Highlights
- Discover the secrets to preparing Bahia's signature dish, moqueca, with a local chef
- Learn how to play traditional Bahian percussion instruments in an Axé class
- Watch the sunset from the top of Fortaleza do Tapirandu in Morro de São Paulo
- Rent a kayak or paddleboard or swim to get to the uninhabited Ilha do Caitá
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Salvador, Evening Tour of Rio Vermelho | Salvador |
| Day 2 | Walking Tour of the UNESCO-listed Pelourinho District | Salvador |
| Day 3 | Tour of the Feira de São Joaquim, Cooking Demonstration | Salvador |
| Day 4 | Olodum Band Performance, Axé Music Workshop | Salvador |
| Day 5 | Full-Day Cultural Tour of Cachoeira | Salvador |
| Day 6 | Transfer to Morro de São Paulo, Sunset at the Fortaleza do Tapirandu | Morro de São Paulo |
| Day 7 | Boat Tour around Ilha de Tinharé & Ilha de Boipeba | Morro de São Paulo |
| Day 8 | Walk from Morro de São Paulo to Gamboa | Morro de São Paulo |
| Day 9 | Paddle or Swim to the Uninhabited Ilha do Caitá | Morro de São Paulo |
| Day 10 | Free Day in Morro de São Paulo | Praia do Forte |
| Day 11 | Lunch at Garcia D'Ávila, Learn About the TAMAR Project | Praia do Forte |
| Day 12 | Free Day in Praia do Forte | Praia do Forte |
| Day 13 | Transfer to Salvador, All Saint's Bay Cruise, Depart |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Salvador, Evening Tour of Rio Vermelho
Welcome to Salvador, the capital of Bahia, one of Brazil's northeastern states. Meet your driver at the airport and transfer to your hotel to check-in. Relax post-flight and when you're ready, head out for this evening's tour of Rio Vermelho, a lively neighborhood better known as the "Bohemian Quarter." Follow your guide 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), where you're almost certain to be surrounded by the rhythmic beat of live music.
Day 2: Walking Tour of the UNESCO-listed Pelourinho District
This morning, you'll join your guide for a three-hour walking tour of Salvador's historic downtown and the Pelourinho district. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to Latin America's most extensive collection of colonial buildings. Walk along the cobblestone streets lined with pastel-colored houses and centuries-old churches, like the São Francisco Church and Convent, renowned for its Baroque architecture. Step inside to see the ornate interior, intricately adorned with intricate wood carvings covered in gold leaf, earning it the nickname the "Golden Church."
Continue to the Cathedral of Salvador, which dates back to the 17th century, making it one of the oldest churches in Brazil. It's a fascinating blend of Mannerist and Baroque architectural styles outside, and filled with wood carvings, gilded altars, and sacred art inside. Your last stop is the Elevador Lacerda, a public elevator that connects Pelourinho to the bustling Comércio district below. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure with a walk along the waterfront or visit one of the neighborhood's landmarks, like the Museu de Arte da Bahia or Mercado Modelo.
Day 3: Tour of the Feira de São Joaquim, Cooking Demonstration
Immerse yourself in Salvador's rich culture today with a market tour and cooking demonstration. Head to Feira de São Joaquim, one of the largest markets in the city, and follow your guide through the labyrinth of stalls selling a diverse array of goods. From fresh produce, spices, seafood, traditional crafts, and herbal remedies, you can find almost anything here, including all the ingredients you'll need to prepare Bahia's signature dish, moqueca. This rich seafood stew is made with cilantro, lime, garlic, coconut milk, red palm oil, and flaky fish.
Day 4: Olodum Band Performance, Axé Music Workshop
Return to Pelourinho today to watch Olodum, a renowned percussion band, perform. Head to Largo da Tieta, a lively square where the band has shows throughout the year, and watch the musicians and dancers adorned in colorful clothing take the stage. Let the infectious rhythm of the drums and the energetic atmosphere of the crowd envelop you as you dance along to the music. Then, learn more about Bahia's culture with a hands-on lesson in Axé music led by experienced local musicians.
You'll discover the fundamentals of playing traditional Bahian percussion instruments, such as the atabaque, agogô, and timbal. When you're ready, work together with your fellow percussionists to play a beautiful, harmonious song. After the workshop, wander down the colorful streets of Pelourinho to shop for souvenirs at local craft shops or pop into some of the galleries to admire local art. Finally, end your day with a visit to a traditional Bahian restaurant to sample local cuisine like acarajé (a bean fritter filled with shrimp) or vatapá (a thick, spicy shrimp paste often served as a side dish).
Day 5: Full-Day Cultural Tour of Cachoeira
Leave the coast behind for the day as you head one hour inland to the UNESCO-listed town of Cachoeira on the banks of the Rio Paraguaçu. Along the way, stop at a traditional fruit and vegetable market on the side of the highway to pick up snacks. When you arrive, sit down for lunch, then set off on a walking tour of the town to see its colorful colonial buildings and well-preserved churches, like the imposing São Bartolomeu Church. As you walk, look out for local wood carving stores to shop for souvenirs.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 6: Transfer to Morro de São Paulo, Sunset at the Fortaleza do Tapirandu
Say goodbye to Salvador this morning and head to the pier for a four-hour catamaran ride to Morro de São Paulo, a charming village on the car-free Ilha de Tinharé, renowned for its pristine beaches, lush jungles, and laid-back atmosphere. When you arrive, check into your hotel, then sit down for lunch at a local restaurant. The rest of the day is free to spend as you wish, so you could head to Praia Primeira to soak up the sun and go for a refreshing swim. In the evening, make your way to the Fortaleza do Tapirandu, built in the 17th century to protect against Dutch invasions.
