"Hire a car to see the attractions close to Vitoria such as the Pedra Azul or the carnivals of Guarapari."
*daily rates in Vitoria Airport based on a 1 day rental (24hr period) and for guidance purposes only.
Vitoria Airport Car Hire - Did You Know?
The airport's full name is Enrico de Aguiar Salles Airport.
Enrico Salles serves purely domestic routes from all over Brazil.
The airport ranks last in Brazil in a survey based on quality of airport facilities.
It handled nearly three million passengers last year.
The centre of Vitoria is six miles from the airport.
What Can you Tell me About Vitoria?
Vitoria is known as the San Francisco of Brazil and when you look at the city from the mainland you can see why. A long sweeping bridge links the city to the mainland whilst several green hills and mountains provide a stunning backdrop. The city was founded in 1551 and the historic centre still retains some of the buildings from around this period. Praca dos Namorados is a beachfront park that runs the entire length of the city's excellent sandy beach. The city is also well known for shopping with the Vitoria Mall having over four hundred shops as well as restaurants and a cinema.
What's the Best way to get to Vitoria?
Eurico de Aguiar Salles Airport serves the city of Vitoria and is only six miles from the centre. It handles only domestic flights but from twelve major Brazilian destinations. International travellers must fly into Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Manaus or Brasilia airports to connect. You can get into the city by bus, car or taxi with journey times of around thirty minutes to downtown Vitoria.
The airport has been voted the worst in Brazil for appearance and general standards with only superficial work being done on the airport since its opening over fifty years ago. Work was expected to commence on building a new terminal six years ago and despite the ground works being laid, financial difficulties have meant that the expected completion date has been put back until 2012 although there is still no sign of work commencing at the airport.
Despite its reputation, the airport has reasonable facilities, certainly enough for the traveller just passing through on the way to their destination. If you need cash, there's a cash machine, assistance can be obtained from the airport help desk and there are a number of travel agencies – one interestingly called the Strange Travel Agency - should you wish to book excursions or hotels. Car hire is available at the airport from any of the company desks and if you're taking public transport into the city, find out which route you'll need from the travel agencies or information desk.
There are 25 check-in desks for when you fly home so queues aren't a problem. After getting through the process you can eat at one of the four cafes and restaurants before and after security of which the Clay Pot is the best despite its less than inspiring name. There are six shops at the airport selling a range of interesting things including delicious chocolate, handbags and wallets, newspapers and magazines, local crafts and gifts, medicines and a general travel shop.
Vitoria is a popular holiday destination, not just for the city itself but for its proximity to the many other attractions of the region. Within an hour's drive of Vitoria are fabulous beaches of the Bahia region, the rainforests of the Atlantic coast and the mountains of Pedra Azul National Park.
It isn't too far to consider taking a trip by hire car to Rio for the day either. Vitoria itself is popular for its beautiful gardens where, in the heat and humidity of summer, you can find a cool spot for a picnic.