Mendonca says officials want to broaden the city's appeal, especially among Americans in an effort to increase tourism. African-Americans are a particular target because here they can find echoes of their home continent unseen at home, Mendonca says. Passports and visas are required for U.S. citizens to visit Brazil. No immunizations are required. Yellow fever vaccinations are recommended for some parts of Brazil, but not Salvador.
Taxis are relatively cheap in Salvador and are better than buses.
Crime isn't as bad as many tourist expect, but leave your valuables, including watches, in the hotel to avoid theft when going out. Stick to well-lit beaches at night. Since Salvador is in the Southern Hemisphere, the seasons are opposite from those in the United States. Temperatures average in the 70s and 80s year-round. Best time to go is between November and February.