Salvador da Bahia Tourist Traps

As I walked into the tourist area I was met by a man with an official looking shirt and ID badge who said he was a guide and asked if I needed help. I said no, I was just on my way to the Post Office. He offered to show me the way which I declined as it was very easy to find, but he walked with me to the Post Office and waited outside while I bought stamps. When I came out he demanded money for his service, which I did not give him.

Unique Suggestions: If you are going to shell out some money at least give it to one of the street performers who give you entertainment. If you raise your camera, they will ask for a donation.

Fun Alternatives: Do not make eye contact, and do not engage these people. Just keep walking.

Most of Pelhourinho is one big tourist trap... Seems like people from all over the city flock to try and get a piece of the pie. It can be quite overwhelming... so make sure you don't spen your whole trip there or you will become jaded!

Unique Suggestions: People who come and beg for moeny generally are doing it every day... If you are going to give just give and keep it moving... like wise if you are not going to.... Hmmming and Haaaing just gets you deeper in and more people will want to come and see who the suckers is so they can try and get a piece of the pie!

Fun Alternatives: I suggest getting a map and just going to a new location every day.... tht is what I did and it was alot of fun!

You'll be pegged as a tourist from the word go. You'll also be desended upon almost immediately by big ladies dressed as Bahian's who will almost force you to take a picture with them. THEN, they will ask for money for the privilage. They will ask for alot. In dollars. They only need a few reais...not a few dollars.

Unique Suggestions: Pay them. At least something small. Or they will continue to hassle you.

Solar Do Unhão is a cool place. There is jazz in the evenings out front, there's a modern art gallery and the dance presentation in the restaurant is highly recognized, but the food is overpriced and not that good. I'd recommend going there for all the things I mentioned above, but I wouldn't recommend sitting down for a meal, unless you want a good seat for the show. You can usually wander in the restaurant close enough to see it and they won't kick you out if you don't sit down for lunch or dinner. If you do go take a cab. Busing or walking is not a good idea for safety reasons.

Do not eat food that is sold on the street. It is not prepared in good (clean enough) conditions. I was trapped in the toilet for half a day after eating a tipical bahiense snack on the street!

Unique Suggestions: If you really want to try, take only a bite, and throw away the rest.

At the bottom of the hill that runs from Largo do Pelourinho, you'll find this place by hanging a left at Rua do Paco. It's one of the first doors on the right and you'll see the signs for "internet". Just don't get trapped on VT too long!

Not only girls will approach you, All kind of people will approach you offering local stuff or aking you for money or to buy them some food, from kids to adults men and women, all the people around Pelourinho are looking for walking dollars (tourists) to take their money out. It is a bit tiring and makes the visit a bit difficult to enjoy.

If you are travelling by your self and if you are specially a boy alone, girls will approach you offering themselves to accompany you.
When it happend to me it was quite annoying because she didnýt let me get throug and I was scared about others trying to take my pack or the things I Had on my pockets out, but hopfully she just wanted to offer me herself, Just say you donýt need anyone and they will go away.