Discover the best beaches in Brazil

Ilha Grande is a laid-back island off Brazil’s southeast coast, known for its beaches, jungle trails and clear waters. Spend your time exploring the island on foot, following trails through the rainforest to quieter beaches, or simply taking a dip in the sea. There are also plenty of small restaurants serving fresh seafood and local dishes.

The island is car-free, so getting around is mostly on foot or by boat, adding to its relaxed feel. Stay in a small pousada near the beach and enjoy a few days away from the busier cities, with plenty of time to swim, walk and take things at your own pace.

The Bahian coast is a good place to slow down after travelling around Brazil. Spend a few days by the beach, take a swim in the pool or sea, and try some of Bahia’s local food, including its famous fish stews with African influences. There are also plenty of opportunities to enjoy fresh seafood and a caipirinha while taking in the relaxed coastal atmosphere.

For a quieter island escape, head to Ilha de Boipeba, where sandy beaches, forest trails and small villages make up the landscape. With fewer visitors than some of Brazil’s better-known islands, it’s a good choice if you’re looking for somewhere peaceful to swim, walk and enjoy a slower pace of life.

Fernando de Noronha is a remote island archipelago off Brazil’s northeast coast, known for its clear waters, beaches and abundant marine life. Spend your time swimming and snorkelling in the warm sea, exploring the island’s coves and hiking trails, or relaxing on one of its 16 beaches. The surrounding waters are home to colourful fish, turtles and dolphins, making this a particularly good spot for wildlife lovers.

If you want to explore further, you can take a boat trip or try diving to see more of the underwater world. With its protected environment and limited visitor numbers, Fernando de Noronha feels very different from Brazil’s busier beach destinations.

For something a little different, head north to Jericoacoara, a laid-back fishing village tucked away among sweeping sand dunes on Brazil’s north coast. Getting there involves travelling along sandy tracks by 4x4, but the remote setting is part of the appeal. Spend your days exploring the dunes and freshwater lagoons by beach buggy, swimming in the clear waters of Lagoa Azul and Lagoa do Paraíso, or trying your hand at surfing or kitesurfing.

Back in the village, you’ll find relaxed cafés, bars and restaurants just a short walk from the beach. In the evening, join locals on the Duna do Pôr do Sol to watch the sun disappear over the sea. With its combination of wild beaches, rolling dunes and calm lagoons, Jericoacoara is a good choice if you want a beach stay with a bit more to do.

If you want to see more than one beach, take to the road along Brazil’s Linha Verde, the scenic coastal route between Recife and Salvador. With your own rental car, you’ll travel through tiny fishing villages, coconut-lined coastline, nature reserves and long stretches of sandy beach, stopping at places such as Porto de Galinhas, São Miguel dos Milagres and the remote village of Mangue Seco.

Along the way, there’s time to swim, snorkel, try a dune buggy or simply relax by the sea, with overnight stays in small, locally run pousadas. It’s a good choice if you like the idea of combining several quieter beach destinations into one relaxed coastal road trip.