North-East Region, State of Bahia
The Ultimate Brazil Travel Guide: Barra Grande & Peninsula de Marau
Take a boat to this secluded paradise on the Maraú Peninsula, where golden beaches, natural pools, and lush Atlantic Forest create the perfect tropical escape.
The Maraú Peninsula is a narrow strip of land bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Camamu Bay on the other, and it is home to several villages, including Barra Grande, Taipu de Fora, and Taipu Dentro. Barra Grande is a small coastal village on the northern coast of the Maraú Peninsula, in the state of Bahia. Known for its laid-back atmosphere and natural beauty, Barra Grande is surrounded by coconut groves and calm beaches. The village is mainly accessible by boat or off-road vehicles, which has helped preserve its charm.
Just south of Barra Grande, Taipu de Fora is famous for its natural tidal pools, ideal for snorkeling, while Taipu Dentro and other nearby settlements offer quiet beaches, mangroves, and hidden waterfalls. The peninsula also provides calm bays for stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking. As the sun sets, Barra Grande comes alive with beach bars, fresh seafood restaurants, and live music.
Top 10 Things to See & Do in Barra Grande & the Marau Peninsula
Relax at Barra Grande Beach: Spend time on the central stretch of Barra Grande Beach near the main village square. The calm waters are good for swimming and the sand is ideal for sunbathing. Local kiosks serve seafood and coconut water. Stay until the evening and walk to Ponta do Matu at the northern end of the beach for one of the best sunsets on the peninsula.
Visit Campinho for sunset: Take a short trip to the small fishing village of Campinho. The beach is quieter than central Barra Grande, and its pier offers a wide view of the bay that makes it one of the best spots for watching the sun go down. Visitors often combine the sunset with fresh fish or moquecas from local restaurants.
Take a quad-bike (quadriciclo) trip around the peninsula: Hire a quad-bike to explore the peninsula’s beaches and lagoons. The vehicles can be rented in the village and give you freedom to see remote stretches of coast that are harder to reach by car.
Snorkel or scuba dive in the coral reefs at Taipu de Fora: Walk out to the tidal pools at low tide near the Ponta of Taipu de Fora. The pools are shallow, calm and good for spotting reef fish, crabs and starfish.
Swim and relax at the lagoons: Two of the most popular freshwater lagoons are Lagoa Azul and Lagoa do Cassange. Both have clear water for swimming and small bars where you can sit lakeside with drinks or snacks.
Visit Algodões Beach: South of Barra Grande lies Algodões, a very quiet and pristine beach. Despite its calm and natural setting, it has a variety of bars and restaurants right on the sand serving seafood, snacks and drinks. The mix of peaceful surroundings and food options makes it a good place to spend a whole day.
Take the “5 Island” boat trip: A Barra Grande “5 Island” boat trip is a popular speedboat tour in the Bay of Camamu. The route usually includes Ilha da Pedra Furada, Ilha do Campinho, Ilha do Goió, and Ilha do Sapinho, with a fifth stop at Tremembé Falls or another scenic spot to complete the circuit. The trip offers beaches, river scenery, and the chance to visit small fishing communities.
Bike ride along the beach: "Fat tire" bikes are new to Barra Grande, and a fun way to see the sights of the peninsula in a more eco-friendly way. Unlike quad-bikes or motorbikes, you are allowed to ride these directly on the beach.
Explore the Trilha dos Bromélias: This ecological trail passes through native vegetation and bromeliad clusters, ending at Lagoa Azul, one of the most popular lagoons for swimming and relaxing. It can be visited by walking or by quad-bike.
Go horseback riding along the coast: Local guides offer horse rides along the beach, organised with local horse owners, departing from Taipu de Fora.
How long should you spend in Barra Grande?
Spend at least 4 days to explore Marau Peninsula's beaches, including Barra Grande, the natural pools of Taipu de Fora, and the nearby islands.
Where to stay in Barra Grande
The main areas to stay on the Maraú Peninsula include Barra Grande and Taipu de Fora. Barra Grande is the largest village with most services, restaurants, and transport connections. Taipu de Fora is known for its beaches and natural pools and has smaller, boutique accommodation. Algodões and Saquaíra are smaller and quieter villages, with fewer facilities, offering a more remote and relaxed stay compared with Barra Grande.
Find cheap accommodation for your stay in Barra Grande, or check out my personal recommendations:
Hotels & Pousadas in Barra Grande
Pousada Fruta Pão - Luxury suites and bungalows with a pool and exceptional breakfast (see prices)
Ka Bru Beach Boutique Hotel - a modern beachfront boutique hotel (see prices)
Flat Barra - full apartments with living room and kitchenette, and a shared pool (see prices)
Pousada Denada - guesthouse with a beachfront swimming pool (see prices)
Hotels & Pousadas in Taipu de Fora
Luar do Leão Bungalow - Luxury bungalows, perfect for couples (see prices)
Barong EcoVilla - Modern bungalows with a pool, with a great breakfast (see prices)
Taipu Bay Pousada - Beautiful suites with a garden and pool (see prices)
Aldeia dos Corais - One and two bedroom bungalows (see prices)
Private accommodation in Taipu de Fora
Recanto Ancora Azul - a six bedroom house with pool and BBQ area (see prices)
Praia de Algodoes (Algodoes Beach) on the Marau Peninsula, Bahia
Where is Barra Grande, Bahia
Quick Facts about Barra Grande & the Marau Peninsula
Population of Marau Peninsula
The population of Maraú, including Barra Grande and Taipu de Fora, is 24,804 people (IBGE, 2025)
Nickname
People from the Marau Peninsula are called marauense, and people from Bahia State in general are called baianos.
