Located on the Discovery Coast, Porto Seguro is very different from the typical quiet town or city of Bahia. While in most other places the calm and beauty of the beaches surpasses all that is offered, Porto Seguro, on the contrary, gives you a party atmosphere and you will see many visitors revel in the carnival-like atmosphere of this place. This is not to say that there is no shortage of quiet places and beaches here. Other quieter places like Arraial d’Ajuda and Transcoso are also nearby.
Porto Seguro is famous for being the first city in Brazil and it is the place where the Portuguese discoverer Pedro Alves Cabral set foot in Brazil. It is also the birthplace of the Lambada dance, which was a hit in the 1980s. Although it has some very attractive beaches and some historical sites on offer, these days it is more often referred to as the Party Capital of Brazil. .
How to get to Porto Seguro and move around the city:
Porto Seguro has an international airport where charter flights arrive from European destinations. It is well connected by air with other cities in Brazil and domestic flights are cheap if booked well in advance. The city is about 5 minutes from the airport by car.
The other option is to get here by road, which is much cheaper than traveling by air. Luxury bus services run daily between Porto Seguro and other cities in Brazil. You can also travel by car if it fits your budget. Depending on the distance, the road trip will take several hours.
If you know the place and stay in the city center, 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 are generally in a comfortable range. The weather is generally pleasant, making you feel 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 sits on top of a hill near the bus station. A short uphill walk is all it takes to reach the site. You also have the option of going up a fairly steep staircase from the main roundabout.
You will find many guides offering their services, but most of them do not speak English. In any case, you can do it with or without much guidance and spend a few hours here. It’s best to get there early before the tourist crowds arrive. Here are some places worth visiting:
1. Marco da Posse: This is the oldest monument in Brazil that was brought here from Portugal in 1503. It is a marble column tattooed with the emblem of Portuguese royalty and the Order of Christ. It is enclosed in glass.
2. Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Penha: This church dates from the early 16th century and has an icon of Saint Francis of Assisi.
3. Museu de Porto Seguro: This is a small museum housed in a building that once served as the town hall and was also Brazil’s first public prison. It has a collection of old 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 the Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Misericórdia, this museum’s exhibits include life-size statues of Christ on a crucifix and another of Senhor dos Passos covered in rubies.
Beaches
Porto Seguro’s beaches are mostly urban in style with plenty of places to eat and avenues for water sports. The most famous are Itacimirim, Taperapuã, Mundaí, Ponta Grande and Mutá. The beaches of Porto Seguro have reef protection and are safe.
There are many activities on the beaches besides eating and drinking. You’ll find Lambada classes and water sports opportunities during the day, and DJs at night will take you to the top of the music. As you go further north of the city, the beaches are fairly empty and quiet.
Night life
Special mention deserves the nightlife in Porto Seguro. There are elaborate beach bars called ‘mega barracas’. You will find many such barracks in ‘Passarela do Alcool’, which means alcohol walkway. It is a promenade made up of barracks and fruit cocktail stalls. At night, these barracks are transformed into nightclubs serving exotic local cocktails. There are many more themed nightclubs to add to the fun.
Places To Sleep And Eat In Porto Seguro:
Being a city frequented by tourists, Porto Seguro has a wide range of accommodation options and everyone is sure to find something that fits their budget and comfort levels. The important thing to remember is that prices can even double in high season, so it’s best to book well in advance. Prices start to rise as early as October and peak in summer.
There is a wide variety of food available with many restaurants serving different cuisines. There are also fast food establishments and beach shops. Food will never be a problem here at any time of the day or night.
Porto Seguro will definitely find a place on the itinerary of most tourists visiting the area. It is very different from the nearby calm and picturesque beaches of Arraial d’Ajuda and Transcoso. Together they can make an exciting combination for those who want the best of both worlds.
