Salvador Flights and Travel Guide

Nowhere is the Afro-Brazilian culture more prominent than in Salvador. The preserved city with its Baroque houses and Renaissance buildings dotted along the narrow cobbled streets city was Brazil’s first capital, earning its wealth through sugar cane. This led to an influx of slaves – around 5 million - brought in from Africa to work on the growing sugar plantations and settling there.

The African influence is in its food, its people, and its music. A hypnotic blend of reggae, rock and afoxé seeps through every crack in the wall, every day of the year, but especially during Carnaval.Each year around two million visitors from all over the country book flights to Salvador to participate in Carnaval, the second largest in Brazil and some say even better than Rio’s. Travelers thinking of visiting should book their Salvador flights during this festive time to experience one of the most vibrant cities in Brazil.

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Salvador Climate

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When to Fly to Salvador

With temperatures averaging between 80-90 degrees F, there’s no bad time to book a cheap flight to Salvador de Bahia.

Peak Season: While most people think of Rio as being the Carnival center of the universe, you won’t be disappointed if you plan Salvador de Bahia flights and travel for the celebration. . The festivities between the months of December and March rake in the most tourists all year, and although the crowds can be daunting, the parties are worth the chaos.

Off-peak Season: While fewer travelers book flights to Salvador de Bahia during its rainy season, visiting during April – July still allows for pleasant temperatures in the high 60’s, and friendly student crowds when schools break for holiday in July.

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Getting Around Salvador

Although there are a variety of choices for public transit, walking is the best way to see the city when you travel to Salvador de Bahia. Parking is nearly impossible in Pelourinho, and driving over cobblestones in the narrow streets is nothing short of tumultuous. Wear comfortable shoes and prepare to manage steep hills!

When your feet get tired, surrender to a bus or taxi – either will take you to the beaches and tourist destinations. Bus routes tend to hug the ocean, and are connected by one main avenue leading to downtown. Even though most attractions are within walking distance, it’s still easy to hop on and off the bus as you please. Beach-bound buses are labeled “Praca De Se,” and buses heading downtown are called “Comercio.” You can find them both at the main bus station, called Iguatemi, where you’ll also find a more expensive bus, called Frescao. Air conditioned and noticeably more comfortable, Frescaos cost roughly the same amount as a taxi, so consider your budget before booking time in a Frescao. Taxis can be hailed from the street or found at stands, and most vehicles are air-conditioned and relatively new. A few companies accept credit cards and allow you to call in advance to reserve a ride ahead of time.

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Salvador Insider Information

• Markets: If you’re looking for native atmosphere and a fun place to get food and drink, head straight to Mercado Sao Joaquim. Just north of Elevador Lacerda, the waterfront stalls’ dirt floors and bold aromas may seem questionable, but they add to the zest of the environment. If your flight to Salvador de Bahia left you aching for a little local flavor, try cochaca (sugarcane and alcohol), and the wide selection of meats offered.
• Kids: If your kids were restless on the flight to Salvador de Bahia, entertain them at the Aeroclube Plaza, an outdoor mall and entertainment complex that is perfect for people of all ages. With fun attractions like mini-golf, bowling, go-karts, wall-climbing, and arcades, one person could run around for hours without ever getting bored. If the weather cooperates, head outside to the recreation park, where you can float around sculptures in the middle of the lake either by kayak or by paddle boat.
• Carnival: You may think Rio de Janeiro is the only place to celebrate Carnival, but Salvador parties just as hard. As February draws in loads of flights to Salvador de Bahia, stretches of road turn into grand stands, and sound equipment pops up unexpectedly on roofs and behind trees. The Parade de Trio Electronics exists as a group of bands on top of trailers, running from the city center from Camp Grance to Praca Castro Alves. The Barracas, another form of celebration, holds three circuits of parades inundated with Styrofoam coolers selling drinks, beer, and batidas (cachaca fruist mixtures). Wild costumes, bright colors, jubilant noises, generous affection, and tons of dancing mark the beginning of Lent in one of Brazil’s most lively cities.
• Views: Folks booking flights to Salvador de Bahia for aesthetic value will find that the Farl de Barra lighthouse offers the best views of the water. Right where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Bay of All Saints, everyone gathers 30 minutes before sunset to catch views not of the city, but of the horizon. However, if high rise views are more your style, Forte de Monta Serrat allows you to see the old city and cliffs instead. To make a night out of it, head to Barra Point at the foot of the lighthouse, where the café upstairs boasts a killer menu (and patio) to compliment the sun sinking below the island of Itaparica.

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Salvador Airports

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Passport/Visa

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Entry Requirements

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