Day 7: Boat Tour around Ilha de Tinharé & Ilha de Boipeba
Change into your bathing suit and get ready for a day on the water as you set off on a boat tour to some of the most beautiful beaches around Ilha de Tinharé and Ilha de Boipeba. The first few stops are Praia de Garapuá, Praia de Moreré, and Praia da Cueira, where you can go for a dip in their natural pools and relax on the powdery white sands. At Praia Boca da Barra, you'll have time to eat fresh fish and seafood dishes for lunch.
Then, set sail to Convento do Santo Antônio in Cairu, a historic convent founded in 1654, making it one of the oldest in Brazil. Admire the Baroque architecture, then step inside to see the intricate woodwork, religious artifacts, and beautiful azulejos—traditional Portuguese ceramic tiles typically adorned with elaborate, hand-painted designs. On your way back to Morro de São Paulo, stop at an oyster farm in Canavieira to learn about the cultivation process and sample freshly shucked oysters.
Day 8: Walk from Morro de São Paulo to Gamboa
Wear your comfiest pair of shoes today as you set off on a scenic walk from Morro de São Paulo to the picturesque village of Gamboa. On the way, you'll pass by the serene beaches of Porto de Cima and Ponta da Pedra. Stop to marvel at the calm, clear waters and soft sand before continuing to Morro do Argila (Clay Hill) to indulge in a therapeutic mud bath with the island's famous red clay. Try to avoid wearing light-colored clothing as the clay is prone to staining.
After 30 minutes at the hill, head to Praia de Gamboa and sit down for lunch at one of the beachfront eateries. When you're done eating, relax on the beach's powdery white sands and go for a dip in the crystal clear waters. If you want to stay to watch the sunset over the Atlantic Ocean, you can catch a boat back to Morro de São Paulo instead of walking. Watch the sun descend, casting vibrant hues of orange and red across the sky and shimmering water, then make your way back to your hotel.
Day 9: Paddle or Swim to the Uninhabited Ilha do Caitá
After three days in Morro de São Paulo, you may have noticed the small Ilha do Caitá just off the coast. Today, you can rent a kayak, stand-up paddle board, water bike, or even swim to get to the island. The water is typically calm here, and the crossing only takes 20 minutes so the journey will be a leisurely one. The island is uninhabited, so make sure you pack essential items like sunscreen and sunglasses, as well as water and a snack or lunch. You may also want to bring water shoes with you as the island's rocky shores and coral reefs can make it hard to disembark.
When you're ready, head to the pier and choose your method of transportation. Paddle across the crystal-clear water and look at the colorful fish, rays, turtles, urchins, and starfish below. Once on the island, wander around to discover the pristine beaches and go for a refreshing swim. If you pack snorkeling gear, you can also explore the coral reefs teeming with marine life. Stay until sunset as the island offers unobstructed views of the western horizon. Before darkness falls, paddle or swim back to Morro de São Paulo.
Day 10: Free Day in Morro de São Paulo
The morning is yours to spend as you wish, so you could head to one of the nearby beaches, such as Praia Sengunda or Praia Terceira, to relax. If you want to explore more, head to Farol do Morro, a charming lighthouse perched atop a hill. Climb to the top for panoramic views of the shimmering Atlantic Ocean and surrounding islands. In the afternoon, grab your bags and go to the pier for a 2-3-hour boat ride to Praia do Forte, a charming coastal village known for its pristine beaches and relaxed atmosphere.
Day 11: Lunch at Garcia D'Ávila, Learn About the TAMAR Project
Day 12: Free Day in Praia do Forte
Your penultimate day in Brazil is yours to spend as you please. You could head to Praia do Porto de Cima, a relatively secluded beach, for a break from the hustle and bustle. It's a fishing port, so you can watch the boats sway and the locals go about their day-to-day lives while you relax on the golden sand. Before you leave, visit the Igreja Sao Francisco De Assis, a charming 18th-century church overlooking the beach. Continue to Praia Papa Gente to swim in the natural pools or the serene Praia do Tivoli, a favorite spot for families and couples.
Day 13: Transfer to Salvador, All Saint's Bay Cruise, Depart
It's time to transfer 1.5 hours back to Salvador for your flight home today. When you arrive, you'll go on one last adventure: a schooner cruise across All Saint's Bay to visit two out of the 50 islands in the area. Your first stop is Praia de Ponta da Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe on Ilha dos Frades, one of Brazil's 42 Blue Flag beaches. Go for a swim in the warm, inviting waters or relax in the shade with a cold drink. If you're up for an active adventure, climb the steps to a viewpoint with tremendous views of the bay.
Then, continue to the larger Ilha de Itaparica for lunch and free time on the beach. When it's time, cruise back to the mainland and meet your driver to transfer to the airport for your flight home. Safe travels!
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