Originally inhabited by Indians, Itacaré was settled by European Jesuits in the early 18th century.

 

Many African slaves were brought into the region when settlers discovered the value of Cacao and the potential of the region for its growth.

 

Some of the earliest buildings, like the São Miguel church and the House of Jesuits, are still defining the town's appearance.

 

However, by far the biggest part of the numerous historical buildings in Itacaré remain from an intense cacao-boom during the late 19th and early 20th century when the town became the main Bahian harbor for export shipments of the "planted gold" (cacao).

However over time, Itacaré began to suffer by a decrease in importance given to Brazilian cacao by the world market along with the growing importance of Ilhéus, since the 1950s, as a much more convenient port with highway access from the interior.

 

In the 1980s, a disastrous fungus disease epidemic afflicted the whole cacao region, destroying the harvests and marking the end of Itacaré's boom period.

 

Today fishing represents Itacaré's main income source since the decline of the cacao culture. Itacaré's former famous port is now exclusively used by rather small fishing boats.

With the construction of the asphalt road between Ilhéus and Itacaré in 1998, Itacaré was re-opened to the world, with a shift toward tourism as its main commercial activity.

 

Although Itacaré has a county government status with quite some infrastructure (e.g. a hospital and a court) the inhabitants of Itacaré unanimously kept one particular life philosophy: No Hurry!

 

Just twice a year, during New Years and Carnival, Itacaré hosts an invasion of Brazilian party goers. The streets are then filled with axê music and beer, bands play all night long, and swinging hips and wide smiles greet you on every corner...