Praia do Forte: An unmissable paradise in Bahia

Praia do Forte is a district of the municipality of Mata de São João, located on the north coast of Bahia, Brazil, about 80 kilometres from Salvador.

Originally a fishing village, Praia do Forte has become a popular tourist destination, known for its clear beaches, natural pools formed by coral reefs, extensive coconut groves and ecological reserves.

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1. 🏘️ The Village of Praia do Forte

The heart of the region is Vila da Praia do Forte – charming, rustic and sophisticated. With pedestrian-only streets where bicycles and taxis circulate, the atmosphere is peaceful and safe.

Attractions in the village include

• Craft and designer shops
• Vibrant cafes and bars
• Restaurants with a variety of cuisines
• Fairs and cultural events

At night, the village comes alive with live music, events and parties, but there are also opportunities for those who want to stroll under the full moon by the sea.

2. 🏨 Accommodation for all tastes

The hotel network is diverse and welcoming, with over a thousand beds. Options range from luxury resorts and inns to hostels, apartments, campsites, houses and apartments for rent. Whether you’re travelling for a romantic getaway, with family or friends, there’s always a good choice.

3.🍽️ Food, shopping and culture

The region offers high-quality gastronomy, with dishes ranging from traditional acarajé to French, Italian and Japanese cuisine. The destination also offers designer shops, local crafts, galleries, bars and cafes – all in a rustic and sophisticated setting.

4. 🌿 Exuberant nature

Surrounded by the Atlantic Rainforest, Praia do Forte is perfect for those seeking adventure or contemplation.

A highlight is the Sapiranga Ecological Reserve, just 6 kilometres from the village. With 600 hectares of protected forest, it is home to species such as

• Star monkeys
• Anteaters
• Dozens of birds
• Orchids and bromeliads

In the reserve, you can enjoy hiking trails, bathing in the Pojuca River and sports such as quad biking, zip lining, horse riding, cycling and floating on buoys. For relaxation, a swim in the Açu Lagoon will bring the trip to a peaceful close.

5. 🏖️ The Beaches

The region offers a number of enchanting beaches, all with warm waters and paradisiacal landscapes.

Highlights:

• Praia do Papa-Gente: ideal for diving in the natural pools, with a wide variety of colourful fish.
• Praia do Lord: forms a huge natural pool at low tide, with snacks served in the water.
• Praia do Porto: Great for families, with typical food stalls and fishing boats.
• Praia do Eco Resort: good for long walks and access to other beaches such as Itacimirim and Guarajuba – perfect for water sports.
• Tivoli Beach: Located in front of the resort, it is known for its tranquillity and calm sea, ideal for couples and families.
• Praia da Casinha: Very popular with surfers, with perfect waves for practising this sport.
• Praia do Portinho: Located in the centre of the village, next to the São Francisco church, it is easily accessible and ideal for a quick swim.
• Pedra do Chapéu Beach: With its peculiar rock formation, it’s perfect for taking photos and contemplating.
• Praia do Porto de Cima: Picturesque, with reefs and fishing boats at anchor, it offers an authentic and peaceful atmosphere.
• It’s hard to choose the best… discover your favourite beach!

6. 🐢 Tamar Project

Praia do Forte is home to the main base of the Tamar Project, which has been protecting the Turtles that nest in the area since 1980.

Four of the world’s seven turtle species come to Praia do Forte every year, especially between September and May.

The centre has

• Tanks with live turtles
• Aquariums
• Interactive Museum
• Shop and restaurant
• Cultural and educational activities

Open every day from 9am to 5.30pm.

7. 🐋 Humpback Whale Institute

Between July and October, the region is visited by the incredible humpback whales that come from the South Atlantic to breed.

The Humpback Whale Institute, founded in 2000, promotes

• Whale watching tours
• Interactive Museum
• Lectures and educational activities

Open Tuesday to Saturday from 12pm to 6pm, including public holidays.

8. 🌳 Sapiranga Ecological Reserve

Unspoilt nature and adventure in the heart of the Atlantic Rainforest

Located just a few kilometres from Praia do Forte, the Sapiranga Ecological Reserve is a true natural sanctuary that preserves remnants of the Atlantic Rainforest. Covering some 600 hectares, the reserve is ideal for those seeking direct contact with nature and ecotourism experiences.

The area is home to great biodiversity, with native species of fauna and flora, and is perfect for activities such as

• Cycling
• Nature Trails
• Kayak tours
• Tree climbing
• Birdwatching

9.  🌊 Timeantube Lagoon

Despite its competition with the sea, Timeantube Lagoon has its own charm. It is an excellent option for those seeking contact with nature, tranquillity and outdoor activities.

🚴‍♂️ Activities and leisure

• It has a tree-lined promenade, perfect for running, walking and cycling.
• It offers peaceful kayaking trips, ideal for those looking for a more alternative and relaxing programme.
• The lagoon is beautiful and makes for great photography, especially at sunset.
• Surrounded by native vegetation, it is also a good place to see birds and local wildlife.

10. 🕰️ The history of Praia do Forte: from its origins to its present charm.

Before it became one of the most enchanting tourist destinations on the north coast of Bahia, Praia do Forte was just a small fishing village. Despite the passage of time, the place retains traces of its original simplicity, now mixed with touches of sophistication and modern infrastructure.

Its origins date back to the 16th century, when the Portuguese nobleman Garcia D’Ávila had a fortress built nearby. The purpose was strategic: to protect the region and store goods that landed on the coast for later shipment to Salvador.

Over time, the area around the fortress began to change. The introduction of coconut palm seedlings, brought from Asia by the Portuguese colonists, attracted families interested in coconut growing and harvesting.

