
Corvinha, Peixe Vermelho and Sardinhas, fried Na hora, served with Salada, Farofa, and Molho De Pimenta á la Benta! With that some nice cold beers!
Condensed pleasure!!
• Theme: Seafood
• Price: less than US$10 » Currency Converter
• Comparison: least expensive
• Address: Porto Da Barra
• Directions: Beach Baraca
Bar dos Internacionais: Bar dos Internacionais
Not a tourist restaurant. Excellent prices, massive quantity of food, no one trying to sell you stuff and chill out atmosphere.
Lambreta. Lambreta is a special kind of oiter, boilled with lemon, salt and other spices. Wonderful! This place is known for having the best lambreta in town! You can also have 'chumbinho' - the famous and expensive 'vongoli' that are cheap and ordinary in Bahia.
• Theme: Other
• Directions: Travessa Engenho Aleone, 01 - Mouraria Tel: (71) 322-2167 Tue - Fri from 17h on Saturday from 10h to 18h Not far from Forum Rui Barbosa
• Other Contact: Tables on the middle of the stre
Restaurante O Picuí: Restaurante O Picuí
There are some sorts of typical food in Brazil. One of them is Comida Nordestina (Northeastern food). What does this mean? The Northeast is the poorest driest hottest most full of illiteracy and misery, underfeed in the country. And because of all those things, it is also a victim of prejudice by people from the other regions of Brazil. Thing is there is a GREAT culture there to be known, GREAT cuisine (despite all difficulties - or should I say BECAUSE of them?), the best beaches in the country, cheapest tourism and much more.
Salvador is the capitol of Bahia, wich also makes part of the northeastern region. Read a bit about those tensions before you come to Brazil.
Back to food,
Carne do Sol (Meat of the Sun) is one of the most delicious thing you'll ever eat. It's a delicious salty soft meat, with baked aipim (a delicious local root) covered with enbottled butter, fried aipim, vinagratte salad, farofa (manioc flour fried with butter and onion).. huuummm! And you can get enormous portions in this restaurant, four people will eat from it and all of you won't be needing another meal for at least a day.
Carne do Sol
• Theme: Other
• Address: Rua Joao Ponde, Barra
• Other Contact: Very pleasant place. Seems like
Varal da Dada: Varal da Dada
The owner of this restaurant, the lovely Dada, is known and reknown as one of the best cook in the country. Her specialty? Bahian food. She wrote a very famous book called 'Tempero da Dada' (Dada's spices) with portuguese and english versions of some of her receipts. *** ATTENTION *** There is a restaurant in Pelourinho called 'Tempero da Dada'. It used to belong to her, but when she got divorced her ex-husband got it for himself. So the only Dada thing there is the name. In Varal da Dada - not in a touristy place, no people trying to sell you souvenirs, a pleasant and calm and fresh veranda - she is the one cooking and she comes to your table and talks to you if you invite her. She is very sweet and prices are more than fair.
Bobo de Camarao (Shrimps boiled in dende oil and yucca cream.... hmmmm...)
• Theme: Other
• Directions: RESTAURANTE VARAL DA DADÁ Rua Teixeira Menezes, 55, Alto das Pombas, Federação Tel: 332-1777 e 331-4382
• Other Contact: Tue - Sun 12h to 18h Mastercard
You find this little place on the main street of Barra that leads to Pelourinho. It only has a couple of tables and people from the beach or passersby usually come for the bowl of tasty dish from the Amazon region.
As far as I know, this is the only place in Salvador where you can taste the culinary delights from the northern state of Para, which I found the most delicious (and unusual) in the whole country. They get the ingredients for the dishes from Ilha de Marajo. Since I was just coming from this beautiful island, I was happy to talk to the friendly owner about her native land.
It's the most famous acai spot of Salvador. You can get it in a bowl of different size. They also have guarana and juice, ice cream made from variety of fruits of the Amazon, like acai, cupuacu (certainly my favourite!), bacuri and muruci. If you are lucky, you can also get cupuacu cake and this is very yummy too! From the main dishes they offer tacaca (the absolute winner!!) and manicoba.
I don't need to mention that I took every opportunity to visit this place:)
• Theme: Local
• Price: less than US$10 » Currency Converter
• Comparison: less expensive than average
• Address: Avenida Sete de Setembro
• Directions: Barra, across the street from Porto da Barra beach
SENAC: "All you can eat "restaurant near J Amado Museum
SEnac is a school of cuisine, weiters and barman and this is a school restauranti in the center of Pelourinho, in a a colonial building. U can find comida bahiana, like plates from other part of Brasil.
There are two types of buffet:
Comida Típica - 40 plates and 12 desserts, from mon to sat 11h30 to 15h30,and 18h30 to 23h.
Comida a Peso - u pay the weight of the food u have in the plate from mon to friday, from11h30 to 15 pm
Endereço
Cep: 40.025-140 Email
restaurantepelourinho@ba.senac.br
Telefone (71) 3324-4550 Fax (71) 3324-4551
• Theme: Buffet
• Price: US$11-20 » Currency Converter
• Comparison: about average
• Address: Praça José de Alencar, 13
• Phone: (71) 3324-4550
• Directions: Pelourino district - In the square of Jorge Amado museum, if you are in front of the museum the restaurant it's on the left square side near a beautifull curch, it's inside a Foundation, at the first floor.
• Other Contact: restaurantepelourinho@ba.senac.b
Sorriso da Dadá: Dadá's Smile, must be inspired by the moqueca! :-)
Cool, colorful and funky atmosphere, Sorriso da Dada exists in an old house in the heart of Pelourinho...
There are individual little rooms that create a cozy/warm atmosphere... Tim and I decided that we were sat in the "Gringo" room- back in the very back... Cool room though, with a big mural of Dada herself with that famous smile!
The service was good enough... The menu featured traditional Bahian offerings.
Let's see, Tim had chicken in a banana cream sauce... was quite nice and tasty!
And yes, I had moqueca... see my general tip for the recipe!
The portions were pretty huge, we couldn't finish them.
We drank caipirinhas of course... they were strong as heck here.
• Theme: Local
• Price: US$21-30 » Currency Converter
• Comparison: more expensive than average
• Address: Rua Frei Vicente, 5
• Phone: (71) 3321-9642
Sorveteria da Ribeira: The Best Ice Cream in the City
It has been considered the best ice cream in the city for more than 70 years. People come even from Itapoa to another point of the city to taste a great variety of flavours, from nuts and chocolate to all imaginable fruits from the Amazon region. They have a reputation for the ice cream being made from natural fruit.
A beautiful view of the sea of Ribeira and the low price bring the visitors back. About 800 people come daily on weekends.
It's open daily from 10am to 10:30pm.
They offer 52 sorts of ice creams and a lot of them launched themselves. Some of their specialities are the flavours of mangaba, jaca, carambola and tapioca.
My favourites were tapioca and cupuacu. Ah, yummy!!!
• Theme: Ice Cream
• Price: less than US$10 » Currency Converter
• Comparison: less expensive than average
• Address: Largo da Ribeira, 87, Ribeira
• Phone: 71 3316 5451
• Directions: the end of Ribeira bus line
Maria Mata Mouro: Lovely atmosphere, delicious food, great service
Named after literature written by the Brazilian Hilda Histh, about a character, Maria Mata Mouro felt pleasure in what she ate. (I think I've got this right, correct me if I'm wrong!) This place is a darling little gem in the heart of Pelourinho... the atmosphere is charming and quaint, the back garden seating area is lush and romantic, the service is attentive but not overbearing... we had a lovely dinner here!
The menu is heavily influenced by Italian cuisine but not entirely... Ask for the table by the trickling fountain in the back. We had prosecco here... several bottles! The couvert was deeeelicious.... great breads, flat breads & dips. We had the matarmouro salad & Carpaccio to start- both were presented well and tasted great. I had Penne ao Pesto for dinner (the ONLY night I didn't have a moqueca of some sort!!!) and Tim had the Burgundy Filet with risotto. We were impressed with both
Why is it we NEVER have room for dessert when the offerings sound soo incredibly good!??!?!
• Theme: Eclectic/International
• Price: US$21-30 » Currency Converter
• Comparison: more expensive than average
• Address: Rua Inacio Acioly #8
• Phone: 321-4244
• Directions: Pelourinho
• Website: www.mariamatamouro.com
Dishes of the street
This is a list of bahia dishes that you can eat from vendor on the strret or on the beaches.
