With the Super Bowl behind us, we can once again realize that New Orleans is one of the best cities in the U.S. While it's one of the most visited cities in America, there is a beloved city even further South, that holds similar heritage to NOLA. Let me introduce you to Salvador, Brasil.
At first blush, you can easily compare Salvador's Carnaval to the Crescent City's Mardi Gras, both cities know how to throw a party. But, if you enjoy New Orleans, you'd absolutely fall in love with Salvador. Called by many, the Soul of Brasil, Salvador is not only a gastronomic and musical center, but there are activites abound by land and water for adventurists.
While these two cities seemingly share a heartbeat and could be seen by some as distant cousins. Both cities are spirited, yet there are notable differences that make Salvador a city that is solely unique to the South American continent and even the world.
Steeped in African heritage, many neighborhoods in Salvador embrace their Trans-Atlantic ancestry, and one of the most visited areas of Salvador is the city’s Pelourinho district.
With good reason, travelers flock to Pelourinho for its Instagrammable pastel architecture, history seekers learn of its colonial past, and music lovers gather for their love of Michael Jackson, decades after the superstar filmed a video in the streets of this central area.
This magical area, the city’s Historic Centre, is famously a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was also host to the 1st slave market of the New World. Restaurants here serve authentic Afro-Brazilian dishes while live music sounds through the air nightly. It was also host to the 1st slave market of the New World. Restaurants here serve authentic Afro-Brazilian dishes while live music blares in the air nightly.
But, there are overlooked gems scattered across its diverse neighborhoods that offer a more intentional and immersive experience of Salvador’s essence. The residential, but colorful Candeal neighborhood is considered a global music hub. Here, one of Brasil’s favorite sons, Carlinhos Brown, a Latin Grammy award winning and Academy Award nominated singer, musician, and social activist opened Pracatum Music School and is currently working on a 2025 Broadway musical, Black Orpheus. Also, the Curuzu neighborhood is considered one of the identity pearls of the people of Salvador. It’s more than just a neighborhood to the people of the city known as “Black Rome”, it’s a mecca of Black culture, style, and food, not only in the city, but across the state of Bahia.
When looking for a non-cookie cutter space to anchor your Salvador stay, one neighborhood has a special hotel that attracts art lovers from all over. Sitting in front of the Sea of Bahia in the former fishing village of Itapuã, Casa di Vini isn’t just any boutique hotel. Half museum and memorial, half lovingly curated hotel, this space once served as the home of legendary poet Vinicius de Moraes. It’s central yet serene location, gives easy access to Salvador’s historic landmarks, beaches, cultural events, and is only 15 minutes from the airport, while providing a still peaceful oasis for relaxation.
One of the most historically significant neighborhoods in Salvador, if not all of Brasil, is Liberdade. This area has the largest Afro-descendant population in Salvador. Curuzu, an enclave inside Liberdade is home to Ilê Aiyê, the first Afro-Bloco. As the premier African Carnavale group in the country, they are heralded for celebrating the area’s identity, heritage, and resistance.
Rio Vermelho, one of the more bohemian areas of the city is a great area to photograph street art, find galleries, and it's known for it's nightlife. Locals flock in the evenings to this area for bars and unassuming food, here is where you'll find your creatives.
While February and March are the sweetest times for visiting Brasil as a whole because of the festive culture, natural beauty, and summer vibes, Salvador has incredible events all year round. This city allows you the opportunity to experience African flavors, sounds, and dance in a coastal setting in Brasil and Salvador is teaming with stories ready to be told. Exploring markets for hand made crafts to churches that have stood the test of time, or basking at beaches like Praia do Porto da Barra or to experience a roda de capoeira, there is a new adventure for every day.
When I think of Salvador, it is familiar, welcoming, and mystical like New Orleans, but flavored with silky coconut and seafood of moqueca rather than the hearty tomato and rice of gumbo. They have a similar foundation, both are beautiful, and uniquely appreciated.
The Bahian capital should be on the list of travelers that are ready to enjoy a well-seasoned city through the new lens of a new generation that continues to move forward, while still honoring its past.
Casa di Vini in Salvador is an artsy, well curated boutique hotel that would be a great respite from cookie-cutter larger hotels.
Beautiful murals celebrating the culture of Salvador can be found throughout the city.
Salvador is also a coastal city, so outdoor and water activities, including boating are prime.
Moqueca is one of Salvador's signature dishes. Made of local seafood, fish, red palm oil, veggies, and coconut milk and served with rice, you can find this dish at many restaurants, each serving up the dish with it's own flair.
Street art is abound in Salvador. This mural across from Wish Hotel is a gorgeous meeting spot for locals to meet up with friends for Carnaval festivities.
Located in the larger neighborhood of Libertade, the Curuzu neighborhood is one of the pearls of identity of the people of Salvador. Here, during Carnaval, the community gathers to choose the Deusa do Ébano (Goddess of Ebony). This woman will represent the group in the parades and throughout the year.
Across from his Pracatum Music School, one of Brasil’s favorite sons, Carlinhos Brown films a commercial with Disney's Donald Duck.
This mural located outside the Pracatum Music School in the Candeal neighborhood is a beautiful reminder that art and music are an integral part of the culture in Salvador.
