The municipality of Prado, in Bahia, offers paradisiacal beaches and a unique experience of relaxation and adventure, ranging from whale watching at Abrolhos to hiking on Mount Pascoal.

Located on the Whale Coast, Prado is the municipality with the largest tourist infrastructure in the region.

Municipality of Prado in Bahia

The municipality of Prado in Bahia has several coastal towns and districts, some of the best known being

1. Prado – The main city, with beaches and tourist infrastructure.
2. Cumuruxatiba – One of the most popular destinations, with quiet, unspoilt beaches.
3. Corumbau – Famous for its tranquillity and natural beauty, with deserted beaches and crystal clear waters.
4. Barra do Cahy – Historical site with access to Monte Pascoal National Park.
5. Ponta do Corumbau – A region known for its coral reefs and natural pools.

These districts are among the main coastal attractions in the municipality of Prado, offering natural beauty and various leisure activities.

1. History and Culture

The city of Prado was founded in 1755, Prado retains its 18th century houses, cobbled streets and historic churches.

2. Natural beauty

With 84 kilometres of beaches, the Prado coast is a spectacle of diversity:

• Impressive cliffs of different colours and rare beauty.
• Mangrove areas, fresh water lagoons, streams and waterfalls.
• Beaches lined with coconut groves and natural pools.

3. Highlights

• Near the village of Cumuruxatiba, the Cahy River marks the spot where the Portuguese of Cabral’s squadron first came into contact with the Brazilian natives.
• The Tororão waterfall, the beach resort of Cumuruxatiba and the fishing village of Corumbau are among the most popular attractions.
• Schooner trips offer unforgettable moments of connection with the nature.

4. Historical heritage

Prado is located on the border between the Costa do Descobrimento and the Costa das Baleias, and its history records the first contact between the Indians and the squadron of Pedro Álvares Cabral, at the mouth of the Cahy River, before arriving in Porto Seguro.

Even after more than 500 years, the landscape of the Cahy River still preserves the essence of the Brazil of the early years:

• The same winds, seas and clouds.
• White beaches, rivers flowing into the sea, green forests and lush mangroves.
• Cliffs that vary between shades of ochre, beige and red, with undergrowth in places.

5. Urban charm

Prado’s colonial streets, narrow and paved with cobblestones, are home to

• Charming houses.
• CozyLittle shops and Bars.
• Fine dining restaurants that offer visitors a unique experience.

With its combination of history, culture and natural beauty, Prado is a perfect destination for those looking to enjoy the best of Bahia’s South Coast.

Videos about Prado and Abrolhos, Bahia

Points of interest in the municipality of Prado

1. Beaches (from north to south)

1. Corumbau Beach
2. Tauá beach
3. Barra do Cahy beach
4. Calambrião Beach
5. Imbassuaba Beach
6. Moreira Beach
7. Rio do Peixe Pequeno and Grande Beach
8. Cumuruxatiba Beach
9. Dois Irmãos Beach
10. Areia Preta beach
11. Japara Pequena Beach
12. Oyster Beach
13. Tororão Beach
14. Paixão beach
15. Viçosa (or Amendoeira) beach
16. Lighthouse Beach
17. Lagoa Pequena and Grande Beach
18. Prado Beach
19. Barra Beach
20. Quati Beach
21. Guaratiba Beach

Prado is located about two hours from Porto Seguro. The small town of Prado has 84 kilometres of quiet, virtually deserted beaches, as well as 30 metre high cliffs on the strip of sand known as Praia da Paixão, from where the more adventurous can take paragliding.

Another very famous beach is Cumuruxatiba, from where boat trips are offered to see the humpback whales that appear off the coast of Bahia between June and November.

Most of the Prado beaches have a similar setting: cliffs, coconut trees and streams.

Quiet is constant at Praia do Quati, which has no infrastructure.

