by Boipeba a paradise located in the Tinharé Archipelago, which belongs to the municipality of Cairu as St. Paul's Hill. Therefore, it's far from Salvador. But I'll show you all the details about how. arrive in Boipeba, which has already been considered by Tripadvisor one of the best beaches in Brazil, in the way more economical.
Furthermore, I will write about my experience in this paradise to help with your itinerary. If you want more tips about Salvador, follow my Instagram or my TikTok and don't forget to Subscribe to the YouTube channel.
What is the best time to visit Boipeba Island?
Between September and December, during spring. This is a period with less rainfall. Furthermore, low season prices are still in effect during this time. The high season begins in the latter half of December and lasts until March. The average temperature is around 25 degrees Celsius, and rainfall is higher between April and July.
Tips for getting organized before you go
Even though the vast majority of establishments accept credit cards, it's best to bring cash, as there are no banks or ATMs to withdraw money. In any case, I managed to pay for everything with my credit card. But it serves as a "guarantee" in case something unexpected happens.
Regarding mobile data, I use TIM and haven't had any problems accessing the internet. But I've heard that some people with Claro and Vivo have had difficulties in certain areas. Therefore, that's another reason to bring some cash.
How to get to Boipeba from Salvador
I'll tell you right away that, first of all, you'll need patience. That is, regardless of the method you choose, it will take you an average of 6 hours to complete the entire process. Therefore, I recommend that you consider in your travel planning that you will spend a good part of your day traveling there and back just on transportation.
How much does it cost to cross over to Boipeba? The ways to get there from Salvador are:
- Semi-terrestrial transfer: The travel agency is responsible for the boat tickets at the Comércio nautical terminal + bus + boat. If you would like a quote, please contact me at [email address]. Instagram direct I need to get a quote from a partner agent. The total duration can reach four and a half hours if you need to leave or go directly to Salvador airport. But I don't recommend returning on the same day as your flight, as nature is unpredictable, the sea can become impassable for navigation, and you'll have to make the entire trip by land, further extending the journey time.
- By car: Not recommended if the goal is to leave it in Valença, as it will be parked and you will have to pay daily parking fees. Furthermore, I've heard of cases where some places charged significantly more than the normal rate. Therefore, it might be a good idea to avoid this potential headache.
- Direct speedboat ride: There are agencies that offer direct routes from Boipeba to Salvador, such as... Coco Louco agency, I took the Around the Island tour, which I'll discuss further below. It lasts about two and a half hours and costs R$ 350 per person.
- Ferry boat, bus and speedboat: The most economical way, but also the most time-consuming. Therefore, I'm going to explain what you should do.
Ferry boat + bus + speedboat trip
This option requires attention, as it will certainly depend on the punctuality of each leg of the journey and will require at least a 1-hour interval between them. In addition, you will need to make a "reverse purchase": buy the boat tickets first and then the bus tickets. I bought it online in this company.
With your ticket secured, purchase the leg of the journey. Good Dispatch – Valença in City of the Sun. The departure time should be 3 hours before the boat, as the trip takes 2 hours. A word of caution: if the departure time you want isn't available on the website, you'll have to go to the bus station and buy your ticket in person at the company's ticket counter. That's what I had to do.
In the first stage of the journey, the ferry boat, It is not possible to purchase pedestrian tickets in advance. Therefore, arrive well in advance to buy your ticket. As the journey takes 1 hour, it is best to buy a ticket to catch the scheduled time. 2 hours Arrive before the bus, as Cidade Sol advises you to arrive at least 1 hour before departure. If you plan to travel on holidays or weekends, arrive even earlier. After all, the lines are usually long during these periods. The advantage is that you can access the Bom Despacho bus station as soon as you leave the Ferry Boat to continue to the Valença bus station.
When you arrive in Valença, you will have two options: walk for about 15 minutes to the ferry terminal or pay R$ 30 for a taxi, which I was told is a fixed price, and arrive in 5 minutes. If you purchased your ticket online, simply present the receipt they sent to your email. The trip takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
I traveled that entire route on the way there and passed through. 7 hours and 20 minutes traveling.
Two options for arriving by car
Even though I don't recommend traveling to Boipeba by car, I heard there's an option for those who want to drive there, even though cars are prohibited in the area: leave Salvador towards Torrinhas and from there take a speedboat, a 30-minute trip. This post explains the way..
On the way back I was surprised by an interesting discovery: taking shared transport with up to 3 people from Valença to Mar Grande, where boats leave for Salvador every half hour and arrive in 40 minutes. If the car leaves with 4 people, it costs R$ 60 per person and takes just under an hour and a half. Remember that the executive bus costs almost R$ 50 and also drops you off in Bom Despacho, where the trip is longer.
But if you are a couple, for example, and do not wish to share with anyone else, the total price is R$ 250.
In other words, you need to arrange with Coutinho, the driver, to pick you up in Mar Grande and drop you off in Valença, or vice versa. His WhatsApp number is 75 9 8110-1129. If you want to see how my conversation with him went, watch the video at the end of the post.
