Information confirmed to the best of my ability. You'll deserve the same verbal abuse if you decide to leave Salvador, Bahia off your travel itinerary. Rainy season April-July. Salvador lacks a dry season. Sadly, Salvador is unsafe for tourists. Having light skin immediately makes you a target. During the day in touristy areas with lots of police you will be fine, but when nightfalls nowhere is safe.
People-watch and take in the energy of the city. You're chances are OK, but like other Brazilian cities if you're a white male over 30, you're going to be fighting an uphill battle to prove you're not a sex tourist. The best defence is speaking Portuguese and claiming you are in Brazil for work.
Anyone who isn't black is not the norm, so you'll stand out. This is good news for getting women but bad news for getting robbed. There are many gorgeous black women here and most of them are very warm and open to meeting someone new, assuming you're able to communicate with them in their native tongue. However, beware of prostitutes masquerading as non-prostitutes. A lovely collection of girls here in Salvador, Bahia.
They are friendly, energetic and intoxicating. Their passion for life is inspiring. The typical girl here will be at least partially of African descent. Many beautiful faces and even more smoking hot bodies. A completely different kind of girl than you'd see in Florianopolis, but in the case of Salvador, don't assume this to be a bad thing. You'll be required to pay more money if you don't want to be in a slum.
Gated community or slum are basically your only two choices here. Try to stay in Rio Vermelho or Barra. Barra or Rio Vermelho. Make it easy on yourself and stick to these areas. There are enough bars here and it's pretty safe compared to the rest of the city. I'll recommend a spot in Rio Vermelho that'll make you happy. I recommend: Padaria Bar.
