Arraial by day: Beaches of Arraial d'Ajuda

The beaches of Arraial d'Ajuda are divided into two distinct types of landscape: towards the north, between the beaches of Mucugê and Apaga Fogo(on the border with the Buranhem River and Porto Seguro) are the beaches with barrier reefs and good coconut trees for water sports, from Pitinga and even Taípe(almost arriving to Trancoso) instead, what predominates are the beaches with high reddish cliffs and higher waves; in this strip of the southern coast of Bahia and especially in Pitinga, from the highest cliffs the practice of Parapente is very popular.

Playa Araçaipe - Arraial d'Ajuda

foto de brasilplayas.com - CC by-nc-nd

Beaches of Arraial d'Ajuda

Turn off Fogo ( View on satellite map );

Playa Pitinga - Arraial d'Ajuda

Copyright VeraÁguia Fotografía

The beach of Apaga Fogo, is the first after crossing the river Buranhem with the "raft" from Porto Seguro, the proximity to the river means that the color of the sea is usually less blue than the other beaches of Arraial. For the rest it is very similar to the beach of Araçaipe with which the limit is not very precise.

Playa de Mucugê - Arraial d'Ajuda

foto de brasilplayas.com - CC by-nc-nd

Araçaipe ( View on satellite map )

Playa Taípe - Arraial d'Ajuda

Copyright Peter Oechsle

Araçaipe is the beach that covers most of the area of ​​the Estrada da Balsa , and is the quietest of Arraial d'Ajuda, when there is wind it is ideal for kitesurfing, it has natural pools in the low tide and has the bars/restaurants on the beach that I like the most, unlike those on the beach of Mucugê and Pitinga these are more spaced and integrated to the landscape, at a distance of 150 meters there are several options: Corujão ( View on satellite map ) is one of the most Beach Bar of Arraial, it offers good lounge and Brazilian music in a relaxed atmosphere; in the summer, the Christmas, New Year and Iemanjá parties(on February 2) are classic; 100 meters further south is Sting, an environment similar to Corujão but with more varied music, sometimes rock bands play in high season. From summer 2011 the new option among the beach bars of Araçaipe is Rigatoni , this inn with bar located between Corujão and Sting, usually has predominantly electronic music and environment type the Spanish islands Ibiza and Formentera. Another option to spend the sunny days of Araçaipe beach, is the restaurant/beach bar of the inn Canto d'Alvorada (50 meters south of Sting, See in satellite map ), more familiar environment, good option for those who want to enjoy eating and drinking on the beach in a pleasant atmosphere, listening to Brazilian popular music(MPB) or Bossa Nova. As of summer 2012, the "Sol & Beach"( View on satellite map ), music live on Sundays, pool, few tables but in a very nice space surrounded by coconut trees some meters above the beach.

Iglesia Nossa Senhora d'Ajuda

photo by xandelisk - CC 2.0 by-nd

The sea at Araçaipe beach depending on the day and the tide varies a lot from color, from an intense green dotted by the reefs that stand out at low tide, and the greenish brown of windy days and high tide. From the sand you can see in the distance the back part of the Church, the coqueirales(palm forests) and the fishermen boats of the Praia do Delegado (Fishermen's Beach for the Arraianos ).

Estrada do Mucugê - Centro de Arraial d'Ajuda

photo by opimentas - CC 2.0 by

Mucugê ( View on satellite map )

Lagoa Azul

photo by carlosoliveirareis - CC 2.0 by-nc-sa

This beach is the first beach that will see those who stay in the center of Arraial, just down the Estrada and one is already with a multitude of restaurants right and left and the atmosphere is more like what we can find in Porto Seguro , more popular music and Axé, also certain harassment of some restaurant waiters.

Playa de los pescadores (o Delegado)

foto de brasilplayas.com - CC by-nc-nd

The beach itself is quite beautiful, with reefs and natural pools. Walking to the right after crossing a small stream you will reach the quietest part of the beach, there is the Mucugê Village , a Hotel/Inn with Restaurant/Pizzeria, Bar and tennis court the beach, in season there are usually parties and play bands, good music and atmosphere. Further south going towards Parracho, there are two other options for those who like electronic music: Zafferano, and next to it is an historic Arraial electronic scene: the Magnolia beach bar, besides being open during the day as a Beach Bar, has night parties in high season they are a classic for 10 years.

Parracho Beach ( View on satellite map )

It is called this way to this beach, although officially it remains beach of Mucugê , it acquired this name because it is in this part of the beach of Mucugê where the complex is located Parracho leisure complex on the beach that fulfills the same function as those of Porto Seguro as Axé Moi and Toa Toa . Free entry of day and entrance paying at night, with shows and parties in high season. Its famous closed carnival, in which important Bahian artists play, attracts crowds of young people from all over Brazil and is one of the main attractions of the carnival of Arraial d'Ajuda .

Pitinga ( View on satellite map )

Beach with cliffs, very nice although quite far from the center, you have to go by car, combi or walk quite a walk on the beach or on Estrada de Pitinga . Like the beach of Mucugê , the nearest sector is saturated with beach bars/restaurants. Moving away a little the beach becomes almost deserted and even suitable for nudism. Following the beach of Pitinga to the south, before reaching the beach of Taipe you will find Lagoa Azul , a small circle of water between cliffs and the sea, many people put the mud at the bottom of the pond on the skin since some consider this practice as medicinal, I personally would not recommend it due to the pollution that has generated the excess of tourists who come to this once desert mini lagoon

Taipe ( View on satellite map )

This beach is the last one of Arraial d'Ajuda, although many believe that it belongs to Trancoso ; in fact this beach is much closer to the center of Trancoso than the center of Arraial. It has colorful cliffs, the highest in the region with many palm trees on top; the part near the road includes some restaurants, the rest of the beach is deserted. You can arrive by car or walk more than 2 hours along the beach, towards the end of the beach on the cliffs, there is the Terravista complex, one of the most luxurious condominiums in Brazil and Latin America: golf course, private airport, Club Med, 5 star hotels, houses and exclusive mansions, all in a closed condominium only suitable for millionaires.

Updated January 4, 2012

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