In the native Indian Tupi Guarani language, Maraú means the "sun's light at daybreak," likely an homage to the dazzling light that governs the peninsula, from spectacular sunrises and sunsets to the chance to watch the full moon rise red out of the ocean. One of Bahia’s best-kept secrets, the Maraú Peninsula is little known by international tourists yet increasingly popular with hip Brazilians looking to escape to more than 40 km (25 miles) of deserted beaches, some of which have crystalline, natural swimming pools and other surf breaks. On the inside of the peninsula, an extensive waterway connects an archipelago of uninhabited islands of virgin rain forest, mineral-enriched lagoons, and waterfalls.
The Maraú Peninsula is one of the hot spots for Brazilians to spend Reveillon, with high-class productions from promoters that hail from across the country and a good roster of international DJs. While beaches remain blissfully deserted, prices for accommodations rise accordingly.
