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Mata de São João is a small tropical paradise of the North Coast of Bahia, so called Costa dos Coqueiros.
Mata de São João is a municipality in Greater Salvador, in the state of Bahia, in Brazil.
The coastal region of the municipality begins in Praia do Forte, to the south, and runs to Costa do Sauipe, to the north.
The main municipalities included in the Costa dos Coqueiros are Camaçari (where the village of Arembepe is located), Lauro de Freitas, Entre Rios, Jandaíra, Conde and Mata de São João.
The municipality of Mata de São João is home to important tourist destinations in Bahia, such as Imbassaí beach, Praia do Forte and Costa do Sauípe, which concentrates the largest number of high standard resorts on the Brazilian coast.
Known all over the world for the beauty of its beaches, the exuberant nature and the friendliness and hospitality of its people. There are 28 km of coastline and nature reserves.
Praia do Forte, Imbassaí, Diogo, Santo Antônio and Costa do Sauípe make up the scenario that combines the simplicity of villages with the sophistication of the world’s major hotel chains, which combines the spice of Bahia with the cuisine of various nationalities.
Mata de São João is a unique and plural municipality, which surprises and enchants with its beautiful landscapes and genuine cultural manifestations.
Traditions of our people, passed down from generation to generation and that Mata de São João is keen to present to you.
Video about Mata de São João in Bahia
Mata de São João na Bahia
There are several reasons for you to visit us
View the map of Costa dos Coqueiros
Tourist spots of Mata de São João in Bahia
- Tamar Project – Praia do Forte
- Praia do Forte
- Garcia D’Ávila Foundation (Praia do Forte)
- Sapiranga Reserve (Praia do Forte)
- Alameda do Sol ( Praia do Forte village)
- Natural Pools
- Vila de Santo Antônio
- Imbassaí
- Humpback Whale
- Sauípe Park
- Beaches in the Municipality of Mata de São João
1. Tamar Project – Praia do Forte
The drawing of the turtle coming out of the egg is everywhere. It is the mark of the Tamar Project – Ibama (Brazilian Institute of the Environment), of the National Center for the Conservation and Management of Sea Turtles, which has been in Praia do Forte since 1980.
The national headquarters of the Project, which aims to preserve the species, is located there.
2. Praia do Forte
Praia do Forte is the main sea turtle nesting region in Brazil and also an important feeding area for young turtles, which has already become a tourist attraction.
The Visitor Center serves in English, Spanish and Italian.
3. Garcia D’Ávila Foundation (Praia do Forte)
A 4 km bike path connects the village of Praia do Forte to the Garcia D’Ávila Castle. Bike Tour: the visit to the castle is accompanied by a local guide. Bring sunscreen, cap, water. There are also horseback rides to the castle. Generally, groups are of five people, and the minimum recommended age depends on previous experience.
Other alternatives for a ride to Garcia D’Ávila Castle are groups on bugres and motorized quad bikes.
4. Sapiranga Reserve (Praia do Forte)
There are several group tour options in Sapiranga Reserve: horseback riding, bike tour, bugres and quad bikes. There are also vehicles adapted for the disabled. These tours usually include bathing in the Pojuca River, bird watching, bathing in the Açu Lagoon and visiting the Environmental Study Center, where animals from the region are found.
Wear light, loose and resistant clothing, a cap, long pants, sneakers or comfortable boots (never wear shorts, flip-flops or high-heeled shoes). Use a backpack to carry personal items and keep your hands free. Take insect repellent and a snack for after the tour, preferably energy foods.
Inform the guide, before the visit to the forest, of the existence of any visitor with allergies or serious illnesses. The tour time is free and the average duration of the bike tour is 3 to 4 hours. Buggy and quad bike.
5. Alameda do Sol (Praia do Forte village)
The Vila or the Alameda do Sol is the point and the heart of Praia do Forte. Charming, cool, it is the place of footing, where young people, children and gentlemen stroll without compromise.
With trendy and designer stores, Vila da Praia do Forte is marked by good taste in its ambiance.
The place has a special charm where the rustic combines with the sophisticated creating a summer climate that enchants visitors throughout the year.
In addition to enjoying the beauties of a tropical place, tourists have at their disposal an excellent complete infrastructure of leisure, services and products. Praia do Forte is pure diversity.
The difference is that in the village there are no cars, only bicycles and the famous bicitaxi.
In the village, the gastronomy has a special highlight, there are dozens of bars and restaurants with a variety of mouth-watering options.
They offer from the famous beijús of the flour house and the delicious delicacies of the baiana de acarajé to the most sophisticated cuisines, such as French, Italian and Japanese.
The nightlife of Praia do Forte is full of joy, music and beautiful people circulating in the bars, which bustle until dawn.
For those who like quieter programs, the option is to go out for a night walk, especially on full moon days.
It is in the village that you will find the Chapel of St. Francis of Assisi, one of the most famous postcards of Praia do Forte.
Located in front of the beach of the Port, where the fishing boats are anchored. Many parties, and popular manifestations, were born around the church, among them: Branch, Comedies, Patron, Caretas, Reisado and Puxada de rede.
