Itacaré: A paradise on the cacao coast

Itacaré, located in the south of Bahia, on the Cocoa Coast, stands out for its small beaches and charming coves, surrounded by coconut tree covered hills and the lush Atlantic Forest.

Natural Attractions

With rivers, waterfalls, mangroves and vast primeval forest, The place is perfect for hiking and adventure sports such as rafting, abseiling, freeflight, zip-lining and tree climbing.

History of Itacaré

The history of Itacaré goes back to when the Jesuit Luis Grã built a chapel dedicated to Saint Michael at the mouth of the Rio de Contas, in an old indigenous village from which the town grew. Due to its strategic location, the settlement prospered and in 1731 it was elevated to the category of city and given the name of São Miguel da Barra do Rio de Contas.

Legends and curiosities

Legend has it that the Rio de Contas was once a hideout for pirate ships and that some of them, laden with treasure, were shipwrecked nearby.

Renamed Itacaré in 1932, the town grew up around its harbour, which was used to transport local agricultural produce. However, with the opening of the roads, the town fell into decay, aggravated by the crisis of the cocoa farms, which were devastated by the “witches’ broom” plague.

Itacaré’s present

Today, the strong waves of many beaches attract surfers from all over the world. In addition, driving, waterfalls and trails invite you to practise extreme sports, while boat trips on the Rio de Contas offer a quieter alternative for those who prefer to avoid the adrenaline rush.

Historical heritage

From the colonial era, Itacaré preserves the Mother Church, dating from 1732, and the Jesuit House. An underground tunnel connecting them was used as an escape route during Indian attacks.

Videos of Itacaré on the Cocoa Coast

Learn more about the history of Itacaré in Bahia

The following content is divided into the following topics

A. Itacaré’s beaches

1. Itacaré’s beaches are divided into two main areas
2. Itacaré’s urban beaches
3. Itacaré’s rural beaches
4. Itacaré’s best beaches
5. The surfers’ paradise

B. Tourist attractions around Itacaré

A. The beaches of Itacaré

1. Itacaré’s beaches are divided into two main regions: urban and rural.
2. Urban beaches
3. Rural beaches
4. Itacaré’s best beaches
5. Surfing in Itacaré: The surfers’ paradise

1. The beaches of Itacaré are divided into two main areas

• Urban beaches – accessible from the city centre.
• Rural beaches – accessed via the BA-001 road..

Both the urban and rural beaches offer an incredible variety of paradisiacal scenery and stunning stretches of sand. It’s well worth exploring both!

There are beaches where you can get close to the sea by car and others that require short walks to reach paradise.

If you don’t have a car, don’t worry: in Itacaré you can get to the beaches by bus, taxi, tour agency or even on foot, along beautiful trails.

The most important thing is to get to the sea! Here are some tips on how to get around Itacaré.

Tides in Itacaré

Like much of Bahia’s coastline, Itacaré is heavily influenced by the tides, which change the landscape of the beaches depending on the moon and the time of day.

Especially during the new and full moons the variation is more pronounced. On the same day, you can find the sea with natural pools or full of big waves, ideal for surfing.

Tip: Visit the beaches at different times of the day to enjoy the different scenery!

2. Itacaré’s urban beaches

Itacaré’s urban beaches are easily accessible from the city centre and can be visited by car, on foot, by taxi or with tours organised by tourist agencies.

Despite being called “urban”, many of these beaches have a peaceful environment, surrounded by nature and a beautiful sea.

Main urban beaches

1. Coroa Beach (Coroinha)
2. Concha Beach
3. A series of quiet urban beaches: Praia do Resende, Praia da Tiririca, Praia do Costa and Praia da Ribeira.

2.1 Coroa Beach (Coroinha)

Located in the centre of the city, it is busy and has a waterfront with lots of boats and sportsmen. Although not suitable for swimming, the sunsets are spectacular.

2.2 Concha Beach

This is the most popular beach among holidaymakers, with calm seas, ample infrastructure and a variety of hotels, restaurants and kiosks. Ideal for families and those looking for comfort by the sea.

You can also find guys who organise boat trips to a waterfall on the Rio das Contas. These trips are an excellent opportunity to appreciate the beautiful nature and explore the mangroves, which make the scenery even more enchanting.

The Passarela da Vila is a charming, elegant and well-travelled promenade in Itacaré, with tasteful, landscaping and a dignified public.

The area is full of restaurants and well-known bars, while being surrounded by banks, supermarkets, pharmacies, health centres and police, guaranteeing comfort and safety for visitors.

Passarela da Vila is less than 10 minutes walk from Praia da Concha and less than 200 metres from Itacaré’s main night spots. It is widely considered to be the best location in the city and a real highlight of Itacaré’s nightlife.

Lighthouse on Concha Beach

The lighthouse at Praia da Concha used to guide cocoa boats.

After its restoration, old fishermen say it is the only square lighthouse in the world.

