Engenhoca Brazil beach Travel Information


Beautiful beach surrounded by palm trees and tropical forest. No many people go there except surfers looking for good waves.

The beach is located in a private area.

How to get there: the only way is walking. The track that leads to the beach starts at 12 kilometers from Itacaré, on the road to Ilhéus. There is a car park (R$ 5.00). About 20 minutes are needed to get to the beach, walking through the forest.

An hotel is currently been built at Engenhoca: the Warapuru. That will probably modify the characteristics of the area and the access to the beach.

For many years, the difficult access to Itacare – more than 50 km on dirt roads – kept it isolated. The road connecting Ilheus to Itacare, the BA-001 state highway, was finished in 1998.

Since then, the number of tourists has been increasing at a constant pace. Many hotels, inns and restaurants have been built. In addition, many beaches are deserted during most of the year. Itacare is still a refuge for nature lovers, surfers and those in search of the real Bahia.

The charm of the past is present on cobblestone streets and old houses. Nightlife in Itacare is very lively because of its many bars and restaurants.

Its coast is a succession of beaches and hills covered with woods and palm trees. The beaches located near the city are the ones most frequented and have very good tourism infrastructure. The most distant ones are deserted and beautiful, but only very few can be reached by car. There are still some beaches so small and hidden away that they do not appear in any guidebook.

Basic information Climate

The climate is tropical. Temperatures range from 25ºC to 30ºC, but they can climb to 40ºC in the summer – from December to February. The sun shines all year long, but during the winter months – May and August – rain is more frequent.

How to get there By Air: the nearest airport is in Ilheus. It receives regular flights from Brazil’s main cities. The nearest international airport is in Salvador. By Highway: take the BA-001 state highway, the new paved road that connects Ilheus to Itacare, along the coast. Cars may be rented at the Ilheus Airport. Many Rota line coaches leave the airport daily for Itacare. The trip usually takes approximately 1hour and 40 minutes.

Attractions Beaches Resende Beach

This is a small bay with immense palm trees, white sand, natural pools and good surfing waves. It is near the town centre, but it has no infrastructure because it is located in a protected area, where construction is prohibited. Access is on foot over a small trail (O Caminho das Praias, or Beaches Trail) off the main street where parking is available.

Concha Beach

The largest beach in Itacare with infrastructure. Located near the town centre, Concha Beach is a clear water beach, without waves and with many palm trees. In the summer, there are many stalls serving beverages and food, making it the most frequented beach. Facing North, in front of the Contas River bay, it offers one of the most beautiful views of Itacare. The end of the beach, near the lighthouse, is the best place from which to watch the sunset.

Tiririca Beach

Titirica Beach, with its strong waves, is frequented by surfers all year long. It is considered to be Bahia’s best wave peak.

Costa Beach

A small beach with many palm trees, located only 1 km from the city. Located between Tiririca and Ribeira Beaches, Costa Beach has soft, white sand. Although access to it is easy, there is no infrastructure. Not many people go to this beach. Swimming is very dangerous because of the strong currents. It is advisable to visit it only to enjoy the view. The neighbouring beaches are better for swimming.

Ribeira Beach

This beautiful beach is surrounded by Atlantic Forest. Nearby, a small creek ripples down the hill forming waterfalls, until reaching a dam, creating a fresh water natural pool. This is the last beach accessible by car along the Beaches Way and there are many stalls serving beverages and food. It is well frequented on weekends and holidays. If in search of peace and quiet one can take the trails leaving from Ribeira towards Siriaco and Prainha Beaches.

Prainha

Itacare’s main attraction, Prainha is considered to be one of Brazil’s most beautiful beaches. The bay at Prainha is perfectly symmetrical, with two green hills to the north and south of the beach, and a beautiful coconut grove near the sand. It is frequented by surfers and does not offer any infrastructure, only a stall selling coconut water.

Siriaco Beach

A small beach, and hidden away, Siriaco is perhaps Itacare’s most secluded beach. Access is on foot over a trail leaving from Ribeira Beach. It is only a 15-minute walk away.

Coroinha Beach

This is an urban beach with dark sand in downtown Itacare. Swimming is not recommended.

