Private Capoeira Class in Salvador: Learn from a Local Guide

Capoeira started as a form of resistance among enslaved Africans, and that history lives in every move.

A private capoeira class in Salvador combines a workshop with a regular class alongside local students, taught by a live guide in English, Spanish or Portuguese, with hotel pickup and drop-off included. The 3-hour session covers the martial art's role in Afro-Brazilian history and teaches basic moves through hands-on practice. A minimum of two people per booking is required.

The experience

The class starts at your hotel and runs for three hours, split between a private workshop where you learn foundational capoeira movements and a regular session training alongside students who study at the school. Your guide walks you through the history of capoeira as a practice born from resistance during Brazil's 500 years of slavery, and how the art form remains central to Bahian culture. You'll leave with a grasp of why this tradition matters to the people who keep it alive.

The workshop portion gives you space to absorb the basics without pressure (footwork, rhythm, the relationship between attack and defense) before you step into the regular class. Training alongside the school's students means you're not isolated in a tourist session. You're in the actual space where this art is practiced and preserved. The guide remains present throughout, translating and clarifying as needed so the cultural and physical elements both land.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, so you don't arrange transport separately. The school is wheelchair accessible, and the class suits all fitness levels. You can book in English, Spanish or Portuguese depending on which guide is available for your date.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off.
• instruction from a live guide in English, Spanish or Portuguese.
• a private workshop covering basic capoeira movements.
• participation in a regular class with the school's students.
• cultural context on capoeira's role in Afro-Brazilian history.

Options for this experience

2 options

Capoeira Class in Salvador, PrivateGuide in English, Spanish or Portuguese · No fixed timePickup is included

Capoeira without transferGuide in English, Spanish or Portuguese · No fixed timeCapoeira class, lasting 2 hours, with pickup included but no transfer

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (11 and older) · Child (6 to 10 years) · Infant (under 6): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 12 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats available

Operated by Your Tour Brazil

Is this one for you?Pick the version with transfer if you're staying in central Salvador. Pick without transfer if you're based near the school or want to meet your guide there directly.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 10 years); Infant (under 6): free.

What exactly is capoeira and why does it matter in Bahian history?

Capoeira is a martial art that emerged among enslaved Africans in Brazil, disguised as dance so they could practice resistance and self-defense without detection. It became central to Afro-Brazilian identity in Bahia and remains a living cultural practice today, which is why your guide emphasizes its history alongside teaching you the physical moves.

Will I be the only person in the class, or will I train with others?

You start in a private workshop to learn basics, then join the school's regular class with their ongoing students. That mix lets you build confidence in the workshop before training in the actual community where capoeira is practiced.

Do I need any capoeira experience to book this class?

No experience is required. The class is designed for all fitness levels and the private workshop portion teaches you from the ground up before you join the regular session.

How does hotel pickup work, and what if my accommodation isn't a hotel?

Pickup is included from your hotel or accommodation in Salvador. Confirm your exact address and pickup time when you book so the guide can collect you and return you after the class ends.

Can I book this class if I'm traveling alone?

A minimum of two people per booking is required, so you'll need to book with at least one other person or join a group booking.