Home Page - Salvador Guidebook

The Basics

Arrive in confidence because you know the basics. Pick up must-know tips for local ride-sharing options, getting a SIM chip, ATMs you can use, and tons more.

Where to Stay

Discover which is the right neighborhood for you, check out hotel and pousada reviews, and get recommendations on how to beat AirBnB prices on rentals.

What to Do

From the best shows to the best beaches and beyond. Stunning nature, state-of-the-art museums, and world heritage sites — explore all that Salvador has to offer.

Let me be your guide to Salvador

Hi I’m Jen.

I am an American who has been living in Salvador for the past few years, taking advantage of every moment I can to learn as much as possible about these amazing people and incredibly rich culture.

Being married to a musician, I’ve jumped in exactly as you’d imagine — by learning to play an instrument. Here I am playing surdo for the city mayor at the opening of the Carnival Museum in 2018.

My husband and I been helping visitors to our lovely city for years get oriented and have magical experiences. We were even featured on the French television show Échappées belles in a special about Salvador in January 2019.

Welcome to Salvador Guidebook and bem vindo a Salvador!

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salvadorguidebook

👋🏻 Jen 👋🏻
🇧🇷Salvador through the eyes of an expat & local. Concierge services, DIY guides.
👇🏼40 reasons to visit Salvador, Brazil ❤️
#salvadorlove

While this day in Itacaré was almost 7 years ago,

Hey friend, how are you today?⁣ ⁣ Found myself

The newest addition to our instrument family!⁣⁣
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In case you are wondering, just here at home we have two pandeiros, an atabaque, cajon, harmonica, trovão, reco reco, caxixi, maracatu drum, flat Indian drum, cowbell, repique, and an Idiopan. 🥁⁣⁣
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And somehow there is still room for us in this apartment!⁣⁣
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That doesn’t count the variety of noisemakers that @birasantosalabe has made from bottles filled with rice, bubble, wrap, and more!⁣⁣
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I can’t be the only one married to a musician. Who has instruments in their house?!?⁣⁣
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#salvadorlove 😍⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
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👋🏻 Why HELLOOOO there….⁣ ⁣ These figur

Here's to hoping that by the time that the norther

No such thing as too many sunset photos in one's f

All tucked away for a long winter's nap...⁣ ⁣

The Salvador 🇧🇷 shoreline never ceases to kn

I can only hope that what I’ve seen in the US — and around the world — in the past few weeks is a sign of true change. We, as white people, have a helluva a lot of work to do to disassemble the systems of oppression that have been around for centuries. And it is on us.⁣⁣
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Here in Salvador, where more than 4 million enslaved Africans passed through its ports, it is impossible to separate the cultural richness of the city from the enslaved black population that built it.⁣⁣
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It’s often said that Salvador has done a better job of retaining parts of Africa’s identity than Africa has. And while I haven’t spend enough time in Africa to say if that is true or not, without the black voices and black arts community here in Salvador — well, I just can’t imagine it.⁣⁣
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It wouldn’t be Salvador.⁣⁣
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So, I’d like to introduce you to the amazing black artists and bands that help make Salvador, Bahia the vibrant, magical city it is.⁣⁣
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Keep an eye on for my stories where I’ll be featuring a different band or artists every few days.⁣⁣
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#salvadorlove #amplifymelanatedvoices #amplifyblackvoices #blackartmatters #salvadorbahia #Brazil #salvador #ig_bahia #bahia #inlovewiththisplace #likealocal #buildcommunity #localcommunity #visitbrazil #igbahia #explorebrazil ⁣

I absolutely cannot wait to start walking the stre

Next-level social distancing going on here (from D

Iemanjá -- goddess of the ocean. Mother of all.⁣
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She is one of the principle dieties in the Candomblé faith, an important local religion. And, in a city where fishing plays an important role, Iemanjá is highly revered. She has her own regional holiday and homages throughout the city (including our veranda).

Surf's up! While the beaches may be closed in Sal

Hey there! Jen here -- checking in. How are you do

Looking forward to days like this again. ☀️⁣

🎵 You can’t take the sky from me…. 🎵⁣

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What others are saying

Experiencing Salvador as a “local” through Jen’s and Bira’s eyes was awesome. They are fantastic Carnival tour guides and local music aficionados and always have the inside scoop on what is happening across the city.

Pierre B., Seattle, WA

If you’re going to Salvador, talk to Jen and Bira first. They can help you plan your perfect trip — from finding a great place to stay to the must-see musical acts to the best beaches. Relax and leave the planning to them and you won’t regret it!

Alesha M., Chicago, IL