The blue-green sea and the majesty of the cliffs in a pink tone would be enough to make Arraial d’Ajuda, district of Porto Seguro, a full plate for tourists. But it is in the small colorful center of the city that beats the heart of the former hippie village of the 1980s, today more sophisticated, with multiple attractions.
The center comes alive in the afternoon, when tourists return from the beach. A nice way to end the day is to adhere to the belief of tying a colorful ribbon of Nossa Senhora d’Ajuda to the railings of a gazebo located just behind the church.
In this guide, the tourist, whether from Bahia, Brazil or outside Brazil, will find the main information to make the most of Arraial D’Ajuda – and for all budgets. Here you will find how to get to this paradise, what to do, when to go, where to stay and where to eat, in addition to knowing a little about the history of the region. Check:
History
Arraial d’Ajuda is where it all started. According to historians, the name Arraial d’Ajuda was a tribute to Tomé de Souza and the first Jesuits who landed in the Bahia region in 1549, with the ships Conceição, Salvador and Ajuda.
In 1549, a fleet under the command of Tomé de Souza arrived in the bay of Todos os Santos. The ship DAJUDA was one of them, which carried the image of Nossa Senhora d’Ajuda. This ship arrived in the Porto Seguro area at the end of that year, when construction began on a very simple chapel, covered with straw, located on top of a plateau some forty meters high and with an exuberant view of the sea. This chapel would become the Church of Nossa Senhora d’Ajuda.
How to have
Arraial d’Ajuda is 10 km from Porto Seguro airport (by ferry). From Porto Seguro airport, you can get to Arraial d’Ajuda by car, bus, taxi, Uber or private transfer.
when should we go
Arraial d’Ajuda is an excellent beach destination all year round, as the rains are spread over the months and the sun always comes out. The best season, however, are the months of June, July, August and September, which have rainfall between 60 mm and 70 mm.
- Rainiest months ⎼ November, December, March and April;
- Less rainy months ⎼ June, July, August and September;
- High season ⎼ December to February, July and holidays all year round;
- The best time to go to Arraial d’Ajuda: during the new and full moon, when the tide is high and the beaches have natural pools.
What to do
Aracaipe Beach
The beach occupies most of the 4 km of shoreline along Caminho da Balsa. It has a calm sea, but no natural pools. The best access is through beach huts (and hostels that have bars open to the public).
Fisherman’s Beach
Known as “Praia do Delegado”, the place is characterized by a natural pool barred by rocks at low tide.
Mucuge Beach
Mucugê is the “village beach”. To get there, just go down to the end of Rua do Mucugê to reach the seaside. The sea is calm and looks like a swimming pool at low tide.
Parracho Beach
Praia do Parracho, mentioned in the song of Asa de Água, has as a reference a natural pool that forms by the sea at low tide and some large beach huts.
Pitinga Beach
Pitinga is the point on the edge of Arraial d’Ajuda where the cliffs begin to dominate the landscape. In this section, there is no longer any reef protection, so the sea is a little rougher, especially at high tide.
Arraial Ecological Park
Eco Parque was inaugurated on January 12, 1997, with attractions that appeal to all ages! The toys are imported from the Canadian company Proslyde, considered the world’s largest supplier of water park equipment, which is also responsible for the manufacture of Disney toys.
Historic town of Porto Seguro
In the main square are the church of Nossa Senhora da Pena, patroness of the city, the town hall and the prison, and the Marco do Descobrimento.
There are two other places in the area. The closest to the entrance to the historic town is the Capela de São Benedito, next to the ruins of the Jesuit college.
And third place has the Igreja da Misericórdia, still closed, and a lighthouse that does not date from colonial times.
Where to stay
Located in the center of Arraial d’Ajuda, Guest House Villa 2 Santos offers free Wi-Fi, an outdoor swimming pool and a daily buffet breakfast. Mucugê Beach is just 600 meters from the property and there are several bars and restaurants within 400 metres.
All rooms at Guest House Villa 2 Santos have a terrace and are equipped with air conditioning. The accommodations always have elegant decor and include Apple TV, minibar and private bathroom.
Located on top of the Mucugê cliffs, 300 meters from the sea, Pousada Beijo do Vento offers an outdoor swimming pool with panoramic views of the South Atlantic.
The accommodations at Pousada Beijo do Vento offer panoramic or partial sea views. In addition, they have a private balcony with a hammock and some have a hydromassage bath.
Overlooking the sea in Arraial d’Ajuda, Hotel Maitei offers luxurious rooms with a hydromassage bath and a balcony with a hammock. Hotel amenities include 2 outdoor swimming pools.
All rooms at Maitei Hotel are equipped with free Wi-Fi, cable TV and a DVD player. Deluxe category rooms have panoramic sea views.
Just 150 meters from Mucugê Beach, in Arraial d’Ajuda, Mar Aberto features an outdoor swimming pool and barbecue area surrounded by gardens. It also offers a daily buffet breakfast and free Wi-Fi.
All rooms at Pousada Mar Aberto have air conditioning, a TV and a minibar. They all have a beach-style décor and include a private bathroom with a shower.
The Arraial D’Ajuda Eco Resort has a pier and a paradise private beach in Ponta do Apaga Fogo. The accommodation is centrally located, 5 minutes by car from Porto Seguro airport, in front of Mucugê beach.
The rooms of the Arraial D’ajuda Eco Resort offer 5-star environments with free Wi-Fi, cable TV, air conditioning and minibar. All include a unique and charming decor. Some units have a sea view or a balcony with a hammock and a view of the river.
“Prone to fits of apathy. Beer evangelist. Incurable coffeeaholic. Internet expert.”
