Outdoor Tour of Brazil's Bahia State: Salvador, Lençóis & Itacaré - 12 Days

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

Welcome to Salvador, the vibrant capital of Brazil's Bahia state! 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 at your own pace. 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 to the historic Pelourinho district, known for having Latin America's largest collection of colonial buildings. 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. Plenty of eateries are located 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

Join your guide for a full-day city tour, starting in Pelourinho, to visit the Museu Afro-Brasileiro and learn about Brazil's rich African heritage. Browse the museum's vast collection of artifacts, art, and historical documents narrating the journey of African people to Brazil and their enduring influence on the country's art, music, and religion.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 São Francisco Church and Convent, 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, Evening Cultural Experience in Rio Vermelho

Set off on another city tour this morning, starting at the Itapagipe Peninsula, where life moves slower 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 promenade to watch the fishermen and other locals go about their daily lives. 

Day 5: Full-Day Tour of Chapada Diamantina National Park

Immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the Chapada Diamantina National Park on a full-day tour, starting at 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 Rio Pratinha.

Take a refreshing dip in the river, then make your way to Gruta Azul to see sunlight shining 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 6: Hike to Cachoeira do Mosquito, Explore Serra das Paridas 

Lace up your hiking boots and prepare for today's active adventure: a 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 7: Transfer to Itacaré, Sunset at Mirante do Xaréu

Trade the valleys and mountains of the 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 the rolling hills and agricultural fields of Bahia's interior. The azure Atlantic Ocean will slowly come into view as you approach the coast. 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 followed by dinner at a waterfront restaurant.

Day 8: Cocoa Farm & Chocolate Factory Tour

After breakfast, hit the road on a 45-minute transfer through the Atlantic rainforest to get to a cacao plantation in Taboquinhos. Go on a walk through the plantation and learn about the cultivation process of a cacao tree, from seed to harvest. You'll 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 press the seeds gently until they release a liquid, often called the "nectar of the gods."

Then, you can toast and 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 and wait for it to cool to pack your creation and take it home. 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 9: Beach Day at Praia de Itacarezinho

Change into your bathing suit 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 take a dip in the turquoise waters or a stroll along the shoreline. When ready for a break and a delicious meal, head 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 10: Free Day in Itacaré

Today is free for you to spend as you wish. 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. In the evening, wander down the waterfront and sit for a cocktail at one of the beachfront bars.

Day 11: Paddle from Praia da Concha to Cachoeira do Cleandro

Your penultimate day in Brazil starts with a standup paddleboarding adventure from Praia da Concha to Cachoeira do Cleandro. Grab your equipment and hit the water, paddling along the meandering Rio das Contas to get to a mangrove tunnel. Navigate the tranquil tunnel until you reach the hidden waterfall with a 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 12: Transfer to Ilhéus, Depart

After 12 days of exploring Brazil's lush Bahia state, your journey is drawing to a close today. You can revisit one of Itacaré's pristine beaches if you have time before your flight. Soak up some last-minute sun, go for one more dip in the Atlantic Ocean, and 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!