Quejo fundido: rectangular chunks of cheese served on a stick after been tosted over coal, slyghtly salty and with oregano.(1 or 2 Reais)
Acarajè and Abarà: acarajè is deep fried bread of mashed bkackeyed beans flour, in dendè oil (strong palm oil) filled with sundried shrimps, pimenta (hot pepper souce), vatapà (special paste with shrimp, peanuts, coconut milk) cururù and sald. Abarà is similar to acarajè, but boiled in palm leafs. This product are cooked and selled from ‘Baianas de Acarajè’, women dressed with tipical crinolin white dress ( white is the color of Iansa, orisha of the wind in condomblè).(1-3 reais)
Churrasco: it’s like a kebab, chunk of meat, served with farofa ( made with tapioca flour) ( 1-2 reais)
Boi Preto: Churrasco: a world of meat
One time in your trip have to try a churrasco: the meat are cooked on the grill on a big ‘churrasco’ (spit), the waiter arrive at the table with the churrasco and explain the type of meat, so you can choose to take a piece or not, afert arrive another weiter so.....you can eat all you want since you put a red button on your plate.
The best Churrasco in Salvador is Boi Preto.
• Theme: Steakhouse
• Price: US$21-30 » Currency Converter
• Comparison: about average
• Directions: on Orla Maritima road north side
Yemanja: Tasty & traditional acarajé, moqueca & caipirinhas
Famous for its traditional and delicious Bahian cuisine... Charming decor (A lovely mural of the sea decorates the back wall; the side wall features broken china pieces set in stone for unique effect), servers in typical Bahian dress of white dresses and headresses and a lively and bustling atmosphere, located along the beach.
Be sure to peruse the dessert cart overflowing with delectable Bahian desserts of coconut and such.
We began with Acarajé... fried cakes of beands, onions, dende oil and shrimp with a typical pureed yuca-type sauce.
Tim and I shared scrumptuous moqueca de pitu, a sweet-tasting freshwater prawn in the traditional coconut, garlic, onion, parsley, pepper and tomato stew.
Then, for dessert Ninon convinced me to try this dessert of sweet curtled milk, not as bad as it sounds! :-)
• Theme: Local
• Price: US$21-30 » Currency Converter
• Comparison: more expensive than average
• Address: Av. Otavio Mangabeira 4655
• Directions: Boca do Rio, The Beaches
• Website: http://www.restauranteyemanja.com.br/
Il Forno: Great pizza selection
This pizza joint in Barra near the lighthouse is located in a nice old house that has been transformed into a pizzeria. The menu had at least 40 different kinds of pizza and the service was prompt and attentive. I ate downstairs, but there is also an upstairs with a patio. The kitchen is open so you can watch them putting your pizza into one of the ovens and smell the cheese melting while you wait starving.
I ordered a Broccoli and Garlic pie and drank an Antarctica chopp. The pizza was better than I expected and the mere fact that they have so many great choices on the menu, makes this place worth a try.
• Theme: Pizza
• Price: less than US$10 » Currency Converter
• Comparison: about average
• Address: Rua Almirante Marques de Leao 77
• Phone: 071 264 7287
• Directions: Near the lighthouse in Barra
Sorriso da Dada: A gap-toothed wonder
Don't let the exterior appearance deter you from eating at Dada. Once inside, you'll find a cozy room with paintings of the proprietor herself, Dada. She is a warm looking Afro-Brazilian woman usually depicted in traditional clothing and with a bright smile accented by a charming gap between her two front teeth. Too bad I didn't meet her while I was at her restaurant. Based on the photos of famous celebrities (Hillary Clinton, for example) on the walls with her, she looks like a very friendly lady.
I started with a caipirinha, the national drink of Brazil that's made with sugar, lime, ice and a sugarcane liquor called cachaca. Then, I ate a couple appetizers which filled me up just fine. The casquinha de siri (crabmeat) was really good. I also had vatapa. Yum.
• Theme: Local
• Price: US$11-20 » Currency Converter
• Comparison: more expensive than average
• Address: Rua Frei Vicente, 5
• Phone: 071 321 9642
• Directions: Pelourinho
• Website: www.dadabahia.com.br
Lambreta Grill: Fresh Seafood Simply Prepared
Spectacularly well-hidden, this gem boasts freshly caught & grilled seafood on lambretas (think fajita grills). There arent many frills in the decor, but the caiprinhas here will make your remember that you are INDEED in Brasil. Very popular with the locals, this place is often crowded and lively. Ask to sit upstairs if downstairs if flooded with families for a quieter experience.
Shrimp with garlic & oil, little mollusks (cant remember the local name) with the pureed sauces draped over them. Order two plates of these delicacies per couple (i.e.,2 platters for 4 people). Mistakenly we didn't, and were politely yearning for more even after the meal was done.
**this is one place in Brasil (Bahia particularly) where you can find broccoli in winter** The vegetables in this restaurant are absolute perfection!
• Theme: Local
• Price: US$11-20 » Currency Converter
• Comparison: less expensive than average
• Address: Rua Alexandre Gusmão, 70
• Phone: 335-0107
• Directions: Rio Vermelho
Sucos: Excellent Selection of Tropical Fruit Blends
Brazil is one of those countries where tropical fruit is in abundance. Local markets are usually the place where you find the greatest selection of fruit from the area which may vary as to the region. Mango, papaya, pineapple, bananas, coconut, passion fruit, guava, cashew, melon and watermelon you can get nearly everywhere. Still the most exotic fruit comes from the Amazon region. Ah, I just never had enough of acai, cupuacu, bacuri, murici and graviola.
To get your daily dose of vitamins you can instead go to the near juice bar. You can find them in all bigger Brazilian cities.
It was a Saturday towards noon and I was strolling the streets of Barra with Lidija. After the long Friday night we were just in need of some vitamins. She liked Sucos and used to go there quite often. So she suggested we could have a breakfast there.
What a difficult decision among so many different fruit and mixtures, the choice was really endless. After a long consideration we took one cupuacu and one selected tropical fruit blend, both of them with the addition of guarana and crunchy cereals. They were absolutely delicious!!! and besides, an excellent energy supply :))
The good thing about Sucos is that they even offer home delivery 24 hours a day.
• Theme: Local
• Price: less than US$10 » Currency Converter
• Comparison: about average
• Address: Rua Marques de Ceravelas
• Phone: +55 71 3331 0693
• Directions: Barra
Sorriso da Dada: Dessert to die for
You didn't think I'd skip dessert, did you? I can't remember what this was called, but it was an amazing, rich chocolate cake of some kind. The cake was moist, almost wet, so it's possible that it was made without flour. The sauce on it was a warm, creamy, sugary coconut wonder. Wow. It was great!
CASA DA GAMBOA: Bahian Elegance
One of the most elegant restaurants in Pelourinho, Casa da Gamboá serves up a Bahian "nouvelle cuisine." The classic Bahian dishes such as bobó de camarão are still on the menu, but the kitchen has gone beyond to create some fabulous modern fare. The camarão ao molho de manga is a tropical explosion of flavor; big juicy prawns are flamed in cognac and served with large pieces of mango in a creamy mango sauce. The elegant peixe tropical, or catch of the day, is grilled in a clove, cinnamon, and fruit sauce. Open from 12:00hrs to 23:00hrs
• Theme: Local
• Price: US$11-20 » Currency Converter
• Comparison: about average
• Address: Rua João de Deus 31, Pelourinho
• Phone: +55 71 3321 3393
Village Novo: Dish of today-Prato de dia!
From 13.h to 17.h , many both tourists and local people have discovered that the Village now has turned into a restaurant. You can choose, either to eat in the restaurant, or to take away. Prices are around 6 R$ for a large portion.
The new thing here is that they serve an everyday different dish. Always local food. Grand portions of well prepared Bahiana cuisine, from cosido, feijoada, to muqueca!
Mondays though, only the standard breakfast, pancakes, sandwiches, and lasagna(big and good!)
• Theme: Local
• Price: less than US$10 » Currency Converter
• Comparison: least expensive
• Address: Avenida 7 de Setembro 3659
• Directions: Porto Da Barra
• Website: www.villagenovo.com
Acido Naturais: Vitaminas and sandwich paradise
This is the paradise of Vitaminas ( local fruit milksake made with an incredible variety of fruits) or u can try a good Acai' ( iced amazonas fuit with Guarana' and flakes, pure energy!) or Cupuacu or Claorofilas.
If u are hangy u can made your sandwich and u pay the right wheigt ( comida a kilo).
there is also a corner where u can buy surf apparels, shirts, hats,...
