Information About Brazil

Highlights

Highlights of a trip to South America depends on what you like most.

Brazil is best known as a beach destination and the best surf is there. Many travelers go to Brazil for the tropical rain forests and ecotourism. Areas to see wild birds and wildlife include Brasil's Pantanal and Amazon. If you like music there is Reggae, Axe, Forro, Swing, Samba and Pagoda all over the country with the Carnaval being in late February in most cities. The weather is especially sunny during their summer, November through March.

How Long?

A month is good, a year is better, a lifetime is not enough. For most travelers, South America is a remote destination, and just getting there is is an expensive business, so budget travelers often plan to stay for 6 months.

The State of Bahia

Ilhêus

Ilhêus, the town where Jorge Amado lived and wrote about in Gabriela, Clove and Cinammon, retains some of its charm and lunacy that Amado fans know well. The colonial centre is interesting and the beaches are superb.

Things to See and Do

The best thing to do in Ilhêus is just wander. If you walk up the hill to the Conveno NS de Piedade, there is a good view of the city and littoral.The Igreja de Sao Jorge, the city's oldest church has a small sacred arts museum.. The Museum Regional do Cacau displays cacao artifacts and contemporary paintings by local artists.

Places to Stay

Pousada Solar de Ilheus is a friendly secure, family run place with spotless rooms from U.S.$20 with superb breakfast . Hotel Village Backdoor 15 klms south of Ilheus has impressive accommodation, with swimming pool and a unlimited breakfast for U.S.$25 for an apartment (with space for 3 people). The beach of Praia de Backdoor, is the next beach before Olivença.

Places to Eat

Behind the Catedral Catolica, along the beach, there are several reasonable priced seafood stands with outdoor tables. The centre is filled with cheap restaurants offering self serve lunches for a few dollars. Barraktika is a popular hang out with outdoor tables, seafood and pizza. There's live music here on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Next door, Equilibrio has a self serve lunch spread.

Further Information

Ilhues which has access to Internet, Banks, Large Stores, Cinema and so on, is also home of a Carnaval in late February. Many music bands play at the "Concha Acoustica" an open air venue near the beach. A short drive takes you to Itacare a popular tourist destination 70kms north. Hotel Americana, a luxury resort built on an island, is situated 40kms south. Olivença is a small and friendly seaside town that has many restaurants and small shops.

Regional Information

Olivença

Olivença was colonised in the 17th century and the church originates from then.It is a peaceful village with friendly people. Each January a folklore/religious ritual occurs called Puxada do Mastro. A huge tree trunk is dragged from the forest to the beach and then up the hill to the church. The procession is followed by hundreds of onlookers. The Balneario Toromba is a swimming pool complex including a powerful artificial waterfall. The water is the famous natural spring water that is compared to Vichy in France. The minerals, magnesium, iodine iron and bicarbonate make it a rejuvenator and moisturizer for the skin and hair. Because of the location, this region is ideal for Trekking, Cycling, Mountain Biking, Horse Riding, Canoeing, Swimming, Windsurfing and Surfing.

Backdoor beach is one of the longer right hand waves and works on most swells. There are many beaches to choose from Ilheus to Comandatuba.

Ilheus

Ilheus is called "The City Of Romance" and is famous for its relaxing atmosphere, Historic Centre and Seafood Dishes - based on shrimp, lobster, crab, fish and oysters. Cocoa plants were imported from the Amazon and became a major industry in the area. The Patron Saint is St. George.

The historical centre includes the Cathedral, Praça de Sabrae, the Theatre and Bar Vezuvio where Hereditary Coronels visited and the romances of Jorge Amado's "Gabriella" and "Cloves and Cinammon" took place. It still exists and is popular with tourists.

Itabuna

Itabuna's River Cachoeira empties into the sea 45klms away in the Pontal Basin, Ilheus. The city is the business centre of the region and a big source of income was the cocoa industry. Agricultural produce continues to be the main economy.

Every February/March the first official Carnaval takes place here. The hotels become full for 5 days and the State's biggest music bands entertain thousands of people. A similar festival occurs at the time of Saint Jose.