Home » Bahia Travel Guide » Municipality of Una: A Beach Paradise Awaits

The municipality of Una in Bahia is a paradise of unspoilt beaches, preserved Atlantic Forest and luxury resorts, ideal for relaxing and reconnecting with nature.

Imagine long stretches of white sand framed by dense coconut groves and a crystal blue sea, with colourful cliffs reflecting vibrant hues in the sunlight. Trails through the Atlantic Forest lead to small rivers and semi-deserted beaches.

For those who prefer luxury, the region offers sophisticated resorts with unrivalled comfort and leisure facilities.

All of this can be found in the small town of Una, in the south of Bahia, just over 65 kilometres from Ilhéus. Una is home to one of the best resorts on the south coast of Bahia, located on the island of Comandatuba, which has luxury hotels and even its own airport.

For the adventurous, Una also offers unspoilt beaches where you can enjoy a healing black mud bath and breathtaking scenery.

Description of the municipality of Una

• Population: About 35,000 inhabitants.
• Climate: Average annual temperature between 18°C and 29°C, with peaks of 26°C in the hottest months (December to March).
• Distance: Approximately 550 km from Salvador, with access via the BR-101 and BA-001 motorways.

Video about Comandatuba Island in Una

Link

Embed

Copy and paste this HTML code into your webpage to embed.

Ilha de Comandatuba em Una BA

Tourist attractions in the municipality of Una

1. Golden-faced Lion Tamarin Biological Reserve

Considered the area with the greatest biodiversity in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, the Reserve is surrounded by dense vegetation. It is home to the rapids of the Una River, ideal for the famous black mud bath, followed by a dip in the calm, crystal-clear waters of the beaches.

2. Una’s beaches

The beaches of Una, with their quiet waters, lush landscapes and rich biodiversity, are an ideal refuge for those seeking peace and contact with nature.

2.1 Acuípe Beach

Located to the north of Una, about 29 km away, access is via BA-001, a tarmacked coastal road with restricted access authorised by the owners.

• Features: Calm sea and warm waters, ideal for a relaxing swim..
• Attractions: To the north, the sea meets the mouth of the river Acuípe, making it an excellent spot for fishing.

2.2 Lençóis beach

Located parallel to the Acuípe River, this area is characterised by its abundance of mangroves, sand banks with bromeliads and birds, and large coconut groves.

• Features: It has hotels, cabins and holiday homes, and is ideal for swimming and hiking.

2.3 Independência beach

Located 9 kilometres from the city of Una, access is via the Una River, the village of Comandatuba, near the town of Pedras.

• Characteristics: This is a little frequented beach, ideal for swimming and walking. The confluence of the river and the sea is the main attraction of this place, which is easily accessible by car.

2.4 Pedras de Una beach

Located in the village of Pedras de Una, 13 km from Una, access is via a side entrance 3 km after leaving the town, in the direction of Ilhéus. From this point there is 10 km of dirt road, generally in good condition.

• Features: The calm sea, regardless of the tide, makes the beach excellent for fishing. The shore is surrounded by coconut palms, while in the background is the unspoilt Atlantic Forest.
• Attractions: This is a deserted, unspoilt beach, ideal for those seeking peace and quiet and contact with nature.

2.5 Desire Island Beach

Located in the north of Una, on the border with Ilhéus, access is via the BA-001 motorway, crossing a narrow wooden bridge surrounded by mangroves. To get to the island, a ferry across the Acuípe River takes about 3 minutes.

• Features: As a continuation of Praia de Acuípe, this is an excellent area for bathing, regardless of the tide. The coast is lined with coconut palms and has a good tourist infrastructure.
• Attractions: To the south, the Acuípe River Bar stands out, ideal for fishing and swimming. After the river mouth, the beach becomes deserted, making it an attractive option for naturists and those seeking tranquillity.