• Theme: Health Food
• Price: less than US$10 » Currency Converter
• Comparison: about average
• Phone: Pituba 71-452300
• Directions: There are 2 restaurant: Imbui' - On rua das Araras, paralle to Av. Jorge Amado 71-3622434 Pituba - Parallel road of Av. Paulo VI, turn near Super pao, and turn lef on the corner of Gm Supermercado 71-452300
• Other Contact: Imbui' 71-3622434
Baraca Da Benta: Tira Gostos at the Beach
On the Porto Da Barra Beach, you will find her baraca underneath a forest of umbrellas.
In there Benta is cooking her delicious fishes on her little burner every day. She buys the fish from the fishermen when they come in, and serves them immediately for her hungry costumers, who will be waiting while drinking a beer in the baraca.
The place is a very popular spot for local Salvadorians, who always gather there because of the friendly and fast service.
To keep her costumers comfortable she and the girls helping her, will see that you dont melt, by occationally cooling the sand and everybodys feet with seawater.
Corvinha, Peixe Vermelho and Sardinhas, fried Na hora, served with Salada, Farofa, and Molho De Pimenta á la Benta! With that some nice cold beers!
Condensed pleasure!!
• Theme: Seafood
• Price: less than US$10 » Currency Converter
• Comparison: least expensive
• Address: Porto Da Barra
• Directions: Beach Baraca
Bar dos Internacionais: Bar dos Internacionais
Not a tourist restaurant. Excellent prices, massive quantity of food, no one trying to sell you stuff and chill out atmosphere.
Lambreta. Lambreta is a special kind of oiter, boilled with lemon, salt and other spices. Wonderful! This place is known for having the best lambreta in town! You can also have 'chumbinho' - the famous and expensive 'vongoli' that are cheap and ordinary in Bahia.
• Theme: Other
• Directions: Travessa Engenho Aleone, 01 - Mouraria Tel: (71) 322-2167 Tue - Fri from 17h on Saturday from 10h to 18h Not far from Forum Rui Barbosa
• Other Contact: Tables on the middle of the stre
Restaurante O Picuí: Restaurante O Picuí
There are some sorts of typical food in Brazil. One of them is Comida Nordestina (Northeastern food). What does this mean? The Northeast is the poorest driest hottest most full of illiteracy and misery, underfeed in the country. And because of all those things, it is also a victim of prejudice by people from the other regions of Brazil. Thing is there is a GREAT culture there to be known, GREAT cuisine (despite all difficulties - or should I say BECAUSE of them?), the best beaches in the country, cheapest tourism and much more.
Salvador is the capitol of Bahia, wich also makes part of the northeastern region. Read a bit about those tensions before you come to Brazil.
Back to food,
Carne do Sol (Meat of the Sun) is one of the most delicious thing you'll ever eat. It's a delicious salty soft meat, with baked aipim (a delicious local root) covered with enbottled butter, fried aipim, vinagratte salad, farofa (manioc flour fried with butter and onion).. huuummm! And you can get enormous portions in this restaurant, four people will eat from it and all of you won't be needing another meal for at least a day.
Carne do Sol
• Theme: Other
• Address: Rua Joao Ponde, Barra
• Other Contact: Very pleasant place. Seems like
Varal da Dada: Varal da Dada
The owner of this restaurant, the lovely Dada, is known and reknown as one of the best cook in the country. Her specialty? Bahian food. She wrote a very famous book called 'Tempero da Dada' (Dada's spices) with portuguese and english versions of some of her receipts. *** ATTENTION *** There is a restaurant in Pelourinho called 'Tempero da Dada'. It used to belong to her, but when she got divorced her ex-husband got it for himself. So the only Dada thing there is the name. In Varal da Dada - not in a touristy place, no people trying to sell you souvenirs, a pleasant and calm and fresh veranda - she is the one cooking and she comes to your table and talks to you if you invite her. She is very sweet and prices are more than fair.
Bobo de Camarao (Shrimps boiled in dende oil and yucca cream.... hmmmm...)
• Theme: Other
• Directions: RESTAURANTE VARAL DA DADÁ Rua Teixeira Menezes, 55, Alto das Pombas, Federação Tel: 332-1777 e 331-4382
• Other Contact: Tue - Sun 12h to 18h Mastercard
Salvador da Bahia Travel Guide
GO TO PRAIA DO FORTE
Everyone in Salvador was saying how lovely Praia do Forte was, in fact, they were saying it in Rio too. The travel books made it seem like a small resort town. We've got enough of those here so I wasn't completely convinced until we got there.
To ge there you'll need to take a tour from Salvador, hire a taxi for the day, or rent your own car... We rented a car.
When we pulled off the highway at the sign that advertised Praia do Forte and TAMAR I had no idea what to expect, we travelled down a winding dirt road for a while and then... there it was, this village, so remote yet charming, with thatched roofs and huts, small shops, small cafes and such. We headed for the beach first... gosh, it was lined with some of the most beautiful palm trees I've ever seen.
After alittle R&R beside the ocean we visited TAMAR, the sea turtle project. Very cool little set up with a variety of sea turtles and sea life to observe and even TOUCH at one of the many pools. Be sure to stick around for a feeding, those little guys go crazy when fed, it's cool to see.
After TAMAR we strolled the main thoroughfare of Praia do Forte, checking out the little shops, seeking out a place for dinner... There were tons of choices. We settled on a place and enjoyed more caipirinhas and a good meal. I'll write a tip on that place soon.
After dinner we found a unique ice cream shop with what seemed like a thousand flavors... and strange flavors at that! Ninon had CORN ice cream...Another unique aspect of the ice cream shop was that you served yourself from the big buckets of ice cream. I'd never seen that before!
There seemed to be a lot of cozy little pousadas in Praia do Forte, I could see how a person could stay there and vegetate for a week.... I'd definitely go back.
In a land so full of music & dance see a folk show
OK, so, usually I would see such as a bit too touristy but all the music and dance that is Salvador drew me to experience the show at Solar do Unhao.
Solar do Unhao exists in this great 18th century colonial building of stone and exposed wood beams, down a steep hill- Warm lighting invites you in, the scent of a Bahian buffet fills your nostrils. And BAM! your photo is snapped with a woman in traditional Bahian dress which someone will later show you, glued to a plastic plate that you can purchase.... :-)
Tim and I opted to skip the dinner buffet and have wine instead as we watched the show... (We had dinner at Sorriso da Dada on Rue Frei Vincente later that night). I think we paid $40 REAL per person for the show alone.
The performance began with the sacred dances of the Candomblé, then Puxada de Rede in honor of Yemanjá, the goddess of the sea, followed by Maculelê, an acrobatic stick and sword dance from the cane fields.
The most amazing part of the show in my opinion, was an exhilarating display of Capoeira- it was incredible. The show ended with the Samba de Roda, a spinning, swirling version of this exuberant national dance in which those in the show dragged members of the audience up onto the stage to samba away with them...
There are two nightly shows, call for exact times.
• Address: Solar do Unhao is located on Av. do Contorno
• Phone: 329-0660
• Directions: Take a cab here.
Folcloric ballets: samba de roda, capoeira and more
In the square of Jorge Amado museum, near a beautifull church there is a foundation to learn a job to young ‘not rich’ boys and girls: they can learn brasilian cooking, became weiters or learn about music and traditional dancing, so every night you can taste in a good ‘all you can eat’ restaurant a lot of brasilian dishes made by themselves and see a beautifull show about ‘orishas’ of candomblè, capoeira and the slavery history......but they speech only portughese!
Another chance is Balè Folclorico da Bhaia: rua Gregorio de Matos 49 - 55(71)3221962 www.balefolclorocodabahia.com.br
Cidade Baixa (the Lower City)
Cidade Baixa is part of the city at the foot of the bluff. The most easy way to get from Cidade Alta is by Elevadora Lacerda. This historic district was made up of the port of Salvador and adjoining warehouses and business. There's little of interest for tourist here. Most of the original structures have been demolished and replaced with private and government office buildings from the early 20th century. ¸
However, it's not completely without interest. You are likely at least to pass through to get to the Terminal Maritimo, where you can catch a boat to one of the islands in the bay. And there is one essential stop, Mercado Modelo, offering seemingly endless choice of regional arts and crafts. Cidade Baixa extends westward to the area known as Bonfim, a neighbourhood famous for its Afro-Brazilian festival and home to the famous Igreja do Bonfim. If you go on little further, you soon come to Ribeira.
