Praia do Forte - Beach Bonanza in Bahia, Brazil

[Iberostar Hotels & Resorts]

Now especially in the spotlight because of the Rio Olympics, Brazil is of course known for its splendid beaches not just in Rio de Janeiro but all along its enormous Atlantic coast. Resort distination Praia do Forte is a perfect example, featuring beaches with white sand and crystal clear waters surrounded by coconut trees, all kinds of water activities and sports, luxury hotels, natural reserves with plenty of flora and fauna including turtles and whales, the exotic Brazilian culture and the history of the colonization of Brazil by Portugal, etc. What more can you ask for to spend a memorable vacation?

Located 70 kilometers north of Salvador da Bahia, the fisherman’s town of Praia do Forte is one of the cradles of Brazilian civilization; the name comes from the castle or fort erected in 1556 by a Portuguese settler - the only feudal construction in all of Latin America. Bathed in the Atlantic breeze, the area features ideal conditions for surfers and windsurfers. When the tide is low, natural swimming holes are formed and you can swim in the transparent waters. It has a very lively commercial street crossing the city, which is full of bars, restaurants and shops.

You should make it a point to visit the Tamar Project, an eco-museum where you can watch sea turtles swimming in huge open-air pools, as well as sharks. This museum contributes to the conservation of several species of sea turtles including the two-meter-long luth turtle. These turtles bury their eggs on these beaches between September and March. You might be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of this! In August and September you can see humpback whales crossing near the 12-km beach and its 100,000 coconut trees. Fishermen offer excursions to see the whales closer up.

The crystal-clear waters washing the white sandy beach, the rich marine fauna and flora and superb underwater visibility make Praia do Forte the perfect place for diving. The natural swimming holes such as Papa Gente and Lord that are formed when the tide is low are ideal for snorkeling, because they have plenty of fish to see. You can also go diving in places that are 35 meters deep and view the beauty of the underwater world. You should visit the coral reef when the tide is low, with its wealth of flora and fauna. The best time of the year for scuba diving, always with expert guidance, is from October to February depending on the weather conditions. The best thing is that the average water temperature is 26° C (79º F).

 

Souvenirs you can buy: Typical Brazilian or Hawaiian style flip-flops, a bottle of cachaça sugarcane liquor, wooden sculptures, hippy jewelry and hammocks. Capoeira pants are light and comfortable to wear. If you find one, you should buy an original wooden samba whistle.

 

 

“IBEROSTAR Hotels & Resorts has two 5-star All Inclusive vacation complexes in Salvador da Bahia: the hotel IBEROSTAR Praia Do Forte and the hotel IBEROSTAR Bahía. Both these hotels provide visitors with a perfect vacation in Brazil in a beautiful natural environment. Here you can enjoy the luxury of comfortable rooms, a great variety of restaurants and bars, spas, swimming pools and a complete entertainment and sports activity program.”

from our blog Passport To...