Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Peninsula de
Maraú
7
g
from Itacaré or Camamu to
Barra Grande.
n
Barra Grande,
(075) 3255 2228.
www
.barragrande.net
The main destination at the
northern tip of the Peninsula
de Maraú is
Barra Grande
,
a delightful, remote fishing
village. Beautiful beaches
are scattered along the entire
length of the peninsula, but
it is difficult to get around
without a car. Four wheel
drives ferry passengers from
pousadas
to various beaches
around the peninsula.
Alternatively, the 31-mile
(50-km) walk across various
palm-fringed beaches along
the coastline is spectacular.
Most of the peninsula
is covered in native Mata
Atlântica rainforest, which
has been relatively well
preserved. The Baía de
Camamu, one of Brazil's
largest bays, separates the
peninsula from the mainland.
The long dirt road heading
down the peninsula (often
impassable after rains) leads
to some of the best beaches
facing the open ocean.
Praia
Taipús de Fora
, 4 miles (7 km)
south of Barra Grande, is
considered one of Brazil's
most beautiful beaches. At
low tide, the coral reefs form
a clear, natural pool, perfect
for snorkeling and swimming.
There are also a handful of
small fishing villages scattered
along the coast. Local fisher-
men offer excursions to
Lagoa
Azul
(Blue Lagoon), scenic
view points, bay islands, and
down the Rio Maraú.
The ruins of Fortaleza do Tapirando in Morro de São Paulo
Morro de
São Paulo
6
*
50,000.
~
from Salvador.
g
from Salvador.
n
(075) 3652
1104.
www
.morrodesaopaulo.
com.br
Morro's beaches are famous
in Brazil for their parties.
During high season, there are
parties every night and the
beaches are packed. Most
nights start around midnight,
when
Primeira
beach fills with
locals and visitors, who dance
axé
and drink fruity cocktails.
As you move away from the
village, the beaches get wider
and less developed.
Segunda
and
Terceira
beaches feature
progressively more scattered
pousadas
. From
Quarta
beach
onwards, the coast remains
blissfully undeveloped,
offering long stretches of
white sand backed by waving
groves of coconut palms.
Although within easy reach
of Salvador, the coast imme-
diately south of the state
capital does not have many
large, developed tourist desti-
nations, apart from Morro de
São Paulo. Now a picturesque
beach destination, Morro de
São Paulo, on the northern
tip of Ilha da Tinharé, once
played a key role in the
coastal defences of Bahia.
In 1630, Governor General
Diego Luiz de Oliveira
ordered
Fortaleza do
Tapirando
to be strategically
built here where it could
control the Itaparica channel,
one of the main approaches
to Salvador. The ruins of the
fort have been designated a
National Heritage Site. The
view of the sunset from the
fort's crumbling walls is
spectacular, and dolphin
sightings are quite common.
Still accessible only by boat
or plane, Morro maintains
much of its original charm.
No cars are allowed in the
village. Lined with
pousadas
,
boutiques, and restaurants,
the “streets” are made
of sand, and wheelbarrows
and bicycles are the primary
means of transportation.
In the evenings, the village
square transforms into a craft
market, the small stands often
lit only by candlelight, making
for a very cozy atmosphere.
Environs
Just south of Morro,
Ilha de
Boipeba
offers a quiet, idyllic
island getaway, with pristine,
deserted beaches. Ponta de
Castelhanos is especially
known for diving. Travelers
can get here via boat from
Morro de São Paulo. Visitors
coming from Salvador can
access Boipeba by road,
heading down the BA-001.
Peninsula de Maraú, overlooking the Baía de Camamu
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp376-8 and pp401-403