2.3 Sequence of quiet urban beaches

After Praia da Concha, the most unspoilt beaches begin:

• Praia do Resende: Quiet surroundings, ideal for relaxing.
• Praia da Tiririca: A meeting place for surfers, with good waves and a young crowd.
• Praia do Costa: More deserted, with no kiosks and rough seas.
• Praia da Ribeira: Combines calm seas, a freshwater river and a kiosk structure for spending the day.
• Praia do Pontal: Located on the opposite bank of the Rio de Contas, off the centre of Itacaré, it is mainly accessible by boat and has a landscape of coconut trees and calm waters. It is a wide beach and very popular with visitors to Itacaré.

Tip: These beaches are linked by short, easy paths, making them perfect for a day trip!

3. Itacaré’s rural beaches

Itacaré’s rural beaches are surrounded by preserved Atlantic forest and are accessible via the BA-001 road. Some require short hiking trails to reach.

Rural beach highlights

1. Itacarezinho beach
2. Four beaches trail: Engenhoca Beach, Havaizinho Beach, Camboinha Beach and Itacarezinho Beach.
3. Jeribucaçu beach
4. Prainha and São José Beach

3.1 Itacarezinho beach

• The largest beach in Itacaré, with 3 kilometres of sand.
• It offers options for those seeking both seclusion and comfort, with a resort and restaurant on site.
• Access via the Itacarezinho Restaurant (paid parking) or the Quatro Praias Trail.

3.2 Four Beaches Trail

The 4 Beaches Trail is considered to be of medium difficulty and takes approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes to complete, 40 minutes for the outward journey and 40 minutes for the return journey.

And although it is still little known, this trail enchants lovers of ecotourism, who can enjoy 4 of Itacaré’s beautiful beaches: Praia da Engenhoca, Praia do Havaizinho, Praia de Camboinha and Praia de Itacarezinho.

A 4-kilometre trail along the beaches:

• Engenhoca: Favourite of surfers.
• Havaizinho: Ideal for those looking for calm seas and kiosks.
• Camboinha: The smallest and most deserted.
• Itacarezinho: Last on the route and also accessible by car.

Travel time:

• Entrance to Engenhoca beach: 15 minutes
• Engenhoca to Havaizinho beach: 15 minutes
• From Havaizinho to Camboinha beach: 10 minutes
• From Camboinha to Itacarezinho beach: 20 minutes

3.3 Jeribucaçu beach

• Complete landscape: clear sand, coconut palms, freshwater river and kiosks.
• Access via a 30-minute trail.

3.4 Prainha and Praia de São José

• Prainha can be reached via a 40-minute walk (from Praia da Ribeira) or via the Villa de São José condominium (10-minute walk with a day-use fee at the Grauçá Restaurant).
• Both offer spectacular scenery and are well worth a visit.

4. The best beaches of Itacaré

Itacaré, on the Costa do Cacau, is a destination with incredible beaches that will satisfy adventure and nature lovers, as well as those looking for infrastructure and comfort. Here is a summary of the best beaches in Itacaré to help you plan your trip:

1. Jeribucaçu Beach
2. Itacarezinho Beach
3. Engenhoca Beach
4. Havaizinho Beach
5. Resende Beach
6. Ribeira Beach
7. Prainha Beach
8. Concha Beach
9. Siriaco Beach
10. Tiririca Beach
11. Praia da Coroa Beach (Avenue or Centre)

4.1 Jeribucaçu Beach

• Highlights: Strong waves for surfing, river flowing into the sea, waterfall nearby.
• Access: Half an hour’s walk through the forest (3 kilometres after the entrance to Ilhéus).
• Infrastructure: A few simple huts.

4.2 Itacarezinho Beach

• Highlights: Large (3.5 km), ideal for walking, surfing, diving and turtle nesting (September to March).
• Access: Private road with viewpoint.
• Infrastructure: Restaurants and Bars.

4.3 Engenhoca Beach

• Highlights: Isolated, small, ideal for longboarding.
• Access: 12km track on BA-001.
• Infrastructure: Small huts; resort under construction.

4.4 Havaizinho Beach

• Highlights: Quiet, wide sandy strip at low tide, reefs.
• Access: Detour on the Engenhoca path.
• Infrastructure: Practically non-existent, ideal for contemplation.

4.5 Resende Beach

• Highlights: Close to the centre, natural pools and lawn for relaxing.
• Access: Short path on the Camino das Praias.
• Infrastructure: A few kiosks; meeting point for capoeiristas.

4.6 Ribeira Beach

• Highlights: Rustic, good for snorkelling, waterfalls and zip-lining.
• Access: Caminho das Praias.
• Infrastructure: More crowded, with simple kiosks.

4.7 Beach

• Highlights: One of the most lush in Brazil, surrounded by Atlantic Forest.
• Access: Half-hour trail from Ribeira (guide recommended).
• Infrastructure: Isolated; nearby accommodation in São José.

4.8 Concha Beach

• Highlights: Well structured, ideal for families and watersports.
• Access: Easy, close to the centre.
• Infrastructure: Pousadas, restaurants and the Ponta do Xaréu viewpoint.

