Salvador Bahia, Brazil Travel Guide
You purchase SIM cards ("chip") at official stores of these providers, some supermarkets, or kiosks.
Internet access and Wi-Fi availability are widespread in Salvador. Most hotels, pousadas, restaurants, cafes, and shopping malls feature Wi-Fi, though speeds vary.
Correios is Brazil's national postal service.
Language barriers are common for non-Portuguese speakers. The official language is Portuguese. While some staff in larger hotels, tourist information centers, and tour guides may speak English, proficiency holds limits outside these tourist-facing roles.
Download the Portuguese offline language pack for Google Translate before your trip. This readies you for translations even without an internet connection.
Shops generally operate from Monday to Friday, from 9 AM to 6 PM or 7 PM, and on Saturdays from 9 AM to 1 PM or 2 PM.
Large shopping malls open later and close later, often staying open until 10 PM, and they also operate on Sundays.
Restaurants typically have lunch service from 12 PM to 3 PM and dinner assistance from 7 PM to 11 PM or later. Many restaurants close between lunch and dinner, so arrange meal times accordingly.
Banks typically open from Monday to Friday, from 10 AM to 4 PM.
Museums and attractions feature varying hours, often from 9 AM or 10 AM to 5 PM or 6 PM.
Banking hours and ATM locator are for managing your finances. As mentioned, banks are in Operation monday To friday, 10 AM to 4 PM. ATMs ("Caixas Eletrônicos") are widely available 24/7 at banks, shopping malls, and some supermarkets.
Before your day's plan, seek information on local and national holidays. Many businesses and attractions may have altered schedules or close entirely on these dates.
Greeting customs are important. For formal greetings between men, a firm handshake is common. For women, a light kiss on each cheek (usually right then left) is a common greeting, even among acquaintances.
Informally, "Oi" (hi) is widely used, often alongside a hug or another cheek kiss depending on familiarity.
Appropriate attire varies with different settings. When visiting churches or religious sites, conservative attire is suitable: shoulders and knees should be covered. Don't wear overly exposed attire.
Dining and tipping practices hold specific points. A 10% service charge ("serviço") often figures into restaurant bills; if so, no additional a hint is needed, though rounding up for excellent service counts as a gesture.
Politics can be a sensitive subject in Brazil; it is best to avoid initiating discussions on this with new acquaintances. While Brazil is largely Catholic, Candomblé is a deeply respected and integral part of Bahian culture.
Always ask for permission before photographing individuals, for kids especially. A polite "Posso tirar uma foto?" (Can I take a photo?) goes a long way in showing courtesy.
For travelers with mobility challenges, knowing accessibility information in Historic Salvador de Bahia is a point for trip planning.
The infrastructure has mixed accessibility. Pelourinho, with its cobblestone streets, steep inclines, and narrow sidewalks, is extremely challenging for wheelchair users or those with limited mobility.
Newer areas of Salvador, like modern shopping malls, some newer hotels, and the metro system, offer better ease of access with ramps and elevators.
Generalized services for visually or hearing-impaired travelers hold limits. While some major attractions might have audio guides, specialized services like sign language interpreters are rare for general tourism.
Resources and organizations bringing accessibility information can be fragmented. Contacting major hotels directly about their specific accessibility features makes a good first step.