Mercado Modelo
Mercado Modelo is a Salvador's largest market and one of Salvador's landmarks. An old covered market with the best selection of the artesanato in the city, is set on its own by the old harbour, across the road from the foot of Elevador Lacerda. It was built in 1861 and originally used as the customs house for shipments coming into port. In 1971 the building was converted into the present-day Mercado and in 1984 quickly rebuilt after the fire.
It functions again as a centre of Bahian arts and crafts with more than 250 stalls. Here you'll find capoeira trousers, Bahian traditional clothing, lacework, jewelry, wood carving, trinkets, musical instruments and CDs, souvenirs and much more. Prices here are about the same as in Pelourinho, but don't be afraid to bargain, especially for jewelry and handicrafts. Some of the nicest souvenirs are the painted statues of candomble deities - look for the sign "antigos religiosos".
In the square in front of the market you'll find more arts and crafts stalls with a host of hippie-style items and occasional capoeira demonstrations and live music. Even if you don't buy anything, Mercado is a very enjoyable place to visit. There is always something going on in and around the market and it's always crowded with Bahians and tourists. In the back is the covered patio area, where you can relax and have lunch or a cold drink. You find a Banco do Brasil ATM machine and an information ofice to the left of the front entrance, and upstairs there are a couple of good restaurants.
It is open Mon-Sat 9am-7pm, Sun 9am-2pm.
• Address: Praca Visconde de Cairu
• Phone: 071 3241 0242
• Directions: Cidade Baixa (the Lower City)
Pelourinho - The Old Heart of Salvador
There is no visit of Salvador without spending some time in the old city of colourful pastel-hued colonial buildings, cobblestoned streets and a sense of history, clustered around the Largo do Pelourinho, also known as Praca Jose de Alencar.
Pelurinho is a living museum with numerous buildings from 16th and 17th centuries fully restored to their original beauty and charm (there are always buildings undergoing restoration as the job is practically endless). It's the largest example of Baroque architecture in the America's, declared in 1985 a UNESCO Cultural Heritage site.
"Pelourinho" means whipping post and this is where African slaves were publicly punished during colonial times. Slavery was outlawed in 1835, and over time, this part of the city, though home to artists and musicians, fell into disrepair. A major restoration effort resulted in making the area a highly desirable tourist attraction.
During the day you can walk the streets, looking into the many clothing and art shops, bars, restaurants, museums and churches. At night Pelourinho offers music and dance events in its many public squares. The Laranjeiras area is loaded with charming restaurants offering delicious Bahian food and a number of programmed events take place during the week.
No other place reflects so well the soul of Bahia as Pelourinho!
• Directions: Cidade Alta (the Upper City)
Porto da Barra Beach
This beach is locaded in Barra. As it is a kind of bay, there are no waves, that´s why many pepole go there to swim.
At this beach you find many tourists, because Barra is a tourist neigborhood. But you also find people from Salvador, specially students. Almost forgot: It is possidle to practice diving here (i´ve never tried!).
Its it one of my favourits.
Catedral Basílica
Constructed in the 17th century, with gold, marble, wood and ivory, mixing baroque and rococo styles.
In this church we can usually appreciate concerts, such as Bahia’s Symphonic Orchestra presentations.
For me, it is the most beautiful church of Salvador (and the city has MANY churches), an amazing place.
• Address: Praça 15 de Novembro
• Phone: (71) 321-4573 / 3484
• Directions: Terreiro de Jesus Centro
• Website: www.emtursa.ba.gov.br
Igreja da Nossa Senhora do Rosario dos Pretos
Built by and for slaves between 1704 and 1796 to honour Our Lady of the Rosary of the Blacks, this church didn't receive due attention outside the local Afro-Brazilian community until long after it was built.
The church uses a mixture of themes, both African and Catholic. The blue and white facade is a mixture of baroque and rococo architecture with oriental-looking towers. After extensive renovation, it is worth a look at the side altars to see statues of the Catholic church's few black saints. One of the highlights of this church is the painting of the Passion with a black Chirst. African rhythms pervade the service.
It is open Mon-Fri 9:30am-6pm, Sat 9:30am-5pm, Sun 10am-noon.
• Address: Largo do Pelourinho
• Directions: the old city centre of Pelourinho
Sport, drinks and foods on the city beachs
It's impossible to stay in Brasil without spend some time on the beachs: you can choose quite, desert palce, but all the brasilian love to stay on beaches with 'barracas' ( beach bar) drinking fruit shakes (vitaminas) or "bem gelada cerveja", eating fish or shrimps, playing beachvolley, football, fishing, doing capoeira, surf, windsurf or kitesurf......sport is a way of life, like music that you can listen everywhere.
• Address: 10 minutes along the Orla Maritima, north side
• Directions: In Salvador you can do beach sport in a lot of palce but I prefer Piatà because is a littel bit more outside from the city center and it's bigger...here we practice kitesurf.
Elevador Lacerda - The City's Largest Landmark
In 20 seconds, Elevador Lacerda (Lacerda Elevator) takes you from Praca Tome de Souza in Cidade Alta (the Upper City) to the Praca Cairu in Cidade Baixa (the Lower City). You travel more than 70 meters in one of the tallest public elevators in the world. Some 50.000 passengers make the trip every day (about 120 at a time) using four elevator. It's especially suitable for visiting of Mercado Modelo and the harbour. The fee is unbelievably low. Usually there are short queues but the elevator runs quickly and so does the queue.
Jesuits installed the first manual rope-and-pully elevator around 1610 to more easily transport goods and passengers from the port to the settlement (before that, slaves would ride mules up and down the hill carrying heavy loads). In 1868 an iron structure with clanking steam elevators was inaugurated, replaced by an electric system in 1928.
Elevador Lacerda is an Art Deco masterpiece and Salvador's largest landmark. Don't miss the fantastic view on Baia de Todos os Santos from the windows behind the elevator entrances!
• Directions: from Cidade Alta to Cidade Baixa
Igreja de São Francisco/Ordem Terceira de São Fran
Beautiful from the outside yes, but step inside and be sure to spend a good amount of time observing the ceiling of the room that you first enter.
It would be good if someone that works there helps you a bit, but the ceiling features a magical mural. Depending upon where in the room you are standing, images within the mural change- it's fascinating really.
Once you've paid to enter step out into the courtyard, if you're not totally awed by the beautiful blue and white porteguese tile work about you, something's wrong with you! :-)
Each panel (and there are several!) of the courtyard depicts tales of faith, death, friendship and 'the world' depending upon what exists just beyond that wall- the wall of faith has the church itself on the other side. the wall of death has the cemetery beyond it, the wall of friendship has the monkhood behind it and lastly the wall of the world has the streets of Pelourinho behind it.
OK, now.... go into the actual church and marvel at the mass quantities of gold EVERYwhere you look. This place is gilded to the hilt in high-baroque fashion. It practically glows gold. You'll just have to see for yourself...
. Address: Praça Ancieta (off Terreiro de Jesus)
Savour some Acaraje
Baiana women are everywhere selling acaraje...
You will recognise them by the hoop skirted frocks and the white headwraps. The last time I arrived in Salvador I ate my first Acarje there directly outside the airport car park.
Baianas have secured a monopoly on the dish. Acaraje is a protected food in that is is designated as a national food item where one has to be licensed and dressed in traditional cloths in order to fry and sell it in public.
Acarje is shelled and ground black eyed peas deep fried in palm oil/dende oil. Abara is the steamed version... I was suprised because it is exactly the same dish West Africans call Moi Moi... I had heard about this food before I went on here... come to find out I had been eating it all the time!
It is served split in half and then stuffed with vatapá, shrimp, salad and okra.
It is so delicious and filling... you have to try!
Address: Pelourinho, beach areas... restaurants...
Palacio Rio Branco
I was told that this is now a museum, but it once was a government palace. It sits high above the lower town in the Praça Tomé de Souza, which also contains the City Hall of Salvador. The Rio Branco Palace is definitely the most architecturally interesting building in the square. You'll also find the Elevator Lacerda which gracefully drops you down to the lower town and gives you great views over the Bay of All Saints below.
Casa de Jorge Amado
If you're trying to decide which museum to visit in Largo do Pelourinho, go to this one instead of the Museu da Cidade. Once again the signage is exclusively in Portuguese (people must have thought I was a slow reader when they saw me struggling to decipher the information on the signs).
