North-East Region, State of Bahia
Itacare Travel Guide
Learn to surf in Itacaré, or relax with a coconut on one of it's more remote beaches
Itacare, located in southern Bahia, is a popular eco-tourism destination known for its beautiful beaches, surf spots, and proximity to the Atlantic Forest. Itacare offers a variety of outdoor activities, including surfing, hiking, and rafting, making it a hotspot for adventure tourism. The town's mix of vibrant nightlife, local culture, and natural beauty attracts both backpackers and luxury travelers alike.
Top 10 Things to See & Do in Itacaré
Go surfing at Praia de Itacarezinho
Hike along the coastline to Prainha
Relax at Praia do Resende
Take an Altinha lesson at Praia da Concha
Watch the sunset at Mirante do Xaréu
Swim at the Tijuipe Waterfall (Cachoeira do Tijuípe)
Take a boat ride through the mangroves to Cleandro Waterfall (tickets)
Go white water rafting in one of Brazil's best rivers for rapids (tickets)
Take a tour of the Vila Rosa Cocoa Farm (tickets)
In the evenings, dance to live music or watch capoeira in Praça dos Cachorros
Where to stay in Itacare
Find cheap accommodation for your stay in Itacare, or check out my personal recommendations below:
Boutique Hotels
Chocolate Hotel (see prices)
Pousada Burundanga (see prices)
Pousada Ilha Verde (see prices)
Digital Nomad Accommodation
Nomad Flats - Luxury private rooms with a workspace (book)
Guesthouses
Casa Aberta - Best for couples and digital nomads (book)
Backpacker Hostels
Where is Itacare, Brazil
Closest airport
The closest airport is in Ilhéus (IOS)
Main bus terminal
Terminal Rodoviário de Itacaré
N/A
Main ports
How to get to Itacare
How to get to Itacare by bus and plane
The closest domestic airport is in Ilheus, while the closest international airport is in Salvador. From Ilheus and Salvador, it is possible to reach Itacare by car or bus.
Itacare can be easily reached by bus from other major cities in Bahia, such as:
Ilheus (1.5-2 hours) - tickets
Porto Seguro (8 hours) - tickets
How to get to Itacare from Salvador
There is no direct bus from Salvador to Itacare. To reach Itacare from Salvador, the fastest route is to take a ferry, followed by a bus.
Take a ferry from Terminal Marítimo de São Joaquim to Bom Despacho (1 hour). In Bom Despacho, the ferry terminal and bus station are adjacent making it quick and easy to transfer to the bus.
Take a bus to from Bom Despacho to Itacare, taking 5+ hours (tickets).
How to get to Itacare from Chapada Diamantina
If travelling to Itacare from else where in Bahia, such as Lencois (Chapada Diamantina), it is not necessary to transit through Salvador. Save time and money by changing busses in Feira de Santana (tickets).
How to get around Itacare
It is possible to walk to several of Itacaré's main beaches. However to reach some of the more remote (and more beautiful) beaches and waterfalls, you'll need to drive. If you're short on time, the best way to visit Itacaré is to rent a car. This will allow you to visit multiple beaches and waterfalls in a single day.
There are buses that pass by the entrance to a number of beaches and waterfalls. However these are infrequent and you'll likely have to walk between sites if you want to visit more than one attraction in a day.
Things to know before you go
Itacare is known for surfing, but if you're not a surfer and are looking for a nice beach to relax, you'll probably be underwhelmed by the main beaches near town. However, just a short 45 minute hike from town you'll find Prainha, a beautiful sandy beach that's less crowded and very relaxing. There is only one stall on the beach selling beer and grilled cheese, so bring plenty of water and snacks.
There are many other beautiful beaches to explore, further from town. Most have a short hike from the carpark to the beach, so it's best to bring shoes. Most beaches have a small stall selling basic drinks, coconuts, and snacks, and some also have a small restaurant serving meals for lunch.
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