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Espírito Santo

Often overlooked as a destination, Espírito Santo is an enjoyable place to travel without the hype and higher prices of neighboring Rio and Bahia states.

North of the state capital of Vitória lies idyllic Itaúnas, a beach town surrounded by sand dunes, beloved for its tranquil natural setting and its exuberant annual forró festival. Further south, Espírito Santo's beaches cater to vacationing families from neighboring Minas Gerais. Here you'll find low-key beach resorts interspersed with fishing villages, all infused with a cheerful holiday buzz. Inland, Espírito Santo's mountains form an exquisite patchwork of jungled greenery and domed rocky outcroppings, culminating in the spectacularly scenic state park of Pedra Azul.

Even without all these scenic attractions, it would be worth visiting Espírito Santo just to eat. Local seafood specialties such as moqueca and torta capixaba are famous throughout Brazil.

Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Espírito Santo.

Park
Parque Estadual da Pedra Azul
If you've made it to Espírito Santo, don't miss this gorgeous state park. A two- to three-hour self-guided walk affords magnificent views of Pedra Azul and the surrounding forest and farmland, with stops at the rock’s nine natural pools. Bring a swimsuit and sturdy shoes – the climb is moderately difficult, and there’s a short section where ropes are used to scale a steep rock face. Arrive early on weekends and holidays, as trail access is limited to 150 people.
Park
Parque Estadual de Itaúnas
The 36.7-sq-km Parque Estadual de Itaúnas extends for 25km along the coast and has impressive 20m- to 30m-high sand dunes that afford magnificent views of the Atlantic Ocean and the surrounding mangrove forest and wetlands. The wilderness here is home to monkeys, sloths, jaguatiricas (wildcats) and sea turtles, who come onshore from September to March to lay eggs. The park office, in the village next to the Rio Itaúnas bridge, has informative displays about the local flora, fauna and culture, along with a souvenir shop.
Beach
Praia dos Padres
About 8km south of Guarapari, this beach with stunning green waters is perhaps the region's prettiest. It's accessible only by trail from the adjacent Praia Enseada Azul.
Palace
Anchieta Palace
Vitória’s grandest historic building is this former Jesuit college and church, now the seat of state government. Free 40-minute guided tours include the original 16th-century foundations, artifacts discovered during renovation, and the tomb of Padre José de Anchieta (1534–97), an early missionary hailed as the ‘Apostle of Brazil'. Weekend tours (50 minutes) visit additional rooms reserved for government functions on weekdays.
Museum
Museu de Biologia Professor Mello Leitão
In the pretty mountain town of Santa Teresa, 82km northwest of Vitória, this museum celebrates the work of local ecologist Augusto Ruschi (1915–86), who conducted pioneering studies on the region’s remarkable variety of hummingbirds and orchids and was a strong early proponent of environmental protection in Brazil. The verdant grounds are a peaceful oasis, and offer a chance to observe many local plant and hummingbird species.
Park
Reserva Natural Vale
North of Linhares towards the Bahia border, this privately protected 218-sq-km expanse of Atlantic rainforest has earned it a place on the Unesco World Heritage list for its tremendous biological diversity. Visitors can stay overnight at the reserve’s simple but comfortable lodge and explore the surrounding network of trails.
Convent
Convento da Penha
This 16th-century convent atop the densely forested Morro da Penha is a must-see. The panoramic city views are magnificent, and the chapel (founded in 1558) isn’t too bad either. It’s a major pilgrimage destination – around Easter expect massive crowds paying homage to NS da Penha, some climbing the hill on their knees.
Gardens
Instituto Reserva Kautsky
Flora lovers should head out to this lovely mountainside reserve, established by dedicated botanist Roberto Kautsky, who cultivated more than 100 species of orchids at his home at the southern end of town. To arrange a visit, phone weekdays between 8am and 5pm, or send an email.
Beach
Praia do Morro
Guarapari's best and longest urban beach is this long crescent of golden sand backed by high-rise buildings, just northeast of downtown. Be aware that its so-called healing black monazitic sand is, in fact, said to be radioactive!