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Within the 8000km of the Brazilian Coast, the region of Porto Seguro, in the south shore of Bahia state is certainly the hottest one. Hottest not only on climate measures but specially in terms of human activities temperature. If you are looking for fun and party, this part of Bahia state is the place you must go.

ARRAIAL D'AJUDA is the closest village to Porto Seguro and the easiest to get to: you just need to catch the ferry from the centre of Porto Seguro for the ten-minute journey across the Rio Buranhém. From the other side there are vans that climb the hill and drop you in the center of town.

Fifteen years ago, before the arrival of electricity or the road from Porto Seguro, Arraial was a poor fishing village removed from the world. Than it became a hidden destination of hippies and backpackers that used to go to Arraial looking for peace, freedom and cheap tourism. By that time people used fisherman houses as accommodation and restaurants.

Since then, the international tourist set has discovered Arraial and its beaches. Now Arraial became a charmy and animated village, full of good restaurants and sophisticated hotels.

The main beaches are Mucugê, Parracho and Pitinga. The Pitinga, has red and green striped sandstone cliffs, sparkling water and large grained sand. It's acceptable for women to go topless there.

Despite the beauty of the beaches, what brings the tourists into Arraial is the nightlife. Arraial D'Ajuda is really lively in the evenings, specially during the summer vacations (January and February). On these months, it’s a wonderful place to tan and party. Newcomers soon fall into the routine: going crazy on beach parties every night, recovering the following morning under the shadow of a sun umbrella and crawling back onto the beach bars for more sun and Axé (local carnival music).

During the other months, Arraial becomes a charming and sofisticated destinations for families and couples looking for peace, nice bars and good cousine.

The road called "Caminho do Mar" (way to the sea), is where the best bars, restaurants and shops are located. During the night it becomes a charming boulevard with nice people having fun.

In “downtown”, the main street running from the Church to the cemetery is called Broadway. Right besides the church of Nossa Senhora da Ajuda, built by the Jesuits priests in 1549, you find the house where the Lambada, dance and rythm that was worldy famous in the end of 80's, was created.

Near Arraial D'Ajuda you find some of the most beautiful beaches in Brazil, such as the Espelho Beach and Amores Beach. You also find other charming and remote places such as Trancoso and Caraivas.

This region is known as Discovery Coast, because it was there that Pedro Alvares Cabral had his first sight of Brazilian land in the year of 1500.