Tailor-made travel itineraries for Brazil, created by local experts
The Rough Guides to Brazil and related travel guides
In-depth, easy-to-use travel guides filled with expert advice.
written by
Rough Guides Editors
updated 26.04.2021
The most popular destination in southern Bahia is the resort area around Porto Seguro, where Cabral “discovered” Brazil in 1500. Founded in 1526, it has some claim to being the oldest town in Brazil, and buildings still survive from that period.
Porto Seguro is now about as far as you can get from pre-colonial tranquillity. It’s become one of the biggest holiday resorts in Brazil, and heaves with tourists throughout the year, reaching saturation point at New Year and Carnaval. You may enjoy yourself here if your main interest is nightlife – but you’ve got to like crowds and not expect much peace and quiet. All the same, Porto Seguro has somehow managed to retain its reputation as a fairly classy destination.
