SALVADOR da BAHIA
ADVICE and OBSERVATIONS

BRAZILIAN PORTUGESE LANGUAGE

Bring a Brazilian Portugese Phrasebook with you.
You will use the Brazilian Portugese equivalent for the following English words/phrases often so memorize their Portugese pronunciation before your trip: Sir, Madame, Hello, Please, Thank You, Excuse Me, Goodbye, I don't understand, Where is?, How much?, Do you speak English?, Which way to the ladies/mens room?
Charm, good manners and a thumbs up are appreciated by Brazilians. You are expected to greet small shop owners, elderly people, etc. The more you use (Sir, Madame, Hello, Please, Thank You, Excuse Me), the more help that you will receive.

SALVADOR DA BAHIA FLIGHT

Flights leave from Miami, New York (JFK), Los Angeles and Dallas to Sao Paulo or Rio de Janeiro, with a short hop over to Salvador. Allow plenty of time for your transfer, in case of delay.
From Sao Paulo or Rio, confirm your flight 24 hours in advance.
Check the luggage policy for your airline.
Make a copy of your passport/flight itinerary/hotel reservations and leave it with someone at home. Carry an extra copy with you.
Request an exit row seat for more legroom.
Pack headache, airborne and other medicines in your hand luggage.
If you have a cold or have problems with air pressure, purchase the special ear plugs for air pressure available at most airports or large pharmacies.
Bring an eye patch for sleeping.
Bring plenty of magazines, books, DVDs, CDs and extra player batteries for entertainment.

COMMUNICATION

More Internet cafes are popping up in Salvador, so use the Internet and phone cards for inexpensive communication with home. Be sure you have an e-mail account that you can use when away from home in case of an emergency.
Only call the U.S. using your hotel's phone service if it's an emergency or money is not an issue. An average call can cost $25 to $50.

RIO DE JANEIRO HOTEL ROOMS

Most hotel rooms are small compared to the U.S., so pack accordingly.
Air conditioning is not available in many older hotels away from the beaches.
English language television stations are limited (i.e., CNN, MTV).
Confirm that the breakfast buffet is included in your room price before going to the breakfast room.
If you need to cancel a hotel room, confirm the hotel's cancellation policy and get the cancellation in writing in order to avoid cancellation fees later.
By American standards, downgrade their listing of 5, 4, and 3 star hotels by one star.

MONEY and VALUABLES

Bring at least one ATM card and credit card from the U.S. Use the ATM card to get Reals, since they usually have a better rate than many currency exchange offices. Your ATM card should have a code of 4 digits.
Cash is more commonly accepted than credit cards at many business establishments.
Exchange dollars into small bills (5 Reals, 10 reals and coins), since you need small change when out and about.
Locals don't wear money belts. If you choose to wear a money belt, you stand out as a tourist.
If you don't use a money belt, place your money in hidden pockets or deep inside your bag, so that it's hard for pickpockets.
Put only things that you are willing to lose in your visible pockets.
When walking around Rio, carry little cash, a credit card, a driver's license and a copy of your passport with you for identification. It's easier to replace a stolen driver's license than a U.S. passport.
Store your passport, extra money, plane ticket, list of credit card/ATM card customer service phone numbers and other valuables in the locked hotel safe.

CLOTHES and PACKING

If you are not a frugal clothes packer, buy a packing book so you learn how to pack efficiently for international travel.
Pack a compact umbrella, magnifier or reading glasses for maps, and an expandable bag for souvenirs/gifts.

MEALS

Find the nearest grocery store and consider purchasing food for a picnic. Also, stock up on your favorite drinks, so that you don't need to buy the expensive drinks in your hotel's mini-bar.
When dining with a mixed party (men and women), the men are usually always addressed and served first.
Tipping in restaurants is typically 10-15%, but often the service is included. Ask your waiter beforehand if paying by credit card, because they have to add it on first.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

Everything at the International Airport is labeled in Portugese and sometimes co-labeled in English. With your handy phrasebook in tow, don't be afraid to ask for help while at the airport.
The taxi drivers are known to be very friendly.

MEN/SAFETY

Women should use common sense when walking around. Sisters traveling alone should assume they are traveling in a major U.S. city and take the necessary precautions.
Pickpockets are not as common as Rio, but use care when in Pelhouringho.
Seek help from official looking people only (tourist office, tour bus drivers, airport information desk, airline employees, hotel desk clerks, etc.).

MISCELLANEOUS TIPS

If it's raining, run into a cafe and relax. Don't get frustrated trying to read maps and street signs in the rain while dealing with an umbrella.
Before leaving your hotel, check the weather report. Salvador can have sunshine and rain on the same day.
Bring plenty of anti-bacterial wipes to help prevent illness.
Before leaving the U.S., find out if your health insurance covers an unexpected visit to the doctor in Brazil and the locations of the hospitals covered by your health insurance.
Have at least a general understanding of the metric system, as it is used for everything.
If you are a shopper, $600 is the per person limit before you have to pay a duty on your purchase.