Itaparica Island

ITAPARICA: Is an indigenous Tupi name meaning "Fence made of rocks". The island is located 17 km from Salvador, capital city of the state of Bahia. It is the largest of the 56 islands that form the Bay of All Saints.

The island has more than 40 km of beaches with lush tropical vegetation and exuberant coconut palms dominating the region. Itaparica lies directly opposite the city of Salvador, separated only by the Bay of All Saints.

Itaparica has a particularly eventful recorded history, commencing at practically the same time as that of Brazil: Jesuit missionaries infamous for cannibalism; Dutch invasions; whale hunting on an industrial scale; the introduction of African religions introduced during the period of slavery; participation in Paraguay's wars of independence (through the provision of troops); “Parapatings”, the biggest slavery hacienda on the island; Catarina Paraguaçu, the beautiful indigenous girl who enchanted the Portuguese.

Dreams of Itaparica transport us to a tropical haven. An island of white-sand beaches, crystalline warm waters, endless palm trees and pristine mineral springs (some of the purest in the world). Itatarica is a paradise quite apart from its position as part of Brazil's natural, cultural and historic heritage.