Porto Seguro is in the southern part of the Brazilian state of Bahia. The region possesses amazing beaches and preserved areas of Mata Atlântica, an original tropical jungle found by the Portuguese discoverers in the year 1500.
- Replica of Pedro Alvares Cabral's Ship You can walk there from down town. It's North of down town on the beach. If it's closed, you can see all you really need to see from the beach.
- Historic City - Up the hill near the bus station is a historic area that has some of the first houses and churches the Portuguese built in Brazil. There are local "guides" that stand at the top of the stairs and give decent tours of the historic city but it's tough to find one who speaks English.
Replica of Pedro Alvares Cabral's Ship You can walk there from down town. It's North of down town on the beach. If it's closed, you can see all you really need to see from the beach.
Historic City - Up the hill near the bus station is a historic area that has some of the first houses and churches the Portuguese built in Brazil. There are local "guides" that stand at the top of the stairs and give decent tours of the historic city but it's tough to find one who speaks English.
- Recife de Fora - This is a very popular tour. During low tide, the tour guides will take you out to the reef so you can see the sea life in the reef. Be aware that in the tour they have you stand on the reef which kills the reef. This tour is not recommended because by taking the tour, you are contributing to the destruction of the reef.
- Reserva Pataxó da Jaqueira, +55 73 3288-1256. About 9 km north of downtown, between the Barramares beach club and the town of Coroa Vermelha. Very rough, unpaved 2 km access road. This is an area of 827 hectares (2,044 acres) where you can see how the indigenous Pataxó Indians live. You'll walk through the reserve and stop about a dozen times as the guide explains the immediate surroundings (crops, hunting, cooking, fishing, bedding, etc.) A Pataxó dance may be preformed before or afterwards, and sometimes they have face painting for kids. Wear comfortable footwear, and if possible, bring an interpreter if you don't understand elementary academic Portuguese (names of common plants, animals, etc.) Closed Sundays, and there's minimal activity at lunch time. Per person admission fee (under 9 free), and Indian-made crafts are also for sale. Allow 3 to 4 hours, though the actual hike around the reservation only last about a hour or so, and anyone in good physical condition won't find it too strenuous. Rs 35 (adult); Rs 18 (children over 9 yrs.).
- Pirata Island -
- Arraial d’Ajuda Eco Parque - This water park is across the river from Porto Seguro in Arraial d'Ajuda. Be sure to check the operating hours before you take a trip across the river. On the off season, they are not open every day.
- Praia do Espelho - Curuípe has one of the best rated beaches in all of the country. Don't forget to stop at the indigenous village and see the sloths on the way.
Although Porto Seguro is not a diving destination, you can go diving here. Most dive trips are around Recife de Fora at a shallow depth (max. 8 m). Visibility is rather poor at only a few meters.
- Aqua Planet, Rua do Cais, nº 69, +55 22 2647-5375. Dive center with good equipment and bilingual instructor (Lobo). Offers trips to the recife for certified divers and non divers (baptismo). R$110.
Aqua Planet, Rua do Cais, nº 69, +55 22 2647-5375. Dive center with good equipment and bilingual instructor (Lobo). Offers trips to the recife for certified divers and non divers (baptismo). R$110.
Recife de Fora - This is a very popular tour. During low tide, the tour guides will take you out to the reef so you can see the sea life in the reef. Be aware that in the tour they have you stand on the reef which kills the reef. This tour is not recommended because by taking the tour, you are contributing to the destruction of the reef.
Reserva Pataxó da Jaqueira, +55 73 3288-1256. About 9 km north of downtown, between the Barramares beach club and the town of Coroa Vermelha. Very rough, unpaved 2 km access road. This is an area of 827 hectares (2,044 acres) where you can see how the indigenous Pataxó Indians live. You'll walk through the reserve and stop about a dozen times as the guide explains the immediate surroundings (crops, hunting, cooking, fishing, bedding, etc.) A Pataxó dance may be preformed before or afterwards, and sometimes they have face painting for kids. Wear comfortable footwear, and if possible, bring an interpreter if you don't understand elementary academic Portuguese (names of common plants, animals, etc.) Closed Sundays, and there's minimal activity at lunch time. Per person admission fee (under 9 free), and Indian-made crafts are also for sale. Allow 3 to 4 hours, though the actual hike around the reservation only last about a hour or so, and anyone in good physical condition won't find it too strenuous. Rs 35 (adult); Rs 18 (children over 9 yrs.).
Pirata Island -
Arraial d’Ajuda Eco Parque - This water park is across the river from Porto Seguro in Arraial d'Ajuda. Be sure to check the operating hours before you take a trip across the river. On the off season, they are not open every day.
Praia do Espelho - Curuípe has one of the best rated beaches in all of the country. Don't forget to stop at the indigenous village and see the sloths on the way.
- Expresso do Oriente, Av. dos Navegantes, 670, +55 73 3288-2551. Lebanese restaurant.
- Portinha, Rua Saldanha Marinho, 32 - Centro (close to the ferries to Arraial d'Ajuda, +55 73 3288-2743.
Expresso do Oriente, Av. dos Navegantes, 670, +55 73 3288-2551. Lebanese restaurant.
Portinha, Rua Saldanha Marinho, 32 - Centro (close to the ferries to Arraial d'Ajuda, +55 73 3288-2743.
Porto Seguro's nightlife is one of the most popular attractions for young people.
- Arraial d'Ajuda, or simply Arraial, is a small town south of Porto Seguro. You can get there by crossing the river on the ferry and taking a quick bus ride. It is also included in many of the tour packages.
- Trancoso - The easiest way to get to Trancoso is to take a tour. If you want to explore on your own, you can rent a car and drive there. The beach in Trancoso is beautiful.