Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Salvador, the capital of Bahia state, is known for its vibrant culture, historic architecture, and beautiful beaches. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 2.9 million |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average 25 Mbps, ranging up to 100 Mbps in some areas |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 BRL ≈ 0.20 USD |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Not drinkable; recommend bottled water |
| 🔌 Power | 127V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type N sockets |
| 📶 SIM Card | Providers like Vivo, Claro, and TIM offer good coverage. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Major cards like Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted; banking options include Banco do Brasil and Itaú. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include Airbnb, local rentals, and hostels in neighborhoods like Barra and Pelourinho. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, many shops and restaurants accept cards, but cash is also commonly used. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com offer short-term rentals across the city. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostels like Hostel Galeria 13 and Pousada da Luz offer affordable options. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | Pelourinho, known for its historical significance and lively atmosphere. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | Barra is recommended for its co-working spaces and amenities. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | COWORKING Salvador, offering high-speed internet and a collaborative environment. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Café Tannat, known for its great coffee and work-friendly atmosphere. |
| 💼 Networking Events | TechMeetups Bahia and various expat community groups on Facebook host regular events. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Expat groups on Facebook and frequent meet-ups in areas like Rio Vermelho. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber and 99 are popular and reliable ride-sharing apps. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Rent a bike through local services like Bike Salvador for exploring. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Praia do Porto da Barra, known for its calm waters and sunset views. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | LATAM Airlines offers regional flights around Brazil. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | American Airlines and United Airlines connect Salvador with major cities in the US. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | BR-324 connects Salvador with neighboring cities like Feira de Santana. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Salvador has a limited train system; buses are the main form of public transit. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Bus passes can be purchased for around 3 BRL per ride. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Bus services connect Salvador with nearby towns and cities, like Itaparica and Santo Amaro. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Hospital da Bahia, offers comprehensive medical services. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Espaço K Yoga and BioYoga provide good yoga classes. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Smart Fit and Bodytech have multiple locations around the city. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Lavanderia Facil offers affordable laundry services across Salvador. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | iFood is the most popular food delivery service in Salvador. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Moqueca, a traditional fish stew with coconut milk and dendê oil. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Restaurante Orgânico and Vegan Venturas serve excellent plant-based meals. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Gelateria Bacio serves delicious gelato. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Mercado Modelo offers local produce and souvenirs at reasonable prices. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Americanas and Mercado Livre are popular online shopping platforms. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Supermercado Bompreço offers delivery through their website. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Rio Vermelho is famous for its nightlife and bars. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Cervejaria da Cidade produces local craft beers. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Wine Bar da Mãe offers a curated selection of wines from Brazil. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Find acarajé stalls at various locations, especially in Pelourinho. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Restaurante Tavares serves a mix of Brazilian and international dishes. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Pelourinho, Elevador Lacerda, and Igreja de São Francisco. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Museu de Arte da Bahia is a highlight for art lovers. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | The Catedral Basílica offers stunning architecture and history. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Igreja de São Francisco, noted for its ornate decorations. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Carnaval is the biggest event, attracting thousands to the streets in February. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Pelourinho is the cultural heart, known for its Afro-Brazilian culture. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Teatro Castro Alves hosts concerts and performances. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Bahia's Mercado do Ouro features local crafts and food. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | O Barquinho is known for live music and a vibrant atmosphere. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Street art festivals displaying works around the city are common. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Take classes at Baian Cuisine to learn traditional cooking methods. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Museu de Arte da Bahia showcases local artists. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The fortifications of São Marcelo are a historical attraction. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Salvador's Afro-Brazilian heritage is prominent, influencing culture and festivals. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Chapada Diamantina National Park is ideal for hiking and nature. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Parque Metropolitano de Pituaçu offers green spaces and trails. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The waterfront promenade in Barra is popular for walking and cycling. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Farol da Barra provides stunning ocean views. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Lagoa do Abaeté is good for birdwatching and relaxing. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Praia do Flamengo has designated bonfire areas. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Correios offers reliable postal services. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Locally owned stores like Técnicos do Futuro provide computer repairs. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Find local table tennis clubs at Parque da Cidade. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Cultura Brasileira offers Portuguese language classes for foreigners. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | The Biblioteca Pública do Estado da Bahia is a good study venue. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | The Centro de Cultura Contemporânea is a vibrant community space. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Gamers can meet at places like Gamers Pub Salvador. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | No major casinos, but watch for gaming events in bars. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. R$6,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = R$260,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. R$4,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = R$180,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. R$7,200 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = R$432,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. R$5,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = R$300,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. R$6,600 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = R$528,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. R$4,200 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = R$336,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 15% on profits, with an additional surtax depending on income. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 15% on dividend distributions. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Residency taxes based on worldwide income. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 27.5% on income over R$55,976 annually. |
| 🧾 VAT | Standard rate is 17% in Bahia. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, Brazil enforces regulations on taxation of foreign subsidiaries. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Annual property tax rates vary, averaging around 1% of assessed value. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Approximately 2% on property transactions. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | Brazil has established the 'Digital Nomad Visa', offering some favorable tax rates for foreigners. |