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"Ilhéus" (Islanders) is the largest city of the south of Bahia and it is at 470 km from Salvador. The Planting of the Cocoa was the main source of money of the area. However, in the eighties, a plague known as "Vassoura de Bruxa" (Witch's Broom) devastated the cocoa cultivation. Since then, the city  began to explore the tourism as main economical activity.

Attractions:  

"Lagoa Encantada" (Charmed pond) - Great mirror of water, with more than 14 km2 enclosed by Atlantic forest, waterfalls, flotation islands, fishermen village and a great animal diversity. Near Charmed Pond we find "Caldeiras do Amada" (Amada's Kettles), forming several waterfalls. 

"Rio do Engenho" (River of the Mill) - the village of River of the Mill, is located around of a beautiful rapid and it is reached by boat trip amid the mangroves.

"Eco-parque de Una" (Una's Eco-park) - it has a suspended catwalk on the trees, with more than 20 meters of height. The structure is unique in Brazil and it gives the opportunity to admire the Atlantic forest. On the walk for the park, with some luck, it's possible to observe some species in ways of extinction. 

"Estrada Parque Ilhéus - Itacaré" (Ilhéus - Itacaré Highway Park)  - The first really ecological highway of the country and also one of the most beautiful. It's 70 km, bordering the coast, with unique characteristics, like semiwild beaches, waterfalls, observatories, suspended catwalks and tunnels for the wild animals.  

"Centro de Recuperação do Bicho-Preguiça" (Sloth Recovery Center) - Situated at a beautiful forest area, the Project is actually a center that seeks to recover and re-introduce the sloth in its "habitat", the Atlantic forest.  

"Igreja Matriz de São Jorge dos Ilhéus" (São Jorge of the Islanders Mother Church) - located on the Street Conselheiro Dantas, it is the oldest church of the city. Inaugurated in 1556, it was built with stones. 

"Museu do Cacau" (Cocoa Museum) - Eustáquio Bastos st., downtown. Founded in 1982, the museum allows a detailed vision from the rising to the development of the cocoa cycle. 

"Casa de Jorge Amado" (Jorge Amado House) - 21, Jorge Amado st., it was built in the beginning of the 20's by Jorge Amado's father. With great rooms and staircases, there the writer Jorge Amado lived part of his life. 

"Mirante da Piedade" (Observatory of Mercy) - From there, it is possible to see the islets, (which are the reason of the name of the city), the actual port, a part of the coast of the municipal district and the mouth of the rivers "Cachoeira", "Engenho" and "Fundão". 

"Fazenda Primavera" (Farm Spring) - located on the Ilhéus-Itabuna highway, on Km 20, this cocoa farm is open to the visitation and it has a documentation collection and centennial pieces, some from the time of the Empire. 

"Centro de Persquisas do Cacau" (Cocoa Research Center) - Located on Ilhéus-Itabuna highway. It offers to the visitors the opportunity to accompany the techniques and processes of the cocoa tree cultivation and the obtaining of its by-products. 

Beaches:  

Soares Lopes Av. - proper for bathing, quite frequented in the summer. Located at downtown, between among International "Porto Internacional do Malhado" e a "Catedral de São Sebastião" and "Bar Vesúvio"  

"Norte" (North) - it has about 50 Km, very wild and beautiful. Some of its passages are known by names like "Pé de Serra" - or "Serra Grande" - Ponta do Ramo, Havaizinho, e Itacarezinho.. The river Almada flows parallel to the beach for many kilometers.   

"São Miguel" - It has white and fine sand, coconut trees, huts and a fishermen village. It is at River Almada's mouth.  

"Marciano e  Malhado" (Martian and Mailed) - they are in front of "Petrobrás" terminal. The sea almost cover the whole strip of sand.   

"Cristo" (Christ) - it is on the tip that separate the sea from "Baía do Pontal" (Bay of the Tip).  Very sought for nautical sports.  

"Concha" (Shell) - Small - about 100 m - it has a good view of the Bay of the Tip and of the Avenue Beach. It is surrounded by coconut trees and native vegetation. It is at the foot of "Morro do Pernambuco" (Pernambuco's Hill).  

"Sul" (South) - once in a while fishing and surfing tournaments are accomplished there. Straight line with reefs, strong waves and thick sand. It has coconut trees and summer vacation houses.  

"Milionários" (Millionaire) - it is the more frequented. Bordered by coconut trees, the waters are relatively calm and the sand is gold and fine. There are several beach huts that serve drinks and lunch. They have showers and sanitariums.  

 
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Tips by GUSTAVO VIVACQUA

1. Don't miss visiting Itacaré, to the north and Olivença, to the south. Itacaré is a little far away, but it is worthwhile.   2. Havaizinho is the beach where the best waves break.  3. The highway Ilhéus - Itacaré has several restaurants with the typical food, besides beaches, observatories and passages of conserved Atlantic forest.  4. There are good ecological trails at "Una's Ecopark".  5. The boat trips to "Lagoa Encantada" (Charmed Pond) and along "Rio do Engenho" (River of the Mill) are good options.  6. It rains a lot in the winter, the months between August and March are the driest.  7. For who enjoys autonomous dive go to "Pedra de Ilhéus" (Stone of the Islanders). It is a point of jewfishes reproduction and it is possible to see dolphins also.

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