Closest airport
The closest international airport is located in Salvador
The closest domestic airport is located in Ilheus
Main bus terminal
The closest bus station is located in Camamu. From here, you will take a speedboat to reach Barra Grande.
Main port
Píer de Barra Grande
How to get to Barra Grande & the Marau Peninsula
How to get to Barra Grande from Camamu
If you are already in Camamu and want to visit Barra Grande, you will need to travel by speedboat. Speed boats (lancha rápida) depart from Camamu to Barra Grande hourly from 6.00am to 5.30pm. The journey takes around 30 - 40 minutes and there are two companies operating this route:
Associação Marítima – R$ 60 per person, children up to 5 years free
Camamu Adventure – R$ 75 per person, children up to 2 years free
While there used to be a slower local ferry operating between Camamu and Barra Grande, this ferry is no longer available.
A preservation/tourist tax of R$ 30 per person will be charged on arrival at the main pier in Barra Grande. If you are able to disembark your boat on the beach, you will not be charged.
If your destination is Taipu de Fora, Cassange, Saquaira, or Algodoes, you will need to take a taxi or a jardineira (pick-up truck) from the Barra Grande pier.
How to get to Barra Grande from Salvador
There are three main options depending on budget, time and convenience. Private transfers are available.
Option 1: Ferry, bus and speedboat (cheapest route)
Take the ferry from Terminal Marítimo de São Joaquim to Bom Despacho on Itaparica Island (1 hour). Ferries leave hourly.
Take a bus from Bom Despacho to Camamu (around 4 hours)
From Camamu, take the speedboat to Barra Grande (30–40 minutes by speedboat)
The ferry to Bom Despacho should be taken no later than at 11:00 to ensure you catch the last speedboat from Camamu at 17:30.
Option 2: Private transfer (fastest and most efficient)
A private transfer can take you directly from Salvador to Barra Grande or the southern Marau beaches. Travel time ranges is around 6+ hours depending on traffic and weather conditions.
How to get to Barra Grande from Itacare or Ilheus
If travelling to Barra Grande from Ilhéus or Itacare by public transport, you will first take a bus to Camamu. From Camamu, take a speedboat to Barra Grande.
If driving your own car, it is possible to drive up the Marau Peninsula, however be prepared for poorly maintained dirt roads. It is recommended not try to drive this route after heavy rain unless you have a 4x4 vehicle due to flooding, potholes, and a lot of mud.
Top tours in Barra Grande
How to get around Barra Grande
There are no public buses operating in Barra Grande or on the Marau Peninsula. Transport is mainly by road and by boat. Roads are dirt or sand, including the main road running up the length of the peninsular, and the roads around the towns of Barra Grande and Taipu de Fora.
Jardineiras (shared pick-up trucks): The most common way to move between Barra Grande and nearby beaches such as Taipu de Fora. These converted trucks have benches, and run when there is a minimum of 5 people, for R$20 per person. If you don't want to wait for more people, you can pay the minimum price for the whole jardineira of R$100.
Moto-taxis: Available in Barra Grande village and at the pier. Prices should be agreed in advance.
Private transfers: Hotels and local agencies can arrange private 4x4 transfers to other beaches or villages along the peninsula. This is the most reliable option if travelling at night or in poor weather.
Quad bikes: Available for rent locally, and a really fun and convenient way to explore the peninsula. However, be prepared for very poor road conditions.
Boats: Small boats can be hired to travel across the Camamu Bay or to nearby islands.
Walking: Around Barra Grande village and Pota do Matu, walking is practical and common.
Things to know before you go to Barra Grande
ATMS: ATMs are unavailable in Barra Grande. Bring enough cash for your trip, as cash is needed for the preservation tax. Some food stalls and transport providers only accept cash.
Limited services: The towns on the Marau Peninsular are small and have limited services available, though most towns have at least a supermarket and a few restaurants.
Poor road conditions: Road conditions are unpaved and in poor condition across the entire peninsular, including inside the towns of Barra Grande and Taipu de Fora.
Is Barra safe for tourists
Barra Grande is generally a safe city to visit, and the majority of tourists who stay in the tourist areas and take some simple precautions will not have problems. Sticking to well-known areas, planning your movements in advance, and being aware of your surroundings will go a long way in avoiding trouble.
These are my personal recommendations for ways you can stay safe in Arraial d'Ajuda:
Book accommodation in the recommended areas for visitors
Avoid walking alone late at night, particularly in quieter streets with little lighting
Keep your phone, jewellery, and other valuables out of sight when walking at night
If in doubt, ask your hotel or host for up-to-date local advice on places to avoid
Do you need travel insurance for Barra Grande
Travel insurance is not just a nice-to-have, it is a safeguard that can prevent a stressful incident from turning into a costly and time-consuming disaster. I have personally relied on travel insurance multiple times, including when I had belongings stolen in Europe, fell sick while travelling in Asia, and had flights cancelled. In each case, the support I received meant I could focus on solving the problem instead of worrying about the financial impact.
The reality is that unexpected events can happen on any trip. Even something as simple as missing a connecting flight can lead to unexpected accommodation and transport costs. If you become unwell, medical bills in another country can quickly become expensive. Without insurance, you have to handle all of this on your own in an unfamiliar environment, possibly in a language you do not speak.
For a small daily cost, you can be covered for a wide range of scenarios. Having one phone number to call and a company that deals with the problem for you is worth far more than the price of the policy. I personally use Safety Wing, and I recommend them to friends, family, and anyone travelling internationally. You can get a quote here.
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