How to get to Trancoso
The nearest airport to Trancoso is in Porto Seguro, which is about an hour from the town, including a ferry river crossing. Visitors can get a taxi or a bus from Porto Seguro to Trancoso, but it doesn’t handle many international flights, so the airport for the city of Salvador is much better for those coming from other countries. Once you are in Brazil, it is easy to get an internal flight from Salvador, Belo Horizonte in Minas Gerais state or from Rio de Janeiro to Porto Seguro.
For tourists who prefer overland travel or who are looking to save money, there are long-distance buses which drive all over Brazil. You can easily change at the stations to reach any destination in the country. However, the distances are very long as Brazil is the 5th largest country in the world — so big that the entire contiguous United States could fit into it! It is important to do your research before you travel, as a coach journey could cost the same as a short flight due to the amount of kilometers covered.
What to do in Trancoso
Along the Trancoso coast are the beautiful beaches (praia in Portuguese) of Rio da Barra, Nativos, Itapororoca and Coqueiros. All of these four beaches are a short distance from the town. At the center of the town is the Igreja de São João Batista, which was built in the 17th century. Here you can attend a Roman Catholic church service or spend time in the outside Quadrado where Beyoncé once stood!
In keeping with the bohemian feel, there are several shops where local craftspeople sell their wares as well as small art galleries. There are also several upmarket cafes and restaurants, where travelers can sample the local seafood and other regional delicacies. The most famous hotel is the boutique UXUA Casa Hotel & Spa, located on the town square. While Trancoso is the perfect place to unwind, slightly higher-octane activities such as horse riding, kayaking, golf, and kite surfing are available. Luxembourg architect François Valentiny came up with the idea for the L’Occitane Theater which is an avant-garde building next to the Terravista golf course which hosts various shows and events, including the festival música em Trancoso. On December 31, trendy partygoers gather for the annual Festa do Taipe, which is held at the nearby ultra-secluded Taipe Beach to bring in the new year.
