As 4 praias urbanas: Resende, Tiririca, Costa e Ribeira

At eight in the morning, Rua da Pituba is still sweeping its sidewalks, and that's where the day begins. At the end of the street the asphalt turns into a dirt path, the forest closes in overhead and, ten minutes later, the first cove appears between the coconut palms. There are four beaches in a row, each with its own personality, and none asks for more than a sturdy pair of flip-flops.

Resende, the gateway

Praia do Resende is the first and the easiest to reach. A small cove, coconut palms all the way down to the sand, medium-sized waves: this is where the surf schools bring beginners.

Tiririca, the surf beach

Five minutes further on, Praia da Tiririca has the best-known wave in town and is the late-afternoon meeting point. The sea is strong: it's for watching, surfing or sipping a coconut rather than swimming.

Costa, the discreet one

Praia Da Costa is squeezed between two rocky points and is the one almost everyone walks across without stopping. Those who do stop often have the cove all to themselves.

Ribeira, where the day ends

The last one is the most family-friendly: Praia da Ribeira has calm water, a stream that forms a natural pool at low tide, and moqueca beach shacks. From there, those with energy left continue along the trail to Prainha; those without head back by taxi along the paved road.

Who it's for

For your first day in Itacaré, for families with kids who can walk, for anyone without a car. If you're after a deserted beach and a long trail, you'll prefer the itinerary of the four trail beaches on the road to Serra Grande.

Practical info

• Starting point: end of Rua da Pituba, on foot.
• Route: about 2 km to Ribeira, with 5 to 10 minutes between beaches.
• Return: along the same trail or via Rua da Ribeira (paved), on foot or by taxi.
• What to bring: water, sunscreen, cash for the beach shacks.