North-East Region
The Ultimate Brazil Travel Guide: Itacaré
Learn to surf in Itacaré, or relax with a coconut on one of it's remote pristine beaches
Itacare, located in southern Bahia, is a popular eco-tourism destination known for its beautiful beaches, surf spots, and proximity to waterfalls in the Atlantic Forest. Itacare offers a variety of outdoor activities, including surfing, hiking, and rafting. The town also offers vibrant nightlife, with daily live music events from samba to forro, rodas do capoeira, and a number of festivals during the high season. It is increasingly a hot-spot for digital nomads.
What are the best beaches in Itacaré
The beaches depends on what you like to do. While some are within walking distance of town, many of the best beaches require short hikes.
The best beaches close to town, for easy access
These beaches are either in town or a short walk away. They are the most convenient but also the busiest. These are good options if you have limited time or do not want to walk far:
Praia da Concha – calm water and easy access, suitable for swimming
Praia da Tiririca – one of the main surf beaches, popular for beach sports like altinha
Praia do Resende– a short walk from town, this small beach is perfect for relaxing under a palm tree
The best beaches with short hikes
These beaches require a short walk but are generally quieter and more scenic:
Praia de Itacarezinho – the longest beach in the region, lined by palm trees. Absolutely pristine.
Praia de Engenhoca – reached by bus and a 20 minute hike, great for beginner surfing
Praia de Havaizinho – smaller and less crowded, the hike starts at the same trailhead as Engenhoca
Remote beaches, that are worth the effort
These beaches require a longer hike but are absolutely worth the effort:
Praia de Jeribucaçu – requires a drive plus a steep walk, but is well worth the effort to swim in the river outlet and stunning beach. The beach does have some kiosks with food and drink.
Praia do Prainha – one of the more isolated beaches, with access via a 50 minute hike from town. There is just one kiosk, which is not always open.
Top 10 Things to See & Do in Itacaré
Hike the Four Beaches Trail from Praia de Itacarezinho to Camboinha, Havaizinho, and Engenhoca
Hike along the coastline to the secluded Prainha Beach
Hike the trail to Jeribucacu Beach, passing through mangroves and Usina Waterfall
Learn to play Altinha at Praia da Tiririca
Have a seafood lunch at Praia da Concha
Watch the sunset from Mirante do Xaréu
Swim at the Tijuipe Waterfall (Cachoeira do Tijuípe)
Take a boat ride through the mangroves to Cleandro Waterfall (Cachoeira do Cleandro) (tickets)
Take a tour of the Vila Rosa Cocoa Farm (tickets)
Enjoy the nightlife: Dance to live music on the Orla, or watch capoeira in Praça dos Cachorros (read my full guide to nightlife in Itacare).
Is Itacaré worth visiting?
For most travellers and backpackers, Itacaré is definitely worth visiting. Itacaré is best known for its surf beaches, waterfall hikes, and nightlife, where many of the best beaches are reached by short hikes. This gives it a different feel from most coastal destinations in Brazil, with more focus on nature and outdoor activities.
It is a good option if you want a mix of beaches, hiking, and surf culture, and are comfortable walking to reach more remote spots. It works well for travellers who want variety in a single destination, including waterfalls, trails, and a social atmosphere in the evenings. There is a different beach each day and a different party each night.
It is not the best choice if you are looking for more resort-style destination where everything is within a short distance. Compared to Trancoso, Itacare is less developed and more activity-focused, with fewer high-end options but more variety in outdoor experiences. Compared to Morro de São Paulo, it requires more effort to reach the best beaches, but feels less structured and less built around tourism.
How many days do you need in Itacare?
Despite being a small town, Itacare has a huge number of beaches and waterfalls to visit, as well as daily nightlife. It is recommended to spend at least 4-5 days in Itacare to visit a variety of beaches and attractions, however, those who really enjoy the beach can easily spend two weeks without running out of things to see and do.
2 days in Itacaré
Two days is enough to see a few of the main beaches, but your options will be limited. In practice, this usually means:
visiting beaches close to town or with shorter access trails
choosing between either a beach day or a waterfall or activity
You will not have enough time to explore multiple beaches that require longer walks.
3 days in Itacaré
Three days allows for an extra activity, but may still feel rushed. With an extra day, you can:
visit a more remote beach
include one longer activity such as a waterfall or guided tour
go to one or two evening events
4-5 days (or more)
Staying longer makes sense if you want to explore more remote beaches a slower pace.
