Best of Brazil's Bahia State: Salvador, Boipeba, Lençóis & Itacaré - 15 days

Day 1: Arrive in Salvador, Explore Bahia's Capital at Leisure

Welcome to the bustling capital of Brazil's Bahia state, Salvador! Meet your driver outside the airport and transfer to your hotel to check in and freshen up. When you're ready, venture out to explore the city on your own. A good place to start is the Mercado Modelo to shop for local crafts, souvenirs, and traditional Bahian food, like a pastel de camarão, delicious deep-fried pastries filled with seasoned shrimp. When you're done in the market, head outside to Praça Cairu, a bustling square often filled with street vendors and performers. 

You'll also find the iconic Elevador Lacerda in the square, which can take you up to the historic Pelourinho district, known for having the largest collection of colonial buildings in Latin America. In the evening, make your way to Praia do Porto da Barra, one of the most popular beaches in the city. Its westward-facing location makes it an ideal spot to watch the sun dip below the horizon, transforming the sky into a vibrant canvas of oranges, pinks, and purples. There are plenty of eateries along the beach, so you can grab a bite to eat overlooking the water before returning to your hotel. 

Day 2: Full-Day African Heritage City Tour

Today, you'll learn about the city's African heritage as you explore the UNESCO-listed Pelourinho district, starting at the Museu Afro-Brasileiro. Browse the museum's vast collection of artifacts, art, and historical documents narrating the journey of African people to Brazil and their enduring influence on the country's art, music, and religion. Continue to Pelourinho Square and the 18th-century Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Rosário dos Pretos. Step inside to see the intricate woodwork, sacred imagery, and religious artifacts blending Catholicism and African spiritual traditions.

Then, visit another museum, the Museu da Gastronomia Baiana, to learn about the rich tapestry of Bahian cuisine, known for its vibrant flavors influenced by African, Indigenous, and Portuguese culinary traditions. View the exhibits showcasing traditional utensils, cooking techniques, and the evolution of iconic dishes, then return to the square for lunch. After eating, end the tour at the Igreja e Convento de São Francisco, renowned for its Baroque architecture. Marvel at the ornate interior, lavishly adorned with intricate wood carvings covered in gold leaf, earning it the nickname the "Golden Church."

Day 3: Panoramic City Tour of Salvador

Spend another day exploring the city with your guide, starting at the Itapagipe Peninsula, where life moves at a slower pace than the bustling city center. On the way, you'll pass by the Dique de Tororó, a tranquil lake surrounded by lush greenery, and the Itaipava Fonte Nova Arena, built in 2013 for the FIFA Confederations Cup and later used for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. When you arrive at the peninsula, enjoy a leisurely walk along the waterfront promenade to watch the fishermen and other locals go about their daily lives. 

Stop at the Basílica do Senhor do Bonfim to see the striking neoclassical facade and gate adorned with vividly colored ribbons tied by devotees to represent a prayer or wish. Continue to Sorveteria da Ribeira, an ice cream parlor that has been a beloved fixture in the picturesque neighborhood of Ribeira since 1931. Choose from an array of flavors made from fresh, local ingredients, then head to Monserrat, a hilltop neighborhood offering panoramic views of All Saint's Bay and the cityscape below. End the tour with a visit to the Mercado Modelo for more shopping.

Day 4: Transfer to Boipeba, Guided Canoe Ride Through the Mangroves

Say goodbye to Salvador for now as you head to the pier to catch a ferry to Ilha de Itaparica, where a car will be waiting to take you to Bom Despacho. From there, you can board a speedboat to Ilha de Boipeba, a serene tropical paradise known for its powdery white sand beaches and lush vegetation, including mangroves and coconut palms. After four hours of traveling, you'll arrive at the island, where a porter will be waiting to take you and your bags to the pousada (guesthouse).

When you're done settling in, set off on a canoe ride through a shaded mangrove forest. Step into your traditional canoe built from logs gathered from the forest and paddle up the Río da Piã through the narrow mangrove tunnel. Learn about the ecological importance of the mangroves and the three different types found on the island while you search for wildlife, like crabs and oysters in the water or monkeys and capybaras along the riverbanks. After two hours on the water, paddle back to shore and make your way to the village to find a restaurant for dinner.

