North-East Region, State of Bahia
The Ultimate Brazil Travel Guide: Caraiva
Take a canoe to cross the river to Caraiva and unwind like never before on miles of deserted white sandy beach.
Caraíva is a remote village in southern Bahia, accessible only by boat, known for its unspoiled beaches, traditional wooden houses, and indigenous Pataxó culture. With no cars and minimal infrastructure, it offers an authentic and peaceful escape. The Caraíva River and nearby mangroves provide opportunities for kayaking, rafting, and eco-tourism activities.
Top 5 Things to See & Do in Caraíva
Relax at Praia de Caraíva
Go tubing in the Caraíva River
Walk along the coast to Praia do Satu
Try stand-up paddleboarding
Visit the Pataxó Indigenous Reserve
How long to spend in Caraiva?
Spend at least 2 days in Caraiva to visit the local beaches, explore the town by foot, and take a trip to the Indigenous reserve.
See my full travel itinerary for visiting Southern Bahia in one week, with stops in Porto Seguro, Arraial d'Ajuda, Trancoso, and Caraiva:
How to spend 7 days in Southern Bahia, Brazil: Travel Itinerary for Porto Seguro
Where to stay in Caraiva
Find cheap accommodation for your stay in Caraiva, or check out my personal recommendations:
Beachfront Pousadas in Caraiva
Pousada D'Oxum Caraíva - beachfront bungalows with pool (see prices)
Vila Sereia Caraiva - guesthouse with a beachfront swimming pool (see prices)
Pousadas (guesthouses)
Pousada Zinga Caraíva - offering rooms with private hot tubs (see prices)
Casa Pitanga - beautiful cottages centrally located (see prices)
Pousada Vila Verde Caraíva (see prices)
Casa da Esquina Caraíva (see prices)
Backpacker Hostels in Caraiva
Caramuru Hostel - a beachfront hostel a short walk from the center of town (see prices)
Hostel Caraivando - backpackers hostel with a garden and terrace (see prices)
Vulva Caraíva Hostel e Pousada - a women's only hostel (see prices)
Boats on the Caraiva River (O Rio Caraíva)
Where is Caraiva, Brazil
Quick Facts about Caraiva
Population of Caraiva
The total population of Caraiva is 13,214 people, including 5,556 people in the urban area and a larger rural population (IBGE, 2022). The town population fluctuates dramatically with tourism during the high season.
Nickname
People from Caraíva do not have a specific nickname, however people from Bahia State are called baianos.
Closest airport
The closest airport is located in Porto Seguro (BPS)
Main bus terminal
The minivan to Caraiva from Arraial d'Ajuda or Trancoso will drop you at the canoe station, across the river from Caraiva.
Read my free 7 day travel itinerary for Southern Bahia!
How to get to Caraiva
Most visitors to Caraiva first pass through the nearby cities Porto Seguro and Arraial D'Ajuda, which have an airport and good intercity bus connections. It is also possible to reach Caraiva from the south of Bahia.
Crossing the River to Caraiva
Whichever route you decide on, upon arrival the bus or minivan will drop you off at a canoe station across the river from Caraiva. You will need to take a small canoe across the river for $R5.
How to get to Caraiva from Porto Seguro
First, take the ferry from Porto Seguro to Arraial D'Ajuda departing from Balsa Para Arraial D' Ajuda. When you get off the ferry, you will see several minivans in the carpark, and the drivers will be happy to point you towards the van for Caraiva. The vans are scheduled to run at 7am and 3pm, and return at 6.20am and 4pm, however they are often running late. The trip time varies but could take between 2.5-3 hours.
There are also shared minivan transfers available from Porto Seguro Airport to Caraiva.
How to get to Caraiva from Arraial D'Ajuda
Take a minivan from nearby the church called Igreja Matriz Nossa Senhora D'Ajuda (map). There are no signs, but there is a little shelter and you'll likely see others waiting. Bring cash to pay the driver, and note that there is a different price for tourists and locals.
How to get to Caraiva from Trancoso
To get to Caraiva from Trancoso, there is a cheap public bus that runs twice per day from Terminal Rodoviário de Trancoso. There are also more frequent minivans that travel to Caraiva for a higher price. The minivan leaves from the northern side of the town square in front of Padaria Filadelfia (map). The timetables are unreliable, and the bus will likely be running late.
How to get to Caraiva from Eunapolis
If you are travelling to Caraiva from other cities, it is not always necessary to transit through Porto Seguro. A bus runs from Eunápolis directly to Caraíva once per day at 1.30pm and takes around 4 hours. Eunápolis is well connected with bus routes to other cities.
Note: if arriving by van, the travel times can vary greatly depending on the weather due to the condition of the dirt roads. Travel times can double in wet weather.
Top tours to Caraiva
How to get around Caraiva
There are no cars permitted in Caraíva. The van will drop you off in a carpark, where you will need to take a canoe across the river for R$5 per person. On the other side, horse-drawn carriages are available for those who need assistance carrying luggage on arrival or departure.
There are beaches to explore on both sides of the river, and you can cross by canoe any time for R$5 each way. It is possible to cross at the mouth of the river by foot, but only at low tide.
Beach buggies are available to take tourists to visit the Indian reserve, around 7km from the main tourist area. You can take a buggy from near the church, Igreja de São Sebastião.
Things to know before you go
Bring cash: There is no ATM in Caraiva, so bring enough cash to last for your entire trip. Check with your accommodation whether you need to pay in cash before you arrive. Though some places (including a supermarket) do accept credit card, not all do, and you will need cash to pay for a canoe to cross the river when you leave. There was a lengthy blackout during my stay, meaning credit card payments were not possible during this time at all.
Full moon ritual: Ceremonies are held at the Pataxó Porto do Boi Reserve, a nearby indigenous reserve each full moon free of charge, featuring traditional dancing and food. The reserve can be visited at other times, for a fee.
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