Beautiful white-sand beaches backed by luxurious condominiums, swathes of protected Atlantic forest that have somehow been left untouched amidst a fast-growing urban sprawl, and all the vibrant samba bars and kerbside boteco bars:

Everyone knows and loves Rio de Janeiro, and there’s definitely a reason why it’s been recently crowned the best beach city in South America.

Gorgeous as Rio may be, you’d be surprised to learn it’s not where Brazilians themselves flock to for vacations.

In fact, the Brazilian Northeast is the absolute leader in domestic reservations, with one city in particular, underrated Salvador de Bahia, being a major highlight:

The City Brazilians Themselves Love More Than Rio

According to a new survey by Decolar, a leading travel technology company in Latin America, Salvador de Bahia is one of the most rapidly growing destinations in Brazil, already ranking 13th and rising fast.

A bigger emphasis is placed on Bahia, the state, with 4 cities featuring in the top 20 most sought-after, but Salvador is the obvious gemstone here. As the local Secretary of Tourism pointed out, it is ‘one of Brazil’s most iconic destinations’, and we’re inclined to agree.

One of the first cities settled by the Portuguese upon making landfall in Brazil, Salvador (as it is commonly called in the short form) has a rich history spanning over five centuries, and both the cultural heritage and architectural charm to back it up.

A Picture-Perfect Colonial Center

Its main attraction, Pelourinho, is a typical Portuguese-style colonial townscape, with cobbled streets, Baroque churches, and colorful house facades dating as far back as the 17th century. Straddling a hill overlooking the harbor, it is also one of Brazil’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

There is a plethora of churches here, but the most visually striking is, without question, the Church & Convent of Saint Francis, covered in azulejos (the unmistakable blue-and-white Portuguese tiles) and lavishly decorated with gold leaf and wood carvings.

Other must-see sites include Salvador Cathedral, built in 1652 as part of a Jesuit complex, the historic Elevador Lacerda, an elevator in operation since 1906, connecting the hilltop Pelourinho to the Bay of All Saints, and the quaint Church of Our Lady of the Conception by the sea.

Beaches Galore

Rio’s greatest appeal is its mix of busy city life and laid-back coastal atmosphere, and that’s probably why millions of people fly there from all over the world. In Salvador, it’s no different, with plenty of gorgeous swimming spots within easy reach of the Old Town.

The most iconic, or the local ‘Copacabana’, if you will, is Farol da Barra, a peaceful stretch of golden sand in the vicinity of a 19th-century lighthouse, though Flamengo Beach is equally popular, with its surfing scene, beach bars, and youthful atmosphere.

A sandy strip shaded by tall coconut trees, Itapuã Beach is the classic Salvador postcard, whereas Stella Maris is more family-friendly—if we may add, the latter is the home to the Gran Hotel Stella Maris, boasting oceanfront pools and a lavish breakfast spread ($151-a-night).

Where To Stay In Salvador

Speaking of hotels, you’d be amazed at how far your hard-earned tourist dollars will stretch in Salvador de Bahia compared to an increasingly-expensive Rio.

Rio has developed a reputation for being a mid-range to luxury destination in recent years, but up in the Northeast, it’s all local Brazilian prices, and if you’re paying upwards of $150 per night in accommodation, you can expect in the very least a glitzy 4-star resort with ocean views.

Right on Itapua Beach, the rustic, boutique-style Iara Beach Hotel will set you back by a mere $85-a-night, and closer to town, in the well-frequented Santo Antonio district, Pousada Beija Flor is only a few blocks away from Pelourinho, and prices start from $62.

Delicious Baiana Food

From the cosmopolitan, beachfront Rio de Janeiro, to the mountain-traversed Minas Gerais, to the German-influenced south, Brazil is an incredibly diverse country playing host to a wide range of cultures.

In Salvador, it’s all about African-Brazilian culture and cuisine:

All around Pelourinho, you’ll find baianas (Afro-Brazilian women dressed in flowy white dresses) selling homemade acarajé, a black-eyed pea fritter deep fried in palm oil, filled with shrimp, hot pepper, and local spices ($1.10–⁠1.80).

Brazil as a whole is famous for its churrasco (slow-cooked meat on a rotisserie), and while you can definitely find great barbecue spots in downtown Salvador, if you’re here to sample traditional food, you should head to Restaurante Yemanjá and order their signature moqueca baiana.

It’s a seafood stew cooked in coconut milk, dendê (the local palm oil), onions and peppers, served with a side of white rice. It’s rich, fragrant, and probably the best thing you’ll try on your entire trip.

Staying Safe In Salvador

Similar to Rio, Sao Paulo, and other Brazilian urban centers, you must take certain precautions while visiting Salvador de Bahia.

Although undoubtedly beautiful, pickpocketing, petty crime, and scamming are rampant in the Pelourinho district, Farol da Barra, and other downtown districts. Violent crime is also an issue, but it generally affects a smaller percentage of (usually clueless) visitors veering off the main tourist path.

