21 Best Beaches in Brazil, From Rio to Bahía

Skip to main contentPraia da Galheta, Copacabana, and Morro Branco are just a few of the idyllic beaches you’ll want to include on your Brazil itinerary.GettyBrazil boasts a long list of natural wonders and breathtaking landscapes to visit, and its beaches belong at the top of any list of sights to see. There’s Ipanema—one of the best beaches in Brazil, and the world, according to TripAdvisor users—Baía do Sancho, Morro Branco, Praia da Galheta, Copacabana, and many more waiting to be explored.The largest country in Latin America is also famous for its warm culture, which can be experienced on the countless beaches along a coastline that stretches for more than 4,600 miles. Visiting all of Brazil’s celebrated seaside destinations would take months, but if you let yourself be charmed by one of them, we expect you’ll then decide that you want to explore more. Here, we’ve created a list to get you going with 21 favorite places where you can unroll your towel beneath the palms.Getty ImagesBaía do Sancho, Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, PernambucoWith 21 volcanic islands and boasting extraordinary marine biodiversity across its 10 square miles in the Atlantic Ocean, Fernando de Noronha is a marvelous archipelago that was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001. Within the Fernando de Noronha Marine National Park, Baía do Sancho attracts both locals and travelers with its crystal-clear waters.Located just over 200 miles off the coast of Pernambuco on the Brazilian mainland, the beach is a must-visit for everyone from surfers and adventure travelers to those who simply want to relax on a tranquil stretch of sand. Make time in your day for a boat ride around the nearby Morro Dois Irmãos, two small islands that rise dramatically from the sea and which have become iconic symbols of the park. There’s a fee to visit the archipelago (384 reals or roughly $75 and valid for up to 10 days), which, along with its remote location, should help to ensure that this natural wonder remains relatively untouristed into the future.Getty ImagesPrainhas do Pontal do Atalaia, Arraial do Cabo, Rio de JaneiroLocated roughly 100 miles from the city of Rio de Janeiro, Arraial do Cabo, which has been nicknamed Brazil’s Caribbean, stands out as one of the most attractive stretches of coastline in the country. Praia dos Anjos, Praia Grande, and Praia do Farol are some of the many options when it comes to picking a beach to visit. While we think the best plan is to spend time at all the beaches in the area, Prainhas do Pontal do Atalaia is our favorite if you can’t be that thorough.One of the most picturesque ways to get there is by boat. When you arrive, you’ll find crystal-clear water that ranges from green to blue depending on the light, fine white sand, and opportunities to snorkel, kayak, and scuba dive—this place has it all and yet also manages to retain the laid-back feeling of a small Brazilian town.Getty ImagesJoão Fernandes, Búzios, Rio de JaneiroIf you want to escape to a peaceful setting by the sea, João Fernandes is the perfect choice. Located about four hours by car from Rio, in the town of Búzios, this half-mile-long semicircular beach wraps around a peaceful bay. It’s an ideal place for a swim, to go kayaking, or to stroll along the bay before enjoying a meal by the edge of the water, sipping caipirinhas and sampling Brazilian favorites.Book a room at the Hotel Ville La Plage & Beach Club and you’ll be just steps away from one of the most iconic beaches in Búzios. The hotel offers panoramic views of the ocean and the bay from the pool, the bar, the restaurant, and even a panoramic elevator. Most rooms have balconies with ocean views, perfect for watching a Búzios sunset.Getty ImagesPraia do Bonete, Ilhabela, São PauloPraia do Bonete is a stunning, unspoiled beach located 130 miles from São Paulo. Accessible by tour boat, traditional boneteira canoes, or via a seven-mile hike through Ilhabela State Park (if you decide to go there on foot through the park, we recommend hiring a guide), this beach offers an opportunity to connect with nature. There’s no cell service, but you won’t miss it when you’re surfing the 10-foot waves or strolling along the white sand to a lookout point with spectacular views. Just don’t forget the bug spray.Getty ImagesPraia da Galheta, Florianópolis, Santa CatarinaLong known as a nudist beach, today the vast majority of visitors keep their bathing suits on. (Nudism was outlawed here in 2016, but some visitors still attempt to keep the old practice alive.) This stretch of sand in Florianópolis is also known for its powerful waves. Although it lacks restaurants and other amenities, you can walk to nearby Praia Mole if you need a drink, a meal, or more sunscreen.Getty ImagesPraia do Gunga, Maceió, AlagoasNear Maceió, the