Salvador, Brazil

Viewing Points

Your full-day tour of the north coast of Bahia begins with a visit to the urban beaches of Salvador. Continue along the picturesque Coconut Road to the Forte Beach, located at the edge of the Sapiranga sustainable rainforest conservation site. In addition to admiring beautiful beaches, natural pools and a charming fishing village by the sea, you’ll visit the turtle sanctuary and learn about marine conservation projects. See artwork and handicrafts produced in the region as well. Enjoy a break for lunch by the beach at Guarajuba, known for its coconut palms and inviting crystal-clear waters.

After morning pick-up at your Salvador hotel, you will meet your guide and board your vehicle for the 135 mile (220 kilometer) trip to Mangue Seco. Mangue Seco is inaccessible by road, so crossing the Real River (which divides the Brazilian states of Sergipe and Bahia) is part of the adventure. On this 12-hour guided tour, you'll travel 135 miles (220 kilometers) from Bahia to explore beaches, sand dunes and a tranquil village.  A pearl nestled between the sea, rivers, dunes and palm trees; Mangue Seco is a tropical beauty that has been portrayed in soap operas and national films.  This tour allows you to experience one of the most beautiful landscapes of the north coast, known as the Green Line.  The idyllic beaches, with swirling sands orchestrated by the winds and the sea waves, create dunes of incomparable beauty. Its warm waters and its marine basins form natural medicinal spa centers. You will also have time for swimming, hiking, optional buggy rides (not included in the price, price to be negotiated on the day with the locals), or simply relax in a rustic tent and relish the local cuisine.  This family-friendly tour includes round-trip transportation from Salvador.

The Bahian Recôncavo is a region renowned for its history of struggles for the independence of Brazil. The architecture of its cities, especially of the city of Cachoeira, reflects the Portuguese colonial heritage, along with the African legacy which is present in the faces of its inhabitants, its intellectual, religious and cultural traditions in the daily life of its inhabitants.  The tour begins in Santo Amaro, a city whose economy was mainly driven by the sugar cane plantations and enslaved labor until 1888. This town is of great historical significance, particularly in the context of resistance against Portuguese colonization. You will stroll around the local public market and its ancient colonial houses, as well as visit the Samba Museum and the Parish Church. You will then drive by sugar cane, cassava and tobacco farms towards Cachoeira, the main city in the Recôncavo region. The city was declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, located alongside the Paraguaçu River. It's a singular scenario in terms of architectural and cultural preservation. You will visit the churches of Carmo and Rosário, the City Hall and the former jail from the colonial era. You will also visit the House of the Religious Sisterhood of Our Lady of the Good Death. This Catholic sisterhood of African Matrix is a living legacy of matriarchal religious syncretism, which fills Recôncavo's people with pride, preserving the rich history of black resistance in Bahia and Brazil. The culmination of their religious and cultural festivities takes place during the month of August. Local businesses also reflect this cultural wealth, where customers can purchase beautiful carvings, embroidery and paintings produced in the region. You will cross the Paraguassu river using the bridge built by the British in 1830, giving access to the town of São Felix towards a farm strategically located in the hills surrounding the city, which will allow you an exquisite panoramic view of the region.  On this farm, lunch with typical local dishes will be served. Then, you will visit the renowned Danneman cigar factory, founded in the nineteenth century, where the tradition of producing handcrafted cigars is maintained. You will then return to the hotel.