The car ferry across the Rio Buranhém is the only way in and out of Arraial that doesn't involve a long detour inland. It runs roughly every fifteen minutes from early morning to late at night, takes about ten minutes to cross, and costs little for foot passengers.
Beyond practicality, the crossing is a small ritual. You watch the colourful boats of Porto Seguro slide past, the mangrove banks of the river drift by, and — depending on the hour — either the morning light over the sea or the orange wash of sunset behind the town. Many travellers take an evening foot crossing simply for the view.