Club Med Trancoso
Club Med Trancoso is one of those resorts that travelers describe in superlatives even when they are complaining about something, because the setting is that striking. Opened in 2002 and renovated in 2020, it sits high on red coastal cliffs between Trancoso and Arraial d'Ajuda, with a wooden 'secret path' winding down through the vegetation to Taipe beach. The colorful single-storey bungalows are tucked into dense greenery, and the whole place has a bohemian Bahian feel that is genuinely uncommon in the all-inclusive world. For families or adventure-curious travelers, the flying trapeze and circus school is a real draw, with instruction at all levels.
Traveler Insights
Pros
- +Dramatic clifftop setting above Taipe beach, a quiet stretch of calm water under colored cliffs, reached by the resort's 'secret path' down through the native vegetation; the approach alone is worth the trip
- +Flying trapeze and circus school with a full-sized rig, with classes for adults and children at all levels, and it is part of the 21 included activities
- +Strong kids programming: Mini Club Med+ for ages 4 to 10 and Junior Club Med for 11 to 17 are included, the Petit Club Med takes 2 and 3 year olds for an extra fee, and the Baby Welcome kit covers cribs, changing gear and baby food from 4 months
- +Bahian cooking rooted in the region's Afro-Brazilian heritage, served in the Terra buffet's five themed dining rooms around a central wine cellar, with Lua for a quieter a la carte dinner
- +Sports depth that few resorts match: six tennis courts, eight beach tennis courts, a multi-sport court, archery, yoga, aquafitness, beach volleyball and a cardio gym
- +Golfers can play Terravista, an 18-hole course on top of Trancoso's red cliffs with ocean views from the fairways
- +Colorful single-storey bungalows set in dense greenery, decorated with Brazilian crafts and refreshed in a 2020 renovation by architect Patricia Anastassiadis
- +Easy excursions to Trancoso's historic Quadrado, Praia do Espelho and the riverside village of Caraiva, some of the most beautiful corners of the Bahia coast
Cons
- −Getting there takes effort: fly into Porto Seguro, then roughly 1 hour 15 to 1 hour 30 minutes by road, which adds cost and complexity
- −Higher price than most Brazilian beach resorts and well above staying in Trancoso independently
- −Service consistency gets mixed reviews, with some guests reporting room moves, late cleanings and quality that varies by staff shift
- −No true beachfront rooms: the beach sits at the bottom of the cliff, down the walkway, which is a haul with strollers or for anyone with limited mobility
- −The Quadrado is not walkable: the resort sits at Km 18 between Trancoso and Arraial d'Ajuda, so an evening in the village means a drive or a paid excursion
- −Golf at Terravista and several excursions cost extra on top of the all-inclusive rate, as does the Petit Club Med for 2 and 3 year olds
- −Wi-Fi can be unreliable in this remote spot, which frustrates guests on longer stays
- −Only two restaurants, so most nights you are back at the Terra buffet unless you get a table at Lua
The food reflects Bahia's Afro-Brazilian heritage, with local spices, coconut and seafood showing up across the Terra buffet, whose five themed dining rooms surround a walk-through wine cellar, while Lua serves a quieter a la carte dinner. Six bars spread the drinking around. Sports are a strength: six tennis courts, eight beach tennis courts, archery, yoga, aquafitness and team sports are all part of the program, and the Terravista golf course sits on the clifftops nearby, at extra cost. Service is the main inconsistency that comes up: the kids club staff and the activity team are reliably praised, while housekeeping and restaurant staffing can vary. The beach itself is calm, beautiful and uncrowded compared to busier parts of the Brazilian coast.
Trancoso is best for families seeking an adventurous, culturally rich trip, couples who want natural beauty over pool glamour, and travelers who have done the Caribbean all-inclusive circuit and want something genuinely different. The price is higher than most Brazilian options and the journey is longer, but the cliffs, beach, trapeze, regional food and easy trips to the Quadrado, Praia do Espelho and Caraiva add up to a vacation that is hard to replicate. Compare it with Club Med Rio das Pedras, which is closer to Rio and more polished, or Club Med Lake Paradise near Sao Paulo, which trades the beach for a lake; Trancoso wins on setting and character.
Common Questions
Is the flying trapeze really available for adults, or just kids?
How do you get to Club Med Trancoso and is it worth the travel?
What is the Quadrado and can you walk there from the resort?
Is Club Med Trancoso a good choice for young children?
How does the food compare to other all-inclusive resorts?
Is golf included?
Restaurants (2)
| Type | Restaurants |
|---|---|
| Buffet | Terra restaurant |
| Brazilian churrascaria | Lua restaurant |
From the resort's own dining pages. Only restaurants the resort lists are shown. All are covered by the all-inclusive rate, per the resort.
What's nearby
Praia de Pitinga20 min drive · 4.3 mi
Quadrado de Trancoso20 min drive · 5.1 mi
Praia do Mucugê25 min drive · 6.8 mi
Cidade Histórica de Porto Seguro45 min drive · 11 mi
More things to do (14)
- Praia de Taípe · beach10 min drive · 2.1 mi
- Praia dos Nativos · beach14 min drive · 3.7 mi
- Praia dos Coqueiros (Trancoso) · beach25 min drive · 5.9 mi
- Arraial d'Ajuda · town25 min drive · 6.7 mi
- Praia de Itaquena · beach30 min drive · 7.1 mi
- Passarela do Álcool · town40 min drive · 9.4 mi
- Recife de Fora boat trip · excursion40 min drive · 9.6 mi
- Memorial da Epopéia do Descobrimento · museum45 min drive · 11 mi
- Praia do Mundaí · beach45 min drive · 13 mi
- Praia de Taperapuã · beach50 min drive · 14 mi
- Reserva Pataxó da Jaqueira · historic site55 min drive · 16 mi
- Praia do Mutá · beach60 min drive · 18 mi
- Praia do Espelho · beach60 min drive · 21 mi
- Coroa Vermelha · beach60 min drive · 19 mi
Amenities
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Style & Rooms
Atmosphere
Room upgrades
Google Reviews★ 4.7 · 3,688 reviews
“Best resort ever! Amazing for family trip :) I just spent a week at Club Med Trancoso, Brazil, and it was truly unforgettable! 🌴✨ The resort is stunning, set on top of breathtaking cliffs overlooking a pristine beach. Walking down to the sand with...”
“The best thing about the resort is the mini-club team, who take care of and entertain all the children. They offer shows and games every night. Thank you, Bombón, Iza, Kathy, Camila, and the entire mini-club team.”
“We had a great stay, the activities were fantastic, our kids loved the trapeze, with fantastic attention from Mirela, Tata and Firmino, with a lot of patience and dedication. The mini club was lovely and our family loved the capoeira show and live mu...”
