Coastal Brazil Tour: Salvador, Morro de São Paulo & Boipeba - 8 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Salvador, Evening Tour in Rio Vermelho

Welcome to Salvador, the capital of the northeastern coastal state of Bahia in Brazil! Upon arrival at the airport, take a taxi to your hotel in the city center. Once settled, spend the afternoon exploring Salvador at your leisure. The city is known as a center of Afro-Brazilian culture and is famous for its unique cuisine, music, and architecture. Salvador was founded in 1549 as the first capital of colonial Brazil, making it one of the oldest cities in the Americas and one of the first planned cities in the world. Whatever you decide to do, ensure you're rested for this evening's festivities.

Tonight is your chance to party like a Bahian. Many locals tend to spend their evenings at the southern beach neighborhood of Rio Vermelho, which is affectionately referred to as the bairro boemio (bohemian quarter). This lively area is home to bars, restaurants, and botecos (informal places for drinks). There are also countless places to enjoy great Bahian street food and bars with live music. Your guide will pick you up from your hotel and take you on a four-hour celebration where you'll sample local street food and drink, enjoy live music, and dance along the waterfront. 

Day 2: Salvador Sightseeing Tour

After breakfast, it's time to explore more of Salvador! Start by heading to Salvador's Upper Town. Then wander the streets and alleys of the famous Pelourinho historic district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to one of Latin America's most prominent existing collections of 17th and 18th-century colonial architecture. You'll find the Church of São Francisco in this district, often considered the country's richest Baroque work.

Afterward, visit Lower Town, the coastal area of Salvador. The Lower Town is linked to the Upper Town by the Lacerda Elevator. Here, you can see the Church of Senhor do Bonfim, Salvador's most famous Catholic church, and the Mercado Modelo, a traditional craft center.

Day 3: Bahia Culture Tour, Catamaran to Morro de São Paulo

This morning you'll take a guided tour of the landmarks, museums, and galleries showcasing the art forms of novelist Jorge Amado, artist Carybé, and photographer Pierre Verger. Their works documented daily life in Salvador, showcasing the markets, street scenes, and religious traditions that make Bahia a beautiful culture. The tour begins at Amado's former home, now a museum showcasing his work. Then, see Carybé's art in the 17th-century São Diogo Fort. Finish at Porto da Barra Beach to see Verger's iconic black and white photographs. 

Day 4: Self-Guided Walking Tour to Gamboa Beach

Today you'll venture on a picturesque 5-mile (3 km) walk from Morro de São Paulo's pier to Gamboa Beach, passing through Porto de Cima and Ponta da Pedra beaches. Enjoy the tranquil environment with clear water and preserved Atlantic Forest landscapes. Along the way, you can also stop by the famous clay cliff for a natural skin exfoliating experience.

Once you arrive at Gamboa Beach, savor delicious local cuisine at one or more of the beachside huts. Depending on how long you decide to stay, you could return to Morro de São Paulo on foot or by boat to marvel at the breathtaking sunset and perhaps spot dolphins on the way.

Day 5: Speedboat to Boipeba Island, Free Time

Say farewell to Morro de São Paulo as you head to the main pier and take a two-hour speedboat to Boipeba Island. You'll disembark on Boipeba's main dock and go to your hotel. Continue enjoying the island lifestyle as you take advantage of free time to soak up the sun on Boipeba's spectacular beaches. You can also walk around Velha Boipeba to experience the authentic lifestyle of Bahia's inhabitants and enjoy their hospitality. If you're up for it, stop by the Casa de Farinha to see where tapioca flour is prepared.

Day 6: Canoe Ride in Boipeba Island's Mangroves

Enjoy a unique experience in nature as you take a guided canoe ride through a shaded mangrove forest. When the tide is favorable, you'll head off in a handmade wooden canoe, which has been built with logs gathered from the forest during certain moon phases by native fishermen from Boipeba and the surrounding region.

You'll travel up the River Piã through long and narrow mangrove channels, exploring all the treasures of the river's ecosystem up close. Here you'll find a diversity of local shellfish, including several species of crab, oysters, and lambretas (giant clams). Silence reigns inside the mangroves, bringing a sense of tranquility and harmony. With your guide, you'll also learn about the three types of mangrove trees found on Boipeba Island, including the white, red, and Siriba mangrove, each with a different appearance and structure. 

Day 7: Full-Day Tour of Boipeba Island

Today's full-day guided adventure starts with a walk from your hotel to Boca da Barra Beach. From there, you'll take a boat to the natural pools of Moreré, less than a mile (1 km) from the coast, with warm, clear water and a great diversity of fish and coral. Enjoy scuba diving or snorkeling before relaxing at a floating bar, where you can try local food and drink. Next, you'll sail past Moreré Beach, home to a small fishing village with just over two hundred inhabitants, as well as the peaceful Bainema Beach for beautiful coastal views.

Before lunch, visit Ponta dos Castelhanos Beach, located at the entrance of the Catu River. Stop on a sandbank for a swim, and have lunch in São Sebastião, which offers seafood caught fresh daily. After a long lunch, enter the mangrove-shaded estuary of the Inferno River to visit the towns of Canavieiras or Tapuias, where oysters are bred. Take some time to slurp some oysters and enjoy the beautiful sunset before returning to Boipeba in the evening. 

Day 8: Transfer to Salvador, Cachoeira Culture Tour, Depart

Bid farewell to the islands as you return to Salvador this morning. First, board a speedboat to Bom Despacho on Itaparica Island. From there, you'll transfer by land to the port and board a ferryboat to Salvador. Upon arrival in Salvador, you'll begin a tour that takes you back in time to the Brazil of yesteryear. Heading northwest, start with a stop at Santo Amaro to see a traditional fruit and vegetable marketplace perennially popular with locals.

Continue your drive west through rolling hills to the UNESCO-listed town of Cachoeira, the jewel of the Bahian hinterland nestled in the valley of the Paraguaçu River. Cachoeira is also home to a thriving culture grounded in African traditions, visible in its local art and sculptures. After lunch, take a walking tour of the town and browse the local wood carving stores. Then cross the western bank of the river and visit Dannemann, a cigar company, where you can see world-class cigars being expertly rolled. After the tour, your driver will take you back to Salvador.

At the appointed time, you'll transfer to the airport to catch a flight to your final destination. Safe travels!