Itinerary
The Big Trip Passes Through Here: Israeli Tourism in Itacaré
How the long post-army journey of young Israelis put Itacaré on the map: the surf, the route through Bahia, the long stays and what it has changed for local businesses.
At seven in the morning, Tiririca already has surfboards lined up on the sand and a group practicing the paddling motion on dry land. At night, in Pituba, the tables mix Portuguese, English, Spanish and Hebrew, and some menus even come in Hebrew. In little more than a decade, Itacaré has become a familiar stop on one of the world's most traditional travel routes: the long trip young Israelis take after finishing their mandatory military service.
The big trip
The custom is long-established in Israel. After about three years of mandatory service, many young people pool their savings and set off with a backpack for months. Researcher Chaim Noy, interviewed by the newspaper Correio in 2019, estimates that between 30,000 and 50,000 make this trip each year, roughly 60% heading to Asia and 30% to Latin America. Brazil received nearly 29,000 Israeli visitors in 2017, according to the same report.
In Bahia, the circuit has a shape of its own. Hebrew-language travel guides describe the sequence Salvador, Morro de São Paulo and Itacaré, and it is word of mouth among travelers that keeps the route alive from one season to the next.
Why Itacaré
The answer from the Hebrew guides is straightforward: this is where you learn to surf. Gringo presents the town as the place to catch your first wave on some of the most beautiful beaches in the country, with consistent surf and affordable lessons; Muchiler cites surf lessons as the favorite activity, alongside the trail to Prainha and Engenhoca. Both highlight Concha, Resende and Tiririca, all within walking distance of the center.
The town takes care of the rest on its own: it is small, you can get around without a car, and there is something going on at night every day of the week.
From backpackers to seasonal guests
The profile has changed over time. According to Patrícia Veras Soares, the municipal Tourism secretary, in interviews with the Bahian press in March 2026, at the start of the last decade the visitors were almost all backpackers staying in campsites and hostels; today many stay in pousadas, hotels and vacation rentals. The concentration is highest after Carnaval, but their presence has become constant throughout the year.
The town has adapted. Several establishments now offer menus and service in English and Hebrew; in the secretary's words, Itacaré is a destination that has learned to speak several languages. Hummus and shawarma have found their way onto some menus, alongside moqueca. The town has also gained a Beit Chabad, the house of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement which, on travelers' routes around the world, welcomes those who arrive for Shabbat dinner on Fridays.
What this changes for the town
Long stays make a difference in a beach destination. According to the Tourism Secretariat, these visitors keep money moving from taxis to barbershops, from surf lessons to guided hikes and boat trips, as well as restaurants, bars and markets. A survey of 28 lodgings, published in 2025 by Pimenta Blog, counted about 6,200 foreign guests in the high season, in a town with 5,500 beds.
The effect shows up mainly outside the summer. In the 2026 low season, between March and June, occupancy ran between 65% and 75%, according to Bahia Notícias, with foreign visitors opting for extended stays. Israelis are not alone: the Secretariat also lists Argentines, Chileans and Uruguayans, French, Germans, Portuguese, Spaniards, Swedes and Australians among the most present foreigners.
Practical info
- To learn to surf: Resende (medium waves, good for beginners) and Tiririca (strong waves, for those who already surf). See schools and instructors in Services.
- Where to stay: from hostels to vacation rentals in Where to stay, with a filter by type.
- Entering Brazil: the visa rule for each nationality is in the Quadro Geral de Regime de Vistos on the Itamaraty site.
- Shabbat: there is a Beit Chabad in town; ask at your lodging for the address and the time of Friday dinner.
- Tide and waves of the day: in Tides, moon & weather.
With information from Correio, Pimenta Blog, Bahia Notícias, the Itacaré Tourism Secretariat and the Gringo and Muchiler travel guides.