As the name implies, the museum is dedicated to Brazil's most well-known writer, Jorge Amado. Unfortunately, at the time of my visit, I had never read one of his books, but since I love literature, I was very interested in learning about him. Keep in mind, I don't read Portuguese, but from what I could tell, Amado was fairly unknown for a time. Then he was accused of being a communist and fled to Prague where he remained in exile for awhile. Then, when the dust settled he began to focus his stories on the lives of women and the poor and set most of his stories in his home of Bahia. The streets of Pelourinho are the setting for his popular novel, Dona Flor and Her Two Husbands.
Check out the website below for more info and reading suggestions.
• Address: Largo do Pelourinho 51
• Phone: 071 321 0122
• Website: estadao.com.br/ext/divirtase/jorgeamado/bio.htm
• Other Contact: 3 reais admission
Have your picture taken with a Bahian woman...
When we got to Pelourinho we noticed many woman dressed in typical Bahian dress...
These Bahianas, bedecked in white turbans and white dresses to resemble candomblé priestesses will eventually approach you and ask if you'd like to have your picture taken with them for a small fee. Why not?
Aeroclube Plaza Show
This place reminded me of Orlando?Ultra colorful and lively, it's like an outdoor entertainment center and mall rolled into one. But the locals seemed to flock to it. Featuring restaurants, food and drink kiosks, tons of shops, bars, a night club, a miniature golf course, go carts, bungee jumping, you name it...
Doesn't feel like Salvador there. But it's something different to do, especially if you're traveling with kids.
This is also where Fashion Club is located... a nightclub some of the concierges at our hotel told me about. Didn't venture out to it though.
Sorry I didn't take pictures, like I said, it looked and felt like Orlando so I didn't see it necessary.
• Address: Av. Otávio Mangabeira, 6000
• Directions: On the beach side of the street just North of Yemanja
• Website: http://www.aeroclubeplazashow.com.br/
Watch Capoeira
Most days in Praca de Se (Pelourinho) you will see young men playing Capoeira, as well as drummers... drumming. Just have some spare dosh to give them because they don't take too kindly to having their pictures taken without pay.
Capoeira is an art form that emerged in Brazil during the era of the Atlantic Slave Trade. It is mostly practised in Salvador blending music, ritual, acrobatic movement, and combat, capoeira is at once a dance, a game, and a dangerous martial art. You will often here people saying that they are going to "play Capoeira."
• Address: Praca de Se
• Directions: in Pelourinho, The Historic District
A Candomble Ceremony
We booked through a travel guide we met in Pelourinho to go to a ceremony. It cost us 40 Reais each.
We were picked up at about 9/10 pm in a mini bus and went around hotels to pick up other people. The ceremony was held in a community centre in a favela.
In the communal ceremonies of Candomblé, the orixas are summoned through ritual drumming, chanting, and dancing in terreiros or houses of Candomblé. Exu, the messenger spirit who intervenes between the believers and the orixas, is the first to be summoned by the drummers and dancers. Exu opens the way for the orixas to descend to the earth.
As the Candomblé ceremony gains momentum, orixas become manifest in particular initiates who enter stated of ecstatic trance, becoming mediums through which orixas perform ritual dances and make their presence known to the believers.
It was midnight when we left and the ceremony had not yet finished. It was very interesting to watch but I think it was perhaps a show put on for tourists... but nonetheless I can understand that because if it was real they wouldn't necessarily want a whole bunch of tourists observing and taking pictures.
Directions: Can probably book through the Tourist Office in Pelourinho... Rua Gregoria de Matthos
YES you can also samba!!!
=) Don't get me wrong, I am not one of the dancers in the pic, I got this pic from google, so if anyone from the pic get to see this, don't sue me abusing your pic, ( I just got this pic cause thought was too good)
yeah there are couple of samba schools where you can indulge yourself into samba madness. I wanted it so much, but couldn't manage to sign up for it, cause of lack of time. Maybe next time..
but the brit I met in the hostel said wasn't too expensive (oh well, to a brit, virtually everything in brasil might seem cheap though), and also pretty fun, too!!!!!!!
Have fun in your samba night!
Visit a Favela
dont know if this is something I would reccommend everybody to do... but I certainly was curious... hearing so much about Favela conditions... danger etc...
I was scared when I first got there because of everything I had heard... but when I got there it really was fine... Yes it is poor and the conditions are somewhat shabby... but they are just people living not robbers... drug dealers etc... they have eating and drinking places... beauty salons etc...
I was fortunate enough to have someone I met take me to their family's home. They were very welcoming and made me feel comfortable. We sat down had cofee and watched a talent show on TV.
I wouldn't reccommend going in the dark or when it is raining because those slopes are a bi%*h. I was struggling to climb the hills and the lack of drainage makes it all the more worse.
Cidade Baixa
Salvador is a city of two halves, divided into the Cidade Alta ("Upper Town") and the Cidade Baixa ("Lower Town") by an escarpment some 85m (275ft) high. The easiest way to travel between the two is to take the elevator known as Elevador Lacerda, which was built in 1873 (the first to be installed in Brazil) and, fortunately, been restored several times over the years.
The Cidade Baixa is Bahia's commercial and financial centre and port. It is busy and safe during working days, but largely deserted and considered unsafe at night. We spent most of our time in the Upper Town but one morning took the elevator down (it costs just a few cents) to explore the area at its foot. Emerging from it the first thing we saw was a large covered market, the Mercado Modelo, which is a major shopping point for locals and tourists alike, with everyday food stuffs and delicious-looking seafood alongside craft and folk art pieces such as musical instruments, masks and carvings.
At the far end of the market we emerged onto a street facing the water, where young boys were practicing capoeira outside a small café and collecting plenty of tourist tips for their trouble. We were happy to sit here for a while, enjoying the show while we relaxed with a cold drink – well worth the few coins we paid them for their efforts.
There was also a stand selling the traditional berimbau, a percussion instrument consisting of a wooden bow about 4 to 5 feet long (1.2 to 1.5 m), with a steel string, and a hollowed-out gourd attached to the lower portion of the bow as a resonator. These instruments are an integral part of capoeira.
• Directions: Take the Elevador Lacerda
Tuesdays Carnaval Blocos
Anybody who goes to Salvador have to experience these drums! Sometimes it feels like the different Blocos are "fighting" to make the loudest sound. All the streets will be filled with music, especially first and last tuesdays of the month.
You dont even have to go to a bar to get yourself a drink, as vendors will come around offering icecold and very cheap softdrinks and beers to the audience.
• Address: Pelourino, Center of Salvador
• Directions: The streets of Pelourino tuesday nights from 20 – midnight
Nigerian Cultural Centre
Bahia, the state with the largest percentage of Blacks, is the capital of this religion, which closely follows its African roots and traditions among the Yoruba people of Nigeria and the Bantu people of Angola and the Congo. Yoruban traditions, including the most commonly used names of the orishas, predominate... so it is only approriate that there is a Nigerian Cultural Centre.
• Address: Pelhourinho
• Directions: I dont have the exact address and can't find any detail about it but it was in Pelo and can be spotted by the green and white flag hanging outside.
Dique do Tororo
Dam built by the dutch (NATURALLY!) a long time ago and recently reformed, Dique do Tororo is simply dazzling. In its surroundings you find good restaurants, places to work out at, sidewalk so you can promenade along the lake, benches for those in love, boats, canoes etc...
• Address: Tororo
• Other Contact: The dam is full of sculptures of
EXAMPLES OF HOW TO SPEND THE REST OF THE DAY
Enough of walking around zombielike in the harsh heat of the day , from 16th century church to 17th century church...? Now you're starving and thirsty and you want to rest in the shade..... Go and have lunch at the open air Cantina da Lua near Terreiro de Jesus and diagonally across from Igreja da Ordem Terceira de Sào Domingos. On the first picture we slowly gather at the right place planning to pig out as much as possible. On pic # 2 it's like : "After the Deluge"....The table looks like a battle field.... After hanging around for quite a while , pic # 3 shows our group at dusk near the Elevador Lacerdo ( 1872 and refurbished 1930 ) , with the Bahia De Todos Os Santos ( Bay Of All The Saints) in the background and the Cidade Baixa below. Driving along the Bay / Ocean Boulevard , we come to the point where the Bay ends and the Atlantic starts , there is this beautifully lit lighthouse which is more tourist attraction because of it being built on top of a fortress ( pic # 4 ) and finally , before heading back to the hotel THE typical brazilian refreshment - very tasty and healthy - coconut water , served in it's natural cask at shacks along the Ocean Boulevard. ( pic # 5 )
• Directions: Cantina da Lua near Terreiro de Jesus and driving along the Bay / Ocean Blvd
Abaete Lagoon
The city of Salvador has a lagoon where laundrywomen used to launder in the past. Nowadays there are some public buddles close to the lagoon, where laundrywomen still do hand wash. You can see them walking with a clothes package on their heads.
