Our trip to the Discovery coast, in Bahia, began in Porto Seguro and on the second day of travel, we went to Arraial D'ajuda.
Arraial D'ajuda is one of the best lodging options in this region. The best of both worlds, since it is not full of people as in Porto Seguro, but still more economical and accessible than Trancoso.
But our tip, for those who have more than 4 days of the itinerary in Porto Seguro, is to share their lodging. In this last script, we stayed 3 days in Arraial D'ajuda and 4 days in Trancoso. The idea is to try the places beyond a simple knock and turn.
We missed staying in Caraíva. There is always something left to do next time, but at least we can get to know through a hit-back from Arraial D'ajuda.
In this post, you will see how to get toArraial D'ajuda, the best options of restaurants and beach tents and still a roadmap for hiking through its best beaches.
What to do in Arraial d’Ajuda – Bahia: Best Beaches
How to get there, where to stay and what to do in Arraial d’Ajuda
Arraial D'ajuda is one of the districts of Porto Seguro, still on the coast of the Discovery of Bahia.
The footprint in Arraial is a little quieter than in Porto Seguro, but still the night of Arraial is very lively.
By day, hiking is the best program in Arraial. Book two days to make them, proceeding to the two extremes. The two walks start from the beach of Mucugê, the most central beach of Arraial D'ajuda.
On one side, you follow to the mouth of the Buranhém River, which we made the crossing from Porto Seguro to arrive in Arraial. On the other hand, for the most willing, you can walk to Trancoso.
If your proposal is to sit and enjoy a good beach structure, we also recommend some tents there. Follow our tips.
Visual of the Praia do extinguish-fire and the Buranhém River, which divides Porto Seguro de Arraial D'ajuda
Directions to Arraial D'ajuda
Ferry crossing
A ferry separates Porto Seguro from Arraial D'ajuda. On account of it, it is a little more expensive to take a taxi from the airport to Arraial (R $150.00). Uber then only played values above R $200.00.
As we had already anticipated this scenario in the blog of Ricardo Freire, we decided to spend a night in Porto Seguro. It was not at all bad, after all we enjoyed taking a walk on the catwalk of alcohol (or catwalk of discovery) and we still went to meet a very cool tent on the beach of Taperapuan (the Malibu hut).
How to circulate in Arraial D'ajuda: Vans and buses
Upon arriving at Arraial D'ajuda, some drivers come to offer the van service, which is OK, but we prefer to go by bus because of the suitcases. The bus left empty and gave us to settle quietly (R $3.50).
The fussy went down downtown and still walk about three blocks to our inn. But we could have gone by taxi, too.
It's worth renting the car
The offer of buses and vans is great, because of this we decided to dispense with the car rental.
To get down, every saint helps, but to climb back to the center, the deal picks up. Luckily, the vans also circulate there and offer the transport from the beach to the upper part of Arraial D'ajuda.
But all this is to say that if you travel with family or want to get off the beach with the utmost convenience and speed, the car is really the best option.
When to go
Two things have already ruined a lot of our trip to Arraial D'ajuda.
- Rain: In 2013, we went in the month of June, a month that, by our experience, was a lot of rain. It really messed up our trip, so much so that some days were totally lost.
- Tide: The beaches of Arraial D'ajuda are more beautiful at low tide, when they form natural pools and the color of the sea gains more incredible tones. Check the Tide board and make sure you get down there.
In 2019, we went in the month of January and the tide, although it was not so low, allowed us to enjoy the trip better. And the sunny days were guaranteed.
What to do – nightlife and restaurants
Practically everything in Arraial D'ajuda revolves around the Praça São Brás (where the Hippie fair happens) that unfolds in three poles of restaurants and shops.
The street Mucugê is the most famous, considered by many the most charming street in Brazil (has plaque there to remind visitors of this). A bit of exaggeration, of course, but the place is rather charming and charming, with several restaurants and cool bars to enjoy the night.
The Broadway Street (Rua Bróduei, officially St. Peter Street), on the other hand, is a more pleasant promenade to walk, but without much charm. Very little relationship with the name.
And finally the Praça Brigadeiro Eduardo Gomes (better known as Largo da Ajuda, in front of the Matriz Church Nossa Senhora D'ajuda) and is a charm, with several houses and colorful shops. It is worth remembering that behind the church has an unmissable lookout.
