Morro de São Paulo Island

Morro de Sao Paulo is a get-away village in the paradise island of Tinhare, deserving at least 2 days. It is 100km south of Salvador so you`ll need to spend the night. During the summer Brazilians from around the country take over and turn the place into a party town.

Get there

Either take the:
• Catamaran (from the Porto Maritimo, next to the Mercado Modelo, R$45 each way) or

• The aero-taxi ( small propelor plane departing from the airport, R$180 each way).

Where to Stay

There are dozens of pousadas (inns) in MSP. We liked this one:

Pousada Farol do Morro
www.faroldomorro.com.br

Tours

After plunking down your bags an putting on your skimp swimwear, hire a tour guide (usually found in the docks) and ask for the mud and forest tour. Most don`t speak english, but they can guide you through the trails likeanyone else.

Pink Medicinal Mud

Ever want to wallow like a pig, and look ridiculous Of course you do. And here you can do it for free on the pink clay streams leading to the beach. Cover yourself and then walk around like a zombie till it dries. Your skin will thank you for it.

Fonte do Ceu waterfall

Although it`s no Niagara, it is conveniently located in the middle of your jungle trekking, just when the clay will have dried. Wash yourself off in the warm water.

Forte Tapirandu

The ruins of a fort protecting the island from the dutch and french.

Lighthouse

Great views of the island all around.

Pastelaria Nativo

Go for a huge shrimp pastel (camarao) at the kiosk at the end of beach 2.

AirCable

Slide down Brazil`s tallest aircable, scary as hell but you`d be nuts not do it. Afterwards you`ll want to do it over and over, if it weren`t for the steep price of R$20 per rid.

Beaches

They are all great, none are dirty, but each can appeal to your mood: Beach 1 is filled with kiosks, ideal for beers. Beach 2 is the younger beach, with volleyball courts and surfer dudes. Beach 3 has little room for lying down, but ideal for a horse back ride. Beach 4 has natural pools and beach 5, Enchantment beach, is the more secluded of these 5, but no hanky-panky!

Activities

Scuba Diving

Go for a baptism or lessons (if you are staying longer) as there are crystal clear corals and pools all over the island, filled with sea life (not just stupid seaweed).

Island Jeep Tour

A 60 minute tour of the island, here you can see different vegetation, eaches and wild-life.

Horse-back riding

Rent the horse for an hour or two at most, as your city-slicking ass will hurt.

Plana-Sub

The coolest water sport invented in Brazil: put your snorkel on and let a boat tug you through the coral reefs and seaworld. The board can be used to take you down, up, left or right, just like Nintendo. You`ll want to do this again and again, and it`s worth it!