Your Salvador da Bahia Travel Tips; credit Robson Mnendes / AGECOM
Salvador da Bahia Travel Tips
Salvador da Bahia Facts
Official Language: Portuguese
Currency: Real
Time Zone: UTC-3 (1 hour ahead of EST)
Est. Population: 2.5 Million
Travel Tips
Passports and visas are necessary for U.S. citizens.
Salvador da Bahia is a great city to visit any time of the year. The tropical climate has an average temperature above 80 degrees. Though humidity and thunderstorms are common during the summer, Salvador is NOT in a Hurricane or Earthquake Zone.
Currency is the Brazilian “Real” and major credit cards accepted by most establishments.
Portuguese is the official language and some English is spoken by locals. Nevertheless, bring a Portuguese phrase book with you.
Download Whatsapp to your smartphone for international communication via text and images. Only call the U.S. via hotel phone for emergencies or if you are affluent.
Banks are open from 10am-4pm (Monday-Friday). ATMs are plentiful and the most convenient way to get Reals. Some ATMs only accept 4 digit PIN numbers.
Most malls are open 10am-10pm (Monday-Saturday). Most Non-Mall stores are open 9am-6:30pm (Monday-Friday) and 9am-1pm (Saturday).
Electric current is different than in the USA, so bring an adapter or buy one at the airport.
The major holidays in Salvador da Bahia are New Year’s Eve, Carnaval, Good Friday, Easter, Tiradentes, Labor Day, Corpus Christi, Independence Day, Holy Mary’s Day, All Soul’s Day, Proclamation of the Republic Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Eve. For specific dates, visit Brazil Tourism Office.
Thomas Dorsey with Baiana descendants of African slaves in Salvador da Bahia; (c) Soul Of America
Brazilian Portuguese Language
• Bring a Brazilian Portuguese Phrasebook with you.
• You will use the Brazilian Portuguese equivalent for the following English words/phrases often so use a Translate app and memorize their pronunciation before your trip:
Sir, Madame, Hello, Please, Thank You, Excuse Me, Goodbye, I don’t understand, Where is ____?, How much?, Do you speak English?
• Charm, good manners, and a thumbs up are appreciated by Brazilians. You are expected to greet small shop owners and elderly people.
Salvador Hotel Rooms, Money & Valuables
• Most hotel rooms are small compared to the U.S., so pack accordingly.
• Air conditioning is not available in many older hotels away from the beaches.
• By American standards, downgrade hotel listings of 5, 4, and 3 stars by one star.
• Bring at least one ATM card and a credit card from the U.S. Use the ATM card to get Reals, since they usually have a better rate than many currency exchange offices. Your ATM card should have a code of only 4 digits.
• Exchange dollars into small bills (5 Reals, 10 Reals, and coins), since you need small change when out and about.
• Locals don’t wear money belts. If you choose to wear a money belt, you stand out as a tourist.
• Put only things that you are willing to lose in your visible pockets.
• When walking around, carry little cash, a credit card, a driver’s license, and a copy of your passport with you for identification. It’s easier to replace a stolen driver’s license than a U.S. passport.
• Store your passport, extra money, plane ticket, list of credit card/ATM card customer service phone numbers, and other valuables in the locked hotel safe.
• Tipping in restaurants is typically 10-15%, but gratuity is often included. Ask your waiter beforehand.
Safety for Women
Women should use common sense when walking around. Sisters traveling alone should assume they are traveling in a major U.S. city and take the necessary precautions. Use care when in tourist attraction areas and using public transportation. Seek help from official-looking people only (tourist office, tour bus drivers, airport information desk, airline employees, hotel desk clerks, etc.).
