Travel Tips

<i>In the heart of Bahia lies a cannyon called Chapada Diamantina, where in the old times gold and diamond were explored.

The landscapes are dazzling and for those who love nature, that is the place. </i>

Have you ever seen a natural field of blooming orchideae? Or nature in the wild? Have you ever been through the experience of smelling an odor you have not enough references to compare to any other odor?

And you thought it was fun to look at the clouds and guess what figures they'd form! Try it out with the mountais here!

Here's the Camel mountain.

It's very easy to get to Chapada Diamantina. You can take a bus or a plane directly to Lençois and explore its surroundings.

Other cities to visit in Chapada Diamantina are: Rio de Contas, Mucugê, Andaraí (best cachaça in the in the state).

This is Lapa Doce.

Mistic people love to go to this place to get in full touch with the nature and to ascend spiritually. Those who believe in UFOs say this is a very popular area amongst the extraterrestrian as well!

<img src="http://aci.on.ca/lighthouse/images/ufo.gif">

The name of this place is Pratinha, "little silver", and if you look at its water you'll know why it's called that way

:)

Most people go there backpacking and stay at small B&Bs called "pousadas". There are also some Youth Hostels around, but the pousadas end up being cheaper and handier for those who just want somewhere to crash. Buses are available many times a day for those cities above mentioned, from Salvador.

Chapada is lovely. If you're really avoiding touristy frenesis, then go to smaller cities, like MUCUGE, ANDARAI, RIO DE CONTAS. Lencois is overpopulated with "outsiders". But if you don't speak portuguese, or dont have anyone who does in your company, then you might have to reconsider. The smaller the city, the smaller your chances of getting by in english. Don't forget to bring your coat, it might get quite cold this time of year - and rainy. And I mean 2, 3 Celsius during the night. Don't forget Brazilian houses are NOT equiped with heating, NOT prepared for low temperatures, so you FEEL IT even when it's 12 Celsius.

BEWARE: there are no speakers in the bus or little signs on the Bus Stations letting you know in which city you have arrived, so make sure you ask the driver to let you know when you've reached your destination.

- Licuri necklaces (small coconuts that are threaded through on a necklace shape and you can buy for no money at the small Bus Stations, from street sellers. It's one of the things you'll eat you know won't make you want to puke. Be skeptical about fried items. God know for how long they've been standing there...
- Rolete de Cana : sugar cane chunks, also sold by street sellers at Bus Stations. Make your thirst go away, also your lust for candies.