Brazil’s best kept secrets

If you’re looking for a side of Brazil that’s less bustling beaches and carnival crowds, and more surprising wildlife encounters and authentic experiences, then head north and inland. This is where you’ll discover some of the best-kept secrets in Brazil, where jaguars roam the wetlands, vast sand dunes roll across the landscape, and shimmering lagoons hide around every corner. Our travel specialist, Hannah, recently explored this less-travelled route, starting with the Pantanal, before heading to Lençóis Maranhenses and finally the laid-back surf town of Itacimirim. Her experience was filled with exciting wildlife, warm welcomes and lots of inspiration for planning a holiday to this incredible part of the world.

I started my Brazilian adventure travelling deep into the Pantanal, which is known as South America’s wildlife haven and one of the best places in the world to spot the elusive jaguar. The journey to my accommodation was a safari in itself, after being collected by 4×4 and driving into the jungle, spotting caiman and a variety of bright blue macaws swooping overhead. When we got a flat tyre, our guide knew exactly what he was doing and it was fixed within minutes, before we were back on the road.

While on safari in the Pantanal, I was extremely lucky with my wildlife sightings, spotting my first jaguar on the first morning and watching as they walked slowly along the riverbank before crouching for a drink. The same day, we saw a puma on the banks, hidden in the tall grass and watching us as we were completely stunned by what we were seeing. It was an incredible moment I will never forget. It’s rare to spot a puma so I was very grateful to have been lucky enough to have this experience.

Next, I travelled northeast to Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, a place that I knew was going to be a highlight but absolutely blew me away. Between June and September lagoons are created among the dunes, filled with rainwater and shimmering under the sun.

Standing among the towering white dunes just felt otherworldly, Lençóis Maranhenses is just like nothing I have ever seen before. After exploring the dunes by foot, I couldn’t resist taking a dip in one of the pools.

How to get to Lençóis Maranhenses

When visiting the legendary dunes, you’ll usually arrive into Sao Luis and then get a 4-5 hour transfer to either Barreirinhas or Atins, but I definitely recommend choosing the latter. Whilst Barreirinhas is the known as the gateway to the dunes and has more hotels and facilities, Atins is much more laid-back and just a short drive from the entrance of the park, so you can arrive before the crowds and enjoy a calmer, more peaceful experience.

A great way to complete your Brazil holiday is to finish off in the laid-back beach town of Itacimirim. Just north of Salvador, you’ll discover a slower pace of life here, with palm-lined beaches and calm waters perfect for unwinding after your action-packed adventures.

How to get to Itacimirim

The most straightforward way to reach Itacimirim is by flying into Salvador and then getting a private transfer. The car journey takes around an hour, travelling along the scenic Linha Verde, passing quaint fishing villages and swaying palm trees.