Study in Salvador, Brazil

About Salvador

Salvador, the capital of the state of Bahia on Brazil's north-eastern coast, had 2,417,678 inhabitants in the municipality at the 2022 census, according to Brazil's statistics office (IBGE). It is a hot and humid tropical city.

For international students, Salvador is mainly a place to learn Brazilian Portuguese while living close to the beach. The language schools in our directory are in Barra, a traditional seaside district near the Porto da Barra and Farol da Barra beaches, and combine lessons with cultural activities.

Studying in Salvador

Our directory lists two Portuguese language schools in Salvador:

• Instituto Cultural Idioma (ICI) is in a two-storey colonial-style house with a patio and garden in Barra. It is open all year except on national and regional holidays, and new groups start every Monday. Group courses have three to eight students and 20 sessions of 50 minutes a week, in the morning; individual courses have two, four or six sessions a day, and combined courses mix both. ICI also prepares students for the Celpe-Bras exam and offers pronunciation workshops and classes in capoeira, dance, cooking and surfing. All teachers are native speakers of Portuguese.
• Diálogo Brazil (Dialogo Portuguese Language School) teaches Brazilian Portuguese to foreigners in Barra, near Porto da Barra beach, with group and individual classes combined with cultural activities.

The Celpe-Bras is Brazil's official certificate of proficiency in Portuguese for foreigners, run by the education ministry's research institute (Inep). It can be useful for students who plan to go on to a degree at a Brazilian university.

Accommodation and costs

ICI places students in host families (private room, continental breakfast included) or in shared apartments with Brazilians or other students, all in Barra and Graça, no more than 25 minutes' walk from the school; a partner can also pick students up at the airport. The schools did not publish current course prices on their websites, so ask them for a quote.

A single metro fare costs R$4.10, and a fare that combines the metro with city buses or BRT costs R$5.90, according to the metro operator CCR Metrô Bahia.

Student visa

Foreigners who come to Brazil for a regular course, an internship, a study exchange or research must, as a general rule, apply for the temporary visa IV (VITEM IV) at a Brazilian consulate. A visit visa covers stays of up to 90 days and can be used for study, as long as the student is not paid in Brazil. Brazil has visa-waiver agreements with about 90 countries, based on reciprocity, so check the rules for your nationality first.

Getting around

Salvador's metro has two lines: Line 1 (Lapa–Águas Claras) and Line 2, which runs to the airport. Barra itself is walkable, with shops, supermarkets and restaurants close to the schools.

Frequently asked questions

Is Salvador a good place to learn Portuguese?

Salvador has Portuguese schools that start new groups every week and combine lessons with music, dance and capoeira, in a beach district. ICI, for example, teaches groups of up to eight students and prepares for the Celpe-Bras exam.

Where do language students live in Salvador?

Usually in host families or shared apartments in Barra and Graça, close to the schools. ICI's host families include breakfast.

Do I need a visa for a Portuguese course in Salvador?

Short courses of up to 90 days can be done on a visit visa or, for some nationalities, without a visa. Longer regular courses generally require the VITEM IV student visa.

How much is public transport in Salvador?

A single metro ride costs R$4.10, and a combined metro and bus fare R$5.90.