Travel / Viagem
Flight
Booking Your Flight
First Step: Don’t accidentally book a ticket to El Salvador…the country…this is Salvador, Bahia, Brazil! (Tom almost did it on his first trip, so consider this your official warning.) Airport: Deputado Luís Eduardo Magalhães International Airport (SSA) Most international flights connect through Rio de Janeiro or São Paulo, which is honestly a great excuse to turn this into a little Brazilian adventure before landing in Bahia. A walk along Copacabana, views from The Sugarloaf, a visit to Christ the Redeemer, or a great meal and museum stop in São Paulo all make for perfect add-ons to the trip. Even if it’s a short layover, Tom and Liv have been known to leave the airport, sprint to a churrascaria, eat an alarming amount of picanha, and casually return to the gate like nothing happened. If you want help thinking through flights, connections, or timing, just reach out to Tom & Liv. Once you land in Salvador, the experience starts immediately. Just like in the famous song “São Salvador” by Gal Costa, the city makes a statement the moment you arrive. The drive from the airport takes you under long canopies of towering bamboo and lush greenery, easing you straight into the rhythm of Bahia. Calm, tropical, unmistakably different. You know instantly that you’ve arrived somewhere special.
Travel Note
Tourist Visa (American Travelers)
Good news! You can snag your Brazil tourist visa online now, no depressing consulate lines required. Just apply for an e-Visa here: brazil.vfsevisa.com (official portal for U.S. citizens and others). How to do it (aka The 5-Minute Vacation Admin Speedrun): Hit the Official Brazil e-Visa link above. Pick Visitor / Tourist Visa and fill out the form like a responsible adult. Upload your docs (passport, photo, travel details, etc.). Pay the fee. ($79 usd) Wait for approval and boom, your visa arrives electronically. No in-person visit, no paperwork avalanche. It’s honestly super easy, even Tom did it in under 5 minutes! Pro tip: Do it sooner rather than later so you’re not panicking the week of your flight.
House Or Rental
Salvador Hotels & Airbnbs
Salvador has incredible boutique hotels, restored colonial homes, and Airbnbs with ocean views and real character. Where you stay can completely shape your experience, whether you want to be near the beach, in the historic center, or surrounded by great food and nightlife. Great areas to stay include Rio Vermelho, Liv’s home neighborhood and one of the city’s most vibrant neighborhoods, known for its energy, bars, and music scene. Pelourinho offers color and history at every turn(more on that below!), Barra is perfect for beaches and sunsets, and Graça or Vitória are ideal if you want something more chill. If you need help choosing a neighborhood or narrowing options based on vibe or budget, just reach out to Tom & Liv. They got you!
Hotel
Hotel Fasano Salvador
Price: $$$$$
Hotel
Fera Palace Hotel
Hotel
Zank by Toque Hotel
Price: $$$$
Hotel
Aram Yamí Hotel
$$$$
Hotel
Monte Pascoal Praia Hotel Salvador
Price: $$$
Hotel
Mercure Salvador Rio Vermelho
Price: $$$
House Or Rental
AIRBNB 1
Price: $$
House Or Rental
AIRBNB 2
Price: $$
House Or Rental
AIRBNB 3
Price: $$
House Or Rental
AIRBNB 4
Price: $$
House Or Rental
AIRBNB 5
Price: $$$