Destination of the Month
(June ’10)

Salvador is the heart of Brazil’s African culture, evident in the drum rhythms, the dances, the clothes, the food and the beliefs of the area.
The majority of Africans who were taken to Brazil as slaves to work on the sugar and coffee plantations arrived in Salvador, the first capital of the country. Like the people, many aspects of the culture have retained this African heritage, while some have mixed with those of other cultures in the area to provide a uniquely Brazilian flavor. Salvador is alive with the rhythms of samba, the intriguing sights of Candomble rituals, and the mesmerizing movements of capoeira, a Brazilian martial art developed by slaves in the area. As well as a rich cultural heritage, Salvador is the gateway to the wonderful beaches of Bahia. The coastline north of the city contains well-appointed resorts such as those at Praia do Forte and Costa do Sauipe.

Best time to go

Although Salvador has pleasant weather all year around, there is a light rainy season which begins in April, and lasts around three months.

Climate

Salvador is warm all year round, with temperatures rarely dropping below 25ºC (77ºF) or rising beyond 32 or 33ºC (90ºF). Winter temperatures are just 3-4ºC degrees below summer temperatures.

Flights

Salvador is one of Brazil's more popular tourist destinations, and is well-served by air.

From the United States: The Brazilian airline TAM has one weekly (Sunday) direct non-stop flight from Miami to Salvador. Flight time is 7 hours and 40 minutes.

Brazilian airline VARIG has daily flights from New York, Chicago, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles with connections in Rio or São Paulo.

From Great Britain - Europe: TAP-AirPortugal offers seven weekly flights from Lisbon to Salvador (direct and non-stop), with connecting flights from London (Heathrow), Copenhagen, Stockholm, Amsterdam, Brussels, Luxembourg, Paris (Orly), Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich, Geneva, and Milan (Malpensa).

Air Europa has three weekly direct, non-stop flights from Madrid to Salvador with connection from London (Gatwick).

SAS and associated companies fly daily from Stockholm and Copenhagen via Madrid and São Paulo.

Recomended Hotels

Convento do Carmo
www.pestana.com/hotels/es/hotels
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Carmo/Home/

Pestana Bahia
www.pestana.com/hotels/es/hotels/
southamerica/BahiaHotels/Bahia/Home/
PestanaBahia.htm