Day 5: Full-Day Boat Tour Around Ilha de Boipeba

One of the best ways to explore Ilha de Boipeba is from the water, so today, you'll board a boat at Praia da Boca da Barra and sail 0.62 miles (1 km) off the coast to the natural pools of Moreré. Don your scuba diving gear and descend into the crystal-clear waters. The coral reefs are rich in biodiversity, so you may see colorful fish like angelfish, damselfish, or wrasses. You may also spot sea anemones, eels, and rays, so keep your eyes peeled. Head to a floating bar next to sample local seafood and drinks, such as a caipifruta, a cocktail made with cachaça (a distilled sugar cane spirit), sugar, and fresh fruits. 

Once refueled, jump back on board and sail past Praia de Moreré and Praia de Bainema to marvel at the soft sand and turquoise waters. Stop at Ponta dos Castelhanos, a pristine beach celebrated for its natural beauty, and a sandbank for a refreshing swim before heading to the village of São Sebastião for lunch. After enjoying your fresh seafood lunch and a long rest, enter the mangrove-shaded estuary of the Río do Inferno to get to the towns of Canavieiras or Tapuias, where oysters are bred. Taste some oysters and watch the sunset over the water before returning to your hotel.

Day 6: Transfer to Salvador, Evening Cultural Experience in Rio Vermelho

Leave the island life behind today as you return to the port to board a speedboat to Bom Despacho on Ilha de Itaparica. From there, you'll transfer by land to the port to board a ferry back to Salvador, where a driver will be waiting to take you to your hotel to check in and get ready for this evening's cultural experience.

When it's time, join your guide for a tour of Rio Vermelho, a lively neighborhood better known as the "Bohemian Quarter." Wander down the colorful streets, stopping to try local street food like coxinha, deep-fried dough filled with chicken and cheese. Wash everything down with a drink from a boteco, an informal bar or pub, then dance to the live music surrounding you. After four hours of partying like a Bahian, return to your hotel to rest. 

Day 7: Transfer to Lençóis, Explore at Your Own Pace

Bid farewell to Salvador this morning as you head to the bus station for a six-hour transfer to Lençóis, your gateway to the Chapada Diamantina National Park. When you arrive, meet your driver and transfer to your hotel to check-in. After freshening up, stroll through the historic center to see the brightly-colored 19th-century colonial architecture, colorful houses, and quaint shops selling local crafts and souvenirs.
 
Stop at the Casa de Cultura Afrânio Peixoto, a small museum named after the Brazilian physician, writer, and historian. Step inside to peruse the exhibits on the area's geological formations, flora and fauna, and the history of the diamond mining that once thrived in the region. Then, pop in and out of some of the galleries to discover the town's thriving art scene. In the evening, find a local restaurant for dinner to indulge in Bahian dishes like moqueca (seafood stew) or acarajé (fried black-eyed pea fritters stuffed with shrimp and other fillings).

Day 8: Full-Day Tour of Chapada Diamantina National Park

After breakfast, set off on a full-day tour of the Chapada Diamantina National Park, starting at the Gruta da Lapa Doce, an impressive limestone cave full of stalactites and stalagmites. Follow the well-lit pathways 0.6 miles (1 km) into the cave to see highlights like the Cathedral Chamber, where concerts have been held to take advantage of the acoustics, and the Crystal Chamber, adorned with sparkling rock formations. After exploring the cave, stop for a traditional lunch, then head to Fazenda Pratinha, a picturesque farm renowned for its access to the crystal-clear Río Pratinha.

Go for a refreshing dip in the river, then make your way to the Gruta Azul to see the sun shine through the opening in the cave's ceiling, turning the water below into a mesmerizing blue hue. Float in the cool water or rent snorkeling gear to see the stalactites and stalagmites below. End the tour at Morro do Pai Inácio with a short 20-30 minute hike to the top of the hill, where you can enjoy panoramic views of the lush Chapada Diamantina region. Look out at the surrounding valleys and cliffs, then return to your hotel to rest after the action-packed day.

Day 9: Hike to Cachoeira do Mosquito, Explore Serra das Paridas 

Lace up your hiking boots and stretch your legs in preparation for today's hike to the top and bottom of Cachoeira do Mosquito, a 164-foot-tall (50 m) waterfall deep in the forest. The waterfall got its name from the tiny diamonds called mosquitoes that used to be found in the region during the mining era, not from the insect of the same name. Start with a transfer to a local farm, then follow your guide into the forest, crossing babbling streams and passing native flora, such as towering palm trees, delicate orchids, and vibrant bromeliads.

