Study Abroad In Salvador, Brazil

March 14 - 20, 2027

An immersive cultural and educational experience connecting Black students to Afro-Brazilian history & culture

Overview
Itinerary
Details
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Cost: $3,350 | Deposit: $350 | Payment Plans

Deposit due by November 30, 2026

What Makes This Program Different

  • Expert-Led Experience

    ➯ Partnership with MSU’s Office of Study Abroad

    ➯ Led by an award-winning travel journalist and Black history writer who studied abroad twice

    ➯ We’ve been designing and hosting group trips for Black travelers since 2019

  • Cultural Programming

    ➯ Pre-trip workshops to learn about Afro-Brazilian history and culture

    ➯ Authentic cultural exchanges with the local Afro-Brazilian community

    ➯ Trip reflection sessions to process and examine your experiences

  • Student-Centered Travel

    ➯ Flexible payment plans

    ➯ Shared accommodations to keep costs accessible and encourage connection

    ➯ Support for first-time international travelers

What’s included

  • All activities listed on the itinerary

  • Boutique hotel accommodations in single rooms

  • Transportation to and from the airport (only on trip start & end date)

  • Some meals as indicated on the itinerary

  • Professional group photography

  • Community pre-trip virtual town hall

  • Buoyant Salvador Travel Guide

  • WhatsApp group message

  • Experienced local tour guides and a Buoyant host with you throughout the trip

Not included

  • Airfare in and out of the country

  • Mandatory travel insurance

  • Incidental expenses

  • Meals not listed on itinerary

  • Alcohol except where noted

  • Tips

Itinerary

Flight

Please book your flight to land in Salvador by 3 PM.

Day 1

Arrival | welcome dinner

Day 2

Experience | Black history immersion tour

Day 3

Explore | Beach favela visit

Day 4

Relax | Full rest day

Day 5

Experience | Community cultural exchange

Day 6

Experience | Capoeira class

Day 7

Departure

A man wearing a gray t-shirt is kissing another man who is holding a bouquet of green leaves and flowers, during a celebration in front of a church with a bell tower. The man giving the flowers is wearing a black head covering, and the sky is blue wi
A group of people dressed in colorful casual clothing, standing on cobblestone street in front of vibrant buildings, smiling and posing for a photo.
Three women in swimsuits taking selfies and holding glasses of champagne on a boat during a sunny day.
Two women sitting at a table in a cafe, enjoying coffee and cake.
A person holding a glass of lime-based cocktail with lime slices, with additional similar drinks on the table, set on a wooden table with empty white plates.
Group of diverse women smiling and celebrating, standing on stairs outside a historic building with green doors and decorative iron fence.
Colorful houses stacked on a hillside with green and blue walls, laundry hanging outside, trees, and a white tent in the foreground.

YOUR ITINERARY

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YOUR ITINERARY *

A woman standing in front of a colorful mural with the words "I love being black" and social media tags. She is smiling, wearing sunglasses, a white tank top, a patterned skirt, and sneakers, with her arms raised in a joyful pose.

  • Welcome to Salvador! We will pick you up from Salvador–Deputado Luís Eduardo Magalhães International Airport (SSA) and whisk you to our cozy boutique hotel.

    A Buoyant welcome gift will await you, and as you settle into your home for the week, we’ll be preparing for tonight’s welcome dinner.

    You will get your first taste of Salvador with authentic dishes for dinner at one of the city’s best restaurants.

    After dinner, we’ll hit the Salvador streets for our first night out.

    Saude!

  • Beach Favela Tour

    Today, we'll visit a favela community in the city's heart (with views of All Saints Bay) to learn about its people, history, and culture and taste local food at a Black-owned beachside bar and restaurant. 


  • Black History Tour 

    We must tap into Afro-Brazilian history and culture; today is the day. This immersive experience takes us to the heart of Salvador, Pelourinho, where we'll take a walking tour to learn about the beautiful Black history of this city. You'll even get a glimpse of Afro-Brazilian spirituality. 

    Afropunk Day 1

    Get ready for the most lit part of our itinerary: Afropunk Bahia. Today, we'll head to the famous music festival, Bahia edition. Beautiful Black people, local music, and food will surround us. It's a vibe. The best part is we've got VIP tickets for an all-access experience. 

