Bahia

Brazil

Coastline: Falls and forests, beaches and big cities
Coast life: Out of Africa

A melting pot of African, European and Indian cultures, the state of Bahia, up in the north of Brazil, is as indefinable as its ethnic make-up.

Home to bustling cities – Salvador de Bahia, Ilhéus, Camacari – with a distinctly African vibe, stylish seaside resorts such as Trancoso and Arembepe, and a gorgeous forested interior, it offers everything a visitor to South America could possibly require. And more. If you want to party, the state is hedonism central. Home to capoeira, that leg-spinning, body-whirling dance-cum-martial art, Bahia sparks into life around Carnival time in February. Don’t miss it.

Pictured: Kiaroa Eco Luxury Resort

Boutique hotels in Bahia

Our round-up of the hippest hideaways and boutique hotels in Bahia

Getting there

Planes, trains, automobiles, or maybe even helicopter – we tell you the best way to go.

Worth getting out of bed for

Highlights the best Bahia has to offer, from art and culture to fun-packed activities; we've even found the most inspiring place to enjoy the views from.

Eating, drinking & dancing

We've tracked down the best cafés for people-watching, the bars with the coolest cocktails, the most accomplished restaurants and the liveliest local nightlife in Bahia.

Smith Maps

Here is the map of Bahia; each Mr & Mrs Smith hotel is marked by a flag; click it for more details.

Taxis: Cabs are abundant and cheap in the big cities and major resorts, but much harder to find in rural areas. Ask your hotel to book them for you.
Tipping culture: Add around 10 per cent to restaurant bills, but don’t worry about tipping the barmen who mix your Caipirinhas. Taxi drivers and hotel staff appreciate a gratuity.
Siesta and Fiesta: Most shops close around 7pm, and things can get pretty quiet in the countryside. In the cities and resorts, however, it’s a different matter. Steel yourself for some late-night revelry, especially around Carnival time.
Packing tips: Sarongs and snorkels for the beaches; dark glasses and dancing shoes for the cities.
Recommended reads: Almost all of the great Brazilian writer Jorge Amado’s novels are set in Bahia – we recommend Gabriela, Clove and Cinnamon.
Cuisine: Traditionally home to huge sugar plantations, Bahia formed the centre of Brazil’s slave trade. The food of the region reflects the African origins of much of its population, so expect to eat lots of chicken, mutton, goat and fish, cooked in coconut milk and palm oil.
Currency: The Brazilian real (plural: reais). At today's exchange rate, you get R$3.40 to £1 sterling.
Time zone: GMT -4 hours.
Dialing codes: Country code for Brazil: 55. Salvador: 71; other areas of Bahia: 73, 74, 75 and 77.
Do go/don't go: There’s never really a bad time to go to Bahia as temperatures are high all year round. The summer months of December to February are probably the most fun, as Bahians build up to the big Carnival celebrations; though winter is lovely and sedate, and you won’t have to jostle for space on the beaches.