Morro do Cristo / Farol da Barra

The rocky headland of Morro do Cristo, by the Christ statue between Porto da Barra and the Farol da Barra lighthouse, is a long-reported after-dark gay cruising (pegação) spot in Salvador. Activity is informal and happens mostly after sunset. Same-sex relations are legal in Brazil, but public sex is an offence (ato obsceno), and the area has repeated reports of robberies and homophobic attacks at night. Leave valuables behind, avoid going alone, and be wary of hustlers. For a safer social option, the daytime beach at Porto da Barra draws a visible gay crowd.