Colourful houses in the beautiful Praça Brigadeiro Eduardo Gomes, or Largo da Ajuda
Where to eat
Among the restaurants, we highlight the Naturalíssima, which is on Rua do Mucugê 175. In a small space that also works as a hostel, the exquisite service of the staff always gives tip of the best dishes.
The restaurant is vegetarian, but the executive dish is accompanied by several types of "burger", such as a lot of dirt, banana from the land or eggplant. Very tasty and very cheap (R $21.00 the executive dish, ref: Jan/2019).
The Vegetarian Restaurant Naturalíssima offers dishes for just over R$20.00
In the Caminho do Mar square, also in Rua do Mucugê, a Largo gathers several bars, restaurants and cafeterias around a stage with live music. In the center a fountain and some benches for the staff to settle.
The warehouse of the square is the best restaurant option, with a boteco atmosphere and delicious and well served gourmets dishes (the Galeto costs R $56.00 and serves two people well).
Stay connected also to the alley of colors, a charming small alleys with some options of bars, shops and restaurants.
For dessert, the hint is the ice cream. The most famous ice cream parlor is the Bunny ice cream shop, but we prefer self service sorvets and we love D'gusti (the Nutella icecream and the toppings are delicious). Stay tuned that on Tuesdays and Wednesdays was rolling promotion, with 50% discount on the kilo.
What to do in Arraial D'ajuda
Tours with tour agencies
Arraial D'ajuda may be the best alternative to make tours around the region. Instead of Trancoso, where the offer of Tours is restricted (not to mention non-existent), in Arraial D'ajuda There are several tour agencies.
If you are in Porto Seguro, you have to face the ferry crossing to reach the best beaches of the Discovery coast.
In Praça São Brás, in front of the tourist information kiosk or on the street of Mucugê itself, you can find some of them. The prices of the tours cost on average R $80.00 and the vans seek the passengers in their inns.
Among the options, you can go to Praia do Espelho, to the beach of Caraíva or to Porto Seguro. The Arraial Trip Tour and Portal Turismo are some tourist agencies that we have already tested and approved.
Church of Our Lady of Help
The Church of Our Lady of Ajuda was erected in 1551, in tribute to Tomé de Souza and the first Jesuits who arrived on the site in three naus: Conceição, Salvador and Ajuda. The name of the Naus inspired the name of the church.
This is the first sanctuary in Brazil. He housed the image of Our Lady of Ajuda, who arrived in the region in 1549. Since its construction, the church has undergone several adaptations.
In addition to the history and religious importance, the church hides one of the best sights of Arraial D'ajuda. Behind it, the lookout for the sea is spectacular and still has the additional to be illustrated by a multitude of colorful ribbons. The photos are amazing.
Mucugê Beach
On the way down Rua do Mucugê, we arrived at Mucugê Beach.
The arrival is not very pleasant and is all too squeezed. The tents lack charm, but the beach is beautiful. At low tide, it forms a large natural swimming pool, of calm and warm waters.
The descent is quite steep, so you can already suffer in anticipation for the ascent, but the good news that there are vans that make the route from the center to the beaches (R $5.00). There are also vans for Pitinga beach.
One of the best tents options is La Plage.
Praia do Mucugê is the most central and bustling of Arraial D'ajuda
Hike to the north coast
On the first day, we walked to the left side. For every walk, it's good to look at the tide board. Our walk began at 10am, at the highest peak of the tide (so we were quiet because there would only download).
In the first stretch, at the height of the Arraial Eco Resort Aquatic Park, there is a higher stretch where you can walk quietly, even at high tide. This excerpt ensures that the walk can be made at any time.
Fisherman's Beach
After that, we arrived at Fisherman's Beach, which actually has fishermen's boats.
The beach is more extensive and quiet than Mucugê, and has a beautiful coconut grove. The excess of Sargasse has bothered us a little but we like the beach anyway.
But if you're looking for infrastructure, it's not your beach. There are few beach tents there.
Visual of Fisherman's Beach of the high
Araçaípe Beach
On the way, the beach tents started popping up on Araçaípe beach.
This is where the tents Sting and Corujão are located, two of the most famous of Arraial D'ajuda. They are well decorated tents, with several sun loungers in front and minimum consummation collection (prices vary according to the time of year).
