'''Morro de Sao Paulo''' is a village in the northern tip of the Tinhare island in Bahia. Reachable only by boat or plane, the village has no paved streets or car traffic. There are, however, lots of hotels, ''pousadas'' and restaurants, as well as a few ATMs. The island's beaches are nice and imaginatively named ''First'', ''Second'', ''Third'' and ''Fourth'' beach.

Get in

By plane

Morro has no actual airport but charter flights from Salvador take 20 minutes from Salvador and land on a runway near the Fourth Beach. '''Turismo Bahia Travel Agency''', [http://www.turismobahia.com.br] '''TURISMOBAHIA''' operate flights for around R$180 from Salvador.

By boat

You can get there from Salvador by catching a ferry or catamaran from the Mercado Modelo, a 5 min walk from the lower end of the Lacerda Elevator. The catamaran costs about R$ 60 (2008) and takes approx 2 hrs.

Catamaran leaves from Salvador at 8:30AM, 9AM, 11:30AM. 1:30PM, 2:00PM.

Catarmarans come back from Morro de Sao Paulo at 9:30AM, 11:30AM, 3:PM, 3:30PM.

Get there early and buy your tickets. Since you are travelling on the open ocean, sea sickness pills are advised.

Tickets can be brought at the boat terminal building or at your Posuada or a number of travel companies--that are open every day.

The seas from Salvador to Morro de Sao Paulo are really choppy and the ride is really tough even for people with strong stomach. Make sure not to eat anything atleast 2 hours before the departure. Also some medicine for motion sickness will come really handy. An easier option is to take a boat from Valencia which is both cheap and smooth but takes more time. From Salvador take a bus to Fiera de Santana and from there, you can take a direct bus to valencia. Takes around 4 hours from Salvador to Valencia and from there another 1 hour by ferry to reach Morro. The ferry ticket is R$ 15. Although this takes a bit longer but this will save you from the ordeal of that bumpy ride in the boat from Salvador to Morro.

There is an alternate and cheaper option which costs R$ 30 and takes twice the time as the Catamaran (about 4 hours). From Sao Joaquim in Salvador, take a ferry to the island of Itaparica. From there you can get a bus to Valenca from which there are regular boats that head to Morro de Sao Paulo.

By car

Drivers can reach as near as the neighboring city of Valenca, where you can park your car at one of the various Car Parking for as many days as you wish. From Valenca you have to take a boat to Morro. You have to go to the local harbour and there you will find boats every hour from 7 am till 6pm . In summer they will run until there are passangers to travel. If you take the "traditional" boat, it will take about 2 hrs but this is a relaxing trip and you have plenty of time to enjoy the sightseeing for only R$5,00. But if you want to get quickly to Morro, you have the "lancha rapida" (fast boat) that will take you for R$12,00 and in 40 minutes you will be there. At the Valenca harbour you have to pay a fee of R$0,65 per person and to get in Morro you have to pay a R$6,50 local tax.

Get around

The best (and only) abundant form of transport on the Island is your feet.

Being an island, there is no vehicular access to Morro de Sao Paulo. Until recently, tractors for garbage collection, transportation of heavy materials,tours to distant beaches and to and from pousadas on the Fourth Beach were the only motorized vehicles allowed. Today however, although vehicles are not permitted on the beaches and main roads (i.e. Caminho da Praia, Fonte Grande), there are buggy-taxis on the roads that parallel the beaches, through Zimbo, Campo da Mangaba and the Gamboa village.

See

Up the hill (''morro'', in Portuguese), there is a lighthouse and a fort dating from 1630.

Do

  • '''Beaches''' - Most beaches in Morro are reachable on foot and great for lounging about in the sun. Many of them, however, can be a little rocky and too shallow to swim. There is a quiet beach ''behind'' the hill that is good for swimming.
  • Buy

  • Shops line the path from the boat dock past the first beach. There are many clothing stores that sell mostly t-shirts and bathing suits but some also sell skirts and dresses. Be sure to check out the flip-flops. Havaiana and Ipanema flip-flops are very popular. There is also a shop that sells lots of touristy trinkets.
  • '''Diving'''

    There are at least 2 dive shops on the islands. Companhia do Mergulho is a good and honest company. The best months to dive are Nov - Mar.