2.6 Itapororoca beach

Located in the central part of the municipality, access to Itapororoca Beach is via the Una River, with permission from the Fazenda Bolandeira, located on the banks of the BA-001, 8.5 km from Una in the direction of Comandatuba Island.

It’s a 10 km dirt road, surrounded by Atlantic Forest, until you reach the beach. In winter some areas can become waterlogged and the terrain is suitable for 4×4 vehicles.

• Characteristics: Little frequented beach with strong waves, ideal for fishing. Its sands are surrounded by vast coconut groves, and in the background you can see preserved stretches of Atlantic Forest. The name Itapororoca means stone that snaps, a reference to the local nature.

2.7 Comandatuba Beach

Comandatuba Beach can be reached by ferry via the Doce River Canal.

• Features: Good beach for swimming and walking, surrounded by many coconut trees.
• Attractions: Visitors can bathe in the medicinal black mud and visit a typical native house where you can taste the secret spices of Dona Ginga’s caldinho de feijão and Badá’s handmade cachaças. Another attraction is the observation of traditional techniques, such as extracting water from a cacimba and the method of climbing coconut trees with a peia.

3. Una Ecopark

Una Ecopark is a conservation unit created by the Institute of Socio-Environmental Studies of Southern Bahia (IESB), in partnership with Conservation International..

Located in a Private Nature Reserve, it begins at a rubber plantation on the Park’s main trail, 2 kilometres long, where visitors can observe the artisanal extraction of rubber.

As you progress along the trail, the Atlantic Rainforest becomes higher and more lush, offering an immersive experience of nature.

Inside the park there is a climbing walkway suspended in the canopy, some 20 metres high and 100 metres long, offering a panoramic view of the forest and its many species of plants and animals. During the walks it is possible to see the golden-faced tamarin, an endangered species. At the end of the walk, visitors can cool off in the waters of the Maruim River.

The Ecopark is also a visitor, research and environmental education centre.

• Duration: About 6 hours, including the walks in the Ecopark.
• How to get there: The Ecopark is located next to the Una Biological Reserve, on the BA-001, between Una and Ilhéus. After 19 km turn right. The total distance to Ilhéus is about 44 km.

4. Comandatuba Island

Comandatuba Island is a narrow strip of land with undisturbed fauna and flora, in the middle of a vast coconut grove. It is the ideal place for water sports enthusiasts.

• Luxury Resort: One of the largest in Brazil, with a golf complex, restaurants, swimming pools and a private airport.
• Traditional villages: In Comandatuba and Pedras de Una, artists and fishermen keep the local culture alive, especially the mast pulling, a typical festival of the region.

5. Village of Pedras de Una

Get to know the village and its history, take a boat trip on the Una and Maruim rivers towards the Itapororoca beaches and visit the Church of São Sebastião, the local patron saint, built by Jesuit priests.

• How to get there: Leave Una in the direction of Ilhéus and you will reach the village after 7 kilometres (on a dirt road).
• Tip: Boat trips are organised directly with the local fishermen.

6. Una River Rapids

The Rapids of the Una River are an excellent destination for those seeking direct contact with nature. On the way, you can pass the Vila Rica, Pancada Grande and Santa Vitória farms, all of which are surrounded by the river’s rapids and offer breathtaking views and a peaceful atmosphere.

Recommended activities include visiting the site and taking a dip in the refreshing waters of the rapids.

• Duration: Free time to enjoy the surroundings and local activities.
• How to get there: Leaving Una in the direction of the village of Colônia de Una, after 2 kilometres on a dirt road, you will reach the rapids..

Tourist Guide to Bahia, Salvador and the Cocoa Coast

Written by Willy Sievert

Editor of Bahia.ws since its founding in 2009. Based in Salvador, he travels frequently across the Northeast and all of Brazil to keep the guides up to date. Learn more about Willy Sievert →

Published on 29/11/2012 · Updated on 27/07/2025

This post is also on: