Salvador da Bahia City Highlights
The city tour combines driving and walking through some of the most interesting facets of Salvador da Bahia. Your coach tour takes you by the Yacht Club, the exclusive Barra district, and past the Fortress of San Antonion, which was built where Americo Vespuccio landed in 1501. You'' then see the Praca Municipal, and some of Brazil's best kept Colonial architecture. Your walking tour commences in the Upper City, where you'll see the Cathedral, the Church of Sao Francisco (boasting gold leaf 28 years in the making), and then down hill to one of Salvador's oldest squares. You'll see the Pelourinho, where slaves were punished. A drive then takes you through the Victoria district to the Mercado Modelo, which is housed in their old Customs Building and is the largest Handicraft market in the city).
Price: Adults expect to pay around $35 for this 3 hour tour.
Booking Advice: Due to the walking portion of this tour, it's rated as moderately taxing. Cruise line pricing appears to be competitive. However, if you feel comfortable taking a bus, these are quite reasonable and do routinely go to the city's old town.
Praia do Forte and the Tamar Project
Your tour begins with a drive on the first of Brazil's eco-highways, Coconut Road. Once in the fishing village of Praia do Forte, you'll have time to stroll about and shop for crafts. Then, you drive to the Tamar Project, and learn about their effort to study and protect 5 species of sea turtles. Cap the day off at Guarajuba Beach, and have lunch.
Price: Adults expect to pay around $110 for this 8 hour tour that typically includes lunch.
Booking Advice: This tour is considered to be physically arduous. Cruise line prices do appear to be quite competitive.
Best of Salvador Full Day Tour
On this tour, you'll see the Igreja dos Mares church, the Ribiera district, and visit the 18th century Bonfirm church. Your drive then continues past the Mont Serrat Fort and the Igreja Boa Viagem church. You'll visit the Gemology Center, where you'll see beautiful work with semi-precious and precious stones. Following lunch, you'll visit the Sacred Arts Museum, and you'll experience a walking tour of the Pelourinho UNESCO approved historical center. You'll visit the Portuguese Baroque styled Terreiro de Jesus, and see the old main square where slaves were punished. Your last stop is a visit for strolling and shopping for crafts at the Mercado Modelo.
Price: Adults expect to pat around $100 for this 8 hour tour that typically includes lunch.
Booking Advice: These tours are rated as moderate in terms of physical exercise. Cruise line prices appear to be competitive.
Candomble
This tour begins with a rather thorough introduction about Candomble, a West Africa based animist religion that worships ancient deities. You'll see vestments worn for ceremonies, and orixas scuptures by Carybi. You'll then visit one of the thousands of Candomble terreiros, where you'll get an understanding of daily communal life. Candomble is a very prevalent religion among the people of Salvador!
Price: Adults expect to pay around $50 for this 3.5 hour cultural tour.
Booking Advice: This tour is rated as easy in terms of physical exercise. Cruise line prices appear to be competitive.
Heart of the Bay Cruise
This tour by boat combines swimming and sight-seeing, allowing you that chance to experience deserted beaches and view some of the areas old ruins along te way. You first go to Ilha dos Frados with time enough for a swim, then go to the mouth of the Paraguacu River, where you'll see Salamina Fort, the Engenho ruins, and the remnants of the Convento dos Franciscana do Paraguacu. You'll also see deserted beaches, and swim at one of these, before visiting Ponta da Areija beach on Itaparica.
Price: Adults expect to pay around $100 for this 8 hour tour that typically includes lunch.
Booking Advice: These tours are considered to be easy with regard to physical exercise. Cruise line prices appear to be competitive.