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.
