Brazil · SALVADOR TOURS
The old upper town, the Afro-Brazilian heritage that runs through everything here, and a bay that still moves by schooner. The 15 below are priced and timed, with a note on which run on a Tuesday night in Pelourinho.
Spend eight hours aboard a schooner from Salvador’s Nautical Terminal, cruising Todos os Santos Bay to Ilha dos Frades and Itaparica. Swim in calm water, enjoy a fruit round, eat at a beachfront buffet, and return at sunset with live music on board. Guides may speak Portuguese, English, French, Spanish, or Italian.
Spend six hours with a private guide such as Wilson, Mônia, or Vagner, tracing Salvador’s Afro-Brazilian culture from Rio Vermelho and Tororó Dike to São Joaquim Fair, a Candomblé temple, and a seaside community. Expect thoughtful history, acarajé, lunch with sea views, private transport, and access to places beyond the usual tourist route.
“Our Afro-Brazilian roots tour in Bahia with Ronaldo was one of the most powerful and enriching experiences of our entire trip. From the moment we met him, Ronaldo’s warmth, charisma, and deep knowledge of history and culture made us feel instantly connected—not just to him, but to the vibrant spirit of Bahia itself. This tour was unlike anything we’ve ever done. Ronaldo guided us through neighborhoods brimming with life and stories that revealed the rich tapestry of Afro-Brazilian identity. Our experience was deeply educational. One of the most unforgettable parts of the tour was learning about Candomblé. It was cool to understand its roots, rituals, and significance in the community.…”
Walk from Praça Castro Alves through Salvador’s historic center with an English-, Spanish-, or Portuguese-speaking guide. See Rio Branco Palace, Lacerda Elevator, Cruz Caída, Pelourinho, and São Francisco Church. Guides such as Maria, Eduardo, Lara, and Aldison are praised for adapting the walk to guests’ interests.
“The tour was Fantastic! Informative, culturally rich and a way to discover the city through an authentic and well informed lens. I’ve traveled all over the world and this was one of my favorite tours.”
Meet at 2 pm by Salvador Cathedral for a three-hour private walk through the city’s Afro-Brazilian story. Your guide, speaking English, Portuguese, or Spanish, leads you to Terreiro de Jesus, the Cross of São Francisco, and Escola do Olodum, with history, slavery, capoeira, samba, and Carnival woven into the route. Confirm whether an Afro-Brazilian Mass is included.
“Very enjoyable - Adilson is a very knowledgeable and friendly guide who made the cultural tour so enjoyable and interactive.”
Travel from Salvador along the coconut-lined Coconut Road to Praia do Forte and Guarajuba Beach. You’ll stroll through a former fishing village, have the option to visit Projeto Tamar, swim or relax by calm water, and stop for Bahian food. Hotel pickup and a Spanish, Portuguese, or English-speaking guide are included, while lunch and entry fees are extra.
Spend one lively hour learning basic samba steps with Yasmin or Yasmine at Associação de Capoeira Mestre Bimba, Brazil’s first capoeira school, founded in 1937. Your English-speaking instructor explains samba’s Afro-Brazilian roots, its ties to capoeira, and the history of this important Salvador cultural center. No partner or dance experience is needed.
“Had a wonderful time and had the opportunity to learn about the culture of those from Brazil”
Meet Adriano in Praça Castro Alves for a 90-minute English walking tour of Salvador’s historic center. You’ll see Rua Chile, the Lacerda Elevator, Praça da Sé, the first Faculty of Medicine in Brazil, Igreja de Ouro, Olodum’s house, and the famous Ladeira do Pelô. The group is limited to seven people.
“Our guide was fantastic you could immediately tell he was a local, and that made the experience even more authentic. Hearing the history through his lens brought everything to life in such a unique and personal way. He also went above and beyond by giving us plenty of great recommendations for things to do in the area. My friends and I were very satisfied with the tour and would definitely recommend it!”
Spend four hours exploring Salvador’s Afro-Brazilian heritage with a private guide and air-conditioned transport. Visit the Afro-Brazilian Museum, Pierre Verger Gallery, Dique do Tororó, a maroon-community neighborhood, a Candomblé terreiro, and Pelourinho. Guides may speak English, Spanish, French, Italian, or Portuguese. Sacred oracle consultation costs extra.
