Brazil Photography Tour
Brazil is one of the most colourful, joyful and welcoming countries in the world — and Caraíva in Bahia is its hidden gem. On this photo trip, led by Zurich-based Brazilian photographer Fabiana Nunes, you discover indigenous Pataxó communities and their culture, pristine white sand beaches, tropical wildlife and the vibrant everyday life of coastal Brazil.
Fabiana's local roots open doors that no tourist would find on their own. You photograph portraits of indigenous peoples, capture the colours of tropical birds and flora, and experience golden hour on beaches framed by palm trees and mangroves.
This is a photo trip unlike any other — part cultural immersion, part nature photography, part adventure. Small group, personal coaching, and an experience that goes far beyond the lens.
This trip will be led by: Fabiana Nunes who speaks English
Location
Where do we go?
We’ll fly into and out of the city of PORTO SEGURO, in the state of Bahia.
From Porto Seguro airport, our driver will bring us in a big, air-conditioned van to Caraíva. The road trip will be around 2 hours of driving and 30 minutes on a ferryboat. When we reach Caraíva, we must cross the river in a canoe; this takes only about 5 minutes. Then we reach paradise.
Enjoy the remarkable hospitality of the locals on one of the most beautiful beaches of this tropical country: CARAÍVA. The streets of Caraiva are made of sand. No cars are allowed. The main transportation is by foot, boat or buggy. For heavy stuff, a cart with a donkey can help you.
“Nothing can quite prepare you for the views in this part of Brazil. Caraíva Village, with almost 500 years of history and 700 inhabitants, is the most charming beach on the Discovery Coast. Visitors are trapped in time without wanting to leave this paradise bathed by the waters of the Caraíva River and the gentle waves of the Atlantic Ocean.”
Brazilians like to become fast friends, so prepare for many hugs and invitations for a little coffee! And to practice a wide range of photographic techniques with your professional photographer and guide.
The program covers unforgettable sunrises, astonishing sunsets, boat trips, and visiting the indigenous reserve, learning about their culture, art, music, food, and costumes. Visit one of the most beautiful beaches around the globe, swim at natural swimming pools, and photograph the fishermen and the abundance of fauna and flora.
This trip will be led by Fabiana Nunes, a Brazil native (based in Zurich) who speaks English, Spanish, and a bit of German.
Trip highlights
What you can expect from this trip
- Up the river in a canoe, sunset at the junction of the river and the ocean
- Traditional market & typical food
- Visit Espelho beach
- Visit the indigenous Reserve Porto Boi, get into the culture of the Pataxó people.
- Buggy trip to Corumbau
- Sunrise at the Satu beach & Mucaba lagoon
- Back to Port Seguro airport
See full itinerary here
Day 1
Up the river in a canoe, sunset at the junction of the river and the ocean
With arrival and airport collection at Porto Seguro, we head to Caraiva Village. En route includes several opportunities to photograph the amazing nature, local people, and all the fruits and animals. The whole trip takes about 3 hours by van, ferryboat, and canoe.
We’ll arrive in time for the ‘golden hour’ at the junction of the river and the ocean. Landscape photography at the river, portrait of the fishermen.
At dinner together, we will get to know one another and can enjoy the anticipation of the upcoming week!
Live music & Typical dance night/ Forró (optional)
Day 2
Traditional market & typical food
The morning is set aside for exploring the village, concentrating on the stunning views around Caraiva as well as photographing locals in their daily routines.
After lunch, we depart for a boat trip to photograph the nature around us and practice some rules of composition and how to break them. We’ll be back in time for the magical hours.
After dinner, we go to typical live music. (optional)
Typical dance night/ Forró (optional)
Day 3
Visit Espelho beach
After breakfast, we’ll visit Espelho Beach where you can photograph the natural swimming pool and the local fishermen.
It's only 22 kilometers but can easily take 1 hour, because of the road.
Allied to the beautiful cliffs in shades of pink, red, beige, and ocher, Praia do Espelho becomes a paradise for lovers of the sea. The view is complete with the intense coconut trees that border the strip of sand and also with the river that flows into the sea, giving a bucolic and even more charming air.
Exercise of light and shadows, reflections & panning among the beach.
Back in Caraiva, we go to photograph the sunset on the beach and play with silhouette e and exposure compensation.
After dinner, we go to typical live music. (optional)
Day 4
Visit the indigenous Reserve Porto Boi, get into the culture of the Pataxó people.
After breakfast, we’ll visit the Indigenous Reserve “Porto Boi”. There we can photograph the indigenous people in their habitat, preparing for the traditional ritual.
At the reserve, you can take a herbal bath, get an indigenous body painting, buy beautiful handcraft, eat typical Pataxo food, talk to people, sing and dance with them.