Remember, this is South America, and the less you look like a naive gringo, the better:

• Do not display signs of wealth while in public—these include wearing expensive watches, jewelry, and even getting your flashy new iPhone out
• Beware of your surroundings, particularly in Pelourinho, public markets, and beach areas, as pickpockets are known to operate in these areas
• If withdrawing cash from an ATM, make sure you do so in a discreet manner, and preferably inside an agency
• In the (unlikely) event of an armed robbery, never attempt to resist it or fight back: hand over your items slowly and calmly, and walk away as instructed

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Travelers rightfully question if the long-haul flight to Brazil is worth it, especially with the country’s new invasive entry requirements for U.S. passport holders.

In other words, save your paycheck!

As Rio has held a sketchy reputation in recent years with notable upticks in crime, it’s become clear the iconic beach destination is no longer the same must-visit getaway one might expect.

As gargantuan as Brazil is, there’s gotta be some overlooked gems, right? Airbnb just revealed where travelers are making plans this summer, and it’s not Rio or even Sao Paulo highlighting itineraries this summer.

Nope — it’s the lesser-known urban sprawl of Belo Horizonte; a safe, welcoming, foodie lover’s dream that was coincidentally one of my favorite trips the past few years, if not solely because of my new weekend vice, the puckery-mouthed sweetness of caipirinhas.

But, Belo Horizonte isn’t just a haven for cheap eats and cocktails too good to be true; it’s a vibrant urban playground with a buzzing maze of markets, affordable luxury, world-class nightlife, and a gateway to a timeless UNESCO-protected town worthy of a day trip at the very least.

Fly Direct To Belo Horizonte

Every traveler has to ask themselves if a trip is worth taking, whether it be due to costs or the amount of hours sitting idle in one space with the risk of crying children, bad movie selections, and the off-chance you get the middle seat.

I can attest that Belo Horizonte is very well worth the long journey, and I didn’t even take one of the pair of nonstop flights from U.S. soil.

As you might imagine, there are numerous nonstop flights to Rio and Sao Paulo, but Belo Horizonte doesn’t hold the same household recognition.

There are 2 direct flights from Florida, one being from Orlando (MCO) and the other being Miami (MIA).

Americans can fly with Sao Paulo-based Azul Brazilian Airlines from MCO 5 days per week, and the same goes from MIA 3 days per week re-upping in July.

Beyond Acaí: Feast On The World’s Most Underrated Cuisine

Chances are you’ve had an acaí bowl by now. This Brazilian treat would be like comparing a ground beef taco with shredded cheese to Mexico’s best.

Brazilian cuisine is full of depth and flavor, often deriving from ingredients you’ve never heard of. This is likely because their food is too challenging to replicate in the U.S., as it would lose its freshness if imported.

In case you missed it years ago, famed chef and world explorer Anthony Bourdain traversed Minas Gerais on an episode of Parts Unknown, the state that holds Belo Horizonte, and is heralded as Brazil’s food capital — and not that my word should top Tony’s, but it definitely lived up to the hype.

Not one meal was disappointing, whether it was cheap skewers of mystery street meat, a few “splurges” on fine dining, or perhaps Brazil’s most notable sinfully delicious snack, Pan de Queijo.

Anthony Bourdain said, “Greens, chickens, pigs, fruit, everything is at hand — the food of the yard. And eventually, it all ends up here at the wood stove, the center of the Miniera kitchen.”

I’d say that about sums it up. People of Minas Gerais are masters of making use of every tidbit of edible morsel and this was no more evident than my visit (and Tony’s) to Nonô, one of the few establishments open all night, welcoming all walks of life and serving up “peasant food” consisting of cheap meat cuts and slow-cooked stews for dirt-cheap prices.

But my real love from my Belo Horizonte trip was my discovery of caipirinhas, a dangerously delicious cocktail made of Cachaça, lime, and sugar that will have you hitting up Fogo de Chão’s happy hour when you get back home.

Enjoy Modern City Luxury And A Timeless Town Nearby

The lookout from Parque de Serra do Curral seems like the vibrant cityscape never ends. All you see is a sea of towering high-rises, but this is to your benefit as many of what you are see are cheap Airbnbs and luxury hotels.

Take the 4-star Royal Center Hotel Lourdes, for example. It’s only $51 per night this summer.

While you might be thinking Brazil is super hot in summer, think again. Belo Horizonte feels like spring with consistent 70-degree days across the summer months, which is all the more reason to explore, even though I could personally spend hours wandering the indoor Mercado Central, one of the city’s most popular attractions.

The centuries-old former gold-mining town of Ouro Preto is the perfect excuse to enjoy the nice weather by grabbing a cup of coffee at a sidewalk cafe or simply enjoying a nice stroll through the cobbled streets lined with sightly baroque buildings.

Ouro Preto is an hour away by bus and arguably Minas Gerais’ most postcard-worthy destination, even as culturally rich as Belo Horizonte is.

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Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.