Morro de Sao Paulo has good connections to the mainland and is relatively easy to reach, which has helped tourism in the last twenty years and helps make transportation in Morro de Sao Paulo easier. However, cars are not allowed on the island and you will have to make arrangements to put your luggage in a cart to get it to your Morro de Sao Paulo hotel or pousada, or carry it yourself. There are some forms of transportation in Morro de Sao Paulo; tractors and four wheel drive vehicles are allowed to access remote spots in the island and are useful and fun for getting around. Otherwise the village does not have streets, only alleys where you have to walk.
On this idyllic island, cars are strictly prohibited, but you can get around the island by walking or using the many tractor driven trailers which run between the beaches.
Morro De Sao Paulo Transportation Guide
Getting to Morro de Sao Paulo
By Plane
Flying is the easiest and fastest way to arrive in Morro de São Paulo, and the most expensive one as well. There are two companies who flies to Morro de São Paulo Island: Addey and Aerostar, both have departure flights from the International Airport of Salavador.
Addey Company lands at Valença’s Airport and provides a free transfer by boat to Morro de São Paulo. It takes 20 minutes flying plus 30 minutes by boat till Morro de São Paulo Harbour. Addey operates with single-engine(according to availability at time of booking and there is no guarantee that the flight will be with twin-engine)
Aerostar Company lands on Fourth Beach at Morro de São Paulo and also provides a free transfer till the Second Beach, near by the Village. It takes 20 minutes flying plus 15 minutes till the Second Beach.Aerostar works only with twin-engine.
For both companies it is necessary to book this trip in advance.
For transport from the airport to the city (or from the city to the airport), we recommend Green Path Transfers, who offer eco-friendly airport transfers in hundreds of destinations around the world.
By Boat
There are catamaran boats leaving Mercado Modelo at Salvador that take two hours to reach Morro. There are slower boats that take around two and a half hours. These trips will cost you R$ 75.
These boats leave from Salvador at 9:00 and 14:00, and from Morro de Sao Paulo at 11:30 and 15:00.
By Road
Passing by Itaparica Island: This is another cheap way of reaching Morro. There are catamarans and ferry boats which leave Sao Joaquim's Terminal, which is nearly 2km after the Nautical Centre at Salvador. The boats traverse the Bay of All Saints (Baía de Todos os Santos) and arrive at Itaparica Island. From here you can take buses to Valenca (a city south of Salvador and the closest city to Morro), which is about 100km from Itaparica Island. To reach Morro from Valenca, depending upon your choice of boat, you can either take an ordinary boat or a fast motor boat. Alternatively, you can take your own car or a rented car to Valenca and then take a boat to Morro.
Tip: Just 10km before arriving in Valenca, you can take the bypass at the State Road Policy and then the road to the Guabim Beach, located in the Valenca County. If you come by air, then at a right turn from the airport is a road that takes you to Ponta do Curral or Atracadouro. Here you can conveniently park your car safely. You can then reach Morro by taking a fast motor boat.
Getting around Morro de Sao Paulo
Tractors
Cars are prohibited in Morro de Sao Paulo. The only vehicles that are allowed are tractors used for transportation of heavy items, for garbage collection, and for tours to beaches located far away.
Tractors take you to inland routes that take you to remote pousadas (hotels) and beaches. There are two air landing strips which connect you to various parts of the island.
Small Buggy Taxis
Vehicles are not permitted on beaches and on other main roads such as Fonte Grande and Camino da Praia. There are, however, small buggy taxis which ply on the roads running parallel to beaches through Zimbo and Praia do Encanto. It is amazing to see that there are no road networks in the island. Sandy paths connect places and the only way to enjoy them is by kicking off your shoes and walking leisurely.
Wheelbarrows
Upon reaching the First Beach, there are many wheelbarrows waiting to be pushed around by their owners. These are ‘taxis' of another kind that will take you and your luggage to the hotel. Taking your baggage to your hotel will cost around R$ 7 per bag. There are Morro de Sao Paulo hotels and pousadas located on a steep uphill trail. If you are staying in one of them then it makes sense to take one of these ‘taxis'.
