Travel Guide Ilha De Maré

Despite its proximity to Salvador (20 minutes by boat), this island seems to be a timeless paradise. The inhabitants live from crafts and fishing. The three main towns - Santana, Itamoabo and Praia Grande - also have the best beaches. The churches Senhora Santana, from the 19th century, and Nossa Senhora das Neves, from the 16th century, are worth seeing. Gilberto Gil, in his song Ladeira da Preguiça(The Rise of Laziness) sings about these islands, a scenario from his childhood in Bahia. You have to take the lancha at the naval base, at the terminal of São Tomé do Paripé. You can take a small boat or a bigger one for 4 or 5 R$.