FACTS ABOUT ITACARE: As most places in Brazil’s northeast, Itacaré can be visited all year long, as there’s sun and warm waters during the all the year. It is approximately 75km to the airport in Ilheus (IOS), and about 440km to the state capital, Salvador da Bahia. Today the municipal of Itacare has about 19.000 inhabitants.

HOW IS ITACARE: For many years, the difficult access to Itacaré – more than 50 km on dirt roads – kept it isolated. The road connecting Ilhéus to Itacaré, BA-001, was finished in 1998. Since then, the number of tourists has increased constantly, and many hotels, inns and restaurants have been built. In addition, many beaches are deserted during most of the year. Itacaré is still the refuge for nature lovers, surfers and those in search of the real Bahia. Its coast is a succession of beaches and hills covered with woods and palm trees. The beaches located near the city are the ones most frequented and have very good infrastructure of tourism. The most distant ones are deserted and very beautiful, and only a few can be reached by car. The region also is rich in rivers and waterfalls that are all worth a visit. The village has the charm of the past, with its cobblestone streets and old houses. Most of Itacaré’s inns are located on Concha beach, near downtown. The night life in Itacaré is very lively because of its many bars and restaurants. You can listen and dance to reggae music, in Coroinha beach, to forró (typical dance from the northeast of Brazil), at Magia da Bahia Freak Bar. At Conchas beach, the “luau” (Capoeira dance in the moon light on the beach) is guaranteed.

WHEN TO GO / CLIMATE: Itacaré can be visited all year long, as there’s sun and warm waters during the all the year. The climate is tropical with temperatures range from 25ºC to 30ºC, but they can climb to 40ºC in the summer – from December to February. The sun shines all year long, but during the winter months – May to September – it rains more frequent, but it doesn’t get in the way of visitors.

HOW TO GO: By Air: The nearest airport is in Ilhéus, approx 75km from Itacare village. It receives regular flights from Brazil’s main cities, and the nearest international airport is in Salvador.
By Highway: take road BA-001, a paved road that connects Ilhéus to Itacaré, along the coast. Cars may be rented in Ilhéus and the distance may take approximately 1,5-hour.

HOW LONG STAY: For the first time visitor we recommend at least a three night stay, to able the visitors to feel the atmosphere in Itacare and visit some of many attractions. But as you see below there are a lots of things to do in Itacare, so a longer stay will not be any problem.

ATTRACTIONS:

EXCURSIONS / ACTIVITIES

Serra Grande Environmental Protection Area
Created by the State of Bahia Government, the area has approximately 16 thousand hectares, occupying a coast line of approximately 6 km in width by 28 km in length. To the north it is limited by the mouth of the Contas River, to the south by Sargi’s Creek and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean.

Rafting and Rappel (Abseiling)
The adventure starts with a 1 hour tour in a 4x4 vehicle, leaving the inn toward Taboquinhas, 34 km from Itacaré, 28 km of dirt road. Arriving in Taboquinhas, the tourists receive instructions and equipment necessary for Rafting / Rappel. Rafting is practiced on the Contas River rapids, in the middle of a canyon, level III and IV, and offers 1 and half hours of pure adrenaline. Rappel is done on the Noré Waterfall, which is 15 m high. The descent starts in the middle of the Waterfall, at 10 meters.

Biking
The excursion leaves the inn at 9 AM towards the trails with several degrees of difficulty and extensions of 10, 15 or 20 kilometers. The trails pass by waterfalls and beaches. All safety equipment is provided and tourists are accompanied by specialized guides.

Ducking
The tourists leave the inn at 9:30 AM towards the Tijuipe river, located between Itacaré and Uruçuca, for the ducking (inflatable kayak) tour. The Tijuipe River starts at the Serra do Conduru and its mouth is on Patizeiro Beach. The ducking tours are done on a 4 km extension of clean, clear waters. This tour is complete with the rapids, refreshing baths, and contact with riverbank vegetation. You must be at least 10 to go on this tour. Canoeing equipment is provided and tourists are previously instructed.

