Do’s & Don’ts of Visiting Beaches in and Around Salvador, Brazil

Salvador lays on Baia de Todos os Santos, or All Saints’ Bay, which contains over 50 city beaches and small, mesmerizing islands — perfect for quick beach getaways. Beaches are a huge part of Brazilian culture, and some of the most beautiful Brazilian beaches are in Salvador. While in Rio, my friend Phenesse and I had grand plans to soak up the sun and spend much time on the beach sipping caipirinhas. However, the rainy and cloudy weather disrupted those dreams. We traveled in December/January, Rio’s summer/rainy season. We were on a mission to have our dream Brazil beach experience when we arrived in Salvador! Along this journey, we came across a lot of stumbling blocks.

Here are some do’s and don’ts of visiting Brazil beaches in and around Salvador:

Do

Visit Local Beaches

Praia do Buracão

There are a plethora of local beaches to visit in Salvador. Per the suggestion of Phenesse’s homestay brother, we decided to go to Praia do Buracão, which was 10 minutes from where we were staying. The beach was lively, with locals playing soccer, listening to music, drinking, and tanning. Stunning rock formations along the strip divided the water into pools of varying wave intensity. We went to the end, where people were jumping waves. It looked fun, and I’d never done that before, so I decided to try it. The locals made it look so effortless. On the other hand, I struggled and was knocked down by the waves a few times. While this beach was beautiful, it wasn’t the best place to swim and sit in the water.

Don’t

Go to the Local Beaches Right After NYE

Praia do Porto da Barra:

Praia da Barra is one of the most popular beaches in Salvador. The beach is located within the bay and has much calmer water than oceanside beaches, making it great for swimming. Since this is the most popular beach, we decided to go there on January 1st, the day we arrived in Salvador. Many NYE celebrations happen at the beach, so it was incredibly filthy. We switched to taking a stroll on the boardwalk and grabbing dinner instead. 

Don’t

Book the “Popular” Two-Island Day Tour

Given our limited time in Salvador (6 days) and our quest to have a dope beach experience, we thought a tour would maximize our time. We decided to book a day trip to two of the most popular islands, Friars and Itaparica. In theory, it sounded like a good idea. But we spent close to 5 hours on a crowded boat traveling and only 1.5-2 hours on each island. The whole experience felt rushed. The boat experience was fun; there was live samba music and dancing, and we were given a few pieces of fruit. Although the tour was not expensive, R$ 90 (27 USD), I felt it was a waste of my time, which is equally as valuable.

Pro Tips for Traveling to Islands in Salvador:

• Instead of purchasing a boat tour that doesn’t allow you to properly explore the island or enjoy the beach, buy a ferry ticket to go directly to the Island of Friars and Itaparica and explore on your terms.
• Terminal Marítimo de Mercado Modelo, or Terminal Marítimo Turistico, is Salvador’s main boat terminal. It is directly opposite the Mercado Modelo and a five-minute walk from the historic center.
• During peak season, the maritime terminal can be a bit chaotic. Be alert and listen for the staff announcement of your boat. Sometimes, it’s inaudible, so just ask for help.

• Buy your ferry tickets in advance (especially during peak season).

• If you are sensitive to motion, take motion sickness pills. This will be especially helpful for the ride back to Salvador, as you are going against the waves, making the ride bumpier.

• Bring your own snacks and water so you won’t be overcharged for these things on the boat and island.

Do

Travel Directly to Morro São Paulo

After our failed attempt at a beach getaway, we traveled two hours by boat to the South of Salvador and spent a night in one of the best beach towns in Brazil, Morro de São Paulo. Luckily, Morro de São Paulo did not disappoint. It had just the lively beach town vibe we were looking for. There were lovely beaches, fantastic seafood restaurants, live music, and quirky boutique shops. The island is made up of 4 beaches, named by their number. Locals advised us to visit Quarta Praia (“Fourth Beach”), which was the most impressive. The Fourth beach had shimmering clear waters, fish swimming, and flawless white sand.

Since we decided to go to Morro abruptly, we didn’t book our accommodations beforehand. Brazilian pousadas, bed and breakfasts, are the main housing options. When we arrived at Morro, we stopped by a restaurant for fresh juice and WiFi and booked our pousada Ninho Da Águia. It was a simple accommodation, but the delicious fresh breakfast and the friendly owners made the stay worthwhile.

Pro tips for visiting Morro Sao Paulo:

• Many areas of the beach water are rocky. Protect your feet and bring your water shoes.

• If you are traveling during peak season, book your return boat ticket asap. They sell out quickly.

Do

Go Island Hopping from Morro de Sao Paulo

While we didn’t have time to do this, if I could time travel, I would have skipped the visit to Friars and Itarapica and spent an extra day in Morro. That would have allowed us to explore some beautiful neighboring islands quickly.

Whether you want a city beach or a tropical getaway, Salvador has you covered! Hopefully, the lessons I have learned will make your beach trip to Salvador more seamless!

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