Brazil - The Rough Guide to South America on a Budget - page 281

MORRO DE SÃO PAULO
Still relatively peaceful and undeveloped,
the village of MORRO DE SÃO PAULO
on the island of Tinharé , about 75km
southwest of Salvador, represents an
ideal place to escape frenetic Salvador.
Morro has a great atmosphere, with
plenty of surfing and diving as well as
reggae bars and beach parties that last
till the early hours. It's popular among
locals and tourists alike, who come
here to catch some rays on the pristine
beaches and swim the island's clear
waters. With no roads (wheelbarrows are
used to transport things along the sandy
paths), there's a slow and friendly pace
of life here, though at the weekends
(especially December through March)
vast crowds descend.

in no time. The 25-second ride from
the top of the hill is a great way to check
out Morro's beaches from above as well
as have a little adrenaline kick before
relaxing into the laidback vibe. To get to
the zip-line, head along the coastal path
up the hill, past the pousadas and the
health clinic, and make your way to the
back of the lighthouse by the fort. Of
course, you can just as easily, if less
dramatically, walk to the beach in five
minutes from the pier.
ARRIVAL AND INFORMATION
You can reach Tinharé by air or sea. It's obviously much
quicker to fly, but it's also far more expensive. At the dock
you may have to pay a R$12 Taxa de Turismo, though this is
currently in dispute in the courts and may be rescinded.
By plane Aero Star ( T 71 3377 4406, W www.aerostar
.com.br) and Adey Táxi Aéreo ( T 71 3204 1993) fly 2-3
times daily to and from the island from Salvador (around
R$300 one-way).
By boat Catamarans to Tinharé depart 3 times daily (9am,
1.30pm and 2pm, returning 9am, 11.30am and 3pm) from
Salvador's Terminal Turístico Marítimo ( T 71 9195 6744,
T 71 3319 4570), the blue building at the water's edge
behind the Mercado Modelo; tickets cost R$75 (Mon-Sat)
or R$90 (Sun and holidays) each way - buy tickets at least
30min in advance.
Tourist information The tourist information o ce,
SIT ( T 75 3652 1083, W morrosp.com.br), is close to the
dock, at the very start of the main path that leads to First
Beach. Staff here are friendly, speak some English and
can give excellent advice about food and lodging. A good
website for the history of the island and information about
pousadas, restaurants and nightlife is W morrodesaopaulo
.com.br.

3

WHAT TO SEE AND DO
There are four main beaches in Morro
(known simply as First , Second , Third
and Fourth beaches ), with the first being
the closest (and therefore most popular)
to the village centre and the fourth being
the furthest away (and thus quietest).
Accommodation and restaurant prices
increase the further you move towards the
Fourth Beach. A good idea is to settle for
the Second Beach given its close location
to the town centre and party atmosphere.
On arrival, expect to be besieged by
tenacious locals offering to be your
“guide” - shake them off relatively easily
by heading straight to the Tirolesa
Zipline (daily 10am-5.30pm),
a 70m-high and 350m-long zip-wire that
will whizz you down to the First Beach

ACCOMMODATION
There is plenty of affordable accommodation on First and
Second beaches - for R$40 to R$60 you can find a room on
the seafront, with a hammock where you can listen to the
waves crash all night.
Hostel Morro de São Paulo Rua da Fonte Grande, a
5min walk from the pier and First Beach T 75 3652 1521,
T 75 9962 1287, W hosteldomorro.com.br. HI hostel with
simple but clean dorms and doubles in a leafy, verdant
setting. There 's a com munal k itchen and laundry facilities.
Dorms R$48 , doubles R$120
Pousada Aradhia Third Beach T 75 3652 1341, T 75
8139 6257, W pousadaaradhia.net. Quiet rooms giving
onto a small tropical garden, all with a little veranda with
hammock s. The pool's the place to mingle with other
travellers. R$150

ISLAND ACTIVITIES
You can enjoy all sorts of activities in Morro,
from waterskiing and wake-boarding to
capoeira and yoga lessons.
Diving enthusiasts or anyone wishing to
learn scuba can contact Companhia do
Mergulho on First Beach ( T 75 3652 1200).
They operate day and night dives in fast
boats to clear-water areas around the
island. Horseriding along the beach can
be organized by calling T 75 3652 1070 or
1056. Surfing instruction is offered by
Morro Surf School ( T 75 8836 4042).