Airport Transfer & Taxi Barra Grande, Marau, Itacaré and Boipeba

For most the year, this is a faster, more comfortable and more reliable option (compared to the unpaved road in Option 2). Our driver meets you at the Ilheus Airport, and you will drive along the scenic, completely paved coastal road (BA-001) to the town of Camamu. In Camamu, you will catch one of the hourly speedboats that crosses the Bay of Camamu, taking you to the center of Barra Grande on the Marau Peninsula.

As an added benefit, Marau Tour can arrange and reserve your speedboat crossing, which is run by two companies, both of which run on the same hourly schedule and cost R$40 per person. This avoids unnecessary delays, especially during the high season. Marau Tour will arrange your transfer and monitor your progress, from your arrival in Ilheus until you arrive in Barra Grande.

 

How it Works

• Our driver waits for you just outside of baggage claim holding a sign with your name.
• Enjoy a scenic drive in one of our comfortable vehicles, with A/C, to the town of Camamu.
• The driver will assist you when you arrive at the speedboat pier, helping with your luggage and reservation.
• When you arrive in Barra Grande, most of the hotels are a short walk from the pier. There are always “helpers” waiting on the pier that can cart your luggage for a small price.

Advantages of Transfer via Camamu

• The road is new and completely paved, with little chance of delay even during rainy weather.
• Smooth ride the whole way, including the speedboat inside the Bay of Camamu
• The speedboat ride, as well as the road, is very scenic
• Better for groups, since larger vehicles cannot take the dirt road up the península.

Travel Times

Approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes by car from Ilheus to Camamu, with a 30 minute speedboat ride to Barra Grande. There may be a wait for the speedboat since they leave once every hour, but they usually use extra boats if enough people are waiting. 

If you are going to Taipu de Fora or other beaches:

There is a taxi stand about 30 meters in front of the pier. There is also a stand for the "jardineiras", a local form of transportation, which are modified pick-up trucks with benches in back. 

 

Option 2:

Transfer Ilhéus x Barra Grande via Unpaved Road BR-030

* Currently, limited access because of poor road conditions

The decision to go by the unpaved road along the peninsula, or to go via Camamu and take a speedboat, depend on: the state of maintenance of the dirt road, weather conditions, and type of vehicle. Maintenance along the peninsula road BR-030 is sporadic and inconsistent, and periods of heavy rain can wipe out any improvements within a matter of days. That said, if the road conditions are good, normal cars can get to Barra Grande and Taipu de Fora Beach faster than going via Camamu.

Advantages:

• Faster under ideal conditions
• No change of vehicles. Travel from the Ilheus Airport directly to your hotel.

Disadvantages:

• Unpredictability due to bad weather and lack of maintenance
• Drivers generally charge more because of increased maintenance costs to their vehicles
• Not good for groups, since vans and larger vehicles will not drive on unpaved roads.

Average Travel Times

• Barra Grande – Under ideal conditions, 2 hours and 40 minutes. Under poor conditions, 3 ½ to 4 hours.
• Taipu de Fora – Under ideal conditions, 2 hours and 20 minutes. Under poor conditions, 3:15 to 4 hours.

Marau Tour can help you decide which route is best on your travel dates, as well as select the right car and the right driver.  

Transfer Ilheus x Marau Peninsula –
Cassange, Algodoes and Saquaira Beach

Under most conditions, the best way to get to the beaches in the southern part of Marau Peninsula is to go by the unpaved peninsula road, BR-030. Even under less than ideal conditions, this options takes less time than going by paved road then speedboat to Barra Grande, since you would still have to drive halfway down the peninsula to reach your destination (see map).

Average Travel Times

• Algodoes Beach – Under ideal conditions, 2 hours and 15 minutes. Under poor conditions, 2:30 to 3 hours
• Saquaira Beach – Under ideal conditions, 2 hours and 20 minutes. Under poor conditions, 2:40 to 3:15 hours.
• Cassange Beach – Under ideal conditions, 2 hours and 30 minutes. Under poor conditions, 3 to 3 ½ hours.

The price of the transfer will vary depending on the car, the driver and road conditions. Get in touch with Marau Tour so we can quote you a good car at the best available price.

Transfers from Salvador to Barra Grande e Marau

As a rule, Ilheus Airport is the better option for travelers visiting the Marau Peninsula. There are many reasons that visitors must come from Salvador, however. The most direct and least expensive route requires that you first cross the Bay of Salvador (Baia de Todos os Santos) by boat, to the Island of Itaparica. From there it is approximately a 4 hour drive by car from Itaparica to the town of Camamu, where you catch one of the hourly speedboat to Barra Grande and the Marau Peninsula. Below we explain the options offered by Marau Tour for transfers from Salvador Airport (SSA) or from Salvador city.

Option 1

Salvador Airport (or Hotel) to Barra Grande and Marau

Marau Tour will send a car to meet you at the airport or your hotel in Salvador. The driver will take you to the boat terminal, where you will catch one of the boats going to the Island of Itaparica. Our second driver will meet you on the other side as you disembark in Itaparica, holding a sign with your name. From there you will drive to the city of Camamu, which is where you catch the speedboats to Barra Grande and the Marau Peninsula.

Marau tour will coordinate the whole trip, and keep in touch with both drivers and the client during the whole process.

Option 2

Itaparica Island to Barra Grande and Marau

You arrange your own way to get to the Island of Itaparica. Marau Tour will arrange for your driver to meet you as you disembark in Itaparica, holding a sign with your name. From there you will drive to the city of Camamu, which is where you catch the speedboats to Barra Grande and the Marau Peninsula. This option offers more flexibility and may be less expensive, especially for travelers staying in Salvador city and the Pelourinho. It’s easy to just take the famous elevator from the Pelourinho down to the Mercado Modelo, which is where the boat terminal is located.

Average Travel Times

Salvador Airport to Terminal Mercado Modelo – About 40 minutes, depending on traffic

Boat crossing to Mar Grande, Itaparica – About 40 minutes

Ground transfer from Mar Grande to Camamu – About 3 ½ to 4 hours

Important: There are 2 boat terminals in Salvador that go to Itaparica. One is the Terminal Mercado Modelo that has normal passenger boats that go to the port of Mar Grande. The other is Terminal Sao Joaquim, which has the ferry-boats that take cars across to the port of Bom Despacho. The boats from Mercado Modelo are the better option for those meeting a driver on the other side.

Transfers Ilheus x Itacare

Ilheus to Itacare is an easy, pleasant drive along the northern beaches of Ilheus and up through the winding hills of the Itacare/Serra Grande APA (Environmentally Protected Area). The roads are paved the entire route, and travel times average around 1 hour and 15 minutes, barring bad weather or traffic in Ilheus. We provide airport transfers to Txai Beach Resort, Itacare Eco Resort, Vila Barracuda and Ecoporan, among other great hotels and resorts.

Average Travel Time

One hour and fifteen minutes

Taxi & Transfers to Other Destinatinos

For those traveling to or coming from other areas along the Southern Bahia coast, we offer private car service between all beaches and connecting port towns. Besides our regular taxi service to destinations listed below, we also arrange long distance car service to other places, like Porto Seguro, Trancoso and Chapada Diamantina, for example.

Personalized Routes

Create your own itinerary, with multiple destinations and legs. One popular route is Ilheus x Itacare x Barra Grande x Ilheus, for example. Another route may include the Island of Boipeba.