Upon hearing of Brazil, naturally everyone would think of soccer, beautiful Rio de Janeiro, the infamous Copacabana beach and both the Amazon forest and river. Brazil is the land that gave the world samba and soccer, beautiful white sand beaches dotted with coconut trees and the most lush and diverse rainforest in the planet still riddled with isolated Amazonian tribes. It’s easy to see how one would fall in love with all that is Brazilian, it’s rich and diverse ethnicities, vibrant lifestyle filled with music and dance, of course the love of soccer seen in almost every street corner as Pele was and still is simply above and beyond. With such a large country, comprised of 26 states, it’s difficult to choose where to head to beyond the glitz and glam of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. Bahia is an exception, one of the most beautiful states in the country with a rich African/European culture integrated with the Brazilian culture, the origin of Samba is Bahia, and the infamous capoeira manifested from Bahia as well. Have you been to Bahia?
Far from the Amazon, Bahia is the soul of Brazil. Pronounced Ba-yee-ya,the name comes from the captaincies of the Portuguese Empire that occupied Brazil in the 1500’s. Bahia de Todos os Santos (Bay of Saints) was named after the explorer discovered it on All Saints Day in 1502. It might seem that the landscape is similar to its sister states along the Atlantic coastline, Bahia comprises of over 1000 km of postcard worthy white sandy beaches but differs in the existence of desert like seratão region, the Chapada Diamantina mountain ranges and the Saõ Francisco river with its adjoining lakes, making the state of Bahia significant from the rest of its neighboring states.
The capital of Bahia is Salvador, located at Baia de Todos os Santos (Bay of Saints), a vibrant city of colors and African drum beats, a mix of the old and new as it is considered to be one of the oldest colonial cities in all of South America, a hub of the newly immigrated European and Arab cultures and preto (Afro-Brazilian) all overlooking a bay dotted with no less than 50 picturesque islands fit for day visits. Once considered to be Portugal’s New World colony, Salvador is a city known to hold on to its roots, specifically its African roots. Festivals and drum corps pounding through the early hours of the evening and religious marches are common sites in the streets of the city. Capoeira, a Brazilian martial art combines elements of dance, acrobatics and music with quick and complex moves using power and speed as leverage for speed, spins and techniques in tune with the drum beats are often seen in the main plazas and open areas of the city.
Bahia is a large state that provides many activities for tourists to enjoy. Since Salvador is a peninsula overlooking the bay, tourists looking for some relaxing times under the sun can charter a boat and hop off the coastal waters enjoying these secluded beaches away from the busy and crowded beaches of the city. The bay provides ideal swimming waters as well as snorkeling in the reefs. For a taste of history, you can head down to the Pelourinho district and take a stroll on the cobblestone streets lined with pastel colored 17th-18th century colonial buildings and churches. One of the best areas to also explore the city’s historical past would be Forte de San Antônio de Barra, the oldest fort in all of South America. It holds a nautical museum, Museu Náutico da Bahia, filled with relics and displays of Portuguese naval history. The museum caters to English speaking tourists, which is a rarity in Brazil.
Bahia is where Brazilians head to for vacations, the coastline is dotted with scenic villages dotted with colorful buildings engulfed in the lush greenery of the forests, sitting on pristine golden/white sands overlooking the rich blue hues of the ocean. Trancoso is a beautiful coastal city with candy colored clay houses and designer boutique hotels, natural water pools formed by the reefs surrounded by hundreds of palm trees and white velvety sand and a UNESCO protected Quadrado square. Trancoso is a former fishing village that has turned into a trendy gateway for Brazilians and international jet setters for its unspoiled beaches, a vibrant village with enough secluded beaches for a quick and crowd free getaway.
For an island trip, it doesn’t get better than Morro de São Paulo, Tinhare. What is significant on this island village is that cars are not allowed whatsoever, your luggage is transported to your hotel or B&B by wheelbarrows, setting a different pace to the start of the island stay, perfect for unwinding and breaking away from all the clutter. Morro de São Paulo has a Mediterranean feel to it with calm waters and romantic candlelit nightlife scene setting a relaxed pace in tune with the crystal clear waters of the Atlantic. Some of the activities on this island include lounging on the beach as the coconut trees sway with the cool breeze, snorkeling, canoeing, paragliding and water skiing.
Take a break from the addictive lounging on the beach and head to Bahia’s Chapada Diamantina National Park. The park is known for its dramatic plateaus, Lapa Doce caves formed by the rivers of the region, Pratinha lake and gushing waterfalls such as the Poco do Diablo waterfall and a beautiful scenic climb up the top of Pai Inacio. The park is well-equipped to accommodate passing visitors or those who stay a few days eager to enjoy the flora and fauna of the forest. For a great experience in the forest grounds, it’s best to hire an English-speaking tour guide. Most tour guides are good English speakers and are fully knowledgable about the surrounding grounds. You can reach the park either by a night bus or a plane from Salvador.
Bahian cuisine is known for their use of a specific chili pepper known as malagueta chili and dendê oil extracted from an African palm that grows in Bahia. The African influence is unmistakable and the results are a spicy and flavorful cuisine. Some of Bahia’s famous dishes are vatapá, a spicy shrimp puree made with palm oil and nuts. There’s Moqueca, the region’s most popular dish, which is a stew of a mixture of shrimp or seafood, coconut, garlic onion, parsley, pepper, tomato paste and the dendê oil served with a side of rice cooked with coconut milk, served in a clay pot. Acaraje is a dish made with beans and fried dendê oil served with pepper sauce, dried shrimps, tomato and green pepper. Caruru is a dish made with okra, fish and shrimp, peanuts and cashew nuts seasoned with oil and peppers. Many restaurants serve their dishes with a hot malagueta sauce so it’s best to inform the waiters to keep the sauce on the side for visitors of the region aren’t acquainted with its strong taste.
The weather in Bahia is quite pleasant all year around, it’s characterized by a tropical climate usually between 28-33 degrees all year around. The best time to visit would be between February and June, but all in all it’s great to head to Bahia anytime of the year.
Bahia is a place that helps unwind and relax through all its different beautiful geographical entities, fun in the sun, discovering your inner self as you walk through the lush forests and fall back in time through the various colonial towns and cities of the area. The real is Brazil’s official currency and it’s best to use your cards in cities such as Salvador and hotels in small villages. It’s not recommended to use your cards around the city unless in shopping malls or hotels and feel free to leave your valuables at your hotel before heading to the beach. For health reasons, always carry mosquito repellent as mosquito-borne diseases are common in Brazil and specifically in Rio de Janeiro and Bahia. All in all, Bahia is surely a location well worth a visit to experience the different aspects in any holiday but with a different and vibrant South American atmosphere.
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Fall in love with Bahia of Brazil
