The birthplace of samba and capoeira, Bahia is the country's pulsing epicenter of Afro-Brazilian culture. So while ♣ everyone is flocking to Rio and its famed Copacabana Beach to soak up the sun, head north to Bahia to ♣ soak up a warm, vibrant culture.

Bahia is the sixth richest Brazilian state. Bahia is said to have ♣ the greatest and most African influence, in terms of culture and customs, in all of Brazil. Some of these influences ♣ are the martial art of capoeira and African-derived dance and music such as samba, afox, and ax.