The southern coast of Bahia, an unforgettable walk through Porto Seguro, Trancoso and Caraíva

Bahia, in the Northeast of Brazil, is the "land of happiness", as composer Ary Barroso described it. It is one of the Brazilian states where the traditions of the native, European and African peoples are mixed and where that legacy is obvious at every turn, from its cities to the smallest hamlets.  

A "safe port" in the founding of Brazil 
More than 700 km south of the Bahian capital is Porto Seguro, a destination famous for the beauty of its beaches, excellent infrastructure and its youthful entertainment environment, but which has a Relevant legacy: it was there that the Portuguese landed on Brazilian lands in 1500. According to historians, Porto Seguro -especially its historic center- is the example of how the colonial era began in the largest country in the region. 

The beaches of Porto Seguro are the main attractions of the destination and each one of them is worth visiting: from those with barracks or kiosks with parties on the seashore, to the semi-deserted ones. All the beaches of Porto Seguro are connected by Beira-Mar Avenue, a central promenade that runs along the entire coast, and they appear one by one along this path. For those who arrive undecided in the city, it is worth going directly to Praia de Taperapuã (where the party is guaranteed), Praia do Mutá (more exclusive and peaceful), Praia de Mundaí or Praia Coroa Vermelha (located in Santa Cruz Cabrália ); as alternatives are the Praia de Curuípe, Praia da Ponta Grande and the small Pitacimirim. With guaranteed sunshine all year round, the months of November, December, March and April are usually the rainiest. 

The two faces of Trancoso 
A little over an hour's drive from Porto Seguro - along the BA-986 route - is Trancoso, a coastal enclave in southern Bahia where the tour begins in the central Quadrado. Presided over by a church, a square and a viewpoint with a panoramic view, there are the best inns and restaurants. The final destination is always the beach, and there are beaches for every taste, whether with cliffs, transparent water, natural pools, endless rows of coconut palms, or all of the above. At the time of putting together the route, it is recommended to go beyond the beaches near the Quadrado, such as Praia dos Coqueiros and Praia dos Nativos, to enter bucolic places such as Patimirim, Praia de Itaquena and Barra do Rio dos Frades, either walking , by rented quad (a tradition in the area) or by speedboat. 

Trancoso has two personalities: a quiet town with dazzling beaches in low season, and a sophisticated party destination in high season, that is, in the months of December, January and February. In all cases, the infrastructure of hotels and restaurants is of a good level for all types of travellers. The ranking of the best beaches is very close: from Rio da Barra, through Taípe, Praia do Rio Verde and Itapororoca, any one is worth a visit. Not to be missed is the spectacular Praia do Espelho, 25 km from Trancoso, considered one of the most spectacular in Bahia. 

Near Trancoso (almost 40 km by dirt road; four-wheel drive cars recommended) is Caraíva, a small fishing village known as a natural tourism destination, where until a few years ago there was no electricity and the streets are made of sand. Nature is the main attraction of this town where most of the tours can be done on foot because the circulation of cars within the town is prohibited, and the inns are smaller and more welcoming than in neighboring Porto Seguro and Trancoso, but where rustic is not at odds with comfort.  

To access Caraíva you have to cross a river in a boat from which you can see its colorful houses and streets with flowering bushes. The best beaches are Praia da Barra, Praia do Camarão and Praia do Satu. To have a good place to eat and drink during the beach day, you have to settle in Praia de Caraíva, next to a small freshwater beach in the river of the same name. The entertainment options include kayaking, stand up paddle and canoeing through the mangroves. The forró -the lively musical rhythm of the Northeast of Brazil- is the music that prevails at sunset in the kiosks on the seashore, a good opportunity to learn to dance as part of the immersion in that natural paradise of Bahia. 

“The Northeast of Brazil is a treasure”, comments Silvio Nascimento, president of Embratur. “Foreign visitors - especially our beloved neighbors from Paraguay and Latin America - know the south coast and Rio de Janeiro as if it were their own home. But knowing the Sun and Beach itineraries available in the Northeast Region is another experience, a new discovery: cities and towns with excellent tourist infrastructure and the possibility of total reconnection with nature. We are expanding the network of air frequencies and we have more and more direct flights from Mercosur countries to the Northeast and we hope that this movement will be a catalyst for tourism in the region. We invite you, you won't regret it," says Nascimento.