Sao Jose Beach

Strong waves, white sand and many palm trees. It is located near an environmental protection area, inside the Villas de Sao Jose ecotourism complex. On Sao Jose Beach there are many high-class houses and hotels as well as several sophisticated restaurants.

Engenhoca Beach

A beautiful, deserted beach surrounded by palm trees and the Atlantic Forest. A small creek flows onto its southern corner. It has good waves and is frequented by surfers.

Havaizinho

One of Itacare’s best surfing beaches. It has reefs, palm trees and strong waves. It is deserted most of the year.

Jeribucaçu Beach

Located on a private farm, this beautiful beach is deserted for most part of the year. The Jeribucaçu River exits a preserved mangrove area, and flows onto it, creating a paradisiacal setting.

Pontal and Piracanga Beach

North of Contas River, there are more than 50 km of deserted beaches and palm trees. With good waves, the beaches offer excellent surfing conditions. Further to the north, the Algodoes, Saquaira, Cassange, Taipus de Fora and Barra Grande beaches await those who love nature and tranquillity.

Itacarezinho Beach

Although its name leads one to think it is quite small, Itacarezinho beach is actually 3.5 km long, and is lined with many palm trees, and has good waves for surfing. It is also a site for sea turtle spawning. On its north side, a waterfall flows down from the forest and falls directly on the sand.

Serra Grande

South of Tijuipe River, there are several kilometres of beautiful, unexplored beaches: the Serra Grande beaches, inside the Environmental Protection Area. Sargi’s Beach, which is 4.5 km long, has fine sand, clear waters, slow pounding surf and warm water currents. Most of the inns, bars, restaurants and stalls are located here. The Pe da Serra beach is the best place from which to watch the arrival of the jangadas (typical NE rafts). The Pompilho, Prainha, Guedes and Foz do Tijuipe beaches are nature in its purest state and access to them is restricted.

Excursions



Serra Grande Environmental Protection Area Created by the State of Bahia Government, the area consists of approximately 16 thousand hectares, occupying a coastline of approximately 6 km in width by 28 km in length. To the north, it is limited by the mouth of the Contas River, to the south, by Sargi’s Creek and to the east, by the Atlantic Ocean.

Rafting and Rappel

The adventure starts with a 1-hour trip, and travelling in a 4x4 vehicle in the direction of Taboquinhas, 34 km from Itacare, 28 km of which on a dirt road. Arriving in Taboquinhas, the visitors receive instructions and equipment necessary for Rafting / Rappel. Rafting, level III and IV, is practiced on the Contas River rapids, in the middle of a canyon, and offers 1 and half hours of pure adrenaline. Rappel is done on the Nore Waterfall, which is 15 m high. The descent starts in the middle of the Waterfall, at 10 meters.

Biking

The excursion departs from the inn at 9 am. Bikers travel along trails with several degrees of difficulty and extensions of 10, 15 or 20 kilometres. The trails lead to waterfalls and across beaches. All required safety equipment is provided and specialized guides accompany the group.

Ducking

The tour departs from the inn at 9:30 am for the Tijuipe River, located between Itacare and Uruçuca, for the ducking (inflatable kayak) tour. The source of the Tijuipe River is in the Serra do Conduru hills and its mouth lies on Patizeiro Beach. The ducking tours happen on a 4 km stretch of clean, clear waters. Besides the actual ducking activity, the group is encouraged to enjoy the rapids, refreshing baths, and the contact with riverbank vegetation. You must be at least 10 to be allowed on this tour. Canoeing equipment is provided and tourists are previously instructed.

Waterfalls

The Itacare region boasts plenty of rivers and waterfalls. The Contas River, which springs from the Chapada Diamantina and flows into the sea near the town, is the town’s largest river. It is navigable for 20 km, to the Taboquinhas village, a district of Itacare. There, you will find one of the region’s most beautiful waterfalls. The main waterfalls are Pancada Grande and Tijuipe. The most frequented is Cleandro, near the Contas River. There are, however, many other rivers and waterfalls, of all sizes, to be found by hiking along the mountain trails.

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