Volvo Ocean Race

Itajaí

About Itajaí

Itajaí Race Village is now CLOSED

For more information, visit the Itajaí Stopover website www.volvooceanraceitajai.com.

Itajaí Race Village will be open from April 4 - 22, 2012

The Race Village is located at:
Av. Ministro Victor Konder, 270
Downtown - Itajaí, 88301-700
See the location here

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Itajaí Race Weekend

- Friday April 20, 1200 local (1500 UTC) - Pro-Am Race

- Saturday April 21, 1400 local (1700 UTC) - DHL In-Port Race Itajaí

- Sunday April 22, 1400 local (1700 UTC) - Leg 6 start to Miami

Key dates

- Wednesday April 4 - Race Village Opens

- Sunday April 8 - Academy Try Sailing

- Thursday April 12-15 - Volvo Ocean Race Academy team racing

- Saturday April 14-15 - Academy Try Sailing

- Saturday April 14 - Keep the Oceans Clean, beach clean

- Sunday April 15 - 21 - Environmental Art Workshop with Skeleton Sea

- Thursday April 19 - Public Prize Giving Leg 5

- Friday April 20 - Pro-Am Race

- Friday April 20 - Oceans Forum (UNIVALI Event)

- Saturday April 21 - DHL In-Port Race Itajaí

- Sunday April 22 - Leg 6 start to Miami

Find out more about the Volvo Ocean Race Academy and Keep the Oceans Clean

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After five visits to Rio de Janeiro it’s time to branch out - and this port at the mouth of the Itajaí River is certainly a new direction.

Itajaí has always been a strategic stop. During the colonisation of Brazil, the region was a waypoint to Rio da Prata and therefore important to the Spanish. It is known for its beauty, fishing, quality of life and friendliness of the people.

The city of Itajaí provides a strong multicultural identity and part of the charm of the region is the quirky, slightly surreal manner in which parts of Europe – especially Germany – seem to have been duplicated in a tropical setting, embellished by the beauty of South America, the tropical weather and Brazilian way of life. The majority of the population is reputedly of German, Portuguese and Italian ancestry, the result of mass immigration from Europe early in the nineteenth century.

The principal festival of Itajaí is the Marejada, a Portuguese celebration of fishing and seafood, held in October every year.

The Port of Itajaí is responsible for the success of the Itajaí Valley. As a doorway to the world, it has supported the development of surrounding cities with its superior geographical position, providing a boost to the regional economy. Today it is the main port of Santa Catarina and the second largest in Brazil in terms of the movement of containers.

The main produce of the city is paper and textiles, along with lumber, starch, vegetable oil and tobacco, and it is also the largest exporter of chicken in Brazil. Thanks to the incredible beauty of the area, tourism is also quickly becoming a major industry.

Indeed, the appeal of the city and the wider state is its understated profile yet outstanding appearance, winning the region a variety of national tourism awards. Itajaí has stunning beaches and an abundance of areas of natural beauty, perfect for swimming, surfing or just a walk by the seashore. And, as you might expect for any city in Brazil, there is no shortage of lively bars and clubs to entertain the influx.

Did you know: every September Itajaí hosts one of the biggest festivals of traditional music in Brazil.

Things to do in Itajaí

Whether you are looking for a quiet break or action and adventure, Itajaí provides it all. For more information visit: www.costaverdemar.com.br (in Portuguese)

Beaches
Two of the most popular beaches are the Praia de Cabeçudas and Amores, separated from one another by rocks and hills. Both beaches feature a tranquil and blissful environment and Praia de Cabeçudas plays host to several yachting regattas.

Praia Brava is the best place to surf. It packs in a lot of people in high season, attracted by the clean waters, restaurants, bars and nightclubs, in a lush forest setting. A visit to Praia do Morcego is good for the health and is known for its digestive and respiratory treatments.

10 kilometres to the south is the popular beach resort Balneário Camboriú, famous for its unique cable car which links the two beaches of Balneário Camboriú and Laranjeiras.

Molhes da Barra
The pier Barra da Praia do Atalaia is one of the most popular scenic points of the city, providing the perfect place to watch the traffic on the Rio Itajaí-Acu. It's also a great spot for a bit of of fishing.

Morro da Cruz
From here you can get an amazing view of the city, take a paragliding flight or just watch the Rio Itajaí meting the South Atlantic Ocean at sunset or sunrise.

Itajaí Valley
In the valleys of the Rio Itajaí there are 46 towns and villages which still retain a rich European heritage thanks to the early immigrants. The German settlers were followed by Italians, Czechs, Russians, Austrians, Poles and Ukrainians, all contributing to the European mosaic of this region. There are also a lot of beaches to sunbath and some waterfalls to discover.

Marejada
The Marejada is the principal festival of Itajaí, a Portuguese celebration of fishing and seafood held in October. It is two weeks of great food, a lot of wine, beer and dancing parties to enjoy.

Restaurants and nightlife
The town has a variety of coffee houses, fine and traditional restaurants and eclectic bars that tempt your palate and keep your nights occupied. If you want a great gastronomical experience, take a walk along Riverside Avenue. For a lively late night of music and dancing, check out the Warung Beach Club, three times voted one of the world's best places to dance.