4.9. Siriaco Beach

• Highlights: Adventure and isolation, with a cave inhabited by bats.
• Access: 15-minute walk from Ribeira (guide recommended).
• Infrastructure: No Infrastructure.

4.10. Tiririca Beach

• Highlights: Itacaré’s best surf spot, stunning scenery.
• Access: Close to the centre.
• Infrastructure: Accommodation and services.

4.11. Coroa Beach (Avenida or Centre)

• Highlights: Urban, ideal for sports such as football and volleyball.
• Access: On the main seafront.
• Infrastructure: Not focused on bathing, but with historic villas all around.

5. Surfing in Itacaré: The surfers’ paradise

Itacaré is a perfect destination for surf lovers. With consistent waves all year round and a pleasant water temperature between 23°C and 30°C, the town offers ideal conditions for surfing and enjoying nature.

Surfing conditions throughout the year

• Winter (May to August): Time for the biggest waves, ranging from 1 to 3 metres, ideal for more experienced surfers.
• Summer (December to March): Smaller waves predominate, but there is still a chance of the bigger swells typical of winter.
• Autumn and spring: Mixed conditions, with small to medium waves and the possibility of good swells at the beginning of these seasons.

Best surfing beaches in Itacaré

1. Havaizinho
2. Engenhoca Beach
3. Resende Beach
4. Itacarezinho Beach
5. Jeribucaçu Beach
6. Tiririca Beach
7. Small beach

5.1 Havaizinho

• Characteristics: Set of three small beaches with strong waves and reefs. Great for experienced surfers.
• Access: Paid car park and 10 minute walk.
• Highlights: Breathtaking scenery with coconut palms and clear waters.

5.2 Engenhoca Beach

• Characteristics: Ideal for longboarding, with waves from 0.5m to 3m and a horseshoe shape.
• Access: 15km from the centre, followed by a 20-minute trail.
• Highlights: Natural pools and native forest all around.

5.3 Resende Beach

• Characteristics: Close to the centre, with consistent waves, white sand and natural pools.
• Access: Only 1 km from the centre of Itacaré.
• Highlights: Quiet atmosphere, perfect for surfers and families.

5.4 Itacarezinho Beach

• Features: Waves from 0.5m to 2m, with a tent structure and a freshwater waterfall.
• Access: 30 minute walk through private property.
• Highlights: Large beach and paradise views.

5.5 Jeribucaçu Beach

• Characteristics: Strong waves of up to 3 metres, combined with the mouth of the Jeribucaçu River.
• Access: 9 km from the centre, followed by a 40-minute trail.
• Highlights: The river meets the sea in a unique landscape.

5.6 Tiririca Beach

• Characteristics: The most popular beach for surfers, with constant waves from 0.5m to 3m.
• Access: Easy, close to the centre.
• Highlights: Host of surfing championships and simple structure at the top of the hill.

5.7 Prainha

• Characteristics: The postcard of Itacaré, with tubular waves on the best days.
• Access: 40-minute walk, crossing waterfalls. Guide recommended.
• Highlights: Wild and paradisiacal beach, with only one shelter.

B. Tourist Attractions around Itacaré

Each of these attractions offers a unique way to experience the natural wealth of the Itacaré region. Whether you’re looking for adventure or relaxation, these places are a must-see

1. Tijuipe Waterfall
2. Véu da Noiva Waterfall
3. Taboquinhas
4. Noré Waterfall
5. Cleandro Waterfall
6. Contas River

Itacaré is surrounded by several natural attractions that enchant visitors. Here are the highlights:

1. Tijuipe Waterfall

Although it is not very high, it enchants with its many waterfalls that create a setting of rare beauty.

• Access: Easy access via the BA-001 road, ideal for a relaxing walk.

2. Bridal Veil Waterfall

One of the largest waterfalls in the region, an impressive 40 metres high.

• Adventure: Excellent for photography and for those seeking direct contact with nature.

3. Taboquinhas.

A charming village on the banks of the Rio de Contas, perfect for extreme sports.

Activities include

• Rafting and Canoeing: The rapids of the Coiudo River, close to the village, challenge even the most experienced.
• Zip line: A 180 metre zip line offers an adrenaline rush and breathtaking views.

4. Noré Waterfall

Located on the Contas River, this waterfall is ideal for rappelling.

• Aventura Extra: An experience not to be missed for lovers of outdoor sports.

5. Cleandro Waterfall

The Cleandro Waterfall is accessible from the Contas River and can be reached by boat or canoe.

Located on a farm, the area has a cocoa plantation, cloves and guaiamum cultivation, providing an authentic experience of rural life.

• After a 10-minute walk, you’ll find the three beautiful waterfalls, accompanied by a natural pool above them, perfect for a refreshing swim. 5.

6. Rio de Contas

The Rio das Contas rises in the Chapada Diamantina and flows for more than 400 kilometres before emptying into the sea at Itacaré.

Navigate it by boat, motorboat or canoe and you will find beautiful waterfalls in the interior forest, mangroves and cocoa farms.

Cocoa Coast Tourist Guide

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