The historic centre
Bars and restaurants in the old townscape — the same addresses Jorge Amado put in the novels.
- Bahian cooking
- Bar small plates
- Cocoa sweets
Ilhéus & OlivençaBahia • Brasil
Editorial & curadoria de destino • Costa do Cacau
Ilhéus & Olivença — Cocoa country, with the airport inside it.
The historic capital of cocoa, with colonial streets, surf beaches at Olivença, sulphurous mineral waters and Atlantic-forest cocoa estates open to visitors.
Jorge Amado airport (IOS) sits inside the city itself. Itacaré is 70 km to the north.
- Airport
- In town
- Jorge Amado (IOS)
- Local industry
- Cocoa
- Historic estates open for guided visits
- Itacaré
- 70 km
- North, along the BA-001
Ilhéus & Olivença is in Costa do Cacau. Properties in this region are presented by the team on request — get in touch to receive the selection available for your dates.
What to do
Plan my itineraryThings to do in Ilhéus & Olivença
The team arranges any of these in advance — including the ones that depend on tide or wind.
Cocoa estate
A guided visit with a trail among the cocoa trees, a tasting of the beans and an artisan chocolate workshop.
Half day
Lagoa Encantada
Some 15 km² of lagoon ringed by Atlantic forest, 30 km from the centre, with a waterfall trail.
Full day
Tororomba sulphur springs
A sulphurous mineral water spa at Olivença, where two streams meet.
Half day
Surfing at Olivença
Back Door and Batuba, in the district of Olivença, with strong waves and open sea.
2 hours
The Jorge Amado circuit
Townhouses, churches and the real addresses that became the settings of the novels, in the historic centre.
2 hours
Where to eat
Eating in Ilhéus & Olivença
The areas where the destination’s good cooking is concentrated, and what to look for in each.
The southern shore — Milionários and Cururupe
Established beachfront bars along the city's southern shore.
- Moqueca
- Seafood
- Grilled fish
Olivença village
Fishermen's cooking in the district to the south, within the local Tupinambá culture.
- Fish and seafood
- Home cooking
Which places are worth it changes from season to season. Table bookings — including at the hardest ones to get into — are made by the team, with a word on what is good right now.Talk to the team
BahiaStay Concierge
Talk to the teamPlan your season in Ilhéus & Olivença with curation made to measure
The team handles choosing the house, the transfers, the private chef, the boat trips and the restaurant bookings.
Beyond Ilhéus & Olivença
Nearby enclaves
Extensions that work on the same trip.
2 properties
Itacaré & Serra Grande
The sublime meeting of untouched Atlantic rainforest with idyllic coves and eco-villas.
70 km to the north • Surf and rainforest