Waterfalls
The region of Itacaré has plenty of rivers and waterfalls. The Contas River, which springs from the Chapada Diamantina and flows into the sea near the city, is the city’s largest course of water. It is navigable for 20 km, to the Taboquinhas village, a district of Itacaré. There, you will find one of the region’s most beautiful waterfalls. The main waterfalls are Pancada Grande and Tijuipe. The most frequented is Cleandro, near the Contas River. But there are many other rivers and waterfalls, of all sizes, that can be found by hiking along the mountain trails.

BEACHES

Resende Beach
This is a small bay with immense palm trees, white sand, natural pools and good surfing waves. It is near downtown, but it has no infrastructure because it is located in a protected area where construction is prohibited. Access is on foot over a small trail leaving the main street (the Beaches Way) where parking is available.

Concha Beach
Itacaré’s largest beach with infrastructure. Located near downtown, Concha Beach is a clear water beach, without waves and with many palm trees. In the summer, there are many stands serving beverages and food, making it the most frequented beach. Facing North, in front of the Contas River bay, it offers one of the most beautiful views of Itacaré. The end of the beach, near the lighthouse, is the best place to watch the sunset.

Tiririca Beach
Titirica Beach, with its strong waves, is frequented by surfers all year long. It is considered to be Bahia’s best wave peak.

Costa Beach
Small beach with many palm trees located only 1 km from the city. Located between Tiririca and Ribeira Beaches, Costa Beach has soft, white sand. Although it is easy to access, there is no infrastructure. Not many people go to this beach. Swimming is very dangerous because of the strong currents. It is advisable to visit it only to enjoy the view. The neighboring beaches are better for swimming.

Ribeira Beach
This beautiful beach is surrounded by Atlantic Woods. Nearby, a small creek ripples down the hill forming waterfalls, until reaching a dam, creating a fresh water natural pool. This is the last beach accessible by car along the Beaches Way and it has many stands serving beverages and food. It is well frequented on weekends and holidays. Whoever wants some peace and quiet can take the trails leaving from Ribeira towards Siriaco and Prainha Beaches.

Prainha
Itacaré’s main attraction, Prainha is considered to be one of Brazil’s most beautiful beaches. Prainha’s bay is perfectly symmetrical, with two green hills to the north and south of the beach, and a beautiful coconut grove near the sand. It is frequented by surfers and does not offer any infrastructure, only a stand selling coconut water.

Siriaco Beach
Siriaco, a small and hidden beach, is perhaps Itacaré’s most secluded beach. Access is on foot over a trail leaving Ribeira Beach. It is only a 15 minute walk.

Coroinha Beach
This is an urban beach with dark sand in downtown Itacaré. Swimming is not recommended.

São José Beach
Strong waves, white sand and many palm trees. It is located near an environmental protection area, inside the Villas de São José ecotourism complex. On São José Beach there are many high class houses and hotels as well as several sophisticated restaurants.

Engenhoca Beach
Beautiful deserted beach surrounded by palm trees and the Atlantic Woods. On the south, a small creek flows into it. It has good waves and is frequented by surfers.

Havaizinho
One of Itacaré’s best surfing beaches. It has reefs, palm trees and strong waves. It is deserted most of the year.

Jeribucaçu Beach
Located on a private farm, this beautiful beach is deserted almost the entire year. The Jeribucaçu river exits a preserved mangrove area, and flows into it, creating a paradisiacal setting.

Pontal and Piracanga Beach
North of Contas River, there are more than 50 km of deserted beaches and palm trees. With good waves, the beaches offer excellent surfing conditions. More to the north, the Algodões, Saquaira, Cassange, Taipus de Fora and Barra Grande beaches await those who love nature and tranquility.

Itacarezinho Beach
Although its name sounds small, the beach is immense. The north side is also called Camboinha. With its 3.5 km extension and many palm trees, Itacarezinho Beach has good waves for surfing. It is also a site for sea turtle spawning. On the north, a waterfall flows down from the forest and falls directly on the sand.

Serra Grande Beach
South of Tijuipe River, there are several kilometers of beautiful unknown beaches: the Serra Grande beaches, in the Environmental Protection Area. Sargi’s Beach, which is 4.5 km long, has refined sand, clear waters, slow pounding surf and warm water currents. It also has most of the inns, bars, restaurants and stands. The Pé da Serra beach is the best place to watch the arrival of rafts. The Pompilho, Prainha, do Guedes and Foz do Tijuipe beaches are nature in its purest state and access to them is restricted.