The Most Beautiful Beaches In Bahia

The coast of the state of Bahia, in northeastern Brazil, runs hundreds of kilometres north-south along the cool Atlantic. Despite its proximity to Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, and with the country’s third biggest city, Salvador, as its capital, it is remarkably empty. The entire coastline is a dreamy wonderland of pristine sand, nodding coconut trees, mangroves and wildlife. Here is our selection of the state’s most beautiful beaches.

Praia dos Nativos

Trancoso, a small town that has been built around one of Brazil’s oldest churches, is pure laid-back tropical charm. It became popular with hippies in the 1970s and is now swarmed by celebrities and models. Praia dos Nativos sits just south of the church which, and it retains its wild beauty despite the influx of visitors. To reach it, walk through a mangrove swamp across a wooden walkway. It’s not unusual to see a football game played by locals as the sun sets or horses walking by.

Praia do Espelho

Taipu de Fora

From above, Taipu de Fora is a breathtaking sight. As the palm trees begin to thin out and the beach emerges, a network of natural swimming pools reveal themselves in the shallows. When the waves pull back over the reefs they leave trails of whitewash that make the azure blue of the water and sky pop. Snorkellers can paddle around and follow the fish and marine life that live in the coral.

http://instagram.com/p/BVCmb7vFjd-/?tagged=taipudefora

Prainha

Prainha, or “little beach” in Portuguese, is a gem in Itacaré’s already glittering crown. The surf town is situated on an outcrop at the mouth of the river, giving it a coastline of little bays and hidden corners topped with thick, unspoiled rainforest. To reach Prainha, travelers have to walk for about half an hour through the jungle. There are rarely ever many people around—just the sounds of the waves crashing along the shore and the gentle rustle of palm fronds in the breeze.

Quarta Praia

The beaches on the island of Morro de São Paulo are named by number. Quarter Praia (“Fourth Beach”) is not only the pick of an impressive bunch but it is a haven of shimmering shallows and fine, flawless sand. Loll in warm pockets of water watching the fish when the tide is in or galavant on the expanse of wet beach when it retreats and the sun’s long shadows bounce off the ridges in the sand.

Praia de Moreré

Much of Boipeba, Morro de São Paulo’s neighbouring island, is made of wild mangrove swamps. With just a few parts of the island inhabited by people and no cars, it bursts with birds, monkeys, dolphins, whales, and turtles, and many other animals. What’s remarkable about the island’s most beautiful beach, Praia de Moreré, is that at low tide the expanse of sparkling sea meets every inch of the horizon and boats lie askew on the sand.

Caraíva

Despite being on Bahia’s Discovery Coast, Caraíva feels exactly the opposite—undiscovered. Getting there requires a fleet of transport, usually ending with a donkey to the door. The result is a place steeped in calm and tranquility The tiny town’s beach is lapped by idle waves and silken-like sand stretches back into a thin forest of handsome coconut trees.

Praia de Algodões

The Marau peninsula is a sharp spit of land flanked by the Atlantic on one side and Camamu Bay on the other. The coastline is an almost straight bar of wide sand that runs for miles and miles. One beach merges peacefully into another, and in the distance the tree line, sand and sea eventually merge and fade away. Praia de Algodões, a section of these glorious shores, is a sanctuary of rugged natural beauty.

http://instagram.com/p/BVHu2Nph4mU/?taken-at=215974485

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.