Praia da Pitinga, Beach with red cliffs in Arraial da Ajuda, Brazil

Praia da Pitinga is a beach in Arraial da Ajuda, Porto Seguro, where reddish limestone cliffs stand behind the sand and coconut palms grow along their edges. Offshore reefs break the waves, and at low tide shallow pools form between the rocks, used for bathing. The name comes from Tupi-Guarani, meaning something soft, light and white.

The beach gained attention in the 1980s when international travelers arrived in the region and helped establish Porto Seguro as a tourist destination. This discovery spurred local development and transformed it into a recognized stop for visitors.

The beach functions as a gathering place where residents and visitors mix together in the natural pools and share meals of fresh seafood. The casual food stands shape daily life here and offer genuine insight into how people enjoy the coastline.

Access is on foot along the sand from Praia de Mucugê or by a dirt road; the beach lies about 1 km from Arraial d'Ajuda. The natural pools between the reefs appear at low tide, so time the visit to the tide rather than to a fixed hour. Kitesurfers use the same stretch of water, so bathers should keep clear of their lines and boards.

The name Pitinga comes from Tupi-Guarani and means "white pigment", referring to the pale sand and the light colour of the water. Local sources also gloss it as a small crustacean or something soft, light and white. The beach lies about 1 km from the centre of Arraial d'Ajuda.