Itacare

Upon arrival at Ilheus (IOS) airport you will be transferred by road to Itacaré (1h). Check in at your pousada and take a walk through the cobblestone streets with colonial houses from the Black Gold era, when the cocoa barons contributed to the building up Itacaré. It is impossible not to fall in love with the beauty, flavors, history, swinging rhythm and colors of this part of Bahia. Luanda, Filhos de Zumbi and Tribo do Porto are three capoeira groups in Itacaré. Their training sessions are open to visitors and the shows are highly recommended. Spend the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at Vila Barracuda.

Itacare

After breakfast visit two of the most important organic cocoa farms in the region, Santa Tereza and Vila Rosa farm. Visit the on-site museum and the production area, where you will taste and also try making chocolate yourself. Lunch will be included. The seeds of cocoa were first brought to Bahia in 1746 from the Amazon and planted on the Cubículo farm. Cocoa brought wealth to Bahia. It has been wonderfully documented in a number of novels by Jorge Amado, one of Bahia’s greatest writer, who traced the glories and tragedies of the cocoa trade. Spend the evening at leisure. Overnight at Vila Barracuda.

Itacare

After breakfast spend the day at leisure to enjoy the paradise-like beaches of Itacaré. The waves in this part of Brazil are perfect for surfing and lessons can be arranged. The region hosts to a wide variety of surf spots with different characteristics. Many of them remain uncrowded most of the time due to their remote location. From May to September, when swells and winds turn south, Pontal offers excellent surf conditions. Boca da Barra has one of the longest rideable waves in Brazil. Whenever there is a solid & clean east swell, Corais provides long tubes at low tide. Tiririca offers consistent short, fast, and hollow waves nearly year round. Overnight at Vila Barracuda.

State of Bahia

South of Bahia has some of the finest uncrowded beaches in Brazil. Getting there requires some effort as the roads are unpaved, but it is absolutely worthwhile. After breakfast, depart on the Four Beaches Tour, a trail passing by 4 beautiful interconnecting beaches – Engenhoca, Havaizinho, Camboa and Itacarezinho. On the last beach there is of the best beach restaurants in Itacaré. Also, at the end of the tour you will visit a waterfall, Cachoeira do Tijuípe. Duration of whole tour: Approx 5 hrs. Swim, surf, snorkel, get a tan and try some beach snacks such as tapioca or acaraje! Return to Itacare in the late afternoon. Overnight at Vila Barracuda.

Marau

After breakfast take a tour along the Maraú Peninsula. The off road path is passing through scenic coconut groves and beautiful beaches. Barra Grande is a tranquil village located on the tip of the peninsula where you can stop for lunch. This old fisherman village has managed to preserve its unique charm and environment with a typical relaxed lifestyle, partly due to difficult access. On this trip you can access Taipus de Fora. It is specially good during a full or new moon, when the tide is low and there are beautiful natural pools in the reefs, ideal for snorkelling or diving. Overnight at Vila Barracuda.

Itacare

After breakfast, spend a day at leisure on the beach, taking surf lessons or learning new skills in a capoeira workshop. Capoeira arrived in Brazil in the 16th century, with the slaves of the bantu ethnic group. Camouflaged in dance, because of persecution, the fight became art, incorporating music and instruments, such as berimbau, tambourine and caxixi. Capoeira has three styles that differ in the movements and in the accompanying musical rhythm: capoeira Angola, regional capoeira and contemporary capoeira, which combines the two first styles. Nowadays this is the most practiced one. Overnight at Vila Barracuda.

Itacare

After breakfast balance the morning at leisure. The departure is flexible and will be coordinated according to your onward travel plans. Transfers to Ilheus airport will be provided. Alternatively, you can continue your journey through Bahia, to the south, where you can combine your stay with our Bahia Beach Tour, or to Salvador, where you can experience a bit of culture and continue to Chapada Diamantina.