Travel Guide Budget and Itinerary for Salvador, Brazil

I've read about the bad reputation of Salvador when I was planning my trip. However, I was curious enough to visit the city and overlook the things I've read online. This was one of the best travel-related decisions I've made because after visiting Salvador it quickly became one of my favorite cities.

Learn more about my trip to Salvador in Bahia.

Travel Guide Budget and Itinerary for Salvador

Salvador might be one of the most dangerous cities in the world, but it is a fascinating and beautiful city with a rich cultural, natural, and historical heritage. Tomé de Sousa founded Salvador in 1549. It then became a wealthy city because of the sugar and slave trade. The city was one of the first port of entries of African slaves. It used to be the capital of Brazil. Today, the city is an economic and cultural hub. The city intrigued me when I read about it when I was planning my budget and itinerary for Salvador. I decided to go despite reading about how dangerous it was.

Do You Need a Visa for Brazil?

Filipino passport holders don't need a visa to enter Brazil. The country provides visa-free access to many nationalities. Look online to find out if Brazil provides visa-free access for citizens from your country.

How to Get to Salvador

Salvador is one of the biggest cities in Brazil. It has its own airport and a major bus terminal for land trips. You can easily find direct flights (or a flight with one layover) from major cities in the country such as Rio de Janeiro, Recife, Sao Paulo, Brasilia, and others. A bus trip can take more than a day depending on where you're coming from. In some cases, flights are cheaper than taking the bus especially once you factor in distance between Salvador and the city you're departing from. If you're booking a flight, check months in advance so that you can get a good discounted price. There are also direct flights to and from Salvador via Portugal.

You can take public transportation to and from the airport. There's a free bus that will take you to the metro station closest to the airport. From there, you can go to the city center and then to your accommodation.

Things to Do in Salvador

Salvador has plenty of historic, cultural, and natural attractions that make it a noteworthy travel destination. You can go to the beach, visit a museum, explore a UNESCO-listed old town, eat good food, or go to a view point when you plan your budget and itinerary for Salvador.

Pelourinho

Salvador's old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The neighborhood has beautiful and centuries old pastel-colored houses, shops, and hotels. The mix of colors make the old town a picture perfect destination. However, the Pelourinho has a dark past. It used to be the area where the Portuguese punished and shamed slaves publicly. They did so to oppress and control the slave population in the city. You'll also find a number of historic churches lining the streets of the old town. You can visit a few museums while you're here. The Pelourinho is also one of the filming locations of Michael Jackson's song "They Don't Care About Us."

São Francisco

This 18th century church will catch your attention as soon as you lay your eyes on it. Its striking and ornate facade is the first thing you'll notice. Its interiors are just as impressive as its exterior with detailed paintings and carvings.

Fallen Cross Monument

The Fallen Cross Monument marks the spot where the old Se Church used to stand. The local authorities at the time had the church destroyed to make room for a streetcar. Mário Cravo Júnior (a Bahian artist) built the cross. The area of the monument is also provides visitors with sweeping overlooking views of the Lower Town.

Elevador Lacerda

This Art Deco elevator dates to the 1930s and has become a city landmark. It's not just a tourist attraction though. Many locals still use it to get to the Lower Town from the Upper Town (historic center). From here, you'll get bird's eye views of the port area and the Lower Town. The elevator is within walking distance from Mercado Modela and the Basílica Santuário Nossa Senhora da Conceição da Praia.

Bale Folclorico

I didn't know about this cultural show if I hadn't done any research. The Bale Folclorico showcases dances and music from the country's African heritage. It was an enriching experience to see and hear the varying myths and religions the African slaves brought with them. It provided a glimpse into Brazil's rich cultural heritage. The only dance I was familiar with was capoeira though. The small theater was sold out on the night of the show. I would recommend watching this show but you'll have to buy your tickets the day before or at least in the morning before it starts. Tickets sell out quickly.

Mercado Modela

This mercado is a short walk from Elevador Lacerda. Locals and visitors alike go here to shop and look for good deals. In the mid-19th century, this building used to be where the Portuguese kept slaves after arriving. You can find different sorts of goods here such as magnets, shirts, sauces, handicrafts, and others.

Museu da Misericordia

This museum is an important part of the city's history. It is home of Bahia's first hospital and you'll also see the first vehicle powered by gasoline in the state during your visit. The museum houses centuries old collections such as pharmaceutical substances, furniture, panels, and other historic relics.

