Alcobaça, municipality of Bahia State, Brazil
Alcobaça is a coastal municipality in southern Bahia located along the Itanhém River in a region shaped by beaches and marine landscapes. The town center features narrow streets, colorful houses, and an old port, while several beaches with clear water stretch along the coastline.
The city was founded as a village in 1772 and named after a Portuguese city that early settlers brought with them. It grew slowly as a fishing community before later developing into a port with trade and tourism activities.
The name Alcobaça comes from a Portuguese city brought by early settlers to the region. Local culture blends Portuguese traditions with Brazilian ways, visible in festivals, architecture, and how residents use public spaces and gather in the streets.
The best time to visit is during the drier months from June to November when weather is pleasant and humpback whales arrive in the area. The town center is walkable on foot, and for beaches outside the center, local buses or transfer services are recommended for getting around.
The city sits near the Archipelago of Abrolhos, which is known worldwide for coral reef diving and is part of a marine protection zone with underwater rock formations. The region was also one of the first places where Portuguese explorers landed after arriving in Brazil.
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