Costa do Dendê & Costa do Cacau

On this 10-day guided beach hopping tour you will discover the beautiful off-the beaten track tropical beaches of Bahia in Brazil. This region is considered the cultural center of Brazil and impresses with its Afro-Brazilian traditions, gastronomy and music. You will travel along the romantic Costa do Dende and Costa do Cacau from Salvador to Ilheus, visiting Morro de São Paulo, Tinharé Archipelago, Boipeba, Maraú Peninsula, Camamu, Barra Grande and Itacare. On the way you will encounter paradise-like semi-deserted beaches, quilombos and colonial towns, mangroves and the protected Atlantic Rainforest. Active travellers can enjoy various outdoor activities like abseiling, rafting, canoeing, hiking, ecological trails and surfing. Learn about chocolate production, try capoeira and get a Brazilian tan. Stay at small boutique hotels. The program can be altered in many ways and can be done the other way around, starting in Ilheus and going up to Salvador. This is a great option for nature lovers, families and couples.

10 Days – From £2,800 per person

*equivalent in USD, EUR accepted

Itinerary: Salvador, Morro de Sao Paulo, Boipeba, Marau, Barra Grande, Itacare, cacao farms, Ilheus

Included

Price is per person, based on two people sharing in a double/twin room
Accommodation with breakfast (more hotels HERE)
Picnic lunches
All the excursions mentioned in the itinerary
All transfers by car and boat on a private basis
Entrance & guiding fees to all the mentioned National Parks
Snorkelling equipment
ATV Tour
All mandatory local taxes

Excluded

Visa, where applicable
International Flights (See Flights to Brazil)
Domestic Flights
Personal Expenses
Insurance
Tips & Gratuities
Meals not mentioned in the description.

Flights

International flights are not included in the package price. We give you the freedom to book the flights yourself, use miles and choose your preferred airline, and if you are stuck we can help you find the right connections. Return flights to Brazil start from £800 per person, depending on the connections and time of the year. Fly to Salvador (SSA) or to Ilheus (IOS).

For families and groups (starting with 5 pax), we can book domestic flights in Brazil, during the high season, and if the trip is part of a more complex itinerary. This is to ensure a seamless travel and no complications.

How to Book

Send us a message on WhatsApp or email us at brazil@boutiquetravelexperts.com to check availability, discuss your preferences and get a quote.

This is a sample itinerary and prices are correct at the time of writing. We can tailor it to suit your plans by changing the length of the trip or the order of activities. More days can be added. Other hotels can be chosen, according to your liking. You can also combine this trip with other sights in Brazil, like the cosmopolitan Rio de Janeiro, the exciting Amazon rainforest, the fascinating Pantanal or the deep canyons of the south. For more travel inspiration check these itineraries.

When to Visit

Best time to visit: year round. It is best to avoid February and the weekends when the beaches are very crowded.

Morro de Sao Paulo: year round (21- 25ºC)
Boipeba: January – February are best for blue sea, with still and super crystal clear water, but very busy. March, September, October and November are best for good weather and deserted beaches. Avoid late April to mid-July (rainy).
Marau: hot and humid all year round. The driest period runs from September to February. The rainy season runs from April to August.
Itacare: August to October – no rain. March, April and November bring lots of rain. September is best for whale watching.

To avoid unpleasant weather surprises, we recommend to check our Brazil Weather Guide to plan your trip in the right season. Click on the month you want to travel in and see the tours which are best for each month of the year.

Day 1 - Arrival in Salvador

Today you will arrive in Salvador, the capital city of Bahia. Upon arrival you will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel. The old town of Pelourinho with its cultural and culinary offerings is very easily discovered by walk. Baroque churches and colonial buildings, narrow streets with echoing Afro-Brazilian rhythms and capoeira demonstrations truly captivate anyone visiting for the first time. The city is beautiful! It is very pleasant and colorful. Savor the flavours, the rhythm and the sights. Try some street food and enjoy the view of the All Saint Bay from high up. Overnight at Solar dos Deuses.

Day 2 - Morro de Sao Paulo

Today transfer to Morro de Sao Paulo, located on Tinharé Archipelago. The car-free village has palm-fringed beaches, amazing dining and a relaxed atmosphere. Snorkel in the natural pools of Ilha do Caitá, with crystalline waters. Then, head to Ilha da Coroa do Meio, a semi-deserted sandbar, and enjoy a refreshing bath. Continue to the large bay of Praia da Gamboa dotted with schooners and boats. Enjoy a clay bath making your skin silky soft. Continue to the wonderful Praia de Garapuá with coconut trees and a calm coastline. Then, visit the historic city of Cairu with a baroque church. Finish at Fazenda Pontal, from where we can see Boipeba. Overnight at Vila dos Orixas.

