2-Day Solo Birthday Trip to Morro De São Paulo from Salvador-Bahia, Brazil

A couple of weeks ago, I celebrated my first birthday as a full-time nomad. I turned 38 on the island of Morro de Sao Paulo, in Brazil and although it rained (ALOT) I still found a way to enjoy myself to the fullest.

Interestingly enough, I can’t recall a birthday that has never rained over the course of my life. I’ve come to take it as a good omen of watering a beautiful flower lol.

On another note, this was my first birthday spent by myself. I’d normally have a man, friend, or family member that I’d spend some time with, but not this year… and it felt very different.

It was emotional, freeing, and rejuvenating.

I rented a Chalet on the island, that was located on the 4th beach of Morro De Sao Paulo. It was a quiet community away from the more party central area of the island. I stayed 2 nights and it was less than $300. The host was so nice and they baked me a cake for my birthday! It as soooo good! I booked them from Airbnb. My Chalet came with a private pool, lounge chairs, and hammocks.

There are two ways to travel between Salvador and Morro De Sao Paulo, either by private flight or a ferry. For my way there, I booked the flight option for $200. There is one company who take this route, Abaeté Linhas Aéreas, on their 9 passenger plane. The flight time was just 30-minutes and the sights were absolutely breathtaking! I recommend sitting on the right side of the plane for the best views.

They have a mini airport where the same plane that arrives, leaves out with those who are departing. There are typically 1-2 flights departing and arriving daily.

For my return, I took the ferry because I wanted to experience both. I booked my ride through book away, and it ended up being a 30 minute boat ride, 2.5 hour van drive, and then another hour on a ferry. I left at 3pm and didn’t arrive until almost 8pm. The Ferry ride was $45. 

I would strongly recommend doing the flight option round-trip…simply for the simplicity and convenience.

I would also definitely recommend staying for longer than a couple of days, to give you the chance to explore all the beaches. Beach 1 and 2 are more popular and have more people, shops, restaurants, and stores. Beach 4, where I stayed, was more quiet and far less busy.

While researching hotel options, everything was very cost efficient (just be prepared to do alot of walking up steep hills!). Cars aren’t allowed on the island, so your only option is to pay someone to carry your luggage up the hills, but you still have to walk them.

The food was a little more expensive. In two days, I spent almost $200 on food and drinks in 2 days.

Now, don’t get me wrong… the food was really good! It’s just that one thing I’ve noticed while being in Brazil, is how expensive food is…and being oceanfront, you’d think it would be more cost-efficient.

To tally it all up, the cost of my 2-day birthday island getaway was about $700.