Longer stays are better suited to:
visiting multiple beaches with longer access trails
adding surf lessons or boat trips
the chance to experience the city's varied nightlife
See my full 5-day travel itinerary for Itacare
Where to stay in Itacare
The best area to stay in Itacare is Concha beach, a quiet area walking distance to Itacare's local beaches as well as to the center of town. The Centro area, by Coroa Beach, is generally a nice area to stay - but beware not to book accommodation here during major festivals due to the loud noise from the all-night concerts held on the beach. Accommodation on Pituba, the town's main street, is very conveniently located but can be quite noisy at night.
Find cheap accommodation for your stay in Itacare, or check out my personal recommendations below:
Centro (best for convenience and nightlife)
This is the most practical area to stay, especially if you want to be close to restaurants, shops, and transport:
OITI by Baraccuda - Beachfront hotel with a rooftop swimming pool (see prices)
Pousada Ilha Verde – centrally located with a quiet atmosphere, offers yoga classes (see prices)
Mare Mansa - Social hostel by the beach with free breakfast (see prices)
Praia da Concha (best for beach access)
This area is quieter, greener, and closer to Concha Beach, while still being within reach of the town centre:
Chocolate Hotel – boutique option near the beach with a more private setting (see prices)
Pousada Burundanga – small boutique stay within walking distance of town and beaches (see prices)
Mais Que Nada - Hostel with an excellent breakfast and Monday night party (see prices)
Options for longer stays or remote work
If you need a workspace or are staying longer, a few places are set up for that specifically:
Nomad Flats – private rooms with dedicated workspaces (see prices)
Resende Beach, Itacare
Where is Itacare, Brazil
Quick Facts about Itacare
Population of Itacare
29,496 people (IBGE, 2025)
Nickname
People from Itacaré are called itacareenses, and people from Bahia State in general are called baianos.
Closest airport
The closest domestic airport is in Ilhéus (IOS)
The closest international airport is in Ilhéus (IOS)
Main bus terminal
Terminal Rodoviário de Itacaré
Main ports
Boats to Pontal depart from Coroa Beach
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:
Porto Seguro (8 hours) - tickets
See all bus connections and find cheap tickets to Itacare
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 (map) 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).
For step-by-step instructions, read the full guide: How to get from Itacare to Salvador: Avoid this common mistake!
How to get to Itacare from Porto Seguro
There is one direct bus per day from Porto Seguro to Itacare. It is operated by Rota, and departs at 10am.
How to get to Itacare from Morro de Sao Paulo and Boipeba
If travelling to Itacare from the islands, Morro de Sao Paulo or Boipeba, you will first need to take a boat back to the mainland. Take boat to Valenca, and from Valenca you can book a bus directly to Itacare (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).
Top tours in Itacare
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.
Is Itacare safe for tourists
Itacare is considered a safe destination for visitors. The atmosphere is relaxed, and it is a very different experience compared to larger Brazilian cities. As with any trip, it is still sensible to follow a few simple precautions, but these are more about peace of mind than real risk.
A few tips to stay safe in Itacare:
Keep an eye on your belongings at the beach, or ask someone to watch them if you go for a swim
Don't walk around with large amounts of cash, carry only the cash you need for the day or a credit card
At night, stick to the main streets or paths where other visitors and locals are walking
Ask your pousada or host if you are unsure about the best routes or areas to explore
Travel insurance for Itacare
Travel insurance is not just a nice-to-have, it is an important safety-net that can prevent a stressful incident from turning into an expensive disaster. The reality is that unexpected events can happen on any trip. Even something as simple as missing a connecting flight can lead to unexpected accommodation and transport costs. If you become unwell, medical bills in another country can quickly become expensive. Without insurance, you have to handle all of this on your own in an unfamiliar environment, possibly in a language you do not speak.
I have personally relied on travel insurance multiple times, including when I had belongings stolen in Europe, fell sick while travelling in Asia, and had flights cancelled. In each case, the support I received meant I could focus on solving the problem instead of worrying about costs.
For a small daily cost, you can be covered for a wide range of scenarios, from theft to delayed flights and medical emergencies. Having one phone number to call and a company that deals with the problem for you is worth far more than the price of the policy. I personally use Safety Wing, and I recommend them to friends, family, and anyone travelling internationally. You can get a quote here.
Resources for planning your trip to Itacare
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