Itacaré: A Complete Guide to Bahia's Coastal Paradise

Itacaré is as a vibrant and charming destination within Brazil, often celebrated for its unique blend of natural beauty and laid-back, yet adventurous lifestyle. Nestled in the state of Bahia, Itacaré stands out for several reasons:

• Natural Beauty: Itacaré is renowned for its stunning landscapes that include lush Atlantic Forest, pristine beaches and a rugged coastline dotted with spectacular waterfalls and rivers. This rich natural environment makes it a magnet for nature lovers and eco-tourists.

• Surf Culture: The town is a well-known surf spot, attracting surfers from Brazil and around the world thanks to its excellent waves and surf-friendly beaches such as Tiririca, Resende and Itacarezinho. The surf culture deeply influences the local vibe, making it a youthful and energetic place.

• Eco-Tourism: With its dense rainforests and ecological reserves, Itacaré is a prime location for eco-tourism. Activities like hiking, rafting and canopy tours are popular, emphasizing the area's commitment to environmental preservation.

• Cultural Richness: Itacaré also reflects the Afro-Brazilian culture prevalent in Bahia. This is evident in its local cuisine, music and festivals, which often feature elements of Candomblé and Capoeira, providing a deep cultural experience for visitors.

• Tourist Infrastructure: Despite its small size, Itacaré offers a robust tourist infrastructure with a range of accommodations from luxury resorts to charming guesthouses, alongside restaurants and bars that cater to both international and local visitors.

Surrounded by Atlantic Forest vegetation and with mountainous terrain, Itacaré also offers travelers delightful waterfalls and rivers that allow for various tours beyond the sea. The prevailing tourism in the region is entirely nature-focused, whether it's practicing sports (like surfing), tree canopy tours, white-water rafting or beautiful trails amid well-preserved vegetation.

As the entire region of the Bahian coast is spectacular, it's even worth taking trips to visit the neighbors, such as the islands of Camamu Bay and the Maraú Peninsula, where the natural pools of Taipu de Fora are located. There will be no shortage of things to do in Itacaré during the days of the trip. Check out our tips:

Choose a charming hotel in Itacaré:

Itacaré pleases tourists with great options of inns and hotels for all budgets and levels of luxury. It is possible to stay in hostels that welcome surf athletes up to a luxurious resort on an almost exclusive beach at a Relais & Chateux property.

When traveling to Itacaré, it is important to be aware of the high season period, when accommodations have a considerable increase in rates, which greatly impacts the total holiday budget. To avoid high prices, try traveling outside the summer season, the July holidays and all extended holidays.

Go to all the beaches of Itacaré, both urban and rural:

It's impossible to start giving tips on what to do in Itacaré without talking about the beaches, of course.

Itacaré is a place full of beautiful stretches of sand, each with very special characteristics. The beaches of Itacaré are divided between urban and rural. There are lively beaches, deserted beaches and surfing beaches. There are beaches you can drive to, beaches you reach by trail and many beaches that make you want to arrive and never leave.

Also, with trail access, Jeribucaçu Beach is a delight for tourists, who count on simple infrastructure, a freshwater river flowing to the sea and a good stretch of deserted beach.

With a short walk, it will also be possible to reach the small Arruda Beach, a hidden nook still little explored, full of corals and natural pools.

And if hiking is your thing, nothing like the "Prainha" Trail, which takes 40 minutes and leads to one of the most splendid beaches of Itacaré. If hiking isn't your strong suit, don't worry. There's an easier way to get to Prainha and, as a bonus, also visit São José Beach: just pay a day use at the Beach Club São José, which is located in front of São José Beach (with a pool by the sea) and inside the Villa de São José Condominium, which has an exclusive trail of just ten minutes to Prainha.

Do at least one of the trails to the beaches of Itacaré:

The beaches are the goal of every tourist in Itacaré, but the journey to get there can be much more enjoyable than a simple car ride. Itacaré is surrounded by dense Atlantic Forest, and there are several trails that lead to the beaches.

The most famous are the Four Beaches Trail (with access to Engenhoca Beach, Havaizinho Beach, Gamboa Beach and Itacarezinho) and the Prainha Trail (which leads to Prainha and São José Beach).

In addition to the two most popular routes, it's still worth doing the trail to Jeribucaçu Beach, walking all the urban beaches on foot and, if the energy permits, walking the entire length of Itacarezinho Beach.

For those not used to hiking, it is possible to hire a private guide or a tourism agency to do the tours in groups. In addition to the beautiful tour, the trip can also yield good friendships for the evening in Itacaré. The cost of guided hikes, per person, varies between R$ 30 and R$ 80.

Watch the sunset at "Ponta do Xareú":

The movement of tourists increases as soon as the sun begins to set. This hidden spot, located between Coroinha Beach and Concha Beach, is the best point in the city to enjoy the end of the day.

The spectacle is watched by dozens of tourists, who find a place among the rocks to watch the sun set over the sea. Those who want to combine the beautiful scenery with a good happy hour will also have a bar available to order snacks and cold beer. A great choice for the end of the afternoon in Itacaré.

