The Pelourinho is the historic center of Salvador, Brazil, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and arguably the percussive heartbeat of Brazil. It’s filled with colorful buildings and equally colorful people. The cobblestone streets are lined with boutiques, museums, baroque-era churches, bars and restaurants, and live music. Its abundance of inexpensive hostels makes it popular with […]
Preparing for a trip to a city off-the-beaten path like Salvador, Brazil is hard. Where to stay? What to do? What NOT to do? How will I get around? But, some of the best things in life are those that we have to a bit harder for. Brazil, and particularly Salvador, is one of those […]
When January arrives in Salvador, every day is a pre-funk for Carnaval. We roll right out of one of the biggest New Year’s Festivals in the world and just keep partying. One of those signature days is Lavagem do Bomfim. This festival falls on either the second or third Thursday of the month, depending upon […]
In this city that is deeply connected to Africa and in a country that is very religious, residents cherish the opportunity to connect with their spiritual ancestors. And let’s be honest, they are always looking for a reason to party, as well. December 8th is the day of Nossa Senhora da Conceição, or the immaculate […]
What do you think of when you hear “Brazil Carnaval”? I bet it’s the Rio de Janeiro Carnaval with the sambadrome, women in high heels, and feathery costumes. That is definitely a once-in-a-lifetime spectacular. And pretty much the complete opposite of what you’ll find at Salvador’s millions-strong 6-day street party/city takeover. When is Salvador’s Carnaval […]
What music and dance form has its own verb and national day of recognition? Samba! That’s what. The verb: sambar The day: December 2nd A brief history of samba in Brazil The history of samba is disputed, with both Bahia and Rio de Janeiro claiming to have originated the dance and musical form. However, what […]
New Year’s Eve celebrations are a big deal around the world, but in Salvador we take it to a different level. The phrase “go big or go home” is true when it comes to Salvador and its ability to throw a party. We host the biggest New Year’s celebration in Brazil — a free multi-day […]
December 4 in Salvador marks the official un-official kickoff of the Carnaval season. It is the Festa de Santa Bárbara / Dia de Iensã. While not an official holiday, that doesn’t stop more than ten thousand people from commemorating. I encourage you to watch the video above. A picture is worth a thousand words, and […]