6. Natural Pools
Distinctive beaches, natural pools of crystal clear water 36 miles long, formed by huge reefs and with a maximum depth of 3 meters. Wear your bathing suit. Excellent for swimming at low tide.
For floating and snorkeling, to observe marine biodiversity, rent mask / snorkel equipment. The minimum recommended age for floating is 5 years.
7. Vila de Santo Antônio
From the district of Diogo to the beach of Santo Antônio, it is a twenty-minute walk along the white sands. Just cross the river bridge, climb a dune and follow the sound of the sea along the open trails.
Santo Antônio beach is the ideal place for couples and groups of friends who like adventure. The path through the dunes is not so far, but the immensity of sand and some denser bushes can make the most unprepared get lost. But it’s not even necessary to have a guide.
The sign of the right destination is the jegue, a typical animal of the region used to transport people and supplies between the city and the small fishing village.
8. Humpback Whale
Contact the tourism agencies in Praia do Forte to schedule your whale watching tour.
In addition to the schooner of the Baleia Jubarte Institute, there are options for speedboat, schooner and catamaran rides. Navigation of approximately 25 miles of route, accompanied by a biologist.
Before boarding, the visitor attends a brief lecture on environmental education and rules of procedure for whale watching. The lectures are in Portuguese and English.
It is advisable to bring a bag or backpack with a snack, mineral water, sunscreen, cap or hat, light clothing.Any garbage produced must be brought back. The ideal period for the baleiada is from July to October.
9. Imbassaí
It was the Indians, its first inhabitants, who gave the place its name: Imbassaí, which in Tupi means “path of the river”.
Today, for the locals, the name has another translation: “meeting of the waters”. A very appropriate expression for a place where the waters of the river and the sea meet, providing another spectacle of rare beauty.
There are 6 km of wild beaches. The Imbassaí River runs parallel to the sea – separated by white sand dunes and a beautiful coconut grove – until the meeting of both, where the fresh and salty waters come together for the joy of bathers.
The place is perfect for enjoying the sunset, kayaking or crossing to the beach by raft. The sea has warm, crystal clear waters and in some stretches there are good waves for surfing and other water sports.
The beach huts by the river offer good service and you can enjoy delicious snacks such as crab, pititinga, fried fish and other seafood with cold beer or other drinks.
10. Parque do Sauípe
Sauipe is a district of the municipality of Mata de São João.
Costa do Sauípe is a dream. It has managed to unite the beauty of the wild beaches and coconut groves of its magnificent tropical landscape with the luxury and comfort of the most sophisticated megaresorts ever built in the country.
Just 76 km from Salvador International Airport, Costa do Sauípe has already established itself as our most valued tourist destination.
In a hotel complex unique in South America, visitors can count on five five-star hotels, six thematic inns, leisure and entertainment centers, convention centers and diversified sports activities.
All with a first world infrastructure and by the sea.
11. Beaches in the Mata de São João Municipality
1. Imbassaí Beach
Strong waves and clear sand. The main feature of the place is the Barroso River, which runs parallel to the beach before flowing into the sea.
There are guesthouses and several stalls set up chairs and umbrellas on the river bank. So you can take a dip in the fresh water and then have a beer.
Or climb a small dune and go bathing in the sea. It is 1 km from the Green Line, on a poorly maintained dirt road.
2. Praia do Forte
The most popular beach of Forte in the north of Bahia, with an ambitious (and rigorous) urbanization project that aims to maintain the primitive aspect of the place. There are 12 km of beaches with strong waves, coconut trees, reefs, clear and loose sand.
It has as attractions the main base of the Tamar Project, for the preservation of sea turtles; the ruins of the Garcia d’ Ávila Castle (16th century); rivers, rapids and lagoons.
It is good for diving and water sports. It is 85 km from Salvador (by Rodovia do Coco). Praia do Forte is well served by hotels, inns, restaurants and bars.
3. Praia de Itacimirim
It has weak waves and yellowish sand. A stretch of it is known as Praia da Espera (the arrival point of navigator Amir Klink, who crossed the Atlantic in a rowboat in 1984). It has inns.
4. Guarajuba Beach
It has 5 km, strong waves and yellowish sand. It has public restrooms, showers, inns and stalls. It is in front of the Guarajuba Lagoon (environmental protection area).
5. Genipabu Beach
Continuation of Guarajuba, with access through it. It has calm waves, reefs and coconut trees.
6. Abaí Beach
It has coconut trees all along the shore, strong waves and yellowish sand. And little populated.
7. Barra do Jacuípe Beach
Beautiful and quiet, with coconut trees, strong waves and clear sand. It has camping.
8. Arembepe Beach
It is 9 km long. In the urban part, where there are inns and restaurants, the waves are weak and there are natural pools. To the north, the sea becomes more violent. In this direction, 1 km from the city, is the village of Caratingui, former stronghold of “hippies”.
It is located in front of a lagoon formed by the Capivara River (environmental protection area). Nearby there is another base of the Tamar Project.
Mata de São João Tourism Guide in Bahia
