Porto Seguro, Brazil cruise port guide

Porto Seguro – loosely translated as safe bay – is known as “Brazil’s birth certificate”. The port was the first place that Alavares Cabralone and his crew set foot on while on their way their way to India in 1500. This makes the town the oldest in the country at 500 years. With three churches and around 40 buildings (both private residential houses and public institutions), restored by the state government for the 500th anniversary celebration of Brazilian discovery, Porto Seguro wears its age well. View less The whole historic centre has been a National Heritage site since 1973 by the National Historical and Artistic Heritage Institute (IPHAN) as well as an example of UNESCO Natural Heritage of Humanity since 2000. Although the main area of the lower town is small, the colourful houses that line the streets are definitely worth a visit. The main road is called “Passerela do Alcool” or alcohol alley, and was the route from the Cidade Alta - old town - that smugglers used to take the alcohol down to be shipped. Nowadays, it’s where it’s drunk rather than exported. The port is located on sunny Bahia’s Discovery Coast, 730 km south of Salvador and 1,120 km north of Rio. Nature espouses the coast, sand dunes, warm, clean waters, and palm trees which might well be enough for many travellers. Those who do enjoy the beach might want to make the 5-minute ferry crossing (or try the 1.5 hour walk) to Araial D’Ajuda, and turn on, tune in and drop out in the ex-hippie haven of the 1970s.