Portrait photography, Wildlife Photography (beautiful birds, monkeys, iguanas, and with luckily Jaguatirica (a small Brazilian leopard)
At the end of the day, we will practice long exposure nearby the river.
Typical dinner (optional)
Day 5
Buggy trip to Corumbau
After breakfast, we’ll visit Corumbau. A short trip by buggy of 30 minutes and arriving there we must cross a river with a canoe. The canoe trip takes about 5 minutes. In Corumbau we do a little walk on the beach to explore and photograph. We will meet and photograph local fishermen, and indigenous people.
“The difficult access to Praia da Ponta do Corumbau, which is considered one of the best beaches in Brazil, helps keep it looking like it used to be, when the beaches were only occupied by fishing villages. There, there are no crowds of tourists, no large hotels or clusters of tents on the sand. In Corumbau, what reigns is the tranquility and the movement of the tide, which takes and brings that little point of sand and hypnotizes the few tourists who walk there.”
After we can relax at the beach, on the white sand, and have a delicious and fresh snack. Every time we can swim in the warm ocean.
On the way back we will visit an indigenous family, and their house and have a drink with them.
Typical Dinner (optional)
Day 6
Sunrise at the Satu beach & Mucaba lagoon
Sunrise photos and after breakfast we will walk 3 kilometers to Satu beach.
Praia do Satu: With cliffs, lagoons, and natural pools, one of the most beautiful beaches in Bahia. Beautiful place for snorkeling, bring your go-pro to enjoy the underwater photos. Lunch at Satu Beach club (optional). Back from Satu Beach by boat.
Ride a horse on the beach (optional) & Typical Dinner (optional)
After dinner, we go to a little goodby get-together & typical live music. (optional)
Day 7
Back to Port Seguro airport
This is departure day and we’ll make our way back to Porto Seguro airport in time for late afternoon flights. Leave Caraiva in the morning and arrive in Porto Seguro for Lunch.
For those who will stay longer in Brazil or have time, we do a Street photography in the Historical Center of Porto Seguro.
Accommodation
Where do we stay?
We will stay at the best available hotels at Caraiva Village. All hotels have a special charm and offer us enough space to look at the photos. Single and double rooms are available everywhere. Please indicate if you would like to be accommodated as a couple. All rooms have an air conditioner, TV, mini bar, terrace, and view.
Included
- Fully loaded program of photography practice led by our instructor
- Transfers to and from the airport with a private driver
- All hotel accommodations in single or double rooms
- Breakfasts & fresh fruits every morning
- Local transportation ( canoe & speed boat )
- Boat Trip
- Buggy Trip
- Water and snacks for trips and excursions
- All entrance fees to the Indigenous Reserve
- Guided tours for selected sights
- Discussion of your photos
Not included
- Flights to and from Porto Seguro, Brazil
- Lunch & dinners
- Personal expenses like souvenirs, bar beverages, laundry
- Insurance (travel, equipment, medical, and cancellation, which are all recommended)
Your instructor
Fabiana Nunes
Fabiana NunesLanguage: English
I am a Brazilian photographer with an undergraduate degree in Fashion from the Federal University of State of Minas Gerais and a graduate degree in Designer and Culture from the University FUMEC. I lived in New York City where I studied photography at the School of Visual Arts moving subsequently to Barcelona. I now reside in Zurich.
During my last 13 years I changed the direction of my path as a photographer. Photography has always been my passion, my therapy, my joy to wake up at sunrise and my most fulfilling experience. I see the world through the frames of the camera and beauty in every corner what makes me year after year feel the need to go deeper into this art.
A bit about myself as a Photographer:
- 2018 Zurich, Switzerland - First prize at the Swiss Photo Club Awards
- 2019 London, England - Interview at The British Journal of Photography. The Guardian editor's favorite Portrait of Humanity entries
- 2020 Zurich, Switzerland Instructor at Swiss Photo Club Academy Published in 4 newspapers Exhibited at the Swiss Art Expo, Zurich Lecture at Photobastei, Zürich
- 2020 Barcelona, Spain - Street art in Barcelona
- 2020 Paris, France - Street art in Paris
- 2021 Zurich, Switzerland - Photo tour "Perspectiva Urbana" in Zurich with "Destino Suiça"
- 2021 Tokyo, Japan - Official Selection of the TIFA (Tokyo International Foto Award)
- 2021 São Paulo, Brazil - “50 words 100 photos” were projected on skyscrapers in São Paulo.
- 2022 Budapest, Hungary - Exhibition at the PH21 Gallery in Budapest
- 2022 Zurich, Switzerland - Pop-Up Exhibition at Babalu Art Gallery Exhibition at the Photo Schweiz at Halle 550
- 2022 Arles, France - Street art in "Le Recontres De la Photographie"
- 2022 Worldwide - Released the book: “50 words 100 photos” in English, Portuguese and German.