capital of the state of Alagoas, you’ll find one of the most popular destinations in northeastern Brazil. Praia do Gunga sits between the tranquil Roteiro Lagoon and the Atlantic, which here has gentle waves most of the time.With its white sands, diverse marine life, warm water, colorful cliffs, coconut palms, and a range of activities such as boat rides and water sports, Praia do Gunga offers visitors a lively—and beautiful—place to spend a day by the sea.GettyMorro Branco, Fortaleza, CearáWith its red sands, Morro Branco in northeastern Brazil, just over 50 miles from Fortaleza, bears some resemblance to the Red Beach of Santorini, and the sunsets are also vibrant spectacles that rival those in the Greek islands. There are, however, other aspects of this beach that you’ll find nowhere else, namely the “labyrinth,” a maze of eroded sand cliffs in a palette of colors from red to gold. We suggest wandering through this unique natural wonder before cooling off in the sea.Getty ImagesPraia Antunes, Maragogi, AlagoasParadise comes to life at Praia Antunes on the Maragogi coast and at Praia Antunes, which you can reach by land, though we recommend arriving by boat for a more memorable experience if it’s your first visit (and, yes, we are pretty certain that it will be your “first” and you’ll surely want to return). When you disembark, you’ll find a stretch of calm, warm water between the beaches of Barra Grande and Dourado.The scenery looks like something straight out of a postcard from the Caribbean, and since it’s rarely crowded, it’s the perfect choice for a dream vacation if your goal is to leave behind the stresses of daily life. The fine white sand and the shallow clear water make this beach a popular favorite. If you’re there at low tide, you can walk out to a coral reef just offshore.Getty ImagesPraia do Aventureiro, Ilha Grande, Rio de JaneiroThere’s an unmistakable beauty to Praia do Aventureiro on Ilha Grande, with its crystal-clear waters, fine sand, and its iconic palm tree with a trunk that grows horizontally before making a sharp turn upwards to the sky—it’s a favorite backdrop for photos among visitors to the beach.Ilha Grande, where you’ll find this beach, sits to the west of Rio. It’s a roughly two-hour drive to Conceição de Jacareí on the mainland and then a 20-minute ferry crossing. It’s a long journey, but you won’t regret the effort once you reach this island paradise.Getty ImagesPraia da Lagoinha do Leste, Florianópolis, Santa CatarinaTucked away amid the hills on Brazil’s southeastern coast, Praia da Lagoinha do Leste will put your physical fitness to the test, as you’ll have to walk 1.5 miles to reach the beach. It’s also possible to get there by boat, from the village of Pântano do Sul, but the boats don’t have any set schedule. The challenges involved in reaching this beach ensure that it is never crowded and remains a secret shared only by serious beachcombers.After the somewhat steep trek, or a half-hour boat ride, you can enjoy this quiet and tranquil beach, which sits between a small lagoon and the sea.Getty ImagesPraia dos Carneiros, Tamandaré, PernambucoIn northwestern Brazil, Praia dos Carneiros boasts golden sands, warm and calm waters, and a picture-perfect setting roughly 50 miles from Recife. Located in the state of Pernambuco, it’s a perfect place to relax, and you can enjoy this seaside paradise any time of the year given its consistently mild climate. When the tide goes out, natural pools and sandbars are revealed. On dry land, a charming 18th-century chapel dedicated to St. Benedict completes the scene.Getty ImagesPraia do Espelho, Porto Seguro, BahíaWith its reefs, natural pools, white sands, and captivating turquoise waters, a day at Praia do Espelho in Porto Seguro may be a highlight of your time in Brazil. It’s one of those places that offers a sense of serenity paired with the charm of several low-key inns and restaurants. The name, incidentally, means “mirror beach,” and it’s fitting: When the tide is low and the sun hits the water at the right angle, the sea becomes a giant mirror, reflecting the beauty of this magical setting.Getty ImagesIlha do Campeche, Florianópolis, Santa CatarinaLocated off the east coast of the state of Santa Catarina, in the municipality of Florianópolis, the idyllic Ilha do Campeche draws visitors with its white sand, turquoise waters, and a hill featuring rock paintings that can be visited with guides.To protect the ecosystem of this ecological reserve—designated a National Archaeological and Landscape Heritage Site due to its prehistoric sites—access is restricted, with a cap of 800 visitors per day and a maximum stay of four hours. If you want to visit Ilha do Campeche, look for the boats that depart in the morning from Armação Beach.Getty ImagesPraia de Jericoacoara, CearáPraia de Jericoacoara, in the state of Ceará, is one of the