Located in southern Bahia, the Cocoa Coast encompasses the municipalities of Itacaré, Ilhéus, Una and Canavieiras all of which preserve veritable ecological sanctuaries. Dozens of kilometers of nearly deserted beaches with dense coconut groves share the coastline with a lush variety of vegetation from native coastal rainforest to vast mangroves and magnificent cacao plantations, some of which have been used as settings for films and soap operas. A hike on the trails and along the coves in Itacaré, a horseback ride along the seashore, a boat trip through the Ilhéus delta or to the place where the Pardo River meets the sea, a mineral-bath at Olivença Mineral Springs, a visit to the Golden Lion Tamarin reserve, or a much needed revitalization in the mineral-rich sands of Canavieiras, are just a few of the options available in the area.

Tourism along the Cocoa Coast is developing rapidly, with investments by Brazilian and international businesspeople, mostly French and Swiss, spurred on by tax incentives granted by municipal governments to those who invest in this sector. In the last few years, the growth of quality services and infrastructure has kept pace with demand during the high season - between November and February - and the area now has approximately 7,000 beds, with the Comandatuba Island Transamerica Hotel, the largest resort in South America, leading the way.