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. 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. Some 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.
Our Morro de Sao Paulo transportation guide provides you with all the information you need to know about getting to and around Morro de Sao Paulo. Further information about the many exciting things to see and do in Morro de Sao Paulo can be found in our Morro de Sao Paulo destination guide and Morro de Sao Paulo tours page. For transportation options across Brazil see our Brazil Transportation Guide. You might also be interested to check Salvador hotels and accommodations .
Morro De Sao Paulo Transportation Guide
Getting to Morro de Sao Paulo
By Plane
Taking a flight is the easiest way to reach Morro, but the most expensive. There are flights from Salvador that take about 20mins to reach Morro. The airport at Salvador is 30km from the downtown. At Morro there are two airports, one of them being located at the Fourth Beach and another at the Third Beach. A one way ticket costs between R$ 205- 210 per person.
Addey and Aerostar airlines depart from Salvador to Morro. Their departure schedules must be confirmed daily. In peak tourist seasons, these airlines connect Salvador and Morro once every hour. From the international airport at Salvador, it is a 20min flight to either Fazenda Caeira or the airport at Fourth Beach. It is necessary to book this trip in advance.
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Flights to Brazil
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. You can book it here.
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 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'.
We are Rota Tropical, your local connection in Morro de Sao Paulo. We are professional and experienced and with us you get more than online reservations, you get a warm welcoming human touch as well. We look forward to showing you our little island paradise!
