What to do in Itacaré: A magical place on the coast of Brazil
Beach, surf and relax in one place. We tell you what to do in Itacaré, a Brazilian paradise where an explosion of colors and aromas will drive your senses crazy.
Itacaré is a municipality that is part of the state of Bahia and is 250 km south of Salvador de Bahia, one of the most important cultural and tourist centers in the country. A destination for those looking to rest in a quiet place, with a beautiful beach with crystal clear waters and a small but cozy city. We will tell you what to do in Itacaré .
The beaches in Itacaré are many and there is an immense variety of landscapes between each one of them: some have whiter and finer sands, while others are a little more wild, with trees and a hill surrounding the sea.
Things to do in Itacare
Itacaré is an ideal place for surf lovers due to its big waves throughout the year, although it is important to mention that not all beaches have this characteristic.
Although there is no "recommended" number of days to visit this city, since it depends a lot on the tastes of each person, a good advice is to consider that you usually go to spend the day on the beaches, especially those that are further from the center. So if your intention is to get to know them, it is best that you have several days to be able to soak up their beautiful views.
How to Get to Itacare
Itacaré is located just 75 km from Ilhéus, one of the most important cities in Brazil for tourism. There is an airport there, so those who wish to arrive from other states, this is the best alternative.
Another option is to arrive through the International Airport of Salvador de Bahía. Both to go from Ilhéus or Salvador, it will be necessary to do the final stretch by bus, transfer, which in general tend to have more frequency and fewer passengers although at a slightly higher cost, or by car.
When is the best time to go
Itacaré, like many other destinations in the center and north of Brazil, is a very good destination to visit throughout the year since the temperature varies very little.
The hottest months coincide with the summer season that runs from December to March. During those months, the temperature can reach 30°C, on average. During the coldest months, the temperature drops slightly and the maximum temperature reaches 26°C.
As for the rain, it is important to know that there is no time when it does not rain, but what does exist are periods when it rains more and others when it rains less. However, the rains are rarely an impediment to the trip since they usually last for a short time and after a few minutes the sun rises again. Therefore, our highest recommendation is that you always consider having an umbrella to be prepared for these situations.
Where to Stay
Being a very famous destination, the offer is wide. The inns are the most classic establishments in many of the coastal regions of Brazil and there are them for all preferences: extreme luxury and other cheaper ones, with more reduced services.
An important piece of advice when choosing accommodation is the location. You can choose to be close to the nightlife where the restaurants are or in a quieter area, with views of the sea.
For those who prefer the first option and like to have easy access to different services, such as restaurants, businesses and tourist houses, the ideal is to stay on Pituba street.
For lovers of tranquility, the vicinity of Praia da Coroa or Praia da Concha are very good alternatives. In fact, many hotels have direct access to the beach.
In this destination, AirBnb-type accommodations also work where the hosts are locals. This is a good option for those travelers who want to learn more about Brazilian culture without spending so much money.
The jewel of Itacaré: its beaches
Itacaré is characterized by having a large number of beaches to be visited. Some are easier to access, while others require a walk or a short journey between the hills. They will all surprise you and leave you speechless.
Itacaré's beaches are divided into two areas: the urban beaches, that is, those that are accessible from the city center, and the remote beaches, which can be reached via the BA-001 route. The vast majority of them can be reached by means of transportation such as a car or taxi, and prior to reaching the sea, you must take a walk.
There are also tourism companies that are in charge of carrying out this type of outings.
The urban beaches are:
Praia da Orla
It is the only one that is not suitable for bathing. It is only 3 minutes walking from the center and during the afternoon it has the most beautiful sunset in the city.
Concha Beach
The most popular with calm sea and extensive infrastructure. This is ideal to go with children.
Praia do Resende and Praia da Tiririca
Ideal for the younger public. Palm trees abound in the first.
Praia da Ribeira
On this beach the river meets the sea, it has calm waves and perfect for learning to surf. Here begins the road that leads to the famous Praia da Prainha . It is 15 minutes from the center on foot and has parking and several food stalls. If you are looking to relax and rest away from people, this beach is not the ideal one.
But the truth is that the most beautiful beaches are those that are furthest from the city: they are quieter, rarely visited by the general public and virgin, which is synonymous with more relaxation. Being hidden, they usually keep their nature intact. Some of them are:
Jeribucacu
This is one of the best-known beaches in the area and owes its fame to the fact that it is one of the most virgin and beautiful on the coast. One of the great attractions is that the sea and river come together, creating a unique landscape in the town. It is also one of the favorite beaches for surfers.
Havaizinho
Just 20 minutes from the city center is this unmissable group of beaches: Havaizinho, Camboinha and Engenhoca . To get to them you have to do a little trekking through the Atlantic Forest, with a couple of small waterfalls in the riverbed that are worth visiting. The path is simple, very beautiful to look at, and it does not take more than an hour, although this depends on the facilities of each person. These beaches are quite popular so you can find shops with food.
Itacarezinho
This beach offers a great viewpoint of its extensive beach. It is 3.5 km long, with lots of coconut water vendors around it and big waves to surf.
Some tips to make your stay more enjoyable
Food and drink. The vast majority of the remote beaches in Itacaré do not have inns or places to buy food, so our best advice is, if possible, bring a box for lunch and something to eat in the afternoon. The same with the drink. The beaches are very hot and good hydration is essential.
Sunscreen. It is nothing new but it is a subject that sometimes we underestimate. The sun in Brazil is very strong and for this reason we should always protect ourselves with a broad spectrum sunscreen. Ideal if we accompany it with a hat and sunglasses.
Repellent. As many of the accesses to the beaches require a minimum walk, it is important that we bring repellent since in those places there is a lot of humidity and it becomes a favorable environment for the reproduction of mosquitoes.
Walking you can do a lot. Not having a car should not stop you, since Itacaré is a destination highly chosen by travelers who visit more than one beach at the same time, so don't worry if you don't have your own mobility and want to visit these incredible beaches. Many places can be reached on foot and others by bus.
You do not have to walk to enter all the beaches. Although many beaches have a small crossing to access, do not panic. Not all require long walks. Do not be discouraged, there is something for all tastes!
