Home
Portugues

Visitors to Bahia in Salvador, Brazil will discover joy and warmth on every corner. There are unlimited and various things to do in Brazil, from visiting historic churches and museums, to exploring local beautiful parks and beaches.

Salvador, founded in 1549, was the first capital of Brazil. It is a land of churches, architecture, historic battles, feasts, beaches and legends.

Museu de Arte Sacra (Sacred Art Museum) 2km from Tropical da Bahia
One of the finest museums and things to do in Salvador, it displays one of Brazil's best collections of Catholic art.

Mercado Modelo - 03 km from Tropical da Bahia
Housing just about everything Bahia has to offer in terms of arts and crafts and souvenirs, it is a popular thing to do.

Pelourinho - .03km from Tropical da Bahia
One of the most popular things to do, Salvador's historical center in the heart of Salvador is rich in historical monuments dating from the 17th through the 19th centuries and was declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco. Visit the Cathedral Basílica, a17th-century basilica that dominates Terreiro de Jesus, erected by the Jesuits in 1672 and Igreja de São Francisco, a ornate gold accented high-baroque church.

Nosso Senhor do Bonfim –10 km from Tropical da Bahia
Salvador's most famous church has a reputation for granting miracles.

Nossa Senhora da Conceição da Praia –2 km from the Tropical da Bahia
This Salvador church is located in the Lower city just south of the Elevador Lacerda. It was prefabricated in Portugal, shipped in parts to Salvador, and erected in Bahia.

Farol da Barra (Barra Lightshouse)/Museu Náutico da Bahia/Forte Santo Antonio – 3 km from Tropical da Bahia
The lighthouse, fort and museum are number one things to do, the views where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Bay of All Saints are spectacular.

Dique do Tororó Park –3 km from Tropical da Bahia
A wonderful choice for things to do in the evening, this pleasant park is known for the set of 20-foot-tall sculptures of eight Orixás in the middle of the lake, beautifully illuminated in the evening.

Castro Alves Theatre –200 m from Tropical da Bahia
Home to the Bahian Symphony Orchestra and the Balé (ballet) de Castro Alves, this is a best bet for catching fine arts performances.

Forte de Monte Serrat –11 km from Tropical da Bahia
To see the city itself, visit the Bonfim Church, located at the foot of tall headland. From this vantage point you can view a small stretch of bay at lower town, the old city on the cliffs above, and the high-rises of modern Salvador.

Olodum 3 km from Tropical da Bahia
This is one of the best-known Blocos in Salvador, and perhaps in all Brazil. Started as a recreational group of Pelourinho residents, it has grown into a cultural phenomenon with international fame. It's the thing to do every Tuesday night when the group performs at the Praça Teresa Batista starting at 8pm.

Beaches
With over 48 km (30 miles) of beaches within the city limits, finding a beach is much less trouble than deciding which one to visit.

Porto da Barra, the beach on the bay side of the lighthouse, is 3 km away from the Tropical da Bahia and we provide a shuttle to Porto da Barra Beach Monday through Friday.

Itapoã is one of the prettier beaches, 20 km from the Tropical da Bahia and is a popular beach thing to do. It has inspired many a song and fishermen still bring their rafts in at the end of the day.

Calendar of Events:

  • January:
    • The Spectacle: Washing of the Steps of Bonfim Church: This one of the most important religious ceremonies in Salvador, when hundreds of women in traditional dress form a procession and carry perfumed water to wash the church steps, accompanied by 800,000 onlookers and revelers. Third Thursday of January.
  • February:
    • Celebration of Yemanjá, the Goddess of Sea: Devotees throughout Brazil offer flowers, perfumes, and jewelry to the sea. Celebrations can take place on the beach with music and food. The largest celebrations takes place in Salvador on Praia Vermelha. February 2.
      • Carnaval: According to the Guinness Book, the carnival or Carnaval of Salvador de Bahia is the biggest street party on the planet. For an entire week, almost 2 million people throughout 25 kilometers (15 miles) of streets, avenues and squares. Only the party's organization involves the direct participation of 25 thousand people. Its dimensions are gigantic. Salvador receives an average of 800 thousand visitors from municipalities located as far as 150 kilometers (93 miles) away, from several States of Brazil and from a number of other countries (Europe, USA and many others). Which are divided into circuits: Barra/Ondina, Campo Grande and "Pelourinho" (Historic Centre).

    The music played during Carnaval includes Axé and Samba-reggae. Many "blocos" participate in Carnaval, the "blocos afros" like Malé Debalé, Olodum and Filhos de Gandhi being the most famous of them. Carnival is heavily policed. Stands with five or six seated police officers are erected everywhere and the streets are constantly patrolled by police groups moving in single file.

    The three Carnival Circuits are:

    • The Campo Grande - Praça Castro Alves Circuit, also called the "Osmar" Circuit, or simply the "Avenidas";
    • The Barra - Ondina Circuit, also called the "Dodô" Circuit;
    • The Pelourinho Circuit, also called the "Batatinha" Circuit.
    • December:
      • Santa Barbara, Salvador. This festival is celebrated with processions, music and dance. Santa Barbara is the Candomblé equivalent of Iansã, the goddess of wind. December 4.
      • Chrismas Eve: Brazilians go to mid-night Mass to celebrate Christmas. Mass is usually followed by a late-night supper with family. December 24.
      • Reveillon (New Year's Eve) December 31.

    Holidays in Brazil:

    • January 01 – New Year's Eve
    • February – Carnival (Feb 20-25, 2009)
    • April – Good Friday (Apr 10,2009)
    • April – Easter Day (Apr 12,2009)
    • April 21 – "Tiradentes" Day
    • May 01 – Labor Day
    • June – Corpus Christi (Jun 11,2009)
    • September 7 – Independence Day
    • October 12 – Our Lady Aparecida, Patron Saint of Brazil
    • November 2 – All Souls Day/Remembrance Day
    • November 15 – Proclamation of the Republic
    • December 24 – Christmas Eve
    • December 25 – Christmas Day
    • December 31 – New Year's Day

    Brazil's biggest holidays are New Year's and Carnival.

    Source: Frommer's Brazil Guide, 3rd Edition