5 good reasons to go to Bahia
As a former colonial capital, Salvador is the cradle of Afro-Brazilian culture. Its historic center is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This city, which some simply call Bahia, is known for its joie de vivre, its festivals, its cuisine, its beaches, its music, and many other aspects that make it one of the most picturesque and charming places in Brazil.
1 • Bahia is a celebration
It’s not for nothing that Bahia is the region that has provided the largest number of composers and singers in the country, from Maria Bethânia to Gilberto Gil, from Caetano Veloso to Dorival Caymmi, from Gal Costa to João Gilberto, from Raul Seixas to Carlinhos Brown, and not to mention Sarajane, Simone, Margareth Menezes, Daniela Mercury, Tom Zé, Morais Moreira, Maria Creuza, to name just a few, since the list is very long. All these names have made, and still make, the songs and rhythms that mark Brazilian music, starting with samba, which started in Bahia before conquering Rio and giving rise to bossa nova. In Bahia, people love music more than anything else. They are always ready to celebrate. They always find the time and energy for that, and everything is a reason to commemorate something. Music is also the essence of the most famous percussion groups and carnival blocos (groups), such as Olodum (photo at the top of the page), Ilê Aiyê, Timbalada, Ara Ketu, who are among the most famous ones. And it’s not uncommon to meet one, usually in the Pelourinho (historical center).
Does celebrating make people happy? Cynics will say that laziness, or frivolity, or perhaps both make people friendly, helpful and smiling, or picturesque, exotic, just like straight from a novel by Jorge Amado. Bahia is a world apart. It’s a place that you must above all feel by letting yourself get swept away by this rhythm, this sensuality and this softness that you can find only here…
2 • The reason for the eyes
Salvador‘s historical center is in the upper city. It extends over three districts, Carmo, Santo Antonio, and Pelourinho, the latter being well known for featuring most of the tourist attractions and commercial and cultural activities.
Its steep streets and colorful facades form a unique ensemble in the world with a Portuguese colonial style and an aesthetic that always oscillates between ostentation and decadence, leaving onlookers dumbfounded, confused, and seduced.
Another eye candy is the street scenes, where you can find both folk costumes and cultural manifestations, such as capoeira. All the little professions there bring us back to the reality of a society where survival is a system or parallel economy that supports almost half of the country’s population. Small coffee, coconut, and doughnut vendors are everywhere where potential customers are, forming with them a colorful and lively atmosphere where scents and shouts blend.
3 • Culture is a reason
It is said that Salvador has 365 churches, one for each day of the year, which is a legend, even though it’s not far from the truth. Nowadays, if you count all the Afro-Bahian places of worship and the neo-Protestant (evangelical) temples, this figure is undoubtedly even exceeded. But it’s also for its churches and the baroque treasures they contain that you go to Bahia. Just in the historical center alone, you must stop in the cathedral, which has been recently and magnificently restored, and the São Francisco church and its cloister covered with exceptional azulejos.
Likewise, a visit to the Arte Sacra Museum (sacred art museum) for the building, as well as its collection, the most sumptuous in the country, is an absolute must.
There are tons of museums in Salvador, including the Afro Museum, the Carlos Costa Pinto Museum. The MAM (Museum of Modern Art), whose location on the shores of the bay and buildings from the colonial era alone are worth the trip. But Bahia is, first and foremost, the Afro culture which is present in every aspect of the local society. We’ve seen music. Now, we must also mention gastronomy, which is considered to be the one with the strongest identity in Brazil, and even spirituality with the Candomblé and animist cults of African origin.
4 • Another reason is leisure
Bahia is the coastal state with the longest coastline in Brazil. It is nearly 900 km long. Salvador, with about fifty kilometers of beaches, part of which is inside the Todos os Santos baÃa, is also a seaside destination. The best beaches for sunbathing and relaxation are at the end of the city, after the Itapoan, Pedra do Sal, praia de Stella Maris and praia do Flamengo district. The surroundings feature huts, called barracas. Barraca do Lôro and the one in Bora Bora are among the most famous ones. They are genuine holiday clubs! Since the waves and currents are very strong, choose beaches that are closer to the center and in the bay for swimming, like Barra and Porto da Barra. The beaches at the bottom of the bay, like Ribeira, are perfect for those with small children. If you don’t like crowds, it’s good to know that the beaches, or rather the barracas, are crowded on weekends and holidays, especially in spring and summer from October to March.
5 • The strategic reason
With an area the size of France, the State of Bahia is full of natural sites and very diversified holiday destinations. You can choose the inland region with its mountainous massifs such as Chapada Diamantina, or the paradisiacal islands such as Boipeba, and finally dreamy beaches, either on the north coast or in the south of the state.
Salvador is, therefore, an essential starting point to reach all these wonders, whether by bus or plane. You can combine a visit to Salvador and then extend your stay to a quieter place, for rest or nature activities, such as trekking in the Chapada Diamantina or surfing in Itacarê. Luxury lovers can find what they’re looking for around Porto Seguro, or, more precisely Trancoso, the chic resort in southern Bahia. Closer to Salvador, a little over an hour from the city center, the village of Praia do Forte is also a reference with its coconut-lined beaches and luxury hotels. Further north, you might prefer more popular, and even more isolated sites such as Mangue Seco.
