Casa Iara
Life Around Here
Itamambuca’s beach, forest, and slow coastal rhythm — minutes from the house.
Itamambuca Beach
Ten minute walk through the village of Itamambuca to get to Itamambuca beach. We're on the river side — which you'll need to cross to get to the sand. Crossing the river is a magical vibe — although it depends on the tide, the water is usually about knee-high and crystal-clear.
If you prefer to access from the beach side, it's a ten minute drive or bike ride through the condominium to the beachfront.
Nearby Beaches
A short drive away you'll find a number of other amazing beaches to explore — Praia do Félix, Praia Vermelha do Norte, Perequê-Açu and Praia do Prumirim are just a few of the stunning, rainforest-backed beaches close to Casa Iara.
Surfing
Named a National Surf Reserve in 2025, Itamambuca is one of Brazil's best and most consistent beaches for waves. Plus, around the Ubatuba area, there are different beaches with all styles of waves for all levels of surfers and for nearly every kind of swell. Think peeling longboard rides; fat open-face waves that hold plenty of size; fast sand-bottom tubes and hidden beachbreaks where you can be surfing all by yourself.
Surfing is one of the most popular local pastimes, and we can help you discover your favorite wave; hook you up with a local surf school that will get you standing up on a board for the first time; introduce you to local shapers and in-water photographers or help you find the perfect board to rent for your stay.
Skateboarding
In a town dedicated to surfing, it's unsurprising that you'll find plenty of options for skateboarding, too. In the center of Ubatuba just a fifteen minute drive away, you'll find the (free) public skatepark right along the waterfront. There are also several private skatebowls in the zone where you can train indoors, like CTX Skate & Patins.
Historic Towns
Less than an hour away is the historic town of Paraty. The former Portuguese colonial center dates back to the 17th century, when it was the main port during the Brazilian Gold Rush. Since then, the charming UNESCO-preserved cobbled streets and historic buildings have been turned into a cultural center full of art galleries and bookstores, chic shops and gastronomic offerings. The town hosts a number of cultural festivals throughout the year — themes range from jazz to books to cachaça — easily accessible as day trips from Casa Iara.
Waterfall
A short drive from Casa Iara you'll find one of the most beautiful waterfalls hidden in the jungle just out of sight. This three-tier beauty is the perfect spot for swimming, sunbathing or a picnic lunch in nature. There's even a rope swing, if you're feeling brave.
The Costa Verde
The Costa Verde (green coast), where we are located, is aptly named for its exuberant Atlantic Rainforest–backed coastline, which holds some amazing treasures just waiting to be found. Visit one of the Quilombos (traditional Afro-Brazilian settlements) or Caiçara communities (protected indigenous fishing communities who live in harmony with the land). You can learn about medicinal plants at a local plant nursery; take a boat ride to protected beaches or even hike part of the Caminho de Mata Atlântica trail, which connects 4,000 km of Brazilian Atlantic coastline.