Mangue Seco, human settlement
Mangue Seco is a small coastal settlement in Bahia located at the border between Bahia and Sergipe. The village consists of simple houses with sand streets, surrounded by white dunes that stretch over 30 kilometers along the coast, and the Rio Real river that separates the settlement from the mainland.
The area was settled in the 1500s and a small chapel called Nossa Senhora de Abadia was built in the 1600s. The village was later renamed Jandaíra and experienced several administrative changes before becoming an independent city again in 1944.
Mangue Seco takes its name from the dry mangroves that once shaped the landscape. Residents keep old traditions alive: children play games in the sand streets, fishermen prepare boats daily, and families gather in the evenings to share stories and simple meals together.
Visitors should bring cash since many local restaurants and shops do not accept cards. The best times to visit are March, October, and November when fewer tourists come and temperatures are more comfortable.
The village gained fame from a Brazilian television series filmed here, making it a popular destination among travelers. Visitors can try traditional sand skiing, where children and adults slide down the dunes using coconut tree sticks as makeshift sleds.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