When you arrive at the port of Velha Boipeba, if you have luggage, you will have the option of hiring porters. Just like in Morro de São Paulo, cars are not allowed in Boipeba. This means you will have to walk to your chosen guesthouse. Therefore, plan what you will take with you.
Prices are displayed immediately upon boarding. They range from R$ 15 for a small bag to R$ 30 for a large bag.
After establishing all these steps, keep track of other details that will help you when you arrive in Boipeba.
Where to stay in Boipeba
I chose the Sunset Boipeba Inn. In addition to having a score of 9.5 in Booking, It's located in the central square of Velha Boipeba and less than 5 minutes from the dock, which will make your life easier with your luggage and access to the main restaurants there. These are the photos I took of my room and some of the guesthouse's facilities. If you liked them too, Make your reservation. and ensure a place with a great location so you can get around easily.
The beaches of Boipeba
The beauty of the beaches is surreal. That's why many people endure hours of travel to reach this paradise. There are two that you can enjoy on foot: Boca da Barra beach e Swaddle.
Boca da Barra is the closest beach to the dock. Therefore, if you are staying at Praça Santo Antônio, it will take you about 10 minutes to get there. Furthermore, it's the best beach to admire the sunset and is where the famous restaurant is located. Wolf's Den.
You can also walk to Cueira, but I recommend taking the quad bike from the tractor stop, which costs R$ 15, or the tractor itself if you're in a group. The trip is quick, about 15 minutes, and you can eat there. Karol's Acarajé. She's known for her delicious pastries. They recommended the octopus one, but it was out of stock that day.
So I ordered the second most popular one, the shrimp, cheese, and banana one, and it was delicious and very filling. It cost R$ 28 and I was satisfied all day. Closer to it is the famous Guido da Lagosta. It's a restaurant with more expensive dishes, which might be worthwhile if you're with at least one other person to split the bill.
The tip is to return to the square in that direction. Tassimirim beach, which is more "natural," meaning with fewer stalls and a bit further apart from each other. In other words, perfect for those who just like sand and sea.
Continuing on, you'll find a short trail that only has one path and leaves no doubt about which way to go. After almost 50 minutes, you'll be at Boca da Barra.
The other beaches are a bit further away, which I recommend you visit via the "Around the Island" tour, which I'll talk about in the next section.
What to do in Boipeba
Boipeba has several idyllic beaches, so you might not have time to visit all the main ones. Therefore, it might be interesting for you to do the... Return to the Island that the agencies offer. I did it with the Coco Louco agency And you need to set aside the whole day to do this tour.
You will get to know the beach and the natural pools of Moreré, Castelhanos beach, have lunch in Jaguar's Den and watch the sunset at Oyster Portal. If the sea conditions allow, the boat's captain commented that there's time to pass through. Bainema. It lasts about 7 hours. I believe it's worthwhile, especially if you're traveling alone, as it's a chance to interact with other tourists and get a practical look at the main beaches of Boipeba.
Once in the village, it's worth stopping by... Tavinho Bone Museum. He's a really nice guy who greets visitors and tells interesting stories about whale skeletons and other animals. You can leave a donation to help him maintain the space.
Another option is to raise the Quebra Cu Viewpoint. I was wondering about this curious name and soon realized the reason: you have to climb a small dirt slope. Perhaps because of the possibility of falling on your backside, they "christened" it with this name. To know if you've arrived, when you see a large area, look to your left and you'll see a pair of small coconut trees.
It's worth it for the view. To go down, just be careful.
Where to eat in Boipeba
Since the region's main attraction is its beautiful beaches and most tourists are there all day, it's at night that the bars and restaurants in Santo Antônio Square really come alive. As I arrived around 3 pm, I needed lunch and chose Jorge Som based on recommendations. And indeed, the food is tasty and on par with what you'll find for a typical Brazilian "PF" (Prato Feito - a typical Brazilian dish): a minimum of R$$ 30.
Later in the evening, there are several simple stalls selling beijus (a type of tapioca pancake) and tapiocas if you want to save money. Here are the places I went:
Little Square House
Continuing through the square near the main one, I ate a house sandwich. It cost R$ 31 and the Italian soda R$ 18. They also sell cornmeal fritters, which can be another option on the menu.
Terra Brasilis Pizzeria
The pizzeria is located in Santo Antônio square, and I ordered the medium pizza, which is certainly enough for two people to eat well. It came to R$ 68.
Did this text help you? In a way, I "translated" what I showed in this video. So, if you want to visually check any information, just watch below. And if you're looking for a Salvador itinerary, buy my e-book. Enjoying Salvador Where I show you what to do in five days, in the best sequence, so you can see more places in less time. Just buy it here..
Caio, your blog has been the "bible" I needed to get to Boipeba... after a lot of searching I came across your site. If all goes well, I'll be there in March. Thank you very much!