Surrounded by nearly two dozen beaches and thousands of acres of the Atlantic Forest, the beach town of Itacaré has long been a hidden paradise for surfers and lay-low celebrities like Leonardo DiCaprio and Gisele Bündchen. Its secluded location on the Cocoa Coast—so called for the cacao plantations that brought wealth to the region in the 20th century—has helped keep it off the tourist track; getting there requires flying to the port city of Ilhéus, where the just-expanded Jorge Amado Airport has doubled its capacity for daily nonstop flights from major cities including São Paulo, followed by a 90-minute drive north along a winding road that weaves past the Serra do Conduru National Park. The improved access means that bohemian crowds that once decamped to Bahian hotspot Trancoso are venturing farther north, drawn to Itacaré’s stylish eco-hotels, virgin beaches, and wide range of outdoor adventures—from birdwatching to canoeing through mangrove forests.
São Paulo–born former designer Juliana Ghiotto and her husband, Daniel Lima, once a professional surfer from Itacaré, are the visionaries behind the nine-room Barracuda Boutique hotel, which they founded in 2013 alongside a group of Swedish friends. At the end of 2024, the hotel completed a refresh, debuting two new suites plus a revamped bar and restaurant concept inspired by the native oiti tree, which thrives in the Atlantic Forest and produces a pulpy, mango-like fruit. The group also owns the design-forward Barracuda Hotel & Villas, set on 64 acres bordering Itacaré: In early 2026 they’ll expand on the vast property by unveiling a collection of 19 ultra-luxe bungalows suspended above a canopy of tapirira, kapok, and fig trees, some featuring expansive terraces and private pools. Even then, only 10% of the total property will have been developed, with the remainder preserved as a conservation area.
Yet, in Bahia, the beach remains a major draw. To stay on one of Itacaré’s best sandy stretches, look no further than Txai Resort & Spa Itacaré, a former coconut farm on the famed Praia de Itacarezinho, which will reveal 10 revamped luxury villas by the end of 2026. Another way of discovering Bahia’s shimmering coastline? Sail with expedition cruise line Swan Hellenic, which has two new itineraries that launched in October 2024. These trips, spanning four- or six-nights, travel south from capital city Salvador on the yacht-style SH Vega (with room for just 158 guests), with a stop in Itacaré to tour the town’s crayola-colored streets.
How to plan it: Extend your trip by discovering more of Bahia’s treasures, starting with Salvador, a vibrant cradle of Afro-Brazilian culture. The city offers direct flights several times a week via Azul Airlines to Ilhéus, from where your hotel can arrange a car pickup for the 90-minute drive to Itacaré. Other regional highlights include the picturesque islands of Camamu Bay and the aforementioned Ilhéus, home to the former residence of renowned Brazilian novelist Jorge Amado. To take advantage of peak beach weather and Carnival festivities, consider visiting in February or March. —Siobhan Reid
La Paz, Bolivia
Go for: big-deal restaurant openings, street food, and the country’s 200th birthday party
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