On the other hand, on the beaches of Paixão, Prado and Novo Prado, the hustle and bustle is guaranteed by the stalls and kiosks. In the middle is Tororão, a quiet beach with just one kiosk.

1. Corumbau Beach

Its main feature is a long (1.5 kilometres) reef point that juts out into the sea and disappears when the tide comes up.

The place has a lighthouse, a fishing village, mangroves and lots of coconut trees. It is an excellent area for snorkelling (at Recife dos Itacolomis, accessible by boat) and fishing.

2. Tauá Beach

3. Barra do Cahy beach

A cove with cliffs and reasonable waves. Dark sand, (monazite), fine and soft. Ideal for bass fishing, especially when going up the gentle Rio Caí by boat.

4. Calambrian beach

Similar to the previous one. Access via a farm.

5. Imbassuaba Beach

Low wave bay, deserted, with cliffs, coconut trees and almond trees on the fine, dark sand. Good for fishing, kayaking and windsurfing.

6 Moreira Beach

Similar to the previous one. Access via a farm.

7. Rio do Peixe Pequeno and Grande Beach

This beach is located next to a brook with clear water. It has gentle waves and fine white sand.

8. Cumuruxatiba beach

A cove with beaten sand, weak waves and shallow water (good for kayaking) and the coast is cut by reefs.

In the underdeveloped village of Cumuruxatiba, there is a deserted pier 650 metres long. From there, schooner trips go to the Pataxós Reefs and Ponta do Corumbau. There are several restaurants, two camping sites and many bars.

A village of just over 4,000 inhabitants on the south coast of Bahia, between Prado and Porto Seguro. A tropical paradise that still preserves its natural beauty, local culture, roots and customs.

A place of beautiful beaches, but also of excellent cuisine. From the capoeira circle in the square to the indigenous influence that gives the fishing village its face and shape.

9. Dois Irmãos beach

A 700 metre long bay, beaten by light waves, popular for windsurfing and kayaking. It has very fine monazite sand and cliffs.

10. Areia Preta Beach

This is a little wavey cove where the stream of the same name flows. It has a high concentration of monazite sands (dark), which contrast with the pale yellow rocks and cliffs (up to 30 metres high).

11. Japara Pequena Beach

Cliffs and mangroves make access difficult to this cove with calm waters and monazite sands. Good for snorkelling and fishing.

12. Oyster Beach

Open sea, beaten by weak waves and with a wide strip of clear, fine sand, cut by several streams. Good for windsurfing.

13. Tororão Beach

A cove with green waters and fine, clear, sand. A small waterfall runs straight down to the beach on one of the stretches of its impressive cliffs.

14. Paixão Beach

An evocative name for this small cove with shallow, calm and warm waters. It has reefs next to the clear, soft sand, cliffs, rocks and a stream. It is close to the snack stalls, accessed by a footbridge over the stream. There are also guesthouses nearby.

15. Viçosa (or Amendoeira) beach

A lone almond tree marks this straight beach of light, soft, sand with cliffs all around. It’s an excellent spot for bass fishing.

16. Lighthouse Beach

Large, with greyish sand and a small stream to the north. There is a lighthouse and stretches of cliffs and reefs.

Trekking enthusiasts start their hikes from the local campsite to the town of Santa Cruz Cabrália. There are hotels, restaurants and camping sites.

17. Praia da Lagoa Pequena and Praia da Grande

Straight beaches with rough waves breaking on fine white sand. The area is undergoing increasing urbanisation and has snack stalls along the shore. There is a hotel at Lagoa Pequena.

18. Prado Beach

There are 2 kilometres of soft, golden, sand and a sea with big waves that become dangerous in the middle of the year due to the strong winds.

The area has inns, restaurants, bars and straw umbrellas with tables and benches. To the north is Novo Prado, the nearest neighbourhood, which also has a good infrastructure of inns, restaurants and camping sites.

19. Barra Beach

20. Quati Beach

This cove with calm, shallow, waters has restinga vegetation and coconut palms on fine, loose, sand. The sea is rich in cuttlefish and lobsters.

21. Guaratiba Beach

A long, unshaded 3-kilometre-longcove with soft, golden, sand, beaten by crashing waves. It is a deserted beach, except for the simple fishermen’s houses.

2. Other tourist attractions in the municipality of Prado

Options to include in your itinerary:

1. Barra do Cahy
2. Corumbau
3. Humpback Whales
4. Mount Pascoal
5. Abrolhos Archipelago
6. Boat trip in Corumbau
7. Reefs in Guaratiba

1. Barra do Cahy

Barra do Cahy is a historic place; It was at the mouth of this river that the Portuguese of Cabral‘s squadron replenished their drinking water supplies and had their first contact with the Indians before arriving at Porto Seguro.

The exuberant nature motivates hiking or horse riding along paths and boat trips upstream, observing the mangroves, birds and vegetation.

Nearby, at Fazenda Cahy, there is a bar and a restaurant. It is 52 km from the centre of Prado and 20 km from Cumuruxatiba.

2. Corumbau

The village of Corumbau is busy during the summer, when groups of all ages arrive by boat from the Costa do Descobrimento and Costa das Baleias.

The name Corumbau means in Tupi-Guarani “far away from everything“, “the end of the world and the beginning of the earth” or “far away place“. In other words, it’s the perfect place to hide away during the low season.

In high season it’s very busy; you meet people from all over, your favourite artist and sometimes even someone you don’t expect, like that close work colleague…

The village is on the border with the municipality of Porto Seguro. You can go kayaking on the River, visit the Monte Pascoal National Park, the village of Caraíva or make an excursion to dive in the Pataxó and Itacolomis corals.

In Corumbau, the reefs are exposed at low tide and submerged at high tide due to the large differences between the high tide and low tide. It is 88 km from the centre of Prado. To get there, take the BR-489 to Guarani and then drive 56 km on a dirt road.

3. Humpback whales

Prado is located in the region known as the Whale Coast, a Maritime Ecological Sanctuary. Humpback whales start appearing in mid-June and stay until October.

You can see humpback whales from the seafront or on a boat trip that leaves from Prado or the districts of Cumuruxatiba and Corumbau.

4. Mount Pascoal

“Land in sight“! It is said that Mount Pascoal is the piece of land that Pedro Álvares Cabral saw when he arrived on the Brazilian coast.

You can start your tour from this historic attraction with gorgeous landscapes.

The destination is 80 kilometres from Prado. It is possible to visit the Monte Pascoal National and Historical Park and hike up the mountain, which takes about 2 hours. Another option is to take the Rue Trail or the Jendiba Interpretive Trail.

5. Abrolhos Archipelago

The Abrolhos Archipelago is the most popular attraction of the Prado.

The Abrolhos National Marine Park is located in Caravelas, from where the boats depart. On the ICMBio website you can find the approved companies and other information. You’ll have the opportunity to dive in one of Brazil’s most beautiful archipelagos. Whales can sometimes be seen along the way.

6. Boat trip to Corumbau

At Ponta do Corumbau, take a boat trip to visit the Itacolomi coral reefs and dive in natural pools with clear water and lots of small fish. The Pataxó and Carapeba reefs are also worth a visit.

7. Reefs in Guaratiba

Guaratiba beach offers one of the best activities in the region.

Take a boat trip to discover the destination’s reefs and go snorkelling. It takes around 5 hours, including a 40 minute boat ride.

What to do in Prado at night?

Beco das Garrafas is the most famous street of Prado. Some blocks are closed to pedestrians only.

You’ll find great restaurants, bars and, on selected nights, live music. Families and Young people frequent this gastronomic hotspot in Prado.

When is the best time to visit Prado?

Tourist guide to Prado on the Whale Coast

Tourist guide to Prado in Bahia

This post is also on: Português English Deutsch Español Français