When you arrive at the top of the waterfall, watch it tumble down a series of rocky ledges and enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Then, hike another 0.93 miles (1.5 km) to the bottom for a closer look and a refreshing swim. After hiking back to the farm, enjoy a delicious home-cooked lunch before returning to Lençóis. On the way back, stop at Serra das Paridas, an archaeological complex renowned for its extensive rock art, including intricate petroglyphs and cave paintings depicting human figures, animals, and geometric patterns that date back thousands of years. 

Day 10: Transfer to Itacaré, Sunset at Mirante do Xaréu

Trade the lush Chapada Diamantina region for the coastal paradise of Itacaré, renowned for its pristine beaches and Atlantic rainforest. The 8.5-hour transfer will take you southeast through Bahia's interior's rolling hills and agricultural fields. As you approach the coast, the azure Atlantic Ocean will slowly come into view. When you arrive, check into your hotel, then head straight to the Mirante do Xaréu, a scenic viewpoint overlooking the water, to watch the sunset transform the sky and shimmering ocean below before grabbing dinner at a nearby restaurant overlooking the water.

Day 11: Cocoa Farm & Chocolate Factory Tour

You might want to have a light breakfast this morning to save room for all the chocolate you'll eat on today's tour. Start with a 45-minute transfer to a cacao plantation in Taboquinhos, where you can stroll through the property and learn how to cultivate a cacao tree, from seed to harvest. You'll get to fully immerse yourself in the lesson by harvesting a cacao pod and making your own chocolate. Learn how to break the pod's hard shell and extract the seeds wrapped with pulp. Your guide will then press the seeds gently until they release a liquid, often called the "nectar of the gods."

Then, you can toast, peel the seeds and grind them into a paste called cocoa mass. Bring the paste to a wood stove and mix it with other ingredients, like milk and sugar. When it's ready, pour it into a mold, then wait for it to cool before packing your creation to take home with you. After all your hard work, sit down for lunch before continuing to an artisanal chocolate factory to learn more about the process of making chocolate, see the equipment used, and sample the products. Before you return to Itacaré, visit the factory's store to purchase some chocolates to eat or take home as souvenirs.

Day 12: Spend the Day at Praia de Itacarezinho

Pack your towel and sunscreen and spend the day soaking up the sun on Praia de Itacarezinho, a golden-sand beach lined with coconut palms. Lounge on the sand or rent a sunbed, then go for a dip in the turquoise waters or a stroll along the shoreline. When you're ready for a break and a delicious meal, make your way to the Itacarezinho Restaurant to indulge in traditional Brazilian dishes prepared with locally sourced ingredients. Try fresh seafood delicacies like moqueca with plantains or grilled lobster, then wash everything down with their cocoa twist on Brazil's national cocktail, the caipirinha.

Day 13: Enjoy a Free Day in Itacaré

The day is yours to spend as you please. You could return to Praia de Itacarezinho or visit a new beach, like Praia da Concha or Praia da Engenhoca. If you want to surf, try Praia da Tiririca or Praia do Resende, both ideal for beginners and experienced surfers. Those who want to get out of the sun can join a yoga or capoeira (an Afro-Brazilian martial art) class at a local studio. Then, discover the charming shops and restaurants in the town center to look for souvenirs and grab a bite to eat. In the evening, wander down the waterfront and sit down for a cocktail at one of the beachfront bars.

Day 14: Paddle from Praia da Concha to Cachoeira do Cleandro

Begin your penultimate day in Brazil with a standup paddleboarding adventure from Praia da Concha to Cachoeira do Cleandro. Grab your equipment and hit the water, paddling along the meandering Río das Contas to get to a mangrove tunnel. Navigate the tranquil tunnel until you reach the hidden waterfall with its natural pool below. Enjoy fresh fruits, water, and local chocolate as you relax by the water's edge, then take a dip to cool off from the tropical heat to prepare you for the ride back. When it's time, paddle back through the mangroves and return to the beach, where you can relax for the rest of the day.

Day 15: Transfer to Ilhéus, Depart

Now that you've thoroughly explored Brazil's lush Bahia state, it's time to bid farewell and return home. If you have time before your flight, you can revisit one of Itacaré's pristine beaches. Soak up some last-minute sun, go for one more dip in the Atlantic Ocean, and just enjoy the feel of sand between your toes as you wander along the shoreline. When it's time, transfer 1.5 hours down the coast to the airport in Ilhéus for your flight home. Safe travels!