- Type
- History and culture
- Area
- Surroundings and Discovery Coast
- Depends on the tide
- No
The Jaqueira Reserve is an ethno-tourism project of the Pataxó people, near Porto Seguro. According to English-language Wikipedia, it was founded in 1998 by Pataxó women on an area of 827 hectares, within the Coroa Vermelha Indigenous Territory, as a cultural identity and community ecotourism project. Visits are organized by the Pataxó ecotourism association, and the income stays with the families of the community.
Who the Pataxó are
The Pataxó are an Indigenous people of southern Bahia and northern Minas Gerais. The Instituto Socioambiental (ISA) recorded about 12,865 people in 2020, living in dozens of villages, including Barra Velha and Coroa Vermelha. The people’s language, Patxohã, has been undergoing revitalization since the 1990s and is taught in Indigenous schools.
Their recent history includes violence and loss of territory, such as the episode known as the Fire of 1951, in Barra Velha. Knowing this history helps you understand the importance of projects like Jaqueira.
What the visit is like
The visit introduces the reserve’s forest and the Pataxó way of life, as Wikivoyage summarizes. Among the people’s cultural practices, ISA mentions the awê, a set of songs and dances. What is shown on each visit, the times and the prices are set by the community: confirm directly before you go.
Leaving from Trancoso
The reserve is north of Porto Seguro, in the Coroa Vermelha area. From Trancoso, you need to get to Porto Seguro (by ferry from Arraial d’Ajuda or around overland) and continue north. Combine it with Porto Seguro’s Historic Center on the same day.
Respect comes first
- The Pataxó are a living people, not a backdrop.
- Ask permission before photographing people.
- Support their craftwork by buying directly from the community.
- Follow the reserve’s rules on trails, times and rituals.
To understand the regional context, see the Discovery Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Practical tips
- Book your visit through the community's own channels or with people who work with it; confirm times and prices directly.
- Ask before photographing people and rituals.
- Buy crafts directly from the makers: it's part of the project's income.
- Wear light clothes, closed shoes and repellent for the forest trails.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Jaqueira Reserve?
It is a cultural identity and ecotourism project of the Pataxó people, founded in 1998 by Pataxó women on an 827-hectare area within the Coroa Vermelha Indigenous Territory, according to English-language Wikipedia.
Where is it?
In the Porto Seguro area, near Coroa Vermelha, north of the town. From Trancoso, you first need to get to Porto Seguro.
What language do the Pataxó speak?
Portuguese and Patxohã, the people's language, which has been undergoing revitalization since the 1990s and is taught in Indigenous schools, according to the Instituto Socioambiental.
How can I visit respectfully?
Book with the community, follow the Pataxó guides' instructions, ask before taking photos and don't treat the visit as a show.
Combine with
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Surroundings and Discovery Coast Porto Seguro Historic Center At the top of Porto Seguro: colonial houses, the Discovery Landmark and the Mother Church of Nossa Senhora da Pena, with sea views. See details -
Surroundings and Discovery Coast Monte Pascoal National and Historical Park The mountain sighted by Cabral's fleet in 1500, surrounded by an Atlantic Forest national park tied to the history of the Pataxó people. See details -
Surroundings and Discovery Coast Caraíva The village at the mouth of the Caraíva River, south of Espelho: you arrive by canoe, the streets are sand and cars stay on the other side of the river. See details