Day 3 - Snorkelling in Natural Pools

Today, depending on the tide, board a speedboat to the crystalline natural pools of Morro de Sao Paulo, which form at low tide. When the tide goes out, the water reaches up to the knee, in the middle of the ocean – it’s really incredible. The coral barrier reef form beautiful pools with colourful marine life. Enjoy a spectacular snorkeling. For the sunset you can choose to go to Morro de São Paulo Lighthouse, Toca do Morcego or to the Fortress of Tapirandu. The last one has the most beautiful sunset: while the sun goes down, you can even see the dolphins jumping out of the sea. Overnight at Vila dos Orixas.

Day 4 - Boipeba Island

Today transfer to the island of Boipeba. It is different from Morro de Sao Paulo, being more authentic. Take a tour to the natural pools of Bainema, Morere, Castelhanos and Cova da Onça. The wonderful calm and clear waters have a lot of marine life. Snorkel and observe a wide variety of fish and corals. Stop at Praia da Cueira in Velha Boipeba to taste the famous Guido lobsters for lunch. Then, passing along beautiful coconut groves, reach the sandbanks of Rio do Inferno. Stop at the floating bar to taste Canavieiras oysters an crabs. Finish with a wonderful sunset on the dark river, while observing the large mangrove forest. Overnight at Pousada Santa Clara.

Day 5 - Humpback Whales Watching

In the morning, given it is the right season (July – September), meet the biologists from the Instituto Baleias Jubarte, which has a HQ in Bahia, who will make a briefing about the humpback whale species. Seeing a whale is undoubtedly an exciting experience. Being side by side with this gigantic aquatic mammal even for a few seconds is unforgettable. The minimum distance allowed is 50 meters. Head out on an open boat to observe these magnificent mammals. On your return spend the rest of the day at leisure, enjoying the beaches. Overnight at Pousada Santa Clara.

Day 6 - Marau

Today take a speedboat transfer to Marau Peninsula (1 hour), a lush tropical paradise with semi deserted beaches, dozens of natural pools, freshwater lakes, tropical forests and mangroves. The peninsula has no paved roads, so one of the best ways to explore the area is on a buggy. Discover the heavenly beaches of Barra Grande. First stop at the lighthouse hill for a panoramic view, then head to the wonderful beach of Praia Taipu de Fora. Watch the sunset in Ponta do Mutá, where there are several bars on the sand. Eat tropical fruits and soak in the simplicity of the local lifestyle. Overnight at Casa dos Arandis.

Day 7 - Taipu de Fora

Today follow a trail to the top of Morro do Farol, opening up a dazzling view of the peninsula, Camamu Bay and Lagoa Azul. Later, visit the wonderful natural pools of Taipu de Fora and Jardim das Bromelias. After snorkeling, follow the impressive trail of the giant bromeliads growing everywhere. Continue to the lagoon of Cassange, separated from the beach by a long thin strip of sand. Later, continue to the deserted beach of Praia de Algodõe, a hidden paradise of calm blue sea, extensive strips of sand and coconut trees. It is perfect for those looking for peace and isolation. Overnight at Casa dos Arandis.

Day 8 - Itacare

Today transfer to the charming fishing village of Itacaré (1,5 hour). Here you will find fine-sand beaches surrounded by coconut groves and by the lush vegetation of the Atlantic Forest. A very good vibes await you in Itacaré, with many surfers, great bars and restaurants and a laid-back flair. The beaches here are pristine and preserved, still vastly untouched. The nightlife is vibrant and probably the liveliest in the whole region. This is a perfect destination for active travelers who want to try surfing, off-road cycling, kayaking, or learn capoeira. Overnight at Vila Barracuda.

Day 9 - Traditional cacao farms

There are several cacao farms on the outskirts of Itacaré. Cycle through the Atlantic Forest to Vila Rosa. Learn about the artisan chocolate production, try cacao honey and cachaça. Continue to Fazenda Vista do Mar. Try a cacao honey vodka and have lunch with hilltop sea views. Visit the cacao plantation with trees loaded with yellow, orange and red fruits. Continue to Fazenda Provisão, another traditional cacao farm. Finish at the cozy Yrerê Farm, located on the banks of River Cachoeira, deep in the Atlantic Forest. Take a small trail in the jungle and try the white cacao pulp, which doesn’t taste of chocolate at all, but is quite fleshy and tasty. Overnight at Vila Barracuda.

Day 10 - Ilheus

Today transfer to Ilheus (1,5 hour). Go for a walk around the historic center, to get to know the places that inspired Jorge Amado, the famous Brazilian writer. Admire the historic architecture built during the cacao boom. After a refreshing Bahian lunch, you will then be transferred to the airport (IOS). Alternatively, spend a few more days in the region, soaking up the beaches and the lush jungle, going diving and snorkelling ot trying yourself at surfing and capoeira. You can also take a wellness break in Bahia, practicing yoga and learning traditional Afro-Brazilian dances.