Caminho das Árvores, Salvador: A local guide to the neighborhood

Most visitors to Salvador only ever see the postcard: the lighthouse at Barra, the pastel houses of Pelourinho, the bars of Rio Vermelho. Caminho das Árvores is where much of the city actually lives and works. It’s a modern, residential quarter in the geographic middle of Salvador, between its two biggest malls, a few minutes from the sea at Pituba.

Here is what it is like to stay there, from someone who knows it.

What is Caminho das Árvores?

Caminho das Árvores is a planned neighborhood laid out in the 1970s. Its quiet residential streets are called alamedas, and each one is named after a tree: Alameda das Espatódeas, Alameda das Algarobas and so on. Alameda das Espatódeas is known for its design and furniture shops.

Along its edge runs Avenida Tancredo Neves, Salvador’s modern business corridor, lined with office towers, hotels and restaurants. The neighborhood borders Pituba, Itaigara, Stiep and Pernambués, and sits between the Shopping da Bahia mall (opened in 1975, the first mall in the North and Northeast of Brazil) and Salvador Shopping.

In short: tall residential buildings with pools and doormen, tree-shaded side streets, offices on the main avenue, and the beach a short ride away.

Is Caminho das Árvores safe?

It is one of the calmer and more affluent parts of Salvador. Most residents live in towers with a 24-hour doorman (portaria), as our building has, and the main avenues are busy with office workers and shoppers during the day.

Salvador is still a big Brazilian city, so the usual advice applies here as it does everywhere:

• Take app rides at night instead of walking long distances, especially along empty stretches.
• Keep your phone out of sight on the street and don’t wear flashy jewelry.
• Use ATMs inside malls rather than on the street.

Follow those habits and you’ll find the neighborhood relaxed and easy, day to day.

Shopping and everyday errands

• Shopping da Bahia: about 15 minutes’ walk. Hundreds of shops, a food court, pharmacies, banks and a cinema. The Iguatemi metro station is right next to it.
• Salvador Shopping: 5–10 minutes by car (about 30 minutes on foot). Bigger international brands, restaurants and a cinema.
• Supermarkets, bakeries (padarias) and pharmacies are spread through Caminho das Árvores and neighbouring Pituba, many of them open late.

For longer stays this is a real advantage: everything you need is close, without the tourist-zone prices.

Food and drink nearby

• Around Avenida Tancredo Neves: churrascarias (Brazilian steakhouses), Japanese restaurants and comida a quilo lunch places, where you pay by the weight of your plate. They’re popular with office workers and good value.
• Pituba and Itaigara: neighborhood restaurants, bars and juice bars, especially around the main avenues.
• Rio Vermelho, 10–20 minutes by car: Salvador’s nightlife district, and home of the city’s most famous acarajé stalls. Acarajé is a black-eyed-pea fritter fried in dendê palm oil and filled with shrimp and spicy vatapá. Try Acarajé da Dinha or Acarajé da Cira and judge for yourself.

Parks and the seafront

• Parque da Cidade: about 20 minutes’ walk. One of Salvador’s largest urban parks, with shady paths, playgrounds and weekend events. Good for a morning run.
• The Pituba seafront, 10–15 minutes by car: the Jardim dos Namorados and Parque Costa Azul promenades, with running and cycling paths, kiosks and sea views.
• For swimming, locals often head to calmer water at Porto da Barra (20–35 minutes) or the beaches further north such as Piatã, Itapuã and Stella Maris. Parts of Pituba beach have reefs and strong waves.

Getting around from Caminho das Árvores

From the apartment to	Time
Shopping da Bahia (mall)	about 15 min walk
Iguatemi metro station	about 15 min walk
Parque da Cidade	about 20 min walk
Salvador Shopping	5–10 min by car
Pituba seafront	10–15 min by car
Rio Vermelho	10–20 min by car
Pelourinho (historic center)	15–25 min by car
Barra lighthouse and beach	20–35 min by car
Salvador airport	20–40 min by car

• Metro: Iguatemi station is on line 2, which runs straight to the airport. Change at Acesso Norte for line 1 toward the center (Lapa).
• App rides: Uber, 99 and InDrive are everywhere and cheap. They’re the easiest way to reach Pelourinho, Barra and Rio Vermelho.
• By car: the building has free parking, handy if you rent a car for day trips to Praia do Forte or the Linha Verde beaches.

Caminho das Árvores vs Pituba, Barra and Rio Vermelho

At a glance	Caminho das Árvores	Pituba	Barra	Rio Vermelho
Feel	Modern, residential, business district	Residential by the sea	Touristy beach neighborhood	Bohemian, nightlife
Beach on foot	No (10–15 min by car)	Yes (promenade)	Yes	Small beaches
Nights	Quiet	Mostly quiet	Lively, loud at Carnaval	Lively, loud on weekends
To the airport	20–40 min	25–40 min	40–60 min	30–50 min
Best for	Families, business, longer stays, Carnaval with sleep	Seaside walks	First-time beach vacations	Going out

For a full comparison of every area, read our guide to where to stay in Salvador.

Who is Caminho das Árvores for?

A great fit if you are:

• a family or group of four who want space, a pool and a washer-dryer;
• in town for business or a conference: Avenida Tancredo Neves is on your doorstep and the Salvador Convention Center is 15–20 minutes away;
• coming for Carnaval but want to sleep at night;
• staying a week or longer and want to live like a local, with malls, parks and supermarkets nearby;
• renting a car and want free parking and quick access to the airport road.

Less ideal if you want to step out of the door onto the sand, or walk to Pelourinho’s churches and bars. In that case you’ll be taking short rides, which are cheap and easy here.