Valenca Attractions
Valença
Valença (pop. 95,000) lies 272km/169mi south-west of Salvador, reached on BR 324 and BR 101. It can also be reached by taking the ferry to Itaparica, then driving to Nazaré and at Santo Antônio de Jesus turning into BR 101, or alternatively continuing to Aratuipe, 5km/3mi beyond Nazaré, and then taking an unsurfaced road to Valença (47km/29mi).
Valença has preserved a number of colonial buildings, including the Paço Municipal and the church of the Sagrado Coração de Jesus (Sacred Heart), which both date from 1801. On the Rio Una visitors can watch boat builders at work on saveiros, which are still almost entirely hand-made. Within easy reach are the beaches of Guaibibzinho, Taquari and Ponta do Curral (20km/12.5mi). The main attractions of Valença, however, are the islands in the surrounding area with their beautiful unspoiled beaches and some of the oldest townships in Brazil.
Valença (pop. 95,000) lies 272km/169mi south-west of Salvador, reached on BR 324 and BR 101. It can also be reached by taking the ferry to Itaparica, then driving to Nazaré and at Santo Antônio de Jesus turning into BR 101, or alternatively continuing to Aratuipe, 5km/3mi beyond Nazaré, and then taking an unsurfaced road to Valença (47km/29mi).
Valença has preserved a number of colonial buildings, including the Paço Municipal and the church of the Sagrado Coração de Jesus (Sacred Heart), which both date from 1801. On the Rio Una visitors can watch boat builders at work on saveiros, which are still almost entirely hand-made. Within easy reach are the beaches of Guaibibzinho, Taquari and Ponta do Curral (20km/12.5mi). The main attractions of Valença, however, are the islands in the surrounding area with their beautiful unspoiled beaches and some of the oldest townships in Brazil.
Boipeba, Brazil
(Near Valenca)
Boipeba
The 400m/440yd wide estuary of the Rio do Inferno lies between the islands of Tinharé to the north and Boipeba to the south. The crossing to the village of Boipeba (founded 1565; pop. 300), however, takes something like 5 hours. Boipeba has magnificent beaches (Tassimirim, Cueira. Moreré, etc.) with clear blue water over which the saveiros glide and natural pools only 500m/550yds from the coast.
The 400m/440yd wide estuary of the Rio do Inferno lies between the islands of Tinharé to the north and Boipeba to the south. The crossing to the village of Boipeba (founded 1565; pop. 300), however, takes something like 5 hours. Boipeba has magnificent beaches (Tassimirim, Cueira. Moreré, etc.) with clear blue water over which the saveiros glide and natural pools only 500m/550yds from the coast.
Cairu
Cairu
On the island of Cairu, 30km/19mi from Valença, is one of the earliest towns established in Brazil. Cairu is now an almost completely abandoned little town, but it preserves many colonial buildings, notably the church of Nossa Senhora do Rosário and the monastery of Santo Antônio (1661). The boats which ply between Valença and the island of Boipeba regularly call in at Cairu.
On the island of Cairu, 30km/19mi from Valença, is one of the earliest towns established in Brazil. Cairu is now an almost completely abandoned little town, but it preserves many colonial buildings, notably the church of Nossa Senhora do Rosário and the monastery of Santo Antônio (1661). The boats which ply between Valença and the island of Boipeba regularly call in at Cairu.
Camamu, Brazil
(Near Valenca)
Camamu
The town of Camamu (pop. 50,000), founded in the 16th century, lies 72km/45mi south of Valença and 157km/98mi from Itabuna. Camamu Bay is fringed by numerous islands and beaches. In the town itself is the Baroque church of Nossa Senhora da Assunção (1631). To the north are beaches of wild, unspoiled beauty which can be reached only by boat, with fishing villages and groves of palms - Ponta do Santo, Ponta dos Tubarões, Ponta do Contrato, Ponta do Mutá. To the south is a fringe of islands - Cajaíba, Ilha Grande, Ilha Pequena, Pedra Furada, Ambar and Flores.
The town of Camamu (pop. 50,000), founded in the 16th century, lies 72km/45mi south of Valença and 157km/98mi from Itabuna. Camamu Bay is fringed by numerous islands and beaches. In the town itself is the Baroque church of Nossa Senhora da Assunção (1631). To the north are beaches of wild, unspoiled beauty which can be reached only by boat, with fishing villages and groves of palms - Ponta do Santo, Ponta dos Tubarões, Ponta do Contrato, Ponta do Mutá. To the south is a fringe of islands - Cajaíba, Ilha Grande, Ilha Pequena, Pedra Furada, Ambar and Flores.
Itubera, Brazil
(Near Valenca)
Ituberá
Ituberá (pop. 40,000) lies 45km/28mi south of Valença in the estuary of the Rio Serinhaém. In the center of the town are the Castro Alves Falls. 5km/3mi from Ituberá on the road to Camamu is the 64m/210ft high Pancada Grande waterfall. There are good beaches at Pratagi, Barra do Serinhaém and Boca da Lagoa.
Ituberá (pop. 40,000) lies 45km/28mi south of Valença in the estuary of the Rio Serinhaém. In the center of the town are the Castro Alves Falls. 5km/3mi from Ituberá on the road to Camamu is the 64m/210ft high Pancada Grande waterfall. There are good beaches at Pratagi, Barra do Serinhaém and Boca da Lagoa.
Morro de Sao Paulo, Brazil
(Near Valenca)
On the island of Tinharé (1.5 hours from Valença by boat) is the village of Morro de São Paulo, with 16km/10mi of tree-fringed beaches and a natural swimming pool enclosed by reefs. On a low hill are a fort of 1630 and a lighthouse of 1835. The church of Nossa Senhora da Luz, the village's patroness, dates from 1855. 4km/2.5mi away on the road to Gamboa is the Fonte do Céu ("Spring of Heaven"). The enchanting beach of Guarapuá can be reached by boat (1.5 hours).
