Our guide to Brazil’s diverse coastline

With about 3.3 million square miles of land, Brazil is a behemoth destination for travelers, its natural wonders covering the Pantanal wetlands, the iconic Amazon rainforest, and its extensive Atlantic coastal jungle in the east. Along this eastern border, Brazil’s coastline runs for an epic 7,491 km (4,655 miles). To take a trip which encapsulates its coastal magic may seem an extraordinary feat – but with the insight and knowledge of a locally-based travel expert, you can build a tour of Brazil which focuses on the coastal delights you want to see most. To give you some idea of what you’ll see on a tour of the country’s eastern border, here is our guide to exploring Brazil’s coastline.

The northeast coast: a mosaic of cultures

The northern coast of Brazil is famed for its immense cultural diversity, which gives the region a scintillating, historic and celebratory feel. Blending indigenous, African, and Portuguese influences into a tapestry of ethnic richness, the north also benefits from a warm climate and plenty of welcoming people with stories to tell.

From Fortaleza to Salvador

The biggest city in the north is Fortaleza, a sprawling, cosmopolitan hub with futuristic, sky-scraper architecture adorning its beachfront. It’s great for partying, but also its accessibility to quieter, arguably more beautiful coves along the coastal road south. The Costa do Sol Nascente – the ‘Coast of the Rising Sun’ – runs along red cliffs that create almost martian landscapes. Stop at the breathtaking Morro Branco, which illustrates this best. The chilled vibes of the quiet coastal town, Canoa Quebrada, makes for another relaxing and scenic beach base.

Between Fortaleza and Salvador lies Recife city, an intriguing stop if only for its glossy high-rises and excellent bars, cafes and restaurants, again with a seafront setting. Further south along the coastline, Salvador is unmissable. Nowhere else in Brazil, or even in the West, will you find a more preserved example of African culture that flourished from a former slave town. Not only is the city’s pastel-colored, colonial-style architecture truly beautiful to behold, this is a city with a resilient spirit, full of music and proud heritage. There are often festivals and carnivals held here so you can soak up the air of historic celebration.

Must-sees: Lençóis Maranhenses, Olinda, the Maraú Peninsula

When traveling from the north coast to the east, don’t miss the chance to immerse yourself in sites of natural beauty. The Lençóis Maranhenses in the north is an absolute must; a national park comprising vast stretches of white-sand dunes contrasted against seasonal freshwater lagoons. This unique feat of nature stretching out to the horizon makes for a serene, desert-like landscape.

South of Recife, there’s Olinda – a UNESCO-protected historic town full of crumbling architecture, telling the story of old Brazil and its place in the Atlantic. As well as colorful cobblestone streets and charming squares, many of the baroque churches date to the 16th and 17th centuries, such as the Church of São Bento and the Convent of São Francisco. There’s also a carnival each year, with large-scale puppets that parade the streets.

Finally, the Maraú Peninsula is a quiet beauty spot, perfect for solitude. A relatively untouched region of Bahia, there are clear and calm waters, natural freshwater lagoons, mangroves and waterfalls; great for paddleboarding and kayaking. It’s also a center of ecotourism, with locals keen to protect its diversity of ecosystems.

The southeast coast: urban flair and hidden havens

Further down the southeast side of Brazil, you’ll find much-loved Brazilian highlights such as Rio de Janeiro, as well as a host of heavenly ocean coves to explore.

Rio de Janeiro: the glittering star of Brazil

They don’t call it the ‘Cidade Maravilhosa’ for nothing – Rio de Janeiro is as brilliant as it seems. Though blighted with inequality and busy urban development, there’s a vibrancy of spirit here that gets under your skin – from the street kids playing football on the beach to the life-affirming Carnival celebrations, and Rio’s long-established LGBTQ+ scene.

Of course, there’s also the iconic cultural landmarks such as Sugarloaf Mountain, Christ the Redeemer and the glorious ocean views that stretch out beneath its form, and the 2.5-mile (5km) sweep of sand that makes Copacabana Beach. No trip to Brazil is complete without visiting Rio, its frenetic seaside capital, to spend sun-warmed days and long, caipirinha-sipping evenings.

The secret treasures of Espírito Santo and São Paulo

Rio gets all the attention, but the lesser-known regions that surround it are more than worth the journey. Though the city of São Paulo is about 40 miles inland, São Paulo region offers a stunning coastline with glorious beach spots such as Santos, Guarujá, and Ubatuba. Excellent surfing is in store, as well as varied amenities and the chilled ambience that coastal life is renowned for. All of these beach towns are easily accessible from São Paulo city, if you prefer an urban base.

North of Rio lies Espírito Santo, defined by its shimmering beaches, rolling hills, and lush Atlantic rainforest, just without the large tourist numbers of more well-known spots. Brazilian locals flock to the resort town of Guarapari to soak up the sun, sea and sand; but arguably the most picturesque beaches with fewer crowds lie south of this – on the strip of Brazil’s coastline leading towards the Bahia region. Don’t hesitate to explore and find your own secret hideaways.

Florianópolis: an island capital

For more Zen beach time but with a Mediterranean feel, head to the island of Santa Catarina, not to be confused with the larger state of the same name. Its capital is Florianópolis – but even more confusingly, Santa Catarina island is often called Florianópolis by Brazilians.

With indigenous, Portuguese