Praia do Forte was once just a small fishing village, but it is now being developed as an ecologically minded upscale beach resort. It has fine beaches, a beautiful castle fortress and a sea-turtle reserve. The castle, built by Garcia D'Ávila in 1556, is now in ruins, completely overgrown with weeds and grasses, but it is still worth a visit. Praia do Forte is located north of Salvador and is home to some of the best beaches in Bahia. The road to Praia do Forte, Coconut Highway is 193 km long and comprises the breathtaking north coast of Bahia. It begins on the outskirts of Salvador da Bahia and stretches all the way up to paradise-like villages, running through a region of diverse ecosystems, beautiful beaches traversed by rivers, estuaries, dunes, coconut groves, lagoons, mangroves, and tropical wildlife.

For a relaxing and casual beach holiday close to Salvador there is no better place than Praia do Forte. The perfect 13 km (8 mile) stretch of beach is thickly lined with palm trees, and the clear blue waters reveal coral reefs and natural pools at low tide. Strict environmental guidelines have kept the beach largely pristine and development very low-key. From December to March thousands of turtles come ashore to lay their eggs, and with the right timing visitors can witness the miraculous hatching of the tiny turtles. In February a turtle nest hatches out almost every day.

The sleepy little fishing village of Praia do Forte has a grand total of three streets, none of them paved. Here you can experience the authentic laid-back casual atmosphere.

1- Depart Salvador - Arrival at Praia do Forte
Meet and greet at the hotel or airport in Salvador and arrival transfer to your beach resort at Praia do Forte. Praia do Forte is located 80 km (approximately 1 hour) north of Salvador City, along the so called Costa dos Coqueiros (Coconut Coast).

2- Praia do Forte
At leisure. Enjoy the many activities of the resort and the beautiful beaches. You can also visit the national headquarters of the project for the protection of sea turtles in Brazil - TAMAR/IBAMA and learn a little more about this project, which plays an important role in the protection of several sea turtle species. Or take part on a nighttime turtle watching hike along the beach for the chance to experience the birth of sea turtles and/or surprise them in a rare moment, when they are laying their eggs, between the months of December and February.

3- Praia do Forte
At leisure. Enjoy the many activities of the resort and the beautiful beaches. Go on an adventure in the tropical rainforest, on trails through the secondary Atlantic Rainforest of the Sapiranga Natural Reserve. Those who are a bit bolder can challenge gravity by going down the breathtaking tirolesa (zip lining). In addition to getting to know the local fauna and flora better, it is also possible to take a relaxing dip in the river. Or make a visit to the Castle, one of the oldest Portuguese constructions of the country, a true journey back to the beginning of the history of Brazil. Begun in the 16th century, the Garcia D'Ávila Castle is the only feudal building of the Americas.

4- Depart Praia do Forte - Arrival in Salvador - Next City
Check-out at noon. Transfer to the hotel or airport in Salvador. Homebound flight or proceed to your next destination.

Land-Only prices in US-Dollars per person in double occupancy (single supplement available), including:

• Roundtrip transfer Hotel or Airport SSA in Salvador/Beach resort at Praia do Forte/Hotel or Airport SSA in Salvador on resort regular service, featuring air-conditioned vehicle with driver only.

• Accommodation in the beach resort of your choice.

• Daily Brazilian buffet breakfast, unless indicated above.

• Meals as per description (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner).

• Hotel taxes.

-> To reduce or extend number of nights in this package, simply click on the hotel of your choice and check the desired period.

To receive more information, please email us at office@opcotours.com.