The Best Beaches in Brazil
Guia Quatro Rodas and Viagem have now released its annual list of the 10 best beaches in Brazil.
Quatro Rodas is the main travel guide company in Brazil and releases annually a large number of guides ranging from city guides to road maps and their now famous beach guide. Most of the Quatro Rodas writers are also writers for Lonely Planet’s Brazil and the Fodor’s Guides. Viagem is one of Brazil’s leading travel magazines.
When you’re talking about a beach (Praia) in Brazil it involves so much more than just the beach. A beach here is a pleasant village with restaurants and offers a good lifestyle. Usually there are at these beaches a lot pousada (small hotel) and in some cases, even larger hotels. The beaches are where you relax, enjoy good food, meet friends, show up and be happy staying for a few days.
Here’s to the hottest list in Brazil … The 10 best beaches!
1st. Porto de Galinhas (Pernambuco)
Porto de Galinhas is located about 60 km south of the city of Recife, and has a wonderful natural environment, a fabulous beach, where natural pools are formed at low tide, which lends itself to hot baths. Porto de Galinhas is the perfect destination for sun lovers and families with children.
2nd. Jericoacoara (Ceará)
Jericoacoara is a wonderful beach about 7 hours drive north west of Fortaleza. Getting to this place is an adventure in itself – a large portion of the route travels with off-road vehicles over the dunes in a desert-like landscape where the roads is completely missing. To get here makes this beach a must for anyone who wants to get away from the usual tourist hordes are and to experience a genuine Brazil at its best.
3rd Praia da Pipa (Rio Grande do Norte)
Pipa is located just south of Natal. There is a backpacker atmosphere and it is a paradise for the surfers. Anyone who does not want to surf can instead watch the dolphins or just chill out in a hammock in the shade of palm trees with a good book and a refreshing coconut drink.
4th Bombinhas (Santa Carina)
Bombinhas located just north of Florianópolis. Bombinhas beach is not on the island of Santa Catarina, but the region that bears the same name. This beach is very good for families with children and for snorkeling and diving.
5th Baía do Sancho (Pernambuco)
This beach is located at Fernando de Noronha. We’re talking mostly about Fernando de Noronha as an island but in fact it is an archipelago consisting of 21 islands located 550 km off the coast of Recife. The archipelago is protected by strict nature protection laws and only a small number of tourists are allowed to be present here at the same time. Fernando de Noronha offers an untouched tropical nature at its best.
6th Praia do Forte (Bahia)
This beach is located north of Salvador in the state of Bahia. Here, in addition to a lovely beach, you will find excellent opportunities for diving and fishing. There is a rich marine life. The waters here are ideal for sailing.
7th Canoa Quebrada (Ceará)
This village is located about 2 hour drive from Fortaleza. The beach is wide and inviting, of course, for swimming. The nightlife in the village above the beach is one of the best in Brazil. The beach is internationally known and people flock here from all corners of the globe. In the village there are plenty of restaurants and pousada (small hotels).
8th Frances (Alagoas), Trancoso (Bahia)
8th place is shared by a wonderful beach just south of Maceió, Praia do Francês and Trancoso south of Porto Seguro in Bahia. At both beaches natural pools form at low tide and the possibility of surfing is very good. The waves can be a bit big and maybe not the best beaches for families with children. At Trancoso is also Terra Vista, one of Brazil’s best golf courses.
9th Gunga (Alagoas)
Gunga, which lies south of the state of Alagoas in Maceió, is the archetype of a paradise dream beach and is great for water sports and fishing. It is not a regular tourist destination, but trips can be arranged there for those who want to experience paradise.
10th Copacabana (Rio de Janeiro)
This is the only major city beach on the list. Copacabana is located in Rio de Janeiro and is a must visit for anyone visiting the city. It’s one of the world’s (if not the most) most famous beaches. There are several large hotels located in the district of the same name. More information about Rio de Janeiro.