Inside Bahia – Itinerary
Traveling as a small group with guides deeply knowledgeable about the area, we will explore diverse areas within Bahia, including an interior river town, a nature preserve within the Atlantic rainforest, a small fishing village, and Bahia’s capital city, Salvador da Bahia. You will have the opportunity to interact with people from different backgrounds as you learn about different facets of Brazilian and Bahian society.
All participants will arrive in Salvador during the day on Saturday, April 10. You will be met at the airport and transported to a hotel in Salvador, giving you one night to get oriented, rest, and prepare for the rest of the trip.
Cachoeira
The study trip begins by traveling through the area surrounding Salvador called the Recôncavo. This is a region with rich fertile agricultural land on which farmers grow sugar cane and tobacco, among other products. We will spend two nights in Cachoeira, a historic town full of lovely colorful Portuguese buildings from the 1800’s. This town was central to slavery and African-Brazilian history and was a home to some of Bahia’s most noted African-Brazilian intellectuals. Cachoeira sits along the Rio Paraguaçu and is a center for delicious local liquors made from area fruits. Many famous woodcarvers call Cachoeira home, and it remains a center for practitioners of the African-Brazilian religion of Candomblé. Candomblé is a remarkable and complex religion that is central to the spiritual life of most Bahia residents. We will explore the religion of Candomblé, its connections to Catholicism, its history and roots in Africa, and the politics of racial and religious oppression. Weather permitting, we will journey up the river by boat, learning about this important waterway from a local fisherman and visiting with a clay pot maker.
Ituberá
Ituberá is located south of Salvador in the Mata Atlântica, a tropical rainforest created by trade winds. The region around Ituberá is beautiful, with stunning forest and mangroves along the coast, and with agro-floral farms growing lilies and other tropical flowers for sale around the world. North of Ituberá within the Michelin Plantation is a beautiful waterfall, the Panacada Grande. Activities include taking local hikes, visiting the waterfall, and exploring the city of Ituberá. A beautiful beach is a short drive way, and the birding in this region is amazing, so bring your binoculars!
Salvador
The highlight in Salvador is a visit to the Bahia Street Center, home of the non-profit organization co-directed by Ms. Conceição (with Margaret Willson, author of Dance Lest We All Fall Down about Bahia Street’s founding). Bahia Street breaks cycles of poverty and violence through quality educational opportunities for young women and girls in Salvador. Sixty girls from the shantytowns learn all basic subjects, receive health and nutrition services, and develop as leaders through Bahia Street’s comprehensive program. You will witness the tremendous energy and excitement in which Bahia Street girls now learn and thrive.
While in Salvador, you will visit its historic city center, Pelhourinho, and explore on your own its excellent museums and craft shops. Rita will lead a tour of the shantytowns (both established and more recent ones considered “invasions”) surrounding Salvador’s downtown and learn about their history and social impact. You will also have the opportunity to experience capoeira, the African-Brazilian martial art and dance that integrates self defense, oral history, and traditional music into an art form.
Arembepe
As a day trip from Salvador, we will travel to Arembepe, a small fishing village just north of Salvador. Unlike most of the oceanside communities near Salvador, Arembepe does not attract tourists and has not been overwhelmed by large hotels. Because the town was invaded by ‘hippies’ in the 1960s, middle class Brazilians shunned it. The result has been a small town that is still largely a fishing community on the edge of an estuary preserve. Residents of Arembepe are working hard to save their town and way of life against industrialization and “development.” Arembepe is also host to a turtle preserve. You will have time to walk the stunning beaches, eat at superb local restaurants that feature locally caught seafood, and take in the culture of this lovely little town.
Free Time
There is a lot to do in Salvador! You won’t want to miss seeing some of the excellent museums or 365 churches in Salvador, one for each day of the year. There are local shopping opportunities for people interested in exploring stores with local crafts. During the day, you might want time on the beach to relax in the sun and swim in the warm Atlantic water. The food of Bahia is some of the best in the world, combining rich African traditions with European influences. For the evenings, why not check out some local music or cultural programs—we’ll provide information on activities and events during your stay.
(Please note that the exact itinerary is subject to change based on local conditions.)
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