Anchieta brings together themes that can be explored in different ways: the history of the Jesuits and the colonization of the region sits alongside river landscapes, mangroves and nature trails. Portuguese folk dances are also part of its cultural identity. When planning your trip, it is therefore worth looking at both—the historical traces and the outdoor activities and landscapes.
Culture and Historical Traces
The Santuário Nacional de São José de Anchieta preserves the history of the Jesuits and the colonization of the region. The dance group Brandarinos offers a different cultural focus, preserving Portuguese folk dances. Together, these two themes showcase different aspects of the cultural heritage: religious and regional history on the one hand, and a living dance tradition on the other.
At the RuĂnas do Rio Salinas, visitors can walk among the ruins while taking in the history and landscape. The preserved traces of the past are the main focus here; the walk connects them with views of the surrounding area. The ruins thus complement the historical focus of the Santuário with a place where history and landscape can be experienced together.
River, Mangroves and Nature Trails
The Rio Benevente is home to one of the best-preserved mangrove areas in the state of EspĂrito Santo. Kayaking is possible on the river; the Rio Benevente and the sea offer a direct connection with nature. The mangrove landscape and paddling therefore provide two ways for visitors to get to know Anchieta through its natural habitats.
The Parque Natural RDS Papagaios—the Reserva de Desenvolvimento Sustentável de Papagaios—offers trails through native vegetation, as well as a diverse array of wildlife and plant life. Monte Urubu also has nature trails, and hang gliding is possible there. These activities differ in form: trails lead through landscapes on the ground, while hang gliding is a different activity at the same named location.
The protection of marine species is another of Anchieta’s nature-related themes. The Instituto de Pesquisa e Conservação Marinha conducts monitoring and environmental education, and protects species in the marine environment. Alongside the trails and river landscape, this adds activities focused on observation and conservation.
Experiences in the Municipality of Anchieta
In the municipality of Anchieta, Comunidade Belo Horizonte offers community-based tourism. Visitors can learn about the everyday life, traditions, history and way of life of a community of Portuguese descent. This gives the visit a community and cultural focus that differs from the historic buildings and nature trails.
Also in the municipality, Vale Viver Corindiba is a rural route that brings together local production, farms and agricultural processing businesses. Those interested in the municipality’s rural side will find a different focus here than on the nature trails or at the historic sites. The route makes local production and the businesses involved in it part of the experience.
The traditional Passos de Anchieta walking trail is about 100 kilometers long, connects VitĂłria with the municipality of Anchieta, and follows the paths taken by the saint. Its length and the connection between the two named places give this route a different scale from the nature trails at Monte Urubu. It can therefore be considered a distinct route in its own right, rather than simply a short walk at a single nature spot.
Getting There and Finding Your Way
The main road connection to Anchieta is via the BR-101 highway. The Rodovia do Sol (ES-060) also offers a scenic coastal route that passes beaches and seaside towns. For orientation, it is helpful to distinguish these details by function: BR-101 is identified as the main road connection, while ES-060 is described as a tourist route that follows the coast. When planning, you can therefore consider the journey and your interest in driving along the coast separately.
Whether you focus on culture, nature or a rural route, Anchieta offers several distinct themes to consider when planning your trip.
Discover more destinations: Linhares, Santa Leopoldina, Ibatiba, Aracruz, PiĂşma, SĂŁo Mateus, Barra Do SaĂ, Vargem Alta.
For the overview of the wider region: EspĂrito Santo.
