Salvador, Bahia

Salvador, Bahia

Portuguese, African and Indian cultures provide Salvador with a fascinating mix reflected in its sights, music and cuisine. Also called Bahia, historic Salvador is known for its preserved colonial Upper City, restaurants with live bossa nova music and miles of uncrowded beaches.

Shopping

Shopping for regional handicrafts is best at the Mercado Modelo; bargaining is a common practice. Outside the building are numerous street vendors. Colorful local paintings and embroidered linens are popular items. A wide selection can be found in the Mercado Modelo and in art galleries around the historic center. For contemporary shopping there are modern shopping malls. Gold and silver jewelry as well as gemstones, both uncut and set, are considered good buys. H. Stern is located at one corner of the historic center.

Food

The secret of Bahian cooking is twofold: a rich seafood base and the abundance of traditional African ingredients. Churrascarias offer fantastic barbecue meals, with a wide variety of choice meats cut at the table from huge skewers. Brazil is also known for its excellent beer and the national drink, caipirinha, a potent drink made with cachaca (sugar cane rum) and tropical fruit juices.

Currency

The Brazilian currency is the Real(hay-ahl), R$.

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Sailing Calendar

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