“This was terrible and not what was promised or what i paid for. in addition, someone ran into the back of the taxi. I want a full refund.”
Join Yasmin for a beginner-friendly capoeira class at Associação de Capoeira Mestre Bimba, founded in 1937. You’ll learn basic attacks, defenses, and flow movements while hearing about capoeira’s Afro-Brazilian roots. The one-hour session is taught in English or Portuguese, with bottled water included.
“I absolutely loved this Capoeira class. I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect, but it turned out to be such a rich and engaging experience. Learning about the history and cultural roots of Capoeira alongside the physical movements made it so much more meaningful than just a workout. The teacher was fantastic — warm, welcoming, and incredibly supportive throughout. I’d highly recommend this class to anyone looking to try something energising, cultural, and empowering.”
Spend four hours in Salvador with shared hotel transport, a live guide in English, Spanish, or Portuguese, a traditional Bahian dinner, and an energetic cultural show featuring capoeira, maculelê, sacred dances, and samba. Pickup is available from three hotels, with dinner drinks paid separately.
“El lugar del espectáculo incómodo sin respaldar muy junto la gente y mucho calor. El show bueno y la cena buena con buena atención.”
Spend eight hours on Bahia’s Coconut Road with hotel pickup, a guide, and a group capped at six. Visit Praia do Forte, its turtle sanctuary, fishing village, natural pools, and local crafts, then stop for beachside lunch at Guarajuba. Guides have included Joao Luis, Rodney, Sérgio, Wilson, Vagner, and Adriano.
“Wilson è stata una guida magnifica. Ci ha portato alla scoperta di luoghi meravigliosi. Parla un’inglese fluente e anche un buon italiano! Una giornata all’insegna del divertimento.”
Spend six hours exploring Salvador with a private-feeling group of up to four people. Visit Pelourinho, Dique do Tororó, São Joaquim Market, an old African arrival port, a historic Candomblé terreiro, and Yemanjá’s seaside house. Guides such as Mônia, D. Maria, and Fernando bring history, religion, food, and local life together.
“Mônia is the perfect guide for a day long adventure in Salvador. Her breadth and depth of knowledge as well as her friendly nature will have you asking where did the time go. I left with a better understanding of the city, its people and cultural expressions. The views, the tastes, a little shopping are a very good way to spend your day, whether short on time or on town for a while. Thanks to her driver as well, don’t remember her name.”
Travel from Salvador into Bahia’s Recôncavo with a private guide, visiting Santo Amaro, Cachoeira, São Félix, and the Dannemann Cigar Factory. You’ll see colonial churches, a local market, the Sisterhood of Our Lady of the Good Death, and enjoy a buffet lunch on a farm with valley views. Guides may speak English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, or Italian.
“If you ever have the chance to visit beautiful Salvador de Bahia and want to get a real insight on all levels try to get the one and only Wilson as your guide. Not only is he a professor of history, he is a "know-all-about-everything"!, speaks perfect English and most important he is such a wonderful human being full of laughter and humour. We thouroughly enjoyed our day tour to Cachoeira and the city tour of the upper city the next day. Thanks also to our wonderful driver Adriana, who drove us savely to all destinations on the long tour and through the dense traffic of Salvador. She is the…”
You’ll travel from centrally located hotels to Barra Lighthouse, the upper city, Municipal Square, Lacerda Elevator, Terreiro de Jesus, St. Francis Church, and Pelourinho. A Spanish or Portuguese guide leads the four-hour route, with guide Painho named in one booking. Expect major sights, hotel transfers, and limited time at some stops.
“He contratado esta excursión para mis padres y lo han pasado genial! Súper recomendable”
At Associação de Capoeira Mestre Bimba in Salvador, you’ll watch Capoeira rodas, Samba, Maculelê, live drumming, music, and acrobatics in the school founded by Mestre Bimba in 1937. The English or Portuguese guide helps frame the evening, but the action comes from the performers and students themselves.
“This Capoeira/Samba/Drum Show was a very lovely experience. The show started on time and was full of energy and excitement. You see so many styles of Capoeira, ranging from all ages and genders. The drums and singing was also very nice. And the Samba, the men and women did their thang. The room gets very hot, so be prepared. They also gave us a nice, refreshing treat afterwards. Nice show!”
Pick a summit, a stretch of coast or a dancefloor.
