2 Best Sights in North Coast Beaches, Salvador and the Bahia Coast

A river runs down to the ocean at this long, wide, pristine beach lined with coconut palms, where the beachfront snack bars provide the perfect turf for watching the surfers and kitesurfers, although swimmers should be wary of strong tides. The Santa Maria/Catuense bus company operates six buses here daily. Amenities: food and drink; parking (fee); toilets. Best for: surfing; walking.

With palm trees and calm waters banked by a reef, this is the nicest beach of them all, preferable to the bustle of Praia do Forte's main beach, even though it's lined with condos. The bus to Barra do Jacuípe continues on to Guarajuba, which has snack kiosks, fishing boats, surfing, dune buggies, and a playground. Amenities: food and drink; parking (fee); toilets. Best for:sunrise; swimming; walking.