Igreja do Senhor do Bonfim

This historic church dates to the 18th century. It's one of the most popular churches in Brazil. The church was packed when my friend and I went on a Sunday. The Feast of Bonfim is a famous celebration held annually. The interior of the church has elaborate decorations, paintings, azulejos, wood carvings, and a Neoclassical altarpiece.

Forte de Monte Serrat

This fort's construction started in the late 16th century and finished in the early 17th century. It provides beautiful overlooking views of the coastline.

Ponta do Humaitá

This old lighthouse is an ideal spot to watch the sunset if you have the time. In this area you'll find the Church and Monastery of Monte Serrat and centuries old houses. When my friend and I went here, we saw a few people fishing. The combination of the sea and parts of the city make for a picturesque view.

Basílica Santuário Nossa Senhora da Conceição da Praia

This beautiful church is in Salvador's Lower Town. It dates to the 17th century and was the first church that Tome de Sousa had built. Tome de Sousa was the first governor-general of the country. The church's exterior is a mixture of styles. The feature of the interior that caught my attention was the ceiling painting. It looked like a 3D image.

Igreja Nossa Senhora do Carmo

The Igreja Nossa Senhora do Carmo or the Church of the Third Order of Mount Carmel is a historic church that dates to the 17th century. The construction of the church you see now concluded in the mid-19th century. It's part of the city's UNESCO-listed old town.

Barra

Much like many of the cities I went to when I was in Brazil, Salvador has beaches you can easily visit from the old town or city. When making your budget and itinerary for Salvador, make sure to include Barra. This district is lined with beaches where locals and visitors go swimming, sunbathing, or just relaxing. You can take leisurely strolls here or sit on a lounge chair with a cold drink in hand. You can knock off a few days here if you want to.

Farol da Barra and Museu Nautico da Bahia

Salvador has a number of old lighthouses, one of them is the historic Farol da Barra. The latter is one of the oldest military structures in the country. It's also a good place to get overlooking views of the coastline. It's also home of the Nautical Museum of Bahia.

Rio Vermelho

When planning your budget and itinerary for Salvador, consider including Rio Vermelho. Rio Vermelho is a nice neighborhood to explore while you're in Salvador. Some would describe it as bohemian but I'll leave that up to you. It has nice beaches and restaurants where you can try local food. You can check out House of Yemanja during your visit. Yemanja is an African deity. She is a mermaid and protects fishermen.

Casa do Rio Vermelho

It was a pleasant surprise to discover that Salvador is home to a number of independence fighters and artists. My friend and I visited the house/museum of one of the most famous writers in Brazil, Jorge Amado. He wrote several books that were turned into popular movies and TV shows. The museum showcased his personal and literary life.

Sample Local Food

The Africans brought their recipes and cuisine to Salvador when the Portuguese took them from their home countries. The city is a foodie haven in my opinion. Two of the most famous dishes I tried while in Salvador was the moqueca and the acaraje. Moqueca is a delicious seafood stew mixed with veggies. You can order fish, shrimp, or vegetable moqueca depending on the restaurant you eat in. I mix the pirao, the sauce, and rice. My friend and I tried the fish and shrimp moqueca. Acaraje is a popular street food stuffed with shrimps and other toppings with a serving of spicy sauce. Both are delicious and recommendable.

There are other places to visit and things to do in Salvador. You can spend days in the city and weeks exploring Bahia. Despite being one of the most dangerous cities in the world, I'd recommend you include Salvador to your itinerary for Brazil.

Getting around Salvador

Salvador has a reputation as one of the world's most dangerous cities. However, it's not as bad as it sounds. Practice common sense when going around the city and avoid sketchy and dark areas at night or even during the day. If you feel unsafe, trust your instincts and leave. My friend and I took the metro quite often and were fine. You can also use Uber to get from point to point in the city. It's affordable and reliable. There are also public buses that go around the city.

Where to Stay in Salvador

Salvador is a big city. You'll find all types of accommodation during your visit, whether you're on a budget or want to splurge on a nice hotel. I recommend staying in the old town or in Barra because both places offer the most options. I often stay in dorms because I spend most of the day out anyway. I browse www.booking.com to look for accommodations in the cities I visit.

Budget for Salvador

Brazil's cities are affordable destinations. Salvador provides you with good value for money. I stayed in a mix of dorm and private rooms during my trip. I took Uber and the metro when I explored the city. A budget of approximately BRL 320 a day covers accommodation, food and drinks, entrance fees, and transportation. You can spend less than this if you decide to always take the cheapest possible option. The mentioned budget doesn't include flights into and out of the city or bus trips into and out of the city. You can come up with your own budget and itinerary for Salvador when you plan your trip.

You can check out my other posts about Brazil here: