Tourist Attractions on the Discovery Coast in Bahia

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The Discovery Coast, located in the south of Bahia, is a region of great historical importance and natural beauty. It was in this area that Pedro Álvares Cabral’s squadron sighted Mount Pascoal on 22 April 1500, marking the beginning of Brazil’s history.

Costa do Descobrimento na Bahia — Discovery Coast in Bahia

The region includes the municipalities of Santa Cruz de Cabrália, Porto Seguro, Arraial d’Ajuda, Trancoso and Caraíva and offers a unique combination of historical and natural attractions. With around 150 kilometres of coastline between Belmonte and Caraíva, the coast has both deserted and busy beaches, close to villages that become meeting places during the summer. There is a wide range of accommodation, from campsites to luxury resorts.

Mapa da Costa do Descobrimento na Bahia — Map of the Discovery Coast in Bahia

Video about the Discovery Coast

Caraíva, Trancoso e Arraial: Três paraísos do litoral baiano

Santa Cruz de Cabralia - Drone03:33

O que fazer e onde ficar em PORTO SEGURO!14:16

Costa do Descobrimento - Documentário

Arraial d'Ajuda - Drone04:02

Igreja de São João Batista em Trancoso BA

Trancoso na Bahia01:04

Tourist Highlights

Historic Centre of Porto Seguro: Situated at the highest point of the city, it preserves colonial buildings, including the Church of Nossa Senhora da Pena, the Church of São Benedito and the Landmark of Discovery, brought by the Portuguese in 1503.
Quadrado de Trancoso: The historic centre of Trancoso is a large rectangular square surrounded by colourful colonial houses, former fishermen’s dwellings, now converted into bars, restaurants and shops. At the back of the square is the Church of St John the Baptist, dating from the 17th/18th centuries, with a breathtaking view of the sea.
Praia dos Coqueiros in Trancoso: Located 15 minutes from the village of Trancoso, it is known for its calm waters protected by reefs, fine sand and an abundance of coconut trees. The beach has several huts where visitors can enjoy refreshing drinks and snacks of Bahian gastronomy.
Arraial d’Ajuda: This charming district of Porto Seguro combines a beach town atmosphere with a vibrant nightlife. Highlights include Broadway and Mucugê streets, known as “the most charming street in Brazil”, full of bars with live music, restaurants, designer shops and inns. The Church of Nossa Senhora d’Ajuda, built in 1550, is an important pilgrimage site and offers a panoramic view of the region.
Caraíva: This fishing village, with almost 500 years of history, remains rustic with sandy streets and no cars. Caraíva’s beaches are true natural paradises, and activities such as floating down the Caraíva River, practising stand-up paddle boarding or kayaking, and visiting Satu Beach are unforgettable experiences for visitors.

Casinhas no Centro Histórico de Porto Seguro — Small houses in the historic centre of Porto Seguro

Centro Histórico de Porto Seguro na Costa do Descobrimento — Historic Centre of Porto Seguro on the Discovery Coast

Centro Histórico de Porto Seguro — Historic Centre of Porto Seguro

Farol de Porto Seguro na Costa do Descobrimento — Porto Seguro lighthouse on the Discovery Coast

Memorial da Epopéia do Descobrimento em Porto Seguro na Costa do Descobrimento — Monument to the Epic of Discovery in Porto Seguro on the Discovery Coast

O Quadrado, hoje chamado de Praça São João, é atualmente o Centro Histórico de Trancoso — The Quadrado de Trancoso, now Praça São João, is the historic centre of Trancoso.

Quadrado de Trancoso na Costa do Descobrimento — Trancoso Square on the Discovery Coast

Praia dos Coqueiros em Trancoso — Coconut beach in Trancoso

Praia dos Coqueiros em Trancoso na Costa do Descobrimento — Coqueiros Beach at Trancoso on the Discovery Coast

Praia do Espelho em Trancoso — Praia do Espelho in Trancoso

Arraial d’Ajuda na Costa do Descobrimento — Arraial d’Ajuda on the Discovery Coast

Recognised as the cradle of Brazilian history and civilisation, the Discovery Coast offers an unparalleled combination of historical heritage and natural beauty. The region is home to three national parks – the Descobrimento National Park, the Monte Pascoal National Park, the Monte Pascoal National Park and the Pau Brasil National Park – as well as protected areas and indigenous reserves.

Parque Nacional do Descobrimento — The **Descobrimento National Park** (PND) is a federal nature reserve located in the extreme south of Bahia, in the municipalities of Prado and Porto Seguro. Created in **1999**, the park protects **22,693 hectares of** Atlantic Rainforest, one of Brazil’s most threatened biomes, and is part of the **Atlantic Rainforest Biosphere Reserve**, recognised by UNESCO.

Parque Nacional do Monte Pascoal — The Monte Pascoal National and Historical Park (PNHMP), located in southern Bahia, preserves one of the last areas of Atlantic Forest in the region. Created in 1961, the park covers some 22,200 hectares and is recognised as the first land sighted by Portuguese navigators in 1500. It is currently a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Parque Nacional do Pau Brasil — The **Pau Brasil National Park**, located in the municipality of Porto Seguro, Bahia, is a protected area dedicated to the conservation of the **Atlantic Rainforest** and the tree that gave the country its name, the **Pau Brasil** (*Paubrasilia echinata*). Initially established in 1999 with about 11,000 hectares, the park was expanded in 2010 to about 19,000 hectares.

The tourist infrastructure is well developed, with an international airport in Porto Seguro and paved roads linking the main towns. The region offers comfort to visitors wishing to explore the rich history and breathtaking scenery of the Discovery Coast.

Discovery Coast Tourist Guide

Written by Willy Sievert

Editor of Bahia.ws since its founding in 2009. Based in Salvador, he travels frequently across the Northeast and all of Brazil to keep the guides up to date. Learn more about Willy Sievert →

Published on 30/12/2012 · Updated on 27/03/2025