Some residents began to work as sailors, facilitating the crossing of the Pojuca River, while others took up fishing – the embryo of the settlement around the Fort was born.

One of the region’s great historical monuments is the Castle of Garcia d’Ávila, also known as the Casa da Torre.

It is the first Portuguese military and residential fortification in Brazil and is considered a unique construction in the Americas due to its medieval style. Its construction began in 1551 and was directed by Garcia D’Ávila, who accompanied Tomé de Souza on his arrival in Bahia in 1549. The monument was listed by IPHAN in 1938.

Today, what remains of the castle is in ruins, but it is still one of the main attractions of Praia do Forte.

From here you can enjoy a panoramic view of the sea and explore the preserved structures, such as the Chapel of São Pedro dos Rates – also called the Chapel of All Saints – which was begun before the castle and completed in 1624.

After the architectural complex was abandoned in 1835 by the descendants of the D’Ávila family, the structure was not restored until the 1980s, when it was transformed into the Garcia D’Ávila Historical Park.

The site also has a Museum, which displays Portuguese crockery and indigenous artefacts found during excavations, all catalogued by IPHAN.

Another symbol of the region is the charming Chapel of St Francis of Assisi, overlooking the Praia do Porto. Small and cosy, it was built by local fishermen around 1900.

Inside, there are images of St Francis of Assisi, St Benedict and Our Lady of the Conception, as well as beautiful paintings of the Stations of the Cross by the Bahian artist Carlos Bastos.

With its privileged location facing the sea and surrounded by boats, the chapel has become one of the most popular wedding venues – both for locals and couples from other parts of the country who choose Praia do Forte as the setting to celebrate their love.

🏰 Garcia D’Ávila Castle: History, heritage and resistance.

One of the greatest historical symbols of Praia do Forte, the Caste of Garcia D’Ávila – also known as the Casa da Torre – is a building of great importance to Brazil’s historical and cultural heritage. Its ruins, located about 2.5 kilometres from the coast, date back to the 16th century and still fascinate visitors today for their grandeur and symbolic value.

🌿 Origins and construction.

The castle’s origins date back to 1551, when Garcia d’Ávila I, at the request of King João III of Portugal, began building what he called the Torre Singela de São Pedro de Rates, in honour of his home town. Soon after, he began building a manor house and the Chapel of Our Lady of the Conception.

The medieval fortress was extended over time and in 1624 his grandson, Francisco Dias de Ávila Caramurú, completed the complex, which now had 26 rooms and two large halls. The building served as a residence, trading post and surveillance base.

Considered the only medieval-style castle in Latin America, the building was also a strategic fortification to protect Salvador, then the capital of Brazil. Every movement at sea was watched, and in case of suspicion torch signals were sent to alert the city, 70 kilometres away.

The architectural complex was listed by the National Institute of Historical and Artistic Heritage (IPHAN) in 1938. Today its ruins form part of the Garcia D’Ávila Historical Park, which has a museum, archaeological pieces and exhibitions that reconstruct life in the colonial period.

⚔️ Role in the Dutch Invasions

During the second Dutch invasion of Brazil in 1637, the castle played a decisive role. It became a resting point for the Portuguese troops, a night watch post and a communication centre with light signals to monitor enemy sea movements.

In recognition of the family’s strategic importance, Garcia d’Ávila II was appointed Captain of the Ordinances by the Portuguese Crown in 1641, a military title bestowed in gratitude for his father’s services during the conflicts.

The final victory over the Dutch came in 1645, with the help of England, and further consolidated the role of the Casa da Torre in the defence of colonial territory.

🐄 Economic and cultural influence.

The influence of the Garcia d’Ávila family was not limited to military defence. They are credited with introducing zebu cattle and coconuts to Brazil – elements that transformed the agricultural economy of the Northeast.

The family’s power was so great that they controlled an 800,000 km² estate, the largest in the Americas at the time, equivalent to 1/10 of Brazil’s territory. To give you an idea, the size of the estate was comparable to the sum of the territories of Portugal, Spain, Holland, Italy and Switzerland.

The popular expression “without a threshing floor”, used to describe simple houses, was in direct contrast to the sumptuousness of the Casa da Torre, which had a threshing floor, a veranda and a tribeira, indicating wealth, status and prestige.

✨ Heritage and tourism

Today, the Castle of Garcia D’Ávila is one of the main tourist attractions of Praia do Forte. Its ruins not only offer a spectacular panoramic view of the sea, but also invite visitors to immerse themselves in centuries of Brazilian history.

In addition to the castle, the region has other historical landmarks, such as the Chapel of São Pedro dos Rates – the oldest and best preserved part of the complex – and the Chapel of São Francisco de Assis, built by fishermen in 1900.

The Garcia D’Ávila Historical Park receives thousands of visitors every year, including students, tourists and researchers who want to understand more about the foundations of colonial Brazil and the central role of Bahia in its formation.

🌅 Praia do Forte – a complete destination

Praia do Forte is one of those places where nature, history, culture and leisure come together in perfect harmony.

With charming beaches, immaculate infrastructure, outstanding environmental measures and a charming and welcoming village, it’s easy to see why it has become one of Brazil’s top tourist destinations.

Come and discover this special part of Bahia – and find your favourite beach.

📍 Where is it?

Praia do Forte is located on the Costa dos Coqueiros, on the north coast of Bahia:

• 56 km from Salvador International Airport
• 75 km from Salvador Bus Station
• 80 km from the capital’s historic centre
• Quick and easy to reach, the destination offers a complete infrastructure to welcome tourists from Brazil and around the world with comfort and charm.

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