Take a refreshing waterfall bath

The Atlantic Forest that surrounds the Cocoa Coast and the city of Itacaré is a gift for tourists who enjoy not only beaches but also waterfalls. In Itacaré, it will be possible to go beyond sea water and indulge in some tours through the fresh and chilly waters in the midst of the forest. The most famous among the waterfalls in the region is Tijuípe Waterfall, with very easy access and ideal for the whole family.

Another good option is Usina Waterfall, which has a forty-minute trail starting from Jeribucaçu Beach or fifteen minutes from BA-001. If you have more time in the city, also seek out Cleandro Waterfall (R$ 15 per person and access by boat trip on the Contas River) and Bom Sossego Waterfall.

Experience the thrill of rafting

A great way to have fun and go beyond the beaches of Itacaré is by rafting on the Contas River, in Taboquinhas. The difficulty level of the rafting is not high, and the tour is ideal for the whole family. The rapids, class III and IV, add excitement to the journey.

During the rafting, enjoy some river baths and even dare to jump from the high canyon that borders the scenery. To experience the sensation of descending the rapids, you need to go to Taboquinhas, 30 km from Itacaré, from where the rafting departs. The cost, per person, is R$ 60 (brazilian reais).

Try catching some waves in Itacaré

Itacaré was once a hidden paradise, known only among surfers and travelers exploring new beaches. Today, the destination is quite popular, but its reputation for good waves has not been lost. Surfing is the main sport practiced in the waters of Itacaré, and it is common to see athletes maneuvers on the boards at the beaches. Throughout the year, there are good waves and big swells can occur at the beaches of Itacaré. For those without experience, it is worth taking some lessons at the various surf schools in the area. Maybe this is the opportunity you've been missing to feel the thrill of catching a good wave for the first time? For those who are already surfers, it will not be difficult to rent a board there.

The favorite beaches among surfers are Havaizinho, Engenhoca, Resende, Itacarezinho, Jeribucaçu and Prainha.

Explore at night on Pituba Street and surrounding areas

During the day, tourists seek out the various beaches of Itacaré, but at night, the majority head to enjoy Pituba Street. The street is the favorite of visitors and is full of small shops, bars and restaurants that please all tastes. It's worth walking down the main street and also the parallel ones. All offer good options to enjoy the night. There are bars with live music, trendy restaurants and romantic spots for couples. It's also worth enjoying a good night of forró! Take the opportunity to meet new people and exchange ideas about the beaches. It's easy to make good friends while walking through Pituba.

Enjoy visiting the islands of Camamu Bay and the beaches of Maraú Peninsula

Itacaré is indeed beautiful, but the neighboring areas are not to be missed. Be sure to take the tour of the islands of Camamu as well as the beaches of the Maraú Peninsula. Camamu offers beautiful landscapes, like Pedra Furada Island and Goió Island. The Maraú Peninsula reserves one of the greatest spectacles in Bahia: the natural pools of Taipu de Fora. To see the pools, it will be necessary to do the tour with the tide very low, which only happens during the new and full moons. Check the calendar and consult the tourism agencies to learn about the availability of the tour.

Day Trips:

Extend your trip to Morro de São Paulo and Boipeba

The coast of Bahia is very extensive, so it's always worth extending the trip a bit more and enjoying other destinations in the vicinity.

From Itacaré, it will be possible to also make trips to Morro de São Paulo—on Tinharé Island—and to Boipeba Island.

The tours offered take the whole day and will be quite rushed. They are worth it to get an idea of what the two regions are like and, who knows, choose one of them as the next holiday destination in Bahia.

Among seafood and plenty of dendê (palm oil), Bahian cuisine is a strong point of Itacaré. It will be easy to try in Itacaré well-prepared moquecas, flavorful bobós and many dishes based on seafood.

Barracuda Hotel Restaurant

Cuisine: Seafood/International

Specialties: Nestled in the Barracuda Hotel, this restaurant offers a panoramic view of the sea, making it a perfect spot for romantic dinners. Specializing in seafood, the menu creatively combines local flavors with international techniques, offering dishes like grilled lobster and seafood risotto.

Tia Deth

Cuisine: Traditional Bahian

Specialties: Dive into authentic Bahian cuisine at Tia Deth, where the moqueca and other local dishes shine. The homey, informal setting allows you to enjoy a true taste of local cooking with recipes passed down through generations.

Restaurante Itacarezinho

Cuisine: Seafood/International

Specialties: Located on the beautiful Itacarezinho Beach, this restaurant serves up fresh seafood right by the ocean. Its extensive menu caters to both local and international palates, making it a great choice for a scenic lunch.

Jiló

Cuisine: Contemporary Brazilian

Specialties: Jiló offers a modern twist on traditional Brazilian cuisine in a sophisticated setting. The menu is seasonally inspired, featuring innovative dishes that showcase the best of Brazil's ingredients.