Bahia Discovers New Tours for the Confederations Cup

05/23/2013 - 08h33

The state of Bahia wants to take advantage of the Confederations Cup, to be held between June 15 and 30, to promote two alternative tours and expand the traditional sites that tourists visit in Salvador, one of the event's six host cities.

The tourist sector bets on Forte beach, 50 kilometers from the airport, and touring around the Todos os Santos bay. Aside from the landscape, the bay offers ecotourism and boat rides.The bay forms the coast of Salvador from the Barra lighthouse to Cidade Baixa, continuing further into the continent, with a total of 56 islands in 15 cities. Most boat rides start at the Salvador port.

Ricardo Davino/Folhapress

The Garcia D'Ávila castle

The most sought after destinations are the Frades island, Ponta de Nossa Senhora, and Itaparica, the most popular of the islands. Visitors can choose from luxury vessels to cheaper boats. The average price of the ride on yachts is R$ 40.00 (US$ 19.62). Those who prefer to rent a sailboat, which offers more services, will pay a daily fee ranging from R$ 170 (US$ 83.39) to R$ 1.500 (US$ 735.76) per person. In the so-called Recôncavo Baiano, the interior cities by the bay represent the cradle of cultural heritage, such as samba de roda and candomblé.

POLYNESIA

Known as the "Brazilian Polynesia," the Forte beach, in the city of Mata de São João (north coast), features 12 kilometers of beaches, an Atlantic Forest reserve, a sea turtle park and even a castle. The Garcia D'Ávila castle started to be built by the Portuguese in 1551.

It is preserved and protected by the National Institute of Historical and Artistic Heritage and is considered the only building in the Americas with medieval characteristics.

TRANSPORTATION AND SAFETY

Salvador's urban transportation system is inefficient, suffers from heavy traffic and doesn't offer alternatives to escape traffic jams. City Hall asks visitors to avoid driving to Arena Fonte Nova, where the soccer matches will take place. It recommends using taxis, buses or even walking.

Visitors also must be careful when visiting the historic center, in places such as Pelourinho, where the risk of being robbed is greater.

Translated by THOMAS MUELLO

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