Cairú, a paradise to discover in northeast Brazil

Cairú is the only archipelago municipality in Brazil, offering its visitors a variety of captive attractions for those who value sustainable tourism, gastronomy with quality raw materials and extreme experiences. In just one week you can visit most sites of interest. We review the highlights.

Morro de São Paulo
It is a small island located 272 kilometers from Salvador. The most characteristic of the region are the wonderful landscapes, accompanied by a great cultural movement and an absence of cars. Morro has 4 beaches that have different characteristics: In the first one there are inns, bars, restaurants and many sports activities, such as snorkeling or zip lines. The second beach is characterized by its beach bars and a wide gastronomic offer. The last two are more chosen by those who prefer to rest, take walks and contemplate the landscape.
There are different options to arrive from Salvador: the most expensive is to fly. Small planes depart from the Luis Eduardo Magalhães International Airport (SSA), arriving in Morro de São Paulo in 20 minutes. The second option is the direct ferry. These leave from the Maritime Terminal of Salvador in Bahia. The trip, depending on the state of the sea, takes between 2 hours and 3 hours.
The third is the semi-terrestrial trip that includes boat, bus and fast lane, in a transfer that takes place in just over 3 hours.
Morro has a varied number of accommodations of different characteristics. For those looking for a family and high-class option, we recommend the Hotel Patachocas, located on the fourth beach and offering transfers to the city center on a free bus.
Morro also stands out for its cuisine, along its different beaches you can enjoy a varied offer with menus where fish and seafood stand out of course. We have visited O Casarão, Marilyn Restaurant, Buda Beach and Frigideira de Barro where each one with his style leaves Morro very high as a quality culinary destination.
In Morro, sunsets, art and music in Brazil are also very popular. But if that were not enough, lovers of extreme sports can enjoy a somewhat peculiar ride, going up to the lighthouse and down a zip line.
To complete a complete visit to Morro, you can not miss the Nossa Senhora da Luz Church, and Fonte Grande, built by Emperor Pedro II to bathe.

Gamboa
It is a destination that has become a must for those who arrive in Morro, so they can enjoy a clay bath and enjoy a day at the beach in coastal restaurants that offer excellent cuisine. There Lunas Restaurant stands out, located in Praia Linda.

Garapuá
It is a destination that is accessed by sea but also through the Atlantic forest from Morro, a walk that offers Tour Beach Guarapuá.
It is a shell-shaped beach with incredible natural pools and an eccentric floating bar. It also offers boutique accommodation options, such is the case of Porto Veleiro. A complex that with only 2 years of operation has modern facilities, restaurant, bar and beach club.

Boipeba
It is one of the oldest colonization sites in Bahia, since in 1537 the Jesuits founded the Village and Residence of Boipeba. It is essential to visit: Velha Boipeba, São Sebastião, Moreré, Monte Alegre, Ponta de Tassimirim, Praias das Pedrinhas, Praia de Tassimirim, Praia da Cueira for Banho and Pontal de Bainema.
The only access is by sea or river. River access is more used because of the safety offered by the calm waters of the estuary. However, this access has small obstacles at low tide due to the existence of some sandbars.
There are no cars on the island: the tours are done on foot, 4x4, four-cycle or by tractor. This characteristic plays an important role in environmental preservation and motivates ecological tourism.
Boipeba includes a dense forest of Atlantic Forest, restinga, dunes, extensive mangroves and paradisiacal beaches with coconut palms and coral reefs of great ecological and landscape value.
The reefs extend along the coast and protect some of the beaches from waves and currents. They are extensive and are crossed by canals and small pools.
The flora and fauna are rich, with a wide variety of corals, algae, fish, crustaceans, sea urchins, starfish. In addition, many sea turtles in the region spawn on the beaches of the island.
The accommodation in the area is super varied and includes luxurious inns in remote areas and others already located in the villa. This last option is recommended, especially Belha Boipeba, a modern property that stands out for the cordial attention of its young owners.
The gastronomy of Boipeba is another high point of the destination, there the Varandas Restaurant, Paraíso Restaurant, Panela de Barro, Toca do Lobo and Guido´s with its famous lobster stand out.

Tour of Boipeba Island
Another must-see attraction is a boat ride to get to know its best beaches and attractions. It is advisable to do it with Bahía Terra, a company that has modern boats and very professional staff. Within the excursion stops are made in the natural pools of Moreré, in Ponta dos Castelhanos, São Sebastião and Tapuias.
The tour offers exquisite gastronomy at the Barraca Pastel Dos Castelhanos (Ponta dos Castelhanos) and the Estrela do Mar restaurant (São Sebastião) and Tapuias where we tried a tasting of Oysters.

Cairú
It was one of the most important villas in Colonial Brazil and still offers a diversity of beautiful landscapes, typical cuisine (with dishes made from crab meat and crayfish), and buildings dated from the 16th century. In its historic center, it is possible to stroll through the Plaza de la Matriz, be impressed with mansions and colonial houses, appreciate the beautiful and baroque Matriz church of Nossa Senhora do Rosário and the Convent of Santo Antônio.

We want to thank the support of Prefeitura de Cairú and the tourism entrepreneurs of each of the destinations we traveled.