Located on the Discovery Coast, Porto Seguro is very unlike the typical quiet Bahian village or town. While at most other places the calm and beauty of the beaches overwhelms everything else on offer,
Porto Seguro by contrast gives you a party setting and you will see many visitors reveling in the carnival type atmosphere of this place. This does not mean that there is a scarcity of quiet spots and beaches here. Other quieter places like
Arraial d'Ajuda and
Transcoso are also close by.
Porto Seguro is famous as the first city of Brazil and is the place where the Portuguese discoverer Pedro Alves Cabral set foot on Brazil. It is also the birthplace of the Lambada dance which was a hit in the 1980s. Though it has some very attractive beaches and some historical sites on offer, it is more often known these days as the Party Capital of Brazil.
Reaching Porto Seguro And Getting Around Town:
Porto Seguro has an international airport where chartered flights arrive from European destinations. It is well connected by air with other cities of Brazil and domestic flights are cheap if booked well in advance. The town is just around 5 minutes from the airport by car.
The other option is to arrive here by road which is much cheaper than travelling by air. Luxury bus services run daily between Porto Seguro and other cities in Brazil. You can also travel by car if it suits your budget. Depending upon the distance the journey by road will take several hours.
If you know the place and are staying in the downtown area, most places are within walking distance. Buses are also available to nearby places. The other option is to rent a buggy from a good buggy rental company.
Comfortable Tropical Climate:
Porto Seguro has the typical Bahian climate, tropical and humid. Temperatures don't vary much and is usually in a comfortable range. The weather in general is pleasant, making you comfortable whether you are indoors or outdoors.
Porto Seguro Attractions And Activities:
Historic city:
The main attractions of Porto Seguro are in the historic city that is atop a hill near the bus station. A short walk uphill is all it takes to reach the place. You also have the option of climbing a rather steep staircase from the main traffic circle.
You will find plenty of guides offering their services but most of them don't speak English. In any case you can do with or without much guidance and spend a few hours over here. It is best to come early before the tourist crowds come in. Here are a few places that are worth visiting:
1. Marco da Posse: This is the oldest monument of Brazil which was brought here from Portugal in 1503. It is a marble column tattooed with the emblem of the Portuguese royalty and the Order of Christ. It is enclosed in glass.
2. Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Penha: This church dates back to the early 16th century and has an icon of Saint Francisco de Assisi.
3. Museu de Porto Seguro: This is a small museum housed in a building that served as a town hall once upon a time and was also Brazil's first public jail. It has a collection of ancient maps and artifacts.
4. Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Misericórdia: This is the oldest church in Brazil built in 1526.
5. Museu de Arte Sacra: Located inside Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Misericórdia, the exhibits of this museum includes the statues of a life sized Christ on a crucifix and another one of Senhor dos Passos covered with rubies.
Beaches
Beaches of Porto Seguro are mostly urban style with plenty of eating outlets and water sports avenues. The most famous of these are
Itacimirim, Taperapuã, Mundaí, Ponta Grande, and Mutá. The beaches of Porto Seguro have the protection of reefs and are safe.
There are many activities on the beaches besides just eating and drinking. You will find Lambada classes and water sports opportunities in the day and at night the DJs will take you to musical highs. As you go further north from the town the beaches are rather empty and quiet.
Nightlife
The night life in Porto Seguro deserves special mention. There are elaborate beach bars called 'mega barracas'. You will find many such barracas in 'Passarela do Alcool' meaning alcohol catwalk. It is a seaside promenade consisting of barracas and stands selling fruit cocktails. At night these barracas transform into nightclubs serving exotic local cocktails. There are many more theme nightclubs which add to the merrymaking.
Places To Stay And Dine In Porto Seguro:
Being a town frequented by tourists, Porto Seguro has a wide range of accommodation options and everyone is sure to find something that will suit their budget and comfort levels. The important thing to remember is that the prices can even double in the peak seasons, so it is best to book well in advance. The prices start increasing as early as October and are at their peak in summer.
There is a huge variety of food available with lots of restaurants serving different cuisines. In addition there are fast food outlets and beach shops. Food will never be a problem here at anytime of the day or night.
Porto Seguro will definitely find a place on the itinerary of most tourists who visit the area. It is very different from the nearby quiet and scenic beaches of
Arraial d'Ajuda and Transcoso. Together they can make an exciting combination for those who want the best of both worlds.
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