La ciudad de Salvador tiene una laguna en donde las lavanderas solían lavar al ropa en el pasado. Hoy en día hay varios lavaderos públicos cerca de la laguna, en donde las lavanderas aún lavan a mano. Se las puede ver caminando con un atado de ropa sobre sus cabezas.
BEACHES - III Stella Maris
BEACHES - III
Stella Maris
The name of this beach is latin and means 'Star of the Sea' - the name in portuguese of the starfish. This beach is absolutelly dazzling and the most surfable in Salvador. White sand, wonderful sunset, troubled water - we like it wild, we like it rough!
• Address: After Itapoan.
• Other Contact: You'll need to take the bus 'Pra
SALVADOR : PARTIES EVERY TUESDAYS AND WEEKENDS
Salvador, as I have said, is a party-town. While nearly every night can be party-night here, the authorities - themselves party animals - actually organised special street parties on weekend and TUESDAY nights.
During these nights, stages, food and drink stalls are set up at the various squares - Largo do Pelourinho and Largo Terreiro do Jesus, for sure - and the party starts early.
From 8pm onwards, there ought to be some bands playing away, and locals should start hip-swaying and forro-dancing somewhere soon.
Then, as the night progresses, the streets heat up with more and more people gathering to join the Olodum drummers, following them behind like Pipe Piper, and dancing crazily away to very vigorous beats. Nearly every alley-way is crammed with people hanging out, dancing and listening to great music. Sometimes, there are concerts somewhere. Simple local bars become very crowded, chairs are set out on the streets nearby and impromptu bars are created as endless alcohol gets dispensed.
As more and more cans of beer are consumed and tossed, and perspiration gets sprayed about, you might see more and more couples suddenly hooked up and kissing and making out right at the alley-ways, oblivious to all around.
One big amazing party!
Note that, on the contrary, Monday night is dead-town.
Everyone in Salvador was saying how lovely Praia do Forte was, in fact, they were saying it in Rio too. The travel books made it seem like a small resort town. We've got enough of those here so I wasn't completely convinced until we got there.
To ge there you'll need to take a tour from Salvador, hire a taxi for the day, or rent your own car... We rented a car.
When we pulled off the highway at the sign that advertised Praia do Forte and TAMAR I had no idea what to expect, we travelled down a winding dirt road for a while and then... there it was, this village, so remote yet charming, with thatched roofs and huts, small shops, small cafes and such. We headed for the beach first... gosh, it was lined with some of the most beautiful palm trees I've ever seen.
After alittle R&R beside the ocean we visited TAMAR, the sea turtle project. Very cool little set up with a variety of sea turtles and sea life to observe and even TOUCH at one of the many pools. Be sure to stick around for a feeding, those little guys go crazy when fed, it's cool to see.
After TAMAR we strolled the main thoroughfare of Praia do Forte, checking out the little shops, seeking out a place for dinner... There were tons of choices. We settled on a place and enjoyed more caipirinhas and a good meal. I'll write a tip on that place soon.
After dinner we found a unique ice cream shop with what seemed like a thousand flavors... and strange flavors at that! Ninon had CORN ice cream...Another unique aspect of the ice cream shop was that you served yourself from the big buckets of ice cream. I'd never seen that before!
There seemed to be a lot of cozy little pousadas in Praia do Forte, I could see how a person could stay there and vegetate for a week.... I'd definitely go back.
In a land so full of music & dance see a folk show
OK, so, usually I would see such as a bit too touristy but all the music and dance that is Salvador drew me to experience the show at Solar do Unhao.
Solar do Unhao exists in this great 18th century colonial building of stone and exposed wood beams, down a steep hill- Warm lighting invites you in, the scent of a Bahian buffet fills your nostrils. And BAM! your photo is snapped with a woman in traditional Bahian dress which someone will later show you, glued to a plastic plate that you can purchase.... :-)
Tim and I opted to skip the dinner buffet and have wine instead as we watched the show... (We had dinner at Sorriso da Dada on Rue Frei Vincente later that night). I think we paid $40 REAL per person for the show alone.
The performance began with the sacred dances of the Candomblé, then Puxada de Rede in honor of Yemanjá, the goddess of the sea, followed by Maculelê, an acrobatic stick and sword dance from the cane fields.
The most amazing part of the show in my opinion, was an exhilarating display of Capoeira- it was incredible. The show ended with the Samba de Roda, a spinning, swirling version of this exuberant national dance in which those in the show dragged members of the audience up onto the stage to samba away with them...
There are two nightly shows, call for exact times.
• Address: Solar do Unhao is located on Av. do Contorno
• Phone: 329-0660
• Directions: Take a cab here.
Folcloric ballets: samba de roda, capoeira and more
In the square of Jorge Amado museum, near a beautifull church there is a foundation to learn a job to young ‘not rich’ boys and girls: they can learn brasilian cooking, became weiters or learn about music and traditional dancing, so every night you can taste in a good ‘all you can eat’ restaurant a lot of brasilian dishes made by themselves and see a beautifull show about ‘orishas’ of candomblè, capoeira and the slavery history......but they speech only portughese!
Another chance is Balè Folclorico da Bhaia: rua Gregorio de Matos 49 - 55(71)3221962 www.balefolclorocodabahia.com.br
Cidade Baixa (the Lower City)
Cidade Baixa is part of the city at the foot of the bluff. The most easy way to get from Cidade Alta is by Elevadora Lacerda. This historic district was made up of the port of Salvador and adjoining warehouses and business. There's little of interest for tourist here. Most of the original structures have been demolished and replaced with private and government office buildings from the early 20th century. ¸
However, it's not completely without interest. You are likely at least to pass through to get to the Terminal Maritimo, where you can catch a boat to one of the islands in the bay. And there is one essential stop, Mercado Modelo, offering seemingly endless choice of regional arts and crafts. Cidade Baixa extends westward to the area known as Bonfim, a neighbourhood famous for its Afro-Brazilian festival and home to the famous Igreja do Bonfim. If you go on little further, you soon come to Ribeira.
Mercado Modelo
Mercado Modelo is a Salvador's largest market and one of Salvador's landmarks. An old covered market with the best selection of the artesanato in the city, is set on its own by the old harbour, across the road from the foot of Elevador Lacerda. It was built in 1861 and originally used as the customs house for shipments coming into port. In 1971 the building was converted into the present-day Mercado and in 1984 quickly rebuilt after the fire.
It functions again as a centre of Bahian arts and crafts with more than 250 stalls. Here you'll find capoeira trousers, Bahian traditional clothing, lacework, jewelry, wood carving, trinkets, musical instruments and CDs, souvenirs and much more. Prices here are about the same as in Pelourinho, but don't be afraid to bargain, especially for jewelry and handicrafts. Some of the nicest souvenirs are the painted statues of candomble deities - look for the sign "antigos religiosos".
In the square in front of the market you'll find more arts and crafts stalls with a host of hippie-style items and occasional capoeira demonstrations and live music. Even if you don't buy anything, Mercado is a very enjoyable place to visit. There is always something going on in and around the market and it's always crowded with Bahians and tourists. In the back is the covered patio area, where you can relax and have lunch or a cold drink. You find a Banco do Brasil ATM machine and an information ofice to the left of the front entrance, and upstairs there are a couple of good restaurants.
It is open Mon-Sat 9am-7pm, Sun 9am-2pm.
• Address: Praca Visconde de Cairu
• Phone: 071 3241 0242
• Directions: Cidade Baixa (the Lower City)
Pelourinho - The Old Heart of Salvador
There is no visit of Salvador without spending some time in the old city of colourful pastel-hued colonial buildings, cobblestoned streets and a sense of history, clustered around the Largo do Pelourinho, also known as Praca Jose de Alencar.
Pelurinho is a living museum with numerous buildings from 16th and 17th centuries fully restored to their original beauty and charm (there are always buildings undergoing restoration as the job is practically endless). It's the largest example of Baroque architecture in the America's, declared in 1985 a UNESCO Cultural Heritage site.
"Pelourinho" means whipping post and this is where African slaves were publicly punished during colonial times. Slavery was outlawed in 1835, and over time, this part of the city, though home to artists and musicians, fell into disrepair. A major restoration effort resulted in making the area a highly desirable tourist attraction.
