The Costa do Descobrimento (Discovery Coast) comprises the municipalities of Porto Seguro, Santa Cruz Cabrália and Belmonte and has several natural attractions such as beaches, bays, coral reefs, mangroves, navigable rivers and the history of the discovery of Brazil.
The Discovery Coast, located in the extreme south of Bahia, reserves pleasant surprises, causes emotions to the visitor and increases the desire to rediscover Brazil.
The Discovery Coast has beaches, bays, coves, cliffs, coral reefs, mangroves and navigable rivers; the region has favourable conditions for the practice of adventure tourism and ecotourism, as well as reserves ideal points for diving, windsurfing, surfing, kitesurfing, trekking, horseback riding, among others.
Considered the cradle of Brazilian history and culture, the Discovery Coast, formed by the municipalities of Belmonte, Porto Seguro and Santa Cruz Cabrália, was listed as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site in 1999.
The second largest tourist destination in the state, it has an international airport located in Porto Seguro, as well as paved roads and regular air and road transport services.
In Porto Seguro, beaches on the north coast such as Itacimirim, Mundaí and Taperapuã are visited by tourists from all over the world who enjoy the warm waters of this paradise where it is easy to find good bars, restaurants and leisure options that even include incredible ultralight, helicopter and parachute rides; not to mention beach bar structures that resemble real tourist complexes, with lambaerobics classes, live music, covered parking, sports courts, restaurants, ice cream parlours, boutiques and craft shops that operate all year round.
To the south, you will enjoy enchanting scenery with hidden beaches amidst natural riches and beach spaces that combine rustic with refinement and extreme good taste.
This coastline includes Arraial D’ajuda, Trancoso and Caraíva, among the most visited beaches are: Delegado, Mucugê, Parracho, Pitinga and Taípe beaches in Arraial D’ajuda, Nativos dos Coqueiros and naturism beaches in Trancoso and those who visit Caraíva cannot miss the Espelho beach, which, located in the middle of a cliff, is among the ten most visited in Brazil.
In Santa Cruz Cabrália, the beaches of Coroa Vermelha, Mutary and Arakakaí stand out.
On the Costa do Descobrimento there are also the beaches of Santo André, Tartarugas and Santo Antônio, also very popular.
The region is home to a preserved historical-architectural complex that dates back to the early days of Brazilian history, as well as stunning ecosystems and landscapes.
Tours such as the historic site of the upper town where the landmark of the discovery is located and churches from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, as well as a visit to Coroa Vermelha, where the first mass in Brazil was celebrated, are indispensable.
In this region, there are three national parks – Descobrimento, Monte Pascoal and Pau Brasil – as well as environmental protection areas and indigenous reserves.
Indigenous handicrafts and traditions such as the reisado, the pastoral dances, the mast pulling and the mandus are preserved elements of the rich and diverse local culture.
At night, the scenery turns into an intense bustle and night leisure is also a highlight. Concert halls, beach huts and nightclubs offer visitors pleasant parties that always end at dawn.
For more than 500 years this region has been visited by many explorers in search of the most unusual products.
Nowadays, the explorers are better known as “tourists”, who seek high doses of adrenaline and a lot of history, in a scenario composed of sun, sea and a lot of joy.
Tourism and Travel Guide to the Discovery Coast in Bahia
The Pataxós Indians have been concentrated in villages for at least 150 years, this indigenous group occupies the coast of Bahia on the coast of discovery, ranging from Belmonte and Santa Cruz de Cabrália, to the north, passing through Porto Seguro and Monte Pascoal, to Prado, to the south. In […]
Caraíva is a seaside village located in the middle of the spectacular South Coast of Bahia, 70 km from Porto Seguro International Airport, still little known among tourists and with the reputation of a rustic destination. South of Arraial d’Ajuda, is Caraíva, an isolated paradise and entrance to the Pataxó […]
Barra do Cahy is located in the municipality of Prado, on the coast of the Costa das Baleias in the extreme south of Bahia. In addition to the city of Prado with its 84 km of beaches and pure natural beauty, the district of Cumuruxatiba, and the village of Corumbau […]
Although it is less than 30 kilometers from Porto Seguro, the village of Santo André in the district of Santa Cruz Cabrália is a guarantee of quietness and rusticity all year round, even in summer. As soon as you cross the ferry, the contrast between the bustle of neighboring Santa […]
The history of the Discovery Coast can begin to be told from April 22, 1500, when Pedro Álvares Cabral’s squadron sighted a rounded elevation – the Monte Pascoal, which lies south of Bahia. In search of a safe place to dock, the thirteen vessels sailed along the coast heading north […]
Praia da Pitinga in Arraial d’Ajuda with its colorful cliffs is an ideal beach for paragliding. Praia da Pitinga which is in the district of Arraial da Ajuda in Porto Seguro more or less 1 km from the center. A colorful maze of cliff-top vegetation surrounds the golden sand and […]
Trancoso is a little piece of paradise discovered by hippies in the 1970s that still preserves its idyllic essence. This small village – founded by the Jesuits in the 17th century – sits on a plateau in front of a beautiful sea. The life of the place develops around the […]
Porto Seguro is one of Brazil’s main tourist destinations and is in a permanent party mood. Porto Seguro is divided into 5 districts: Porto Seguro (headquarters), Arraial d’Ajuda, Caraiva, Trancoso and Vale Verde. The Portuguese discovered Brazil by stopping their caravels in this region of Bahia in 1500. But Brazil […]
The nightlife in Porto Seguro is divided into two parts. The first one consists of a walk, in the early evening, on the Passarela do Álcool. The street is in the center of Porto Seguro and is full of colorful colonial buildings from the 17th century that house bars with […]
The Colonization of Brazil was a process of settlement, exploration and domination of the territory, since the Portuguese Court believed in the hypothesis of having the Brazilian territory invaded and taken if it was not occupied. Despite these intentions, the Portuguese Court also aimed to turn the new territory into […]
The history of Brazil begins in Porto Seguro, Bahia. Considered a national monument, the city is located on the Discovery Coast, where 500 years ago the Portuguese arrived, starting the colonization of the country. Today, the monuments, churches and beautiful beaches make the municipality one of the most visited destinations […]
Santa Cruz Cabrália in Bahia is quieter than the neighboring city Porto Seguro and has a lot to offer tourists. On the Discovery Coast, Santa Cruz Cabrália, neighboring Porto Seguro, has as its main tourist attractions the beaches – especially Coroa Vermelha – as well as the historic center. Located just […]
Santo André is a quiet village in the south of Bahia, with creative people, native forest and beautiful beaches as far as the eye can see, receiving the blessings of the patron saint of fishermen who gave it its name. It is a cove with a stretch facing the sea […]
Caraíva is a village that defies predatory tourism and enchants with its almost primitive beauty! A primitive village of 2000 inhabitants that is beginning to be discovered by less accommodating tourists. It is 40 km from Trancoso by sandy and deserted road. There is no electricity, telephone or post office. […]
Located in the south of Bahia, Belmonte is one of the extremities of the Discovery Coast. The municipality of Belmonte has as neighbors Canavieiras, to the north, and Santa Cruz Cabrália, to the south. One of the main attractions of the municipality of Belmonte is the village of Mogiquiçaba, which, […]
The small village of Arraial d’Ajuda, which is a district of Porto Seguro, is characterized by its paradisiacal beaches, exuberant nature and buildings with a unique style. It attracts tourists from all over the world and is considered a meeting point for writers, musicians and artists in general. Arraial d’Ajuda […]
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