Brazil · SALVADOR
The old capital keeps its colour in Pelourinho and its rhythm in the drums that practise there most nights. These 7 cover the historic centre, the bay by schooner and the food, each priced and paced.
Spend eight hours sailing from Salvador’s Nautical Terminal across Todos os Santos Bay to Ilha dos Frades and Itaparica. Swim in calm water, enjoy a fruit round and live music, eat at a beachfront buffet, and watch the sunset on the return. Guides speak Portuguese, English, French, Spanish, and Italian.
Spend six hours exploring Salvador with a private guide such as Wilson, Mônia, Vagner, or Ronaldo. Visit Yemayá’s waterfront altar, Dique do Tororó, São Joaquim Fair, and an Ewe Fon Candomblé temple. Taste acarajé, enjoy lunch by the sea, and learn how African traditions shaped Bahia.
“Monia was very knowledgeable and considerate. You can tell she is not only passionate about the things she’s explaining but also the person she’s giving the tour to. Zero complaints and memorable experience.”
Walk from Praça Castro Alves through Salvador’s historic center and Pelourinho with a live guide in English, Spanish, or Portuguese. See Rio Branco Palace, Lacerda Elevator, Cruz Caída Square, and São Francisco Church, with time for cultural stories, local tastes, and views over the ocean. Groups are limited to 10.
“Maria è una guida molto brava e professionale, ha tarato il tour sui miei interessi e curiosità. Bellissima esperienza ! Grazie”
Meet your English-, Portuguese-, or Spanish-speaking guide at 2 pm by Salvador Cathedral for a private walk through Terreiro de Jesus, the Cross of São Francisco, and Escola do Olodum. Learn how African culture shaped Salvador through faith, liberation, music, capoeira, and Carnival. Guides have included Eduardo, Sayuri, Adilson, Nilza, Facundo, and Carlos.
“We had an amazing walking tour in Salvador. Our tour guide, Sayurin, was extremely knowledgeable and patient with us. She started the tour by asking us if we had any questions or specific topics we wanted to learn about. Based on our input, she took us to various sites throughout the city that were relevant to our interests. Salvador is a city with a rich history, both good and bad, and Sayurin did an excellent job of discussing difficult topics such as slavery, prostitution, and the black Brazilian experience. Despite the sensitive subject matter, we found her approach to be respectful and informative. Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed the tour and…”
Travel from Salvador along Bahia’s Coconut Road to Praia do Forte and Guarajuba Beach. You’ll have time for the fishing village, optional Projeto Tamar visit, swimming, sun, and Bahian food. Hotel pickup is included at selected central hotels, with guides listed in Spanish and Portuguese. One guest also reported excellent English from the guide.
Leave Salvador for Santo Amaro, Cachoeira, and São Félix on a private, guide-led day trip through Bahia’s Recôncavo. Walk colonial streets, visit the Sisterhood of Our Lady of the Good Death, cross an 1830 British bridge, eat a buffet lunch on a farm, and watch cigars being rolled at the Dannemann factory. Guides speak five languages.
“If you ever have the chance to visit beautiful Salvador de Bahia and want to get a real insight on all levels try to get the one and only Wilson as your guide. Not only is he a professor of history, he is a "know-all-about-everything"!, speaks perfect English and most important he is such a wonderful human being full of laughter and humour. We thouroughly enjoyed our day tour to Cachoeira and the city tour of the upper city the next day. Thanks also to our wonderful driver Adriana, who drove us savely to all destinations on the long tour and through the dense traffic of Salvador. She is the…”
Meet at 10am Thursdays in a sports room at Rua Doutor João Pondé, 240, Salvador. A former Bahia champion leads a one-hour Portuguese-language class for up to eight people, covering stance, footwork, punches, defense, conditioning, and fitness. Gloves and water are included. Beginners and experienced boxers are welcome.
“Really good class. I’ve been boxing for a number of years and enjoyed it.”
Pick a summit, a coast or a waterfall.