A traditional Mexican meal served on a black tray, including white rice garnished with parsley, a bowl of pico de gallo salsa, a bowl of chopped fruit, a container of black beans, and additional small bowls with side dishes, set on a dark table.

  • AfroPunk Bahia Day 2

    Get ready for the most lit part of our itinerary: Afropunk Bahia. Today, we'll head to the famous music festival, Bahia edition. We'll be surrounded by beautiful Black people, local music and food. It's a vibe. Best part? We've got VIP tickets for an all-access experience.

  • Boat day & island visit

    It's ain’t a Buoyant trip without a boat day. Today, we'll head to Salvador's beautiful waters for a private boat day experience with good music, bites, drinks, and vibes.

  • Salvador Street Flavors

    Take a bite out of Salvador on this street food experience with stops at some of the city's beloved Black-owned restaurants. We'll eat our way around town, tasting the best of Bahian cuisine.

  • We're sad to see you go, but thank you for experiencing Salvador with us. Until next time!

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WHAT OUR KINFOLK SAY

Saidah B.

Wonderful experience with a wonderful group ! Briona was such a warm and welcoming host. This was my first travel group and I was quite nervous but I am so glad I took the risk and this was my first travel group experience. The activities were well thought out, from good tour to Afro Punk to the historical tour of beautiful Salvador, I truly enjoyed myself.

Group of diverse women smiling and posing outdoors in front of a historic building with ornate metal gate and large green doors.

Jalena T.

This was my first time doing a group tour, and I'm glad I did it with Buoyant Travel. The group wasn't so big that I didn't get personalized attention, and it wasn't so small that I felt smothered. As someone who likes to have time to do my own thing, the trip was very flexible with how I spent my time and the activities I wanted to participate in. I really enjoyed the pace and diversity of activities that Buoyant and the guides curated. I wouldn't hesitate to book a trip again.

READ OUR REVIEWS

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Brazil Visa Requirements - FAQs

    Do I need a visa to visit Brazil? Yes, U.S. citizens need an e-visa to enter Brazil. The visa costs approximately $80 USD and must be obtained before travel.

    What is the application process? The Brazil e-visa application is completed online through the official Brazilian government portal. Processing typically takes 5 business days, though we recommend applying at least 2 weeks before your trip.

    What documents do I need for the visa application? You'll need:

    • A valid passport with at least 6 months’ validity and 2 blank pages

    • A recent passport-style photo

    • Basic personal and travel information

    Do I need to show proof of $2,000 in my bank account? No.

    How will Buoyant assist with the visa process? After booking, we'll provide detailed visa application instructions, timeline recommendations, and support for any questions that arise during the process.

    While each student is responsible for securing their own visa, we're here to guide you through the process .

    When should I apply for my visa? We recommend applying for your Brazil e-visa 30 days before departure.

    For the most current information and to apply: Official Brazil E-Visa Website

  • Please plan to arrive in Salvador by 3 PM on March 14, 2027.

    We usually have our welcome dinner around 7 PM, so landing earlier allows time to settle into the hotel before dinner.

    If your flight arrives after the welcome dinner, causing you to miss the experience, please plan to eat at the hotel’s restaurant (or elsewhere) at your own expense.

  • We offer payment plans for all students. The payment plan schedule is as follows:

    • Deposit: November 30, 2026 — $350

    • Payment 2: December 30, 2026 — $950

    • Payment 3: January 30, 2027 — $950

    • Final Payment: February 28, 2027 — $950

  • All students will get a double-occupancy ensuite room at a boutique hotel in Salvador.

  • Yes! All students must share a copy of their passport, round trip flight, Brazil tourist visa, and travel insurance policy by February 15, 2027.

    • 48 hours after booking, all deposits and future payments are non-refundable. 

    • Life happens! If you must cancel after 48 hours, we can transfer your trip place and payments to someone else.

    • If you cancel after 48 hours, we may issue you future trip credits at our discretion.

    • We recommend purchasing travel insurance as soon as you book your spot on this trip in case of an unexpected cancellation.

      To cancel, email hello@buoyanttravel.com

  • Check out reviews from our previous clients here: https://bit.ly/48Tdwwv

QUESTIONS?

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QUESTIONS? *

We’re here to help.

Attend an interest meeting