A guide to looking like a local in Itacaré, Bahia, Brazil

All people under the age of 80 must look fit, toned, healthy and tanned.
The Body Beautiful must be the result of participation in the daily lifestyle of Itacaré and must not result from cosmetic modification.

• Mornings must include a water-based wake-up activity, in particular surfing, bodyboarding or sea-fishing.
• Middays are to be spent recharging the energy levels and should include a small siesta, some gentle muscular work, such as kneading the bread, filleting the fish or waxing the surfboards. Time must be allowed for a small top-up of sun on the beach.
• In the afternoon there should be a group cardiovascular workout plan, daily sessions of the Afro-Brazilian martial-arts influenced Capoeira, will be held in small gatherings throughout the beaches.
• Evenings must close with a high-impact aerobics session, the energetic Forró dance is a local favourite.

Clothes must be worn appropriately for the occasion. Havaiana flip-flops are mandatory for both sexes. It must be noted that, unlike Rio de Janeiro, small beachwear is not appropriate for the streets of Itacaré and must be covered up with a modest sarong, t-shirt or boardshorts for the walk home from the beach. However, it is important that while on the beach, clothes must allow for maximum sun penetration for that all-over tan.

Guys please note, that you MUST wear a small thong while sunbathing, but these MUST be changed immediately to boardshorts as soon as you enter the water. Please do not surf in a thong, the locals will spot you immediately. Ladies, you can actually surf in the small bikini that you were sunbathing in.

Finally, do not attempt to buy a bottle of beer from a shop without taking an empty bottle to give in exchange. You will note that most locals will be seen entering the supermarkets with empty bottles, if you do not do this then you will be ratted out immediately as a tourist.

Want to enjoy the Brazilian lifestyle in Itacaré? Check out the Inn Pousada Coqueiro Verde on venere.com.

Topic:  General | 1 Comment
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About the author

A keen traveler and adventurer, Julie has spent the past 3 years running Overland Tours in South America. She has just become a qualified Snowboard Instructor whilst in Argentina and has recently returned to the UK to focus on becoming a qualified Mountain Leader. Her dream is to have a house or cabin with 3 dogs, she just needs to find a location!!