Beachfront Property in Brazil for Under $35,000

Beachfront Property: A Special IL Report on Itamaracá

It was inspiring. From the middle of the bridge connecting the island of Itamaracá to the Brazilian mainland, the isle unfolds before you like a vast green wilderness. The thick tropical vegetation, expansive forests, and high hills stand in sharp contrast to the bustling and noisy mainland you’re leaving behind.

But even more surprisingly, we found a beachfront property here (a beach lot) for just $26,000, and a four-bedroom property on the beach--on a double lot--for only $71,400.

The tropical island of Itamaracá (eet ah mar ah KAH) is only four miles wide by nine miles long, and is situated on Brazil’s northeast coast just north of Recife. It is home to 17,000 permanent residents, although the population can swell to over 50,000 on a holiday weekend and more than 500,000 during their popular Carnival. The weather is warm and summer-like all year, with a fresh ocean breeze to keep things cool.

Beachfront Property in a Protected Forest?

The majority of the island is a protected national forest, which explains the vast expanse of woods when you enter the island from the west side. But part of the east side of the island (divided by a high ridge that runs north to south) is open for private ownership, and here you’ll find the island’s main town of Pilar as well as its beaches. A barrier reef lies just offshore, and keeps the waters calm at the island’s shores.

The expat community here is mostly British with some 45 families presently owning homes on the island. Aside from them, there are a handful of other European expats and a few North Americans as well. And expat numbers are increasing over the last few years.

Itamaracá was nothing like I expected, based on erroneous information I’d read in my two guidebooks and on a number of travel blogs before leaving for Brazil. They all said there was an “open” prison on the island; that the prisoners were free to move about, often causing trouble for the residents.

In fact, the prison is not “open,” and hasn’t been for years. But the persisting story explains why the property prices are so low; lower than the norm on much of the Brazilian coast. Lingering, outdated stereotypes are the property-buyer’s best friend.

True, there are still prisons on the far side of the island (in the national forest) but these days the prisoners are inside the walls, not outside.

My Favorite Beachfront Property on Itamaracá

We saw plenty of affordable beachfront property during our visit to Itamaracá. The two I mentioned above were impressive, but my favorite house was a three-bedroom, two-bath, two-story beachfront home right on the sand. The asking price was $86,500. If you’d prefer a lush, well-groomed planned community, the Blue Paradise project is located at the island’s highpoint, with super ocean views. A two-bedroom, sea-view house there (in great condition) is going for just $32,500, with a number of others available.

For information on these and other properties on Itamaracá--or questions about life on the island in general--you can contact our helpful real estate contacts Peter and Debbie Zorab at DebbieZorab@yahoo.com or visit their website at www.property-brazil.co.uk.

Lee Harrison
Roving Latin America Editor, International Living

To read more IL articles about Beachfront Property, see:

Your Own Beachfront House for $100,000

Affordable Beach With Ocean View

Brazil Islands For Sale--From $217,000

Brazil Beachfront: A Beach House For $30,000

The Best Place to Find Beachfront Property in Brazil

Affordable Beach in Latin America