As hippies mourn the journey to mainstream of their havens in Goa and Thailand, places like Trancoso still manage to retain their authentic vibe. Situated on Bahia's Discovery Coast - a UNESCO World Heritage Site - Trancoso has historically remained unspoilt by mass tourism due to being hemmed in by impenetrable jungle on all sides. Favoured by celebrities seeking solace and respite, European hippies and artists, it is the ideal place to get away from it all. And the best places to stay in Trancoso are an eclectic mix to suit all of these and more, from chic boutiques to luxury seaside stays.

With a 15 mile stretch of golden sandy beach, music festivals, moon dancing ceremonies and parties that keep going well into the early hours, it is a town steeped in rustic simplicity and charm. Time moves slowly here; the days blur hazily into one.

You will find locals trundling without a care in the world from their palm-shaded hammocks to the golden beach, while others meander gently down the shop-lined roads, past minimalist designer boutiques and smoothie bars; on certain days, the village elders congregate around the Table of Old beneath the tallest tree, while local fishermen beach their brightly coloured boats along the shoreline.

In the centre of town you'll find the church of Sao Joao Batista, built in the late 16th-century, from coral rock and whale bones. Surrounding it are little adobe houses and fishermen's cottages with colourful facades of pink, sky-blue and banana-yellow.

At the beach, you can watch holidaymakers canter down the long golden beach on horseback, while smoothie-slurping hippies conduct yoga sessions late into dusk. Hippies arguably saved the town from extinction after flocking there in the late 70s, bringing with them roads, electricity, yoga, smoothies and international celebrities. You'll likely enough see Oscar-winning actors, Victoria Secret models and CNN anchors all floating aimlessly around the village.

Festivals abound here: the Festival of Sao Bras in February is wild - a 36-hour party. The Musica em Trancoso is a jazz, classical and traditional Brazilian music festival occurring between the Carnival and Easter.

This is a holiday destination with much to offer, so browse through our collection of the best places to stay in Trancoso, to start planning your trip.

The best places to stay in Trancoso

Value for money

• Hosperia Do Quadrado: an absolute steal in terms of value for money, a small seaside boutique property offering lovely whitewashed rooms decorated with light wooden furniture and furnished with hammocks. Ideal for young couples.
• Pousada Quarto Crescente: a delightful family-run guest house located 6 minutes from the beach in Trancoso. Offering spacious and bright rooms and an outdoor pool. Enjoy a delectable buffet breakfast every morning with fresh fruits from the garden before heading to the beach.

Chic boutique

• Casa de Pera'Inda: offering smart, individually designed designer rooms and a welcoming atmosphere. Enjoy the swimming pool or ride a horse along the beach.
• Etnia Pousada and Boutique: a tropical paradise offering rustic-chic bungalows with lush contemporary interiors. Pamper yourself at the spa or relax on your private terrace.
• Pousada Capim Santo: an eco-friendly pousada located less than a mile from the beach, offering contemporary rooms with simple decor, an outdoor pool amidst a tropical garden and a hot tub. The indulgent buffet breakfast each morning is a particular highlight!

Luxury living

• Uxua Casa Hotel: the trendiest place in town and the original hippie-run hotel, offering beautifully decorated wooden casas adorned with Brazilian art and antiques. Pure luxury.
• Villas de Trancoso: perfect for golfers and surfers, this beautiful property features Cabana style suites beneath the palms, white sand on your doorstep, an infinity pool, a fantastic seafood restaurant, and a golf course.
• Bahia Bonita: ideal for a honeymoon, offering beach cabanas dotted amid lush gardens. Romantic suites have four poster beds, wooden floors and private balconies and the hotel boasts its own private beach.

For an apartment or villa

• Our partner Booking.com has a wide range of villas and apartments in the nearby area.

Travel information

• Fly from Rio to Porto Seguro and get public transport to Trancoso, about 1.5 hours away.
• If you want to rent a car, contact our partner Rentalcars.
• Trancoso is a tropical year round destination. The best time to go is during the summer when the average high is around 26 degrees celsius and when there is the least rainfall - peak season is December to March. Avoid April to June when rainfall is at its highest.

Still not sure?

• Expand your search to include nearby Arraial d'Ajuda
• or all the best places to stay in Bahia.
• Or contact one of our Gurus for advice.

Weather

Monthly Weather in Trancoso