You can arrive by car quietly, are about 10 minutes from the center (3 km away).
Erase Fogo Beach
We follow the hike to finally find the Praia do Extingufogo. Arraial D'ajuda literally finishes, and it is possible to see the tip of the beach, which finds the mouth of the river Buranhém.
The name of the beach would originate from a fisherman's habit, leaving a lighted lamp on the way out to fish. On the way back, the lamp was erased. In case any of them remain lit, the other fishermen would know that some of their colleagues could not return.
But the biggest attraction here is another natural swimming pool, quite frequated by the small and the structure of Arraial D'ajuda Eco Resort.
The route lasts about 1 hours for those who will walk without stops. We took 2 hours, with stops to dive and to climb the drone.
And here is the hint: you can even make the return on foot, but we prefer to take a bus back to the center. From the beach, there is a alley (seems a little suspicious, but follow it) that flows directly on the ferry from Arraial D'ajuda. The transport offer is great.
Hike to the south coast
This walk follows in the direction of Trancoso. Around here, we have already commented on a hike we made, at low tide, to the village of Trancoso. It's an unmissable program, but it requires a lot of disposition.
As the tide was not so low and the heat of January merciless, our last time we could not repeat this path.
Parracho Beach
This is the first beach walking from Praia do Mucugê to the right side. There's not much difference between the two, so it gets hard until you know where one ends and the other begins.
But an important reference is the Uiki Parracho, the most famous and charming beach tent in the region. The minimum consummation is about R $100.00 per person (the value varies according to the time of the year, Day of the week or even the stocking of the place).
Another well-respected tent is the Cabana Grande, which does not charge consummation. But it's good to be early, because the tent tends to get crowded.
It was from Parracho beach that we did a very cool Hawaiian canoe activity. Who gives the class is Cauê, @cppextreme instructor. The sports activity is performed by residents of Arraial D'ajuda, but you can contact and participate in a class. It's two hours daily, very early.
Hawaiian Canoe Crosses some of the reefs of the beaches of Arraial D'ajuda
In addition to the paddles, there is also a stop for snorkeling in the sea with a lot of marine life. After the canoe, we were still enjoying our last moments in Arraial.
With the tide still low, we walk through the beaches of Parracho, Pitinga and Lagoa Azul. Very early walk, we find empty beaches and a delight in the morning.
At 10am we were back at the inn to have breakfast. Sometimes it's good to start the day in a totally different way, right?
Pitinga Beach
A little bit of good is Pitinga beach. It is very easy to recognize, because soon when you arrive you come across a look of the cliffs and several restaurants standing on the sand.
If you want to go straight to the beach, there is a parking nearby and the vans also leave on site.
As the offer of tents is higher, the prices are more inviting than in Praia do Parracho, but in return also loses a little charm.
Blue Lagoon Beach
Continue walking along Praia da Pitinga beach to get to Lagoa Azul beach. This is one of the stretches that you can really only do at low tide.
In this stretch the beach is totally wild and there is only one beach tent, the Cabana Lagoa Azul, with a rainbow flag. Love. But since we were pretty early, she wasn't open yet.
The Blue Lagoon that gives the name to the place was a pond even (the first time I visited I remember that it had even a cascade that went down in the gorge between the cliffs). Unfortunately, the waterfall and pond dried up.
But walking a bit into the span between the cliffs, it is possible to find a point where it is still possible to smear with mud. I don't know if you believe in the therapeutic power of these clay baths, but it's always fun to take some pictures.
There also has a very complicated access, but it can climb to the top of the cliff and have a beautiful look of the region.
It is the perfect place for those who want a deserted and wild beach.
Taípe Beach
From the Blue Lagoon, begins a large expanse of sand, with high cliffs. The beach is very beautiful, but it is a long stretch of desert, except for an access stretch of Club Med Trancoso (a famous resort of the region).
If you want to come by car, there are 30 minutes of dirt road, from the centre of Arraial D'ajuda.
The Taípe Hut is a point of support of groups (because of this it gets fuller and without much tranquility). This beach point has easy access by car. Next door There is also the Cliff hut.
There is no minimum consummation charge, but parking costs R $15.00 (ref. Jan/2019).
Credits: viagenscinematograficas
Credits: viagenscinematograficas
