Salvador, Morro do sao paulo and south Bahia itinerary help please?

Hello!

After planning an itinerary I wondered if anyone local or who has been there could help me tweek it or offer some advice? We have a 10 day holiday flying into and out of Salvador, soon to book flights to Porto Seguro if this is recommended?

30th April Arrive Salvador
1st and 2nd May Sights of Salvador
3rd Fly to Porto Seguro, night in Arraial d'aruja
4th Night in Trancoso
5th Night in Caraiva
6th Fly back from porto seguro to Salvador
7th Catamaran to Morro do sao paulo
8th and 9th Morro do sao paulo
10th Back to airport to fly home from Salvador.

Would it be easier to hire a car at the airport in Porto Seguro or take buses/boats between the beach locations? I'm travelling with my boyfriend, we have basic spanish but zero portugese (whatever we can learn in 2 months), will we be able to get by ok? I've heard its low season around this time, will there still be a party happening in Morro do Sao Paulo as its my 30th while there?

Thanks for the advice!

Brooke

In my opinion you are attempting too much for such a short time period. Trancoso and Caraiva are places to relax not to dash between.

I'm assume from your remarks about learning Portuguese that you are going in May or June? Morro de São Paulo is pretty dead at that time of year. It doesn't prevent you from going but there will be less open and not the party atmosphere young tourists seem to expect.

Personally I'd suggest skipping Morro de São Paulo and splitting the trip in two. Five nights in and around Salvador and five nights down south. There's more to see and do in Salvador and you can get in some really good day trips. IMO the beach at Guarajuba is as good as any, the sort of picture postcard people expect.

My other tip would be to base yourself at Arraial d'Ajuda. the accommodation and dining options are better that Porto Seguro, which to mind is a fairly tacky tourist town. If you want to booze the night away it's merely a quick trip across the river on the balsa anyway.

No need to hire a car. The local buses are quite effective.

Good luck. If you need any further advice about Salvador, just ask.

Oh BTW the way there is an overnight bus from Salvador to Porto Seguro. A lot cheaper than flying usually, as that is an expensive route.

I agree that your itinerary includes too many moves.
The beach villages you mention are going to be very quiet. Good rates for accommodation.
Places on the beach to drink by moonlight in Morro and enjoy being together. No parties, but maybe the occasional bit of music with locals .
Split the trip into a few days in and around Salvador (inc. day trips) and either a few days in Morro, Boipeba and Marau peninsula OR (overnight bus) a few days around Porto Seguro ( Arraial D'Ajuda, Trancoso, Caraiva).
I wouldn't bother renting a car in PS; the road to Trancoso is a back road, not so easy to find. For so few days in the area, pick one place to stay and do day trips to the others by bus/ foot/ balsa ferry. It's also going to be very quiet there, except perhaps an afternoon at one of the bigger beach clubs in PS where the dance floor may get going for a few afternoon hours.
In Salvador, sightsee during the more overcast mornings, head for the beach in the afternoon, and find some music at night after dining outdoors. Then take some day trips to Itaparica, Guarajuba, Jacuipe, Mare, or Itapua.

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