The Heart of Afro-Brazilian Culture
Salvador, located in the state of Bahia, is one of the most culturally rich cities in the African diaspora. During this immersive boutique experience, we will explore the powerful Afro-Brazilian traditions that shape the heartbeat of this historic coastal city and much of Brazilian culture.
Why Salvador? As the first capital of Brazil and a cornerstone of the African diaspora, it’s a living archive of Afro-Brazilian culture. From Candomblé to capoeira, to the music and food, this city holds centuries of African influence.
One of the highlights of our journey will be experiencing the vibrant Festa da Boa Morte (Festival of Good Death, from Sisterhood of Our Lady Good Death) — a centuries-old Afro-Brazilian celebration honoring sisterhood, faith, and cultural continuity.
We begin our journey with a day in Pelourinho, the historic heart of Salvador and its most iconic cultural district. Our walking tour winds through some of the neighborhood's most significant sites, including the Afro Museum, the Black Church, and key centers of cultural resistance and community organizing. Led by local guides deeply rooted in the city's history, the tour brings to life the stories of Black leaders, artists, and activists, both historical figures and contemporary voices, who have shaped Salvador's identity.
Today we visit Salvador's most important houses of African religious heritage. As the Brazilian city with the largest Black population and the most significant Yoruba legacy outside of Africa, Salvador is home to sacred spaces of profound spiritual and historical importance. We will be welcomed into these religious houses, exploring their memorial spaces and open grounds — an opportunity to feel the depth of their power firsthand. The day closes with a traditional dinner featuring sacred dishes prepared for the orixás (gods and goddesses of the Candomblé tradition), along with an exploration of their ritual and cultural significance.
Acervo da Laje is a house, museum, and school spread across two buildings in Salvador's Railway Suburb neighborhood. Founded in 2010 and independently run by Vilma Santos and José Eduardo Ferreira Santos, without institutional or governmental support, Acervo da Laje is a labor of love and community dedication. Its mission is to preserve and spotlight the memory and artistry of peripheral artists from the region, actively pushing back against the stigma of violence historically attached to the area and the ongoing erasure of its people's stories. The space sustains itself through personal investment, voluntary contributions, and a small shop selling books and catalogs. After our visit, we'll sit down for lunch at a beloved local restaurant.
We take to the water with a boat trip through the Bay of All Saints, visiting two of the 56 islands that make up this stunning waterway. Our first stop is Ilha dos Frades (Friars' Island), where we'll spend time at Praia de Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe (Our Lady of Guadalupe Beach) — the island's most celebrated beach, known for its warm, crystal-clear waters that are simply too inviting to resist. We then continue on to our second destination: the beautiful Ilha de Itaparica (Itaparica Island).
Roll up your sleeves for a hands-on cooking class celebrating the bold, soulful flavors of Afro-Brazilian cuisine. We'll work with classic Bahian dishes, including moqueca, a rich, fragrant seafood stew slow-cooked in coconut milk, dendê (palm oil), tomatoes, and fresh herbs, and its traditional accompaniments such as caruru, a thick, savory okra dish cooked with dried shrimp, toasted nuts, and dendê oil, and vatapá, a creamy, golden paste made from bread, coconut milk, ground peanuts, and spices. Along the way, we'll dig into the origins of the ingredients, the histories behind the dishes, and their deep cultural significance in Bahian life — from family kitchens to sacred religious ceremonies.
We travel to Cachoeira, one of the most important centers of Black culture and resistance in Brazil, to take part in a day of the Festa da Boa Morte (Festival of the Good Death). This extraordinary tradition has been kept alive for over two centuries by the Irmandade da Boa Morte (Sisterhood of the Good Death), an organization of Black women whose strength and devotion have carried this celebration across generations.
Born during the era of slavery, the festival stands as a powerful symbol of the struggle for freedom and the preservation of ancestral faith. During the festival days, the city of Cachoeira is completely transformed. The rituals weave together elements of popular Catholicism with the spiritual foundations of Candomblé, creating a rich fusion of symbols and meaning that speaks directly to the long history of Black resistance in Bahia.
1. Visa Requirements All U.S. citizens must obtain a visa before traveling to Brazil. Apply online well in advance at brazil.vfsevisa.com. You'll need a valid passport with at least two blank pages, a passport-style photo, and a fee of USD $80.90. Once approved, your e-visa is valid for 10 years with multiple entries.
2. Health & Vaccinations No vaccinations are required for entry, but a few are strongly recommended. Make sure you're up to date on yellow fever, hepatitis A, measles, and tetanus before departure — especially since Bahia State is in a recommended zone for yellow fever. If you plan to visit other countries after Brazil, some may require proof of yellow fever vaccination, so keep that certificate handy.
3. Travel Insurance Travel insurance is mandatory for this trip. At minimum, your plan should cover medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and lost baggage.
