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Porto Seguro is one of Brazil’s main tourist destinations and is in a permanent party mood.

Porto Seguro is a municipality divided into 5 districts: Porto Seguro (seat), Arraial d’Ajuda, Caraiva, Trancoso and Vale Verde.

View the Costa do Descobrimento map and View the Porto Seguro beaches map

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Porto Seguro in Bahia

1. History and importance

• Historical Significance: Porto Seguro is historically significant as the place where the Portuguese landed on 22 April 1500, marking the discovery of Brazil by Pedro Álvares Cabral. The city’s historic centre boasts well-preserved colonial architecture, including churches, museums and monuments.
• Historical Heritage: The city has a rich historical and cultural heritage, with several preserved colonial buildings and archaeological sites.

2. Main Attractions

1. Historic City

• Cultural Attractions: The historic city centre, known as the Cidade Alta, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The main attractions include the Church of Nossa Senhora da Pena, the Museum of the Discovery of Porto Seguro and the Landmark of the Discovery.
• Historical City: Located on a hill overlooking the sea, the Historical City of Porto Seguro is a collection of colonial buildings, churches and museums that tell the story of Brazil.
• Church of Nossa Senhora da Pena: Built in 1535, it is one of the oldest in Brazil and boasts stunning colonial architecture.
• Museum of Porto Seguro: Housed in the old Town Hall and Jail, the museum offers exhibitions on the history of the discovery of Brazil.
• Marco do Descobrimento: A stone monument erected by the Portuguese to mark their arrival in Brazil.
• Historic Centre: Walking through the cobbled streets of the historic centre allows you to appreciate the colonial architecture and well-preserved buildings that tell the story of colonisation.

3. Nightlife

• Porto Seguro has a lively nightlife, with numerous bars, nightclubs and beach parties, especially along the Passarela do Álcool, a busy street full of bars, restaurants and shops. 

4. Activities

• Visitors can enjoy a variety of activities, including water sports, eco-tourism and visits to indigenous villages. The region also offers excellent opportunities for diving and snorkelling, particularly in the Recife de Fora Marine Park.

5. Culture and Community

• Local Culture: The city is known for its vibrant local culture, including music, dance and cuisine. Forró and axé are popular musical styles in the region.
• Indigenous Community: The town has a significant presence of indigenous Pataxó communities, who share their culture, crafts and traditions with visitors.

6. Nature

• Dazzling Beaches: In addition to its historical importance, Porto Seguro is famous for its beautiful beaches, such as Taperapuã, Mutá and Coroa Vermelha, where you can relax and enjoy the sun.
• Pau Brasil National Park: A natural conservation area that protects the local flora and fauna, offering ecological trails and animal watching.

7. Beaches

1. Cruzeiro Beach

It has camping, good option to spend little.

2. Praia do Mutá

It is the continuation of Ponta do Mutá Beach.

3. Praia Ponta Grande

Similar to the previous one, it has calm waters, banana boat rides, speedboat rides and kayak rentals. Curuipe, Itaeimirim and Mundai Beaches are busy and have infrastructure.

4. Praia do Rio dos Mangues (ou Barramares)

One of the most traditional seaside entertainment bars, Barramares, is located on this beach. It is possible to rent kayaks, take banana boat rides and fly ultralight. The beach is one of the favorites for those who like calm waters.

5. Praia de Taperapuã

The natural pools formed by the reefs attract many people. Some tents have a stage and dance floor. At the Toa Toa hut it is possible to hire helicopter rides.

6. Praia de Mundaí

Cove with calm and clear waters (good for diving). It has coconut trees, thick and clear sand with many shells. It has inns, camping and several piassava kiosks.

7. Praia de Curuípe

Cove with reefs, weak waves and narrow strip of coarse white sand. It has cliffs and lies between two rivers. At low tide, the small Rio S. Francisco forms natural pools of clear water.

8. Praia de Itacimirim

Steep, with a narrow strip of beaten sand and some coconut palms between kiosks. Although relatively short – about 1 km – it shows many curves. It has several inns and bars.

8. Other Tours

Boat trips in Porto Seguro are offered by local companies: you just have to choose. The most popular are the schooner trips to Coroa Alta or Recife de Fora.

If you are in a small group or couple and willing to spend more, you can rent a boat equipped for fishing or diving and make an independent program à la carte.

Ultralight and helicopter rides are exciting options. The landscape is unforgettable.

1. Pirate Island

Pirate Island, which has a center of studies focused on environmental preservation, has a day and night leisure structure.

The nightly musical shows attract many visitors.

By day, the demand is for the large aquariums with sharks and rays. In the Degraded Areas Recovery Project there is a nursery of seedlings of mangrove plants.

The island also houses an orchidarium, a bromeliad nursery, an art gallery, an environmental education center, an events square, a snack bar, a restaurant and a bar.

9. Carnival

The Carnival in Porto Seguro is one of the liveliest in Bahia, second only to Salvador.

When the electric trios take over the Passarela do Álcool, there is no one to hold back, everyone joins in the revelry. So, if you are looking for peace and quiet during the Carnival holidays, Porto Seguro is not your beach.

10. Tips for Visiting

• Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit Porto Seguro is during the dry season, from August to March, when the weather is sunny and ideal for beach activities.
• Accommodation: The city offers a variety of accommodation options, from luxury resorts and hotels to more economical hostels and inns.
• Transport: The city is well connected by air, road and sea, making it easy to get to and from.

11. How to get there

• By Plane: Porto Seguro International Airport receives domestic flights from several Brazilian cities. The airport is located close to the city centre.
• By Car: If you’re driving, you can take the BR-101 motorway to Eunápolis and then the BA-001 to Porto Seguro.
• By Bus: Several bus companies operate routes to Porto Seguro from various cities in Brazil. The main bus station is located in the city centre.
• By Ferry: From Arraial d’Ajuda, you can take a ferry across the Buranhém River to Porto Seguro.

Porto Seguro is a captivating destination that combines historic charm, natural beauty and a vibrant cultural scene. Whether you’re interested in exploring Brazil’s colonial history, relaxing on picturesque beaches or enjoying the lively nightlife, the city has something to offer every type of traveller.

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