Arraial d’Ajuda: Planning Your Time

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Most travelers who come to the south of Bahia remember Arraial d’Ajuda as their favorite place on the coast. It has a kind of rustic charm to it that seduces just about everyone who comes here. It’s difficult to say whether the highlight is the village itself, or the beaches. Thankfully, you don’t have to choose between them. You can spend your days on the many different beaches of the area, and your nights enjoying the pleasures of the village. Highlights on the beach include the fabulous beach kiosks at Mucugé Beach and the stroll you can take from Mucugé to Pitinga to the south. Likewise, a stroll along the northern beaches takes you past some great kiosks, beach bars, and swimming areas that will probably delay you for a while. In town, you’ll see one of the oldest villages in the country, in pristine condition. You’ll find local handicrafts and taste the regional cuisine at restaurants of all kinds. The new part of the village has some of the most quaint and cozy restaurants and hotels in Bahia. Nights are magical here.

If you make Arraial d’Ajuda your base of operation while in Southern Bahia, you’ll be able to schedule excursions from here, or take the 30-minute trip up to Porto Seguro to work with an agent there. One of the best scuba diving schools is right here in Arraial and you can rent dune buggies here for trips down to Trancoso and the distant south. Hotels in the village come in a variety of sizes, styles, and prices and you’ll certainly find something in your budget.

Arraial became a popular beach village over the last 10-15 years. Before that, it was frequented mostly by hippies, surfers, and Argentineans. There is still a very hippie feel to the place, mixed with a lot of international influences too. One of the interesting influences is the World music that you’ll hear all over the village and on the beaches. Another is the incredible variety of restaurants.