Touristic information

Brazil

Brazil is a land which, according to the lyrics of Jorge Benjor: “was blessed by God and is beautiful by nature”.

Brazil is continental in size, the fourth largest national territory in the world. In fact, its land area is greater than Europe and larger than the continent of United States (excluding Alaska and Hawaii).

A visit to Brazil means the unexpected discovery of a place of warm tropical sun and 5,000 miles of white-sand beaches, coconut groves and mango trees, music and dance, baroque colonial towns and villages, and impressive cities of 21^st century opulence and sophistication.

Brazil´s allure is not only in the climate, the landscapes and the architecture, it lies in the people themselves, whose sense of cordial hospitality and friendship create the perfect environment for your travel. As a whole the climate is excellent all year round.

From north to south, unique attractions are ready to amaze and excite participants on any kind of travel who are eager to see and learn about new, different things.

Brazil offers a wide range of hotel accommodations ranging from deluxe resorts to lodges deep in the rain forest with something sure to match the budget and characteristics of any travelers. Whatever choice you make, personal attention and warm hospitality will be yours everyday of your stay.

Bahia

Bahia (Portuguese pronunciation: [ba'i.a]) is one of the 26 states of Brazil, and is located in the northeastern part of the country on the Atlantic coast. It is the fourth most populous Brazilian state after São Paulo, Minas Gerais and Rio de Janeiro, and the fifth-largest in size. It is also one of the most important states in terms of history and culture in Brazil.

Bahia's capital is the city of Salvador, or more properly, São Salvador da Bahia de Todos os Santos, and is located at the junction of the Atlantic Ocean and the Bay of All Saints. The name "bahia" is an archaic spelling of the Portuguese word baía, meaning "bay", and comes from All Saints' Bay, first seen by European sailors in 1501.

Sang in prose and verse, Bahia is, definitely, the Land of Happiness, as described by Ary Barroso, in the song Na Baixa do Sapateiro. But why has Bahia enchanted so many people? The answer can only be given by those who know Bahia, its nature wonders and also its culture and people, fruits of the miscegenation of the Indigenous, the European and the African, who connected here, generating a magical, involving and mysterious energy.

Discovery coast of Porto Seguro

The Portuguese Pedro Álvares Cabral landed at what is now Porto Seguro, on the southern coast of Bahia in 1500, and claimed the territory for Portugal. Considered the starting point of the Brazilian history and culture, the Discovery Coast was declared World Natural Heritage by UNESCO, in 1999. Surrounded by several natural attractions - such as beaches, bays, inlets, cliffs, coral reefs, mangroves and navigable rivers - the region has favorable conditions for adventure tourism and ecotourism.

The region's nature wonders are well known by visitors, especially those who enjoy extreme sports that for now seem to have a closer contact with such attractions. During ultra-light flights it is possible to admire all the beauty of the region, from a different angle. The Discovery Coast has ideal spots for diving, windsurf, surf, kite surf, trekking, horse rides, among others. It is worth remembering that the fun doesn't end here.

The region has a vibrant nightlife. Contrary to what happens in most beach towns, where the day activities are more attractive than the night ones, along the Discovery Coast night leisure is also a must. It is difficult to decide whether to enjoy the day or the night. Generally, visitors end up enjoying both, showing that sleeping is not the priority.

The hours are so atypical that in many of the region's cities, shops are open until late, selling clothes, crafts, etc. The events promoted by show houses, beach kiosks and night clubs, which always end at dawn, guarantee the fun throughout the night.

The fun never ends. For more than 500 years this region has been visited by various explorers seeking for the most unusual products. Nowadays, the explorers are better known as "tourists", that look for high doses of adrenaline and lots of history, in a scenery composed by sun, sea and tranquility.

Arraial d' Ajuda

"The corner of the world” is as the inhabitants usually define Arraial d’Ajuda, one of the most beautiful streches of the southern coast of Bahia. Arraial d’Ajuda has become famous in the 70ies with its simple elegance.

Beautiful people and entertainment everywhere. The restaurants, squares, bars and shopping malls as well as the beach huts are the main attractions. Live music, reaching from MPB (Brazilian Pop Music) to Jazz and Blues, are performed every night in most of them. During the peak seasons (January, February, July) there are parties and lots of fun as the night goes on.

Arraial D'ajuda is considered of the most charming destinations in Brazil. Starting by the way you get to it, by a ferry boat over the Bunharém river, enjoying beautiful views of mangroves, reefs and the encounter of the river with the sea. Founded by hippies in the 70's, Arraial now attracts Brazilian and foreign tourists that look for its natural beauties, charm, hospitality and comfort.

Rich in natural beauties, Arraial (how it is simply called by Brazilians) has 20 kilometers of beaches with crystal-clear, warm waters, crossed by rivers and surrounded by coconut palms and cliffs. Peaceful and sometime desert beaches also are part of the local scenery. Local gastronomy offers all the way from a unique local food to international dishes.

Children, teenagers and adults can also find a lot of fun in the route that includes the beaches of Apaga-fogo, Aracaipe , Mucugê , Pitinga e Taípe, and a fantastic water park (Eco Park) that offers lots of emotion (please check EcoPark yearly schedule).

You can check some photos and more information about Arraial d' Ajuda in eight different languages at http://www.arraialdajuda.eu/.