Expert: Sandra - 1/6/2011

Question
Oi, I am trying to plan a trip with 2 friends to Brazil this summer.  I really want to go to Salvador.  I went to Rio and Recife last year. But I think they'd like to at least see Rio. About how much more might someone spend if they did both Salvador & Rio versus just Salvador-I guess primarily w/airfare?  We were thinking of going for 1.5 wks sometime in June, July, or early August so we'd either split time between the 2 cities or just stay in Salvador.

I've been trying to do research, but I'm considering using a travel agent for the 1st time because flights are so expensive from the U.S. to Brasil.  Do you have any tips for identifying reputable and helpful travel agents for Brazil?  I am especially interested in Afrobrazilan culture & sites as well as Brazilian music & dance.

Obrigada!

Answer
Hi Nicole.
I’d suggest going in June or mid-August. June is the season of Festas Juninhas (kind of like the Saint Anthony type saints days Italian-American communities in NYC and Boston celebrate) in the northeast of Brazil, with traditional costumed, lively quadrilha dancing. There are presentations/celebrations in Salvador, but it is best to try to get out into the countryside or over to Itaparica island. At the end of June, there is a wonderful Sao Joao forro festival in Cachoeira (about 2 hours by bus into the interior from Salvador—search YouTube for many videos) that brings major bands to play all night in a small, charming, usually sleepy old Colonial river port that gets packed to the brim with visitors, and includes a great feira of artisanal pottery. You can also go across the river to Sao Felix to tour the old Danneman cigar factory.And on the way, or on the way back, stop in the small traditional interior town of Santo Amaro, where Caetano Veloso grew up (and which has a great outdoor food market on Saturday).

In mid-August, Cachoeira is home ot the festival of the Irmandade de Boa Morte, which attracts many foreign tourists interested in Afro-Brazilian culture.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_Our_Lady_of_the_Good_Death
In July, it can rain a lot in Salvador, but it’s good for sightseeing (a little cool for the beach) in Rio.

At that time of year, airfares to/from Rio should be running around R$140 or so. Check Gol (www.voegol.com.br) and Webjet (which you might have to buy on arrival, but is often the cheapest).

For lots of good info about Salvador, read thoroughly the site www.bahia-online.net by a foreign resident who knows the music scene and the city very well.
Also, a good site for Rio is www.ipanema.com

For international flights, I think you may be as well of just going directly through the American airlines site, as far as fares are concerned. They have a direct flight to Salvador from Miami (with connections to other US cities).