Morro De Sao Paulo Transportation Guide

Getting to Morro de Sao Paulo

By Plane

The airlift from Salvador to Morro de São Paulo was, until the end of 2012, operated by two companies: Addey and Aerostar. However, currently only the company Axe Aero Taxi (old Aerostar) performs the path.

All flights are conducted in planes with engines, and the landing site, at Morro de São Paulo, is in the airstrip at Third Beach. There, it is easy to find people to help with the luggage and to locate the inn chosen. However, this service have an extra fee.

The flights last about 30 minutes and there is only a fixed time each day. During holidays and high season flights are opened in extra hours.

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'.