1. What is the local currency?
The local currency is the Brazilian Real. Most businesses take international credit cards and US dollars.
2. What is the official language?
The official language is Portuguese. Big hotels, tourist information desks, travel agencies, airline companies have multi-language employees in their staff. Not very many understands english.
3. What is the weather like?
Bahia is a typical tropical state - located between the tropic of Capricorn and the equator, with an average temperature of 25º C (76º F) and a warm and humid climate.
4. Where can I get further tourist information?
EMTURSA and BAHIATURSA tourist information desks are located at the City's main tourist points and attractions, such as the Airport, Bus Terminal, Elevador Lacerda, Mercado Modelo, Pelourinho, Mauá Institute, Convention Center and Farol da Barra (Barra Lighthouse).
5. What is the electric current?
The most frequent electric current in Bahia is 110volts, however some places may use 220volts.
6. What is the time zone?
Bahia official time is the same as Brasília - the Country's Capital - and it is 3 hours earlier than Greenwich Meridian Time (GMT). From October through February, Salvador changes to daylight saving time.
7. Where can we stay while in Bahia?
The hotel infrastructure in the state is considered one of the most complete and modern in Brazil. Having a great amount of vacancies available, Bahia has accommodations for all tastes and standards, from the Youth Hostel to the most sophisticated five-star hotels of international standards. Consult the accomodation section for guidance to the hotels of the state.
8. What are the banking hours?
Banks are open from Monday to Friday, from 10:00AM till 4:00PM.
9. How should I dress while in Bahia?
The City's warm climate and casualness call for light clothes and comfortable shoes to walk in cities and along the beaches. Besides, do not forget your sunglasses, hats and sun block.
10. When is Carnival 2006?
Carnival will be from February 23 to February 28.
11. What does "Bahiana" and "Bahiano" mean?
The terms refers to females and males from Bahia.
12. What is the typical food?
Bahia's cooking is very creative. Attractive due to its various colors, scents and tastes, due to its various spices, it is a mixture of Portuguese, Native Brazilian and African Cooking, among which the latter predominates. Using Dendê Oil, people from Bahia season their fish stews, clams and crustaceous, which have farofas, vatapás and carurus as side dishes. The most popular appetizers are crab au gratin, shrimp with garlic and oil, fish dumplings and codfish, typical desserts are black and white coconut sweet, quindins de Iaiá, mousses and pies.
13. What are the shop hours?
Shops are usually open from Monday from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. On Saturdays shops are open from 8:00h to 12:00 noon. Some handcraft shops in Pelourinho and most Shopping Malls are open from Monday to Saturday from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM. On Sundays, the main Shopping Malls are open from 12:00 noon to 9:00 PM. The Mercado Modelo opens from Monday to Friday from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM, on Saturdays from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM and on Sundays they open from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
14. How much is transportation?
Local bus fares are pretty cheap. So are the taxies. Air fares are relatively expensive in comparison to travelling by land or sea.
15. What is the typical local handcraft?
The great variety of typical handcraft catches everyone's attention. Besides traditional handcraft, which can be found throughout northeastern Brazil, we can get those that are exclusive of the state, and Salvador, like berimbau and conga drums, colorful patterned fabric, ornaments, measurement tapes (blessed Bonfim ribbons) and religious items, among others. Main shopping places are Mercado Modelo, Mauá Institute, handcraft stores of Pelourinho and in a few Shopping Malls.
16. How long is the Coast of Bahia?
1.100 kilometer
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