Having Lots of Outdoor Fun in Itacare Bahia

omantic waterfalls in jungle forests and turquoise waters filled with spectacular sea life await you in Itacare de Bahia.

Itacare Bahia is a town situated south of the Brazilian city of Salvador. It sits on the coast where the Rio de Contas flows into the Atlantic Ocean. Its population is only around 20,000 people. It was settled in by the Portuguese in 1532 and known as a popular place for pirates to hold up. Today the town is a Mecca for ecotourists, hikers and surfers. It has several lovely beaches and is located next to the Atlantic rain forest.

Travelers flock to Itacare de Bahia to enjoy the culture. The city is known for its expert capoeira dancers and traditional Brazilian cuisine. The three main capoeira dance groups are Tribo do Porto, Filhos de Zumbi and Luanda. Their shows are not to be missed and their practice rehearsals are open for everyone to watch.

Itacare Bahia has many exciting activities to enjoy, including white water rafting and forest canopy tours. Visitors can also enjoy kayaking some of the more serene waters in the area or try out an inflatable kayak and shoot the rapids. Mountain biking is also very popular and this is one of the best areas for surfing, wakeboarding and windsurfing. Paragliding is available, as is zip lining. Itacare de Bahia also has companies offering waterfall rappelling as well as mountaineering. 4X4 jeeps can be rented for off road tours into the wetlands and forests.

Avid hikers can visit Itacare Bahia to enjoy the many trails through the Atlantic Forest. There is a 10-km trail that runs through the forest and past Usine Waterfall where hikers can take a swim and cool off. There are some shorter hikes to lovely waterfalls and trails that run along the shoreline.

Boating is another popular sport and there are boat trips out on the Atlantic Ocean to do some whale watching. Canoe tours are available up the Contas River and boats leave Praia da Concha every day to take visitors along the shore to see the wildlife and water birds. Itacare de Bahia has plenty of outdoor activities for everyone to enjoy.

So do you want to grab a paddle or your hiking boots?