Note: All telephone numbers in Salvador now have 8 digits, but you will still find lots of pamphlets, flyers, and other printed materials showing numbers that have not been updated. To get the correct 8-digit number, just add a "3" to the beginning of the older 7-digit number.
Bahiatursa, the state's tourist information service, has booths and kiosks throughout the city. The staff is helpful, and the kiosks are stocked with a variety of useful brochures and pamphlets; best of all, they sell a helpful map of Salvador for only R$5 (US$2). There are Bahiatursa booths at the following locations: Salvador International Airport in the arrivals hall (tel. 071/3204-1244), open daily from 8:30am to 10:30pm; Rodoviaria (tel. 071/3450-3871), open daily from 8am to 9pm; Mercado Modelo, Praça Cayru 250, Cidade Baixa (tel. 071/3241-0242), open daily Monday through Saturday 9am to 6pm; and Pelourinho, Rua das Laranjeiras 12 (tel. 071/3321-2463 or 071/3321-2133), open daily from 8:30am to 10pm. The office at Pelourinho has the best stock of information and pamphlets. Websites: The city of Salvador site (www.emtursa.ba.gov.br) and the state of Bahia site (www.bahiatursa.ba.gov.br) are both quite informative.
Know the Hours for Exchanging Money--Please note that most banks will change money only during certain hours, often 11am to 2pm.