most beautiful beaches in northern Brazil. Its soft white sand and golden dunes are paired with a bohemian atmosphere, and you’ll be torn between diving into the crystal-clear water, admiring the iconic Pedra Furada, relaxing in a hammock at Lagoa do Paraíso, or watching the sunset from the Duna do Pôr do Sol. Another plus: the beach offers a variety of bars and restaurants where you can enjoy food and drinks by the sea.Getty ImagesPraia do Madeiro, Tibau do Sul, Rio Grande do NortePraia do Madeiro in the state of Rio Grande do Norte is one of the standout beaches on the northeastern tip of Brazil. In front of a wall of imposing cliffs, visitors will find emerald-green waters, palm trees, and a rare sense of serenity.The beach’s vast expanse is all the more appealing given the challenges of reaching it: You can choose between descending a steep wooden staircase or taking a long walk from neighboring Baía dos Golfinhos beach (see below), though only at low tide. Once there, take in the vast land- and seascape, or dive into the water for some surfing or paddleboarding.Getty ImagesBaía dos Golfinhos, Praia da Pipa, Rio Grande do NorteBaía dos Golfinhos, in Tibau do Sul, offers the chance to swim with dolphins (who live here year-round) in a remarkable setting of golden sands and calm waters. The landscape here combines cliffs with tropical vegetation. You just have to keep an eye on the tide schedule and plan your walk so you arrive at the right time; the beach is only accessible on foot at low tide. There are no permanent restaurants on the beach, but you’ll find vendors selling fresh coconut water, caipirinhas, juices, and sodas.Getty ImagesPraia de Canoa Quebrada, Aracati, CearáThis stretch of sand, surrounded by majestic dunes, is located in the state of Ceará and, more specifically, within an area that has been protected since 1998 to preserve the local flora and fauna. Two of the most enjoyable ways to admire Praia de Canoa Quebrada are from a paraglider or by kitesurfing. A number of outfitters on the beach will soon have you soaring above the sea even if you’ve never done either activity before.Getty ImagesTaipu de Fora, Maraú Peninsula, BahíaIn the state of Bahía, Taipu de Fora is another of Brazil’s must-see beaches. Its crystal-clear waters, in front of a beach lined with palms, offer snorkeling opportunities along a coral reef, while tide pools closer to the shore can be explored during low tide.GettyPraia de Lopes Mendes, Ilha Grande, Rio de JaneiroYou’ll have to make a bit of a journey to reach this two-mile-long stretch of fine white sand on Ilha Grande, in the state of Rio de Janeiro: You can choose between a three-hour hike through the jungle or a half-hour boat ride from Vila do Abraão. At the end of your trek, whether it’s by sea or land, you’ll find a translucent bay with warm water in shades ranging from emerald green to sky blue.GettyCopacabana, Rio de JaneiroWhether you are visiting Brazil for the first, third, or fifth time, Copacabana is a must. The historic beaches of Rio are buzzing with life from dawn until sunset. With its wide stretch of sand, crashing waves, and festive atmosphere, few places embody such striking contrasts: there’s the natural beauty of the morros, or hills, at one end of the beach, while running alongside it, the streets of Copacabana are lined with juice stands, boutiques, and restaurants.The best of two different aspects of Brazil coexist here: the country’s natural beauty and the warm Brazilian spirit, with families and friends enjoying their outings by the sea together. The vibrant atmosphere can be experienced any day of the year, though New Year’s Eve brings a special vibe to Copacabana. In a celebration filled with music and dance, revelers swim into the sea all dressed in white.Getty ImagesIpanema (Río de Janeiro)On this list of Brazil’s best beaches, we needed to find room for one more in Rio. Located between Praia do Leblon and Praia do Arpoador, and associated worldwide with the bossa nova classic, “The Girl from Ipanema,” this nearly two-mile-long beach lives up to its fame with its golden sands, lively atmosphere, and opportunities to swim and surf with views of the Dois Irmãos mountains.Desde que subió a su primer vuelo ya nada fue igual, viajar es experimentar la libertad en el formato más puro. Y la libertad, en todas sus vertientes, es lo más valioso. Desde pequeña, admira a grandes figuras del medio como Anna Wintour, Franca Sozzani y Carine Roitfeld; sueña con ... Read MoreMore hotels nearby$$$ | Brazil, São Paulo, R. Vitório Fasano, 88$$ | Brazil, São Paulo, Avenida das Nacoes Unidas 13.301$ | Brazil, Rio de Janeiro, Rua Maria Quitéria, 27Urban modernism just steps away from the world-famous Ipanema beach.$ | Brazil, Rio de Janeiro, Rua Francisco Otaviano, 177An effortless oceanside social hub on a traffic-free stretch of Rio's coastline.