Buzz
If you're considering Brazil for both cultural exploration and football, Salvador is an excellent choice.
Salvador, Brazil's Happiest City.
Choosing Brazil for a mix of country exploration and football? Salvador is the perfect fit. Salvador served as Brazil's first capital from 1549 to 1765 and stands as a historically rich city, hosting the most intact colonial architecture in South America.
The city of Salvador, located in the state of Bahia, lies in the Central-Eastern region of Brazil, approximately 1,624km from Rio de Janeiro.
Stadium: The 55,000-seat Estadio Fonte Nova will host 6 matches during the 2014 World Cup, including a Round of 16 and a quarter-final. The stadium was completely reconstructed after a part of the upper stands collapsed in 2007, resulting in 7 fatalities. Accessing Estadio Fonte Nova is convenient, either by walking from the city's main bus station or from the famous historic district. Notably, a section of the stadium is designed to be open, providing a view of the distant disque (small lake) and in the evening, the lights create a mesmerizing, surreal atmosphere.
Refreshments: The stadium is only 15-20 minutes away from Pelourinho, the historic district filled with bars and restaurants that promise to be the hub for football fans before, during, and after matches. Locals often choose Rio Vermelho for nighttime entertainment. You can grab a beer at one of the many outdoor bars in the square. Don't forget to try acarajé – a blend of black-eyed peas finely ground and deep-fried, then stuffed with dried fried shrimp. This dish, originating from Nigeria, is now popular in Salvador and sold by women in traditional Afro-Brazilian attire.
Weather: Unlike Rio, Salvador may experience all-day rain from June to August during the wet season. The good news is that the temperature doesn't drop below 20 degrees Celsius. When it's not raining, the 'winter' temperature in the city is ideal for visitors to frolic on the numerous beaches.
What to bring: Swimsuit, bikini, flip-flops.
Activities besides watching football
Salvador is the largest municipality in the state of Bahia and boasts the second-best nightclubs in the state (Vitoria takes the lead), although it's a bit gritty. If you're choosing Brazil for both cultural exploration and football, Salvador is an excellent fit. Situated by the Atlantic Ocean and featuring expansive beaches, the most notable being Porto da Barra near the entrance to the Baía de Todos os Santos (All Saints’ Bay), one of the largest bays in the world. Locals wake up early to swim in the calm waters, and in the evening, they relax with a few cold beers right on this beach.
Salvador served as Brazil's first capital from 1549 to 1765 and is a city rich in history, hosting the most intact colonial architecture in South America. You can dedicate a full day or two to explore Pelourinho. Salvador is known as the capital of happiness in Brazil, thanks to its vibrant outdoor parties. Every February, Salvador hosts the world's largest carnival, with over 2 million people dancing in the streets for a week. During the World Cup, the city will undoubtedly have a smaller-scale carnival, but it's guaranteed to be lively, hot, and passionate in the upcoming days.
Exploring Beyond the City: There are numerous serene beaches easily accessible from the city center. Praia do Forte, located 50 miles to the north, or Boipeba, where you can experience the full ambiance of a tropical beach. With a night bus or short flight, you can step into Chapada Diamantina National Park (Diamond Highlands), where magnificent rock formations, crystal-clear lakes, and romantic waterfalls can be found along the hiking trails.
According to a World
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Reference: Travel Guide Mytour
MytourJune 14, 2014