During the day you can walk the streets, looking into the many clothing and art shops, bars, restaurants, museums and churches. At night Pelourinho offers music and dance events in its many public squares. The Laranjeiras area is loaded with charming restaurants offering delicious Bahian food and a number of programmed events take place during the week.
No other place reflects so well the soul of Bahia as Pelourinho!
• Directions: Cidade Alta (the Upper City)
Porto da Barra Beach
This beach is locaded in Barra. As it is a kind of bay, there are no waves, that´s why many pepole go there to swim.
At this beach you find many tourists, because Barra is a tourist neigborhood. But you also find people from Salvador, specially students. Almost forgot: It is possidle to practice diving here (i´ve never tried!).
Its it one of my favourits.
Catedral Basílica
Constructed in the 17th century, with gold, marble, wood and ivory, mixing baroque and rococo styles.
In this church we can usually appreciate concerts, such as Bahia’s Symphonic Orchestra presentations.
For me, it is the most beautiful church of Salvador (and the city has MANY churches), an amazing place.
• Address: Praça 15 de Novembro
• Phone: (71) 321-4573 / 3484
• Directions: Terreiro de Jesus Centro
• Website: www.emtursa.ba.gov.br
Igreja da Nossa Senhora do Rosario dos Pretos
Built by and for slaves between 1704 and 1796 to honour Our Lady of the Rosary of the Blacks, this church didn't receive due attention outside the local Afro-Brazilian community until long after it was built.
The church uses a mixture of themes, both African and Catholic. The blue and white facade is a mixture of baroque and rococo architecture with oriental-looking towers. After extensive renovation, it is worth a look at the side altars to see statues of the Catholic church's few black saints. One of the highlights of this church is the painting of the Passion with a black Chirst. African rhythms pervade the service.
It is open Mon-Fri 9:30am-6pm, Sat 9:30am-5pm, Sun 10am-noon.
• Address: Largo do Pelourinho
• Directions: the old city centre of Pelourinho
Sport, drinks and foods on the city beachs
It's impossible to stay in Brasil without spend some time on the beachs: you can choose quite, desert palce, but all the brasilian love to stay on beaches with 'barracas' ( beach bar) drinking fruit shakes (vitaminas) or "bem gelada cerveja", eating fish or shrimps, playing beachvolley, football, fishing, doing capoeira, surf, windsurf or kitesurf......sport is a way of life, like music that you can listen everywhere.
• Address: 10 minutes along the Orla Maritima, north side
• Directions: In Salvador you can do beach sport in a lot of palce but I prefer Piatà because is a littel bit more outside from the city center and it's bigger...here we practice kitesurf.
Elevador Lacerda - The City's Largest Landmark
In 20 seconds, Elevador Lacerda (Lacerda Elevator) takes you from Praca Tome de Souza in Cidade Alta (the Upper City) to the Praca Cairu in Cidade Baixa (the Lower City). You travel more than 70 meters in one of the tallest public elevators in the world. Some 50.000 passengers make the trip every day (about 120 at a time) using four elevator. It's especially suitable for visiting of Mercado Modelo and the harbour. The fee is unbelievably low. Usually there are short queues but the elevator runs quickly and so does the queue.
Jesuits installed the first manual rope-and-pully elevator around 1610 to more easily transport goods and passengers from the port to the settlement (before that, slaves would ride mules up and down the hill carrying heavy loads). In 1868 an iron structure with clanking steam elevators was inaugurated, replaced by an electric system in 1928.
Elevador Lacerda is an Art Deco masterpiece and Salvador's largest landmark. Don't miss the fantastic view on Baia de Todos os Santos from the windows behind the elevator entrances!
• Directions: from Cidade Alta to Cidade Baixa
Igreja de São Francisco/Ordem Terceira de São Fran
Beautiful from the outside yes, but step inside and be sure to spend a good amount of time observing the ceiling of the room that you first enter.
It would be good if someone that works there helps you a bit, but the ceiling features a magical mural. Depending upon where in the room you are standing, images within the mural change- it's fascinating really.
Once you've paid to enter step out into the courtyard, if you're not totally awed by the beautiful blue and white porteguese tile work about you, something's wrong with you! :-)
Each panel (and there are several!) of the courtyard depicts tales of faith, death, friendship and 'the world' depending upon what exists just beyond that wall- the wall of faith has the church itself on the other side. the wall of death has the cemetery beyond it, the wall of friendship has the monkhood behind it and lastly the wall of the world has the streets of Pelourinho behind it.
OK, now.... go into the actual church and marvel at the mass quantities of gold EVERYwhere you look. This place is gilded to the hilt in high-baroque fashion. It practically glows gold. You'll just have to see for yourself...
. Address: Praça Ancieta (off Terreiro de Jesus)
Savour some Acaraje
Baiana women are everywhere selling acaraje...
You will recognise them by the hoop skirted frocks and the white headwraps. The last time I arrived in Salvador I ate my first Acarje there directly outside the airport car park.
Baianas have secured a monopoly on the dish. Acaraje is a protected food in that is is designated as a national food item where one has to be licensed and dressed in traditional cloths in order to fry and sell it in public.
Acarje is shelled and ground black eyed peas deep fried in palm oil/dende oil. Abara is the steamed version... I was suprised because it is exactly the same dish West Africans call Moi Moi... I had heard about this food before I went on here... come to find out I had been eating it all the time!
It is served split in half and then stuffed with vatapá, shrimp, salad and okra.
It is so delicious and filling... you have to try!
Address: Pelourinho, beach areas... restaurants...
Palacio Rio Branco
I was told that this is now a museum, but it once was a government palace. It sits high above the lower town in the Praça Tomé de Souza, which also contains the City Hall of Salvador. The Rio Branco Palace is definitely the most architecturally interesting building in the square. You'll also find the Elevator Lacerda which gracefully drops you down to the lower town and gives you great views over the Bay of All Saints below.
Casa de Jorge Amado
If you're trying to decide which museum to visit in Largo do Pelourinho, go to this one instead of the Museu da Cidade. Once again the signage is exclusively in Portuguese (people must have thought I was a slow reader when they saw me struggling to decipher the information on the signs).
As the name implies, the museum is dedicated to Brazil's most well-known writer, Jorge Amado. Unfortunately, at the time of my visit, I had never read one of his books, but since I love literature, I was very interested in learning about him. Keep in mind, I don't read Portuguese, but from what I could tell, Amado was fairly unknown for a time. Then he was accused of being a communist and fled to Prague where he remained in exile for awhile. Then, when the dust settled he began to focus his stories on the lives of women and the poor and set most of his stories in his home of Bahia. The streets of Pelourinho are the setting for his popular novel, Dona Flor and Her Two Husbands.
Check out the website below for more info and reading suggestions.
• Address: Largo do Pelourinho 51
• Phone: 071 321 0122
• Website: estadao.com.br/ext/divirtase/jorgeamado/bio.htm
• Other Contact: 3 reais admission
Have your picture taken with a Bahian woman...
When we got to Pelourinho we noticed many woman dressed in typical Bahian dress...
These Bahianas, bedecked in white turbans and white dresses to resemble candomblé priestesses will eventually approach you and ask if you'd like to have your picture taken with them for a small fee. Why not?
Aeroclube Plaza Show
This place reminded me of Orlando?Ultra colorful and lively, it's like an outdoor entertainment center and mall rolled into one. But the locals seemed to flock to it. Featuring restaurants, food and drink kiosks, tons of shops, bars, a night club, a miniature golf course, go carts, bungee jumping, you name it...
Doesn't feel like Salvador there. But it's something different to do, especially if you're traveling with kids.
This is also where Fashion Club is located... a nightclub some of the concierges at our hotel told me about. Didn't venture out to it though.
Sorry I didn't take pictures, like I said, it looked and felt like Orlando so I didn't see it necessary.
• Address: Av. Otávio Mangabeira, 6000
• Directions: On the beach side of the street just North of Yemanja
• Website: http://www.aeroclubeplazashow.com.br/
Watch Capoeira
Most days in Praca de Se (Pelourinho) you will see young men playing Capoeira, as well as drummers... drumming. Just have some spare dosh to give them because they don't take too kindly to having their pictures taken without pay.
Capoeira is an art form that emerged in Brazil during the era of the Atlantic Slave Trade. It is mostly practised in Salvador blending music, ritual, acrobatic movement, and combat, capoeira is at once a dance, a game, and a dangerous martial art. You will often here people saying that they are going to "play Capoeira."
