Day 3 – Lençóis

There are four buses from Salvador to Lençóis – 7:00am, 1:00pm, 5:00pm and 11:00pm. These are on RapidoFederal bus, which is the most common state-run bus service in Brazil. One way takes about 6 hours with multiple stops in between. If you have specific plans then you can buy a return ticket at bus terminal. The buses arrive and depart almost on time so make sure to be at the stop at least 15 minutes before your departure time. Return ticket is BRL 121 (at the time of visit).

The ticket window opens at 6:00am at the Rodoviaria (Bus terminal), I started early from the hostel in Salvador and took a taxi that costs BRL 35 one way. If you plan to travel on weekends, then make sure to purchase tickets in advance at the terminal or online, as they tend to get full soon.

Having purchased tickets and with 40 minutes in hand before the bust starts, I shopped around the terminal for snacks, water and coffee, getting ready for a 6-hour ride to Lençóis.

[Rapido Federal Bus in Salvador Bus Terminal]

 
Roads in Brazil are great; and buses are comfortable and cheapest way of traveling small distances. Although the buses make multiple stops for food and toilets, it’s best to carry some light snacks and water along the way.

We reached Lençóis bus terminal just 15-minutes past the scheduled time of 1:00pm. Temperatures soar to about 40°C in Lençóis during the “summer” months. I had to kinda hike up for about 10 minutes to reach my hostel from the bus stop which was perched on an elevation.

After checking in, I headed out to the center of this tiny town for lunch, and immediately back to the hostel as the heat got to my head! And after a nap, I set out to explore the colonial old town of Lençóis.

A lazy evening and a dinner after, I called in an early day, excited to visit the glorious Chapada Diamantina national park.

Note: All values in USD, unless otherwise mentioned, are approximate and based on the exchange rate of USD 1 = BRL 3.73 at the time of publishing. Each cost is for one adult.