    Diving is poor during October due to the frequent storms that reduces visibility to 1 meter(3 feet).

    Eat

  • '''''Minha Loca Paixao''''' The restaurant is in the pousada. Great food and reasonable prices.
  • '''''Sambass''''' This restaurant is on 2nd beach. The tables are right on the beach next to the Jamaican restaurant. They have a great atmosphere and good food. Try the red snapper or whatever fresh fish they have that night. Most nights they have live music.
  • '''''O Bacalhau''''' Another restaurant at the second beach with portuguese and brasilian food. You may try one of the various recips of cod cooked the way they do it in Portugal, or, if you prefer a more exotic experience, the lobster or fresh fish on the grill. You may aswell drive on one of the famous "moquecas" - the brazilian stew - that will surprise you with that mix of flavours Brazil can offer you.
  • Drink

  • At night drink stands open up all over. They are all pretty much the same. They will mix in any fruit you want with Cachaca.
  • Sleep

    Traditionally an ovrepriced spot, there are bargain options on the island. Never follow local touts around, as they will get a commission and ruin your potential discount.

    If the room has a mosquito net, use it or consider a citronella candle to avoid bug bites.

    Budget

  • Pousada e Camping da Dona America. rom the Praca, walk down Rua da Fonte 200 mts. 55 75 3483 1435. ww.morrodesaopaulo.com.br/america.html. ingle, R$ 20. Also camping..

  • Aradhia Pousada. ust past the 2nd beach. arge rooms for a low price.

  • Pousada Barrravento. n 3rd beach. 5 3652-1134. n low season is it possible to get a room for 35 reals/night/person with a hammock. In High Season price might be 75 reals/night. . Some rooms have ensuite bathrooms with fridge. You need to bargain with the owner. Breakfast==coffee, bread, ham, cheese, fruits, scammed eggs, fried bananes--very good. Only takes '''cash'''.

    Mid Range

  • '''[http://www.morrodesaopaulohotelpde.com.br/ Morro de Sao Paulo]
  • Splurge

    Hotel Praia do Encanto em Morro de Sao Paulo [http://www.praiadoencanto.com.br Praia do Encanto Hotel]email:reserva@praiadoencanto.com.br

    Get out

  • Boipeba - the pristine beaches of Boipeba village make a very nice day-trip from Morro. Take the boat, as going by land means uncomfortable travelling in an improvised tractor convoy through a shaky sandy road.
  • Most Pousada and travel agencies will offer a trip from MSP to Boipeda for 65 reals/person. There are two/three main companies that do this trip, but is excatly the same trip, expect differant boats depending on the number of people that go.

    The trip will usually consist of the following:

    '''Picking''' up passengers on 3rd beach approx 9:30 AM. You might have to wade to the boat. '''Snokelling''' at two places. This depends on the tides. During the fall, the water visibility might be poor due to the rain storms and high winds. '''Boipeba Landing'''You will have the choice of taking a small 20-30 minute trek around the island where you can meet the boat. There will be guides_L(children) who go on the trek with you. The cost of the trek is 3 reals/person (NOTE: This cost is not included in the tour cost). '''LUNCH''': You will be dropped off by the guide at a place for lunch, possibly about 1:00 PM. You will have approx 1.5 hrs for lunch, swimming, tanning, etc. There are some cheaper places to have lunch further down the beach. '''OYSTERS''': You will have a short 10 min-15 ride down a river, where you will come to an oyster place. They work off the tips that you leave for the oysters. If you look into the river, you can see small fish. '''CHURCH''' : After another 10-20 minute ride--you will come to an historic church. Your captain may tell you he does not know where it is, and you have to get a guide. The church is up the hill. Look for the street that has a Brazil flag on it and keep on going for approx 5 minutes. Anyone can do this little walk.

    After this you, you be taken back to the main harbor on MSP. You will be back around 5:30 - 6:00 PM. so it is a full day.