People thinking of buying Brazilian real estate in Salvador will find a wealth of culture, culinary, musical, dance and martial arts traditions, according to a travel expert.

The Lonely Planet guide said that Salvador is the capital city of Bahia and is one of the brightest gems in Brazil's crown. The guide stated that Salvador is the nexus of an incredible arts movement. Wild festivals happen frequently, with drum corps pounding out powerful rhythms against the backdrop of colonial buildings almost daily.

Salvador has some stunning beaches with a fantastic year-round tropical climate and it is at the centre of Brazil's tourism push. Major real estate developers and hotel operators have been investing heavily in the region. For rental investors looking for a traditional holiday let investment, Salvador may be the best opportunity Brazil has to offer. Salvador offers the best carnival in Brazil, due to its combination of traditional dances, like samba and its vibrant music scene. Capoeira a martial art developed by the slaves of Bahia is also very popular and spectacular to watch.

With its colorful colonial architecture, unique blend of traditional styles and natural scenery, Salvador is set to continue being a major tourist hotspot and Visitor numbers are at an all time high. The region already has excellent infrastructure and cultural conditions for high levels of tourism. Many Spanish and Portuguese developers and major resort groups have now arrived and are investing millions in tourist developments aimed at the European market.

Salvador is probably the first region in the northeast of Brazil to attract international property investors. Industry experts have stated that areas such as Rio Vermelho, Vitória and Barra are delivering strong growth returns. Locations close by like Linha Verde (Coconut Coast) are also starting to attract investment.

Labels: Bahia, Holiday-rentals, Salvador

One of the greatest things about owning a vacation or retirement home on the beach is enjoying the wildlife that pass by and a retirement property in Bahia could allow people to see one of the most majestic animals on earth.

Humpback whales are marine mammals that do not have a nose. Their most distinctive feature of the humpback whale is their long pectoral fins, which can be as long as one third of the length of their bodies. The fins may be black on their dorsal part and completely white on their ventral part. Humpback whales use the waters off the coast of Santa Catarina and Bahia for their breeding rituals forming courtship groups, mating, giving birth to their offspring and nursing them. Recently an article from Realty Executives states that buying a property in Bahia could provide a peaceful location to watch them.

In the fall, humpback whales leave their feeding grounds in the Gulf of Alaska, the sea of Bering and the sea of Chuckchi and travel towards warmer waters off Bahia where they spend the winter and have their calves. Once the cold weather has passed, the whales leave Brazil again for cooler climes.

Ecotourism in Brazil is also getting "very popular" among holidaymakers, who are becoming a lot more environmentally conscious. It is not to wonder then that the Brazil's tourist board invests in ecotourism as part of a larger effort which attracted more than five million visitors in 2007, generating $4.95 billion (?3.5 billion) for the economy.

Ms Rendell-Dunn, marketing manager for Journey Latin America has stated that Brazil is the "perfect destination" for travelers looking for nature, adventure and culture, as "it offers something for everybody".

Labels: Bahia, Seaside

Salvador is the ideal place to purchase a holiday home in Brazil as it attracts millions of local holidaymakers and thousands of Brits, according to an expert.

Tom Wuckovich writing for the Toronto Star said that the city, which is in the north eastern state of Bahia, was the first major port and the capital of colonial Brazil for almost two centuries. The city lies between green tropical hills and broad beaches along the bay of Todos os Santos. In Salvador, the African influence in the makeup of Brazilian culture is readily visible more than anywhere else in the country, from the peppery dishes still called by their African names ( acaraji, caruru, vatapa), to the ceremonies of candombli which honor both African deities and Catholic holidays.

Many of the city's flamboyant churches, private homes, colorful colonial buildings, and cobblestoned streets have been preserved as part of Brazil's historic patrimony. For a cosmopolitan holiday, travelers may wish to head to the Pelourinho historical district, Mr. Wuckovich said.

"Pelourinho has a place on the national historic register and named a world cultural centery by UNESCO." he pointed out. This areas is Nicknamed as Pelo by residents which is in the older part of the upper city, or Cidade Alta, of Salvador. Pelo has something to see along every street, including churches, cafes, restaurants, shops and the pastel-hued buildings.

However, Locals and overseas tourists alike flock to Farol da Barra, a small island at the tip of Salvador to sit and watch the sun go down while drinking cocktails.

In related news, Will Hide, a Yorkshireman, now living in London, writes full time on many aspects of travel and food for numerous national UK papers recommended the Salvador de Bahia as being close to paradise for holidaymakers.

Labels: Bahia, Holiday-rentals, Salvador

Prospective investors looking for investing in Brazilian property could be interested to hear that Kuwait is seeking an investment opportunity in the country, it has been reported.

According to the Brazil Arab News Agency, Kuwait's ambassador Mr. Waleed Al-Kandari, wants closer ties between the countries to Brazil is currently in the state of Bahia to evaluate investment opportunities for his country. The ambassador believes that the tourism sector in some Brazilian states has potential to receive investment from the country. He said that the idea is to schedule meetings with governors and businessmen and further strengthen and develop relations between Brazil and Kuwait. The news agency added that Kuwait is looking for options in the tourism, petrochemical and agribusiness sectors.

Bahia is one of the largest States of Brazil; with a long coastal line, most of it in intertropical zones, Bahia has many beautiful beaches. The overwhelming beautiness of nature compensates for the shortage of a few facilities; and certain beaches still preserve much of the wild life. The news agency reported that the beautiful beaches,sun and heat almost all year round, natural beauties and historic sites has made Bahia as an important tourism hub.

Meanwhile, Adman Kassar, the CEO of one of Lebanon's largest banks, recently told Brazzil Magazine that Brazil is one of the best locations for investment.

Labels: Bahia, Investment-property, Overseas-property

Brazil's 'sultry north-east' has been emphasized as a lucrative destination for property investors, in a British National newspaper.

According to 'The Times' the attractions in the area are obvious, with long, sandy white beaches, high temperatures during January, and the prices of properties being atleast one-third cheaper than its counter-parts in Southern Spain.

The President of Association for Tourism Development and Real Estate in Brazil, Felipe Cavalcante de Melo Lima, has described the property prices in the region as 'stratospheric growth', during the recent past.

Speaking to the media, he said "A few locations have witnessed capital appreciation by more than 1000 percent during the past five years. Lima has also predicted a modest growth of 12 percent this year."

The newspaper focused on the old town of Bahia, located in north-east of Brazil, and it was pointed out as a profitable area, worth investing. The report says that just a couple of years ago, the investors could purchase a run-down property for less than £50,000, but now, even dilapidated town houses are sold at a price of more than £5,00,000.

During early part of this month, 'NuWireInvestor', an independent property website, quoted Brazil, as a top investment destination, with the Latin American county given a second place in its list of 'Top five Latin American real estate markets' released last November.

Labels: Bahia, Investment-property

Brazils Salvador de Bahia, is said to be a 'magnet for tourists'.

Labels: Bahia, Environment-friendly, Tourism