4. Weather in August August is actually Salvador's coolest month — think warm and breezy rather than scorching. Expect temperatures between 72–82°F with plenty of humidity, so breathable cottons and linens are your best friends. Pack a light layer for air-conditioned spaces and a compact umbrella or rain jacket for the occasional passing shower.
5. Language Portuguese is the language of the land, and outside of major hotels, English isn't widely spoken. A few key phrases go a long way: olá (hello), obrigado/obrigada (thank you), por favor (please), and onde fica...? (where is...?).
6. Currency & Payments Brazil's currency is the Real (BRL). Cards are accepted at most restaurants and shops, but carrying some cash is helpful for markets, street food vendors, and smaller cultural sites. Give your bank a heads-up before you travel to avoid any surprise holds on your account.
Hello: Olá (oh-LAH) — General greeting, used anytime Casual hello: Oi (oy) — The most common, everyday greeting you'll hear everywhere
Good morning / afternoon / evening: Bom dia (bom JEE-ah)/ Boa tarde (BOH-ah TAR-jee)/ Boa noite (BOH-ah NOY-chee)
Thank you: Obrigado (oh-bree-GAH-doo) (if you're a man) / Obrigada (oh-bree-GAH-dah) (if you're a woman)
Please: Por favor (por fah-VOR) — Used when asking for something politely
You're welcome: De nada (jee NAH-dah) — Literally "it's nothing"
Yes / No: Sim (seen) / Não (now)
Excuse me / Sorry: Com licença (kom lee-SEN-sah) — Used to get someone's attention or pass through a crowd Sorry / My bad: Desculpa (jess-COOL-pah) — Used when apologizing
How much does it cost?: Quanto custa? (KWAN-too COOS-tah)
Where is...?: Onde fica...? (ON-jee FEE-kah) Example: Onde fica o Pelourinho? — "Where is Pelourinho?"
Do you speak English?: Você fala inglês? (voh-SAY FAH-lah een-GLESH)
Axé! (ah-SHEH) — Perhaps the most important word you'll encounter in Salvador. Rooted in Yoruba and central to Candomblé spirituality, axé means positive energy, power, and blessings. You'll hear it as a greeting, a toast, a farewell, and an expression of joy!
Learning these basic phrases can make your interactions with locals much smoother and more enjoyable.
PAYMENT POLICY
Single occupancy $4390.26
1st payment due April 8, 2026 - $1404.88
2nd payment due May 8, 2026 - $746.35
3rd payment due June 8, 2026 - $746.35
4th payment due July 8, 2026 - $746.34
5th payment due August 1, 2026 - $746.34
Double occupancy $3990.26 per person
1st payment due April 8, 2026 - $1276.88 person
2nd payment due May 8, 2026 - $678.35 per person
3rd payment due June 8, 2026 - $678.35 per person
4th payment due July 8, 2026 - $678.34 per person
5th payment due August 1, 2026 - $678.34 per person
*The rates are calculated considering the exchange of ÙS$ 1 = BRL R$ 5,15. The final amount can change due exchange alterations
CANCELLATION POLICY
In case of any withdrawal or cancellation, the USER must contact DIASPORA.BLACK or through the platform itself in the case of reservations, and formalize their cancellation. The conditions are:
Cancellation can be made up to 30 (thirty) days before the itinerary reservation may be reimbursed up to 30%.
ATTENTION: The first payment is non-refundable.
Payment Methods:
We Travel - Payments can be made via the We Travel site. Please note that We Travel charges a fee of $35 per payment/transaction.
Check - Cashier's Check, Money Order or Personal Check made out to Travels with Kim Haas LLC. If you choose to send a check, please send an email to hola@travelswithkimhaas.com and write "Trip Address for Mailing Checks" in the Subject Line and the mailing address will be forwarded. For checks returned for insufficient funds, Travels with Kim Haas LLC reserves the right
Zelle - Payments can also be made via Zelle to kim@haas-media.com. If you choose to pay via Zelle, please send a $5.00 test payment first and wait for a confirmation of payment from Kim Haas. Once you receive confirmation of the $5.00 payment, please send the balance.
We're here to help you plan the perfect adventure! For any inquiries or assistance, feel free to reach out:
Phone or WhatsApp: +1 (862) 368-8462
Email: kim@haas-media.com
Kim Haas
Kim Haas is Executive Producer, Creator and Host of the groundbreaking public television series, “Afro-Latino Travels with Kim Haas.” The series celebrates the 500 years of history and culture of Latin America’s African descendants. With the popularity of the show, she has since expanded to create tours to bring audiences to experience Afro-Latino culture themselves!
Antonio Pita
Born and raised in Salvador, Antonio is a journalist, curator, and Founder and COO of Diaspora Black, leading Latam travel company focused on African heritage tourism.
