Ponta do Xaréu

The first settlers in the region were the Tupiniquin Indians. They lived from the land, with hunting, fishing and agriculture. The Portuguese colonizers arrived in the region around the 1530's , and developed sugar cane plantations. They brought with them the Jesuits to demarcate the territory and introduce the harvesting of sugar cane, which did not prosper in the region due to constant attack from the Aimores, Indians from the inner region that had a tradition of war.

The most important monument build by the Jesuits was the church of São Miguel, in 1718. After the church was constructed, the settlement began to be called São Miguel da Barra do Rio de Contas, The direct influence of the Jesuits in the region occurred until the beginning of the 18th century. The biggest inheritance left by them was the Catholic religion.

In the early 19th century, with the beginning of the cocoa cycle, there was a great economic development in the region. The enrichment of landowners exporting cocoa to Europe, created the figure of the 'colonels' (landowners). This richness is displayed in the dwellings and left-overs (old wooden shacks), striking characteristics of colonial architecture which can still be observed today.

In the golden age of the cocoa beans, known at that time as "Black Gold", Itacaré was the grand center of exportation in the south region of Bahia. With the decline of the cocoa culture, the region lived trough a period of economic stagnation that lasted until a few years ago when tourists began to discover the region's natural enchantments.