• Address: Praca de Se
• Directions: in Pelourinho, The Historic District
A Candomble Ceremony
We booked through a travel guide we met in Pelourinho to go to a ceremony. It cost us 40 Reais each.
We were picked up at about 9/10 pm in a mini bus and went around hotels to pick up other people. The ceremony was held in a community centre in a favela.
In the communal ceremonies of Candomblé, the orixas are summoned through ritual drumming, chanting, and dancing in terreiros or houses of Candomblé. Exu, the messenger spirit who intervenes between the believers and the orixas, is the first to be summoned by the drummers and dancers. Exu opens the way for the orixas to descend to the earth.
As the Candomblé ceremony gains momentum, orixas become manifest in particular initiates who enter stated of ecstatic trance, becoming mediums through which orixas perform ritual dances and make their presence known to the believers.
It was midnight when we left and the ceremony had not yet finished. It was very interesting to watch but I think it was perhaps a show put on for tourists... but nonetheless I can understand that because if it was real they wouldn't necessarily want a whole bunch of tourists observing and taking pictures.
Directions: Can probably book through the Tourist Office in Pelourinho... Rua Gregoria de Matthos
YES you can also samba!!!
=) Don't get me wrong, I am not one of the dancers in the pic, I got this pic from google, so if anyone from the pic get to see this, don't sue me abusing your pic, ( I just got this pic cause thought was too good)
yeah there are couple of samba schools where you can indulge yourself into samba madness. I wanted it so much, but couldn't manage to sign up for it, cause of lack of time. Maybe next time..
but the brit I met in the hostel said wasn't too expensive (oh well, to a brit, virtually everything in brasil might seem cheap though), and also pretty fun, too!!!!!!!
Have fun in your samba night!
Visit a Favela
dont know if this is something I would reccommend everybody to do... but I certainly was curious... hearing so much about Favela conditions... danger etc...
I was scared when I first got there because of everything I had heard... but when I got there it really was fine... Yes it is poor and the conditions are somewhat shabby... but they are just people living not robbers... drug dealers etc... they have eating and drinking places... beauty salons etc...
I was fortunate enough to have someone I met take me to their family's home. They were very welcoming and made me feel comfortable. We sat down had cofee and watched a talent show on TV.
I wouldn't reccommend going in the dark or when it is raining because those slopes are a bi%*h. I was struggling to climb the hills and the lack of drainage makes it all the more worse.
Cidade Baixa
Salvador is a city of two halves, divided into the Cidade Alta ("Upper Town") and the Cidade Baixa ("Lower Town") by an escarpment some 85m (275ft) high. The easiest way to travel between the two is to take the elevator known as Elevador Lacerda, which was built in 1873 (the first to be installed in Brazil) and, fortunately, been restored several times over the years.
The Cidade Baixa is Bahia's commercial and financial centre and port. It is busy and safe during working days, but largely deserted and considered unsafe at night. We spent most of our time in the Upper Town but one morning took the elevator down (it costs just a few cents) to explore the area at its foot. Emerging from it the first thing we saw was a large covered market, the Mercado Modelo, which is a major shopping point for locals and tourists alike, with everyday food stuffs and delicious-looking seafood alongside craft and folk art pieces such as musical instruments, masks and carvings.
At the far end of the market we emerged onto a street facing the water, where young boys were practicing capoeira outside a small café and collecting plenty of tourist tips for their trouble. We were happy to sit here for a while, enjoying the show while we relaxed with a cold drink – well worth the few coins we paid them for their efforts.
There was also a stand selling the traditional berimbau, a percussion instrument consisting of a wooden bow about 4 to 5 feet long (1.2 to 1.5 m), with a steel string, and a hollowed-out gourd attached to the lower portion of the bow as a resonator. These instruments are an integral part of capoeira.
• Directions: Take the Elevador Lacerda
Tuesdays Carnaval Blocos
Anybody who goes to Salvador have to experience these drums! Sometimes it feels like the different Blocos are "fighting" to make the loudest sound. All the streets will be filled with music, especially first and last tuesdays of the month.
You dont even have to go to a bar to get yourself a drink, as vendors will come around offering icecold and very cheap softdrinks and beers to the audience.
• Address: Pelourino, Center of Salvador
• Directions: The streets of Pelourino tuesday nights from 20 – midnight
Nigerian Cultural Centre
Bahia, the state with the largest percentage of Blacks, is the capital of this religion, which closely follows its African roots and traditions among the Yoruba people of Nigeria and the Bantu people of Angola and the Congo. Yoruban traditions, including the most commonly used names of the orishas, predominate... so it is only approriate that there is a Nigerian Cultural Centre.
• Address: Pelhourinho
• Directions: I dont have the exact address and can't find any detail about it but it was in Pelo and can be spotted by the green and white flag hanging outside.
Dique do Tororo
Dam built by the dutch (NATURALLY!) a long time ago and recently reformed, Dique do Tororo is simply dazzling. In its surroundings you find good restaurants, places to work out at, sidewalk so you can promenade along the lake, benches for those in love, boats, canoes etc...
• Address: Tororo
• Other Contact: The dam is full of sculptures of
EXAMPLES OF HOW TO SPEND THE REST OF THE DAY
Enough of walking around zombielike in the harsh heat of the day , from 16th century church to 17th century church...? Now you're starving and thirsty and you want to rest in the shade..... Go and have lunch at the open air Cantina da Lua near Terreiro de Jesus and diagonally across from Igreja da Ordem Terceira de Sào Domingos. On the first picture we slowly gather at the right place planning to pig out as much as possible. On pic # 2 it's like : "After the Deluge"....The table looks like a battle field.... After hanging around for quite a while , pic # 3 shows our group at dusk near the Elevador Lacerdo ( 1872 and refurbished 1930 ) , with the Bahia De Todos Os Santos ( Bay Of All The Saints) in the background and the Cidade Baixa below. Driving along the Bay / Ocean Boulevard , we come to the point where the Bay ends and the Atlantic starts , there is this beautifully lit lighthouse which is more tourist attraction because of it being built on top of a fortress ( pic # 4 ) and finally , before heading back to the hotel THE typical brazilian refreshment - very tasty and healthy - coconut water , served in it's natural cask at shacks along the Ocean Boulevard. ( pic # 5 )
• Directions: Cantina da Lua near Terreiro de Jesus and driving along the Bay / Ocean Blvd
Abaete Lagoon
The city of Salvador has a lagoon where laundrywomen used to launder in the past. Nowadays there are some public buddles close to the lagoon, where laundrywomen still do hand wash. You can see them walking with a clothes package on their heads.
La ciudad de Salvador tiene una laguna en donde las lavanderas solían lavar al ropa en el pasado. Hoy en día hay varios lavaderos públicos cerca de la laguna, en donde las lavanderas aún lavan a mano. Se las puede ver caminando con un atado de ropa sobre sus cabezas.
BEACHES - III Stella Maris
BEACHES - III
Stella Maris
The name of this beach is latin and means 'Star of the Sea' - the name in portuguese of the starfish. This beach is absolutelly dazzling and the most surfable in Salvador. White sand, wonderful sunset, troubled water - we like it wild, we like it rough!
• Address: After Itapoan.
• Other Contact: You'll need to take the bus 'Pra
SALVADOR : PARTIES EVERY TUESDAYS AND WEEKENDS
Salvador, as I have said, is a party-town. While nearly every night can be party-night here, the authorities - themselves party animals - actually organised special street parties on weekend and TUESDAY nights.
During these nights, stages, food and drink stalls are set up at the various squares - Largo do Pelourinho and Largo Terreiro do Jesus, for sure - and the party starts early.
From 8pm onwards, there ought to be some bands playing away, and locals should start hip-swaying and forro-dancing somewhere soon.
Then, as the night progresses, the streets heat up with more and more people gathering to join the Olodum drummers, following them behind like Pipe Piper, and dancing crazily away to very vigorous beats. Nearly every alley-way is crammed with people hanging out, dancing and listening to great music. Sometimes, there are concerts somewhere. Simple local bars become very crowded, chairs are set out on the streets nearby and impromptu bars are created as endless alcohol gets dispensed.
As more and more cans of beer are consumed and tossed, and perspiration gets sprayed about, you might see more and more couples suddenly hooked up and kissing and making out right at the alley-ways, oblivious to all around.
One big amazing party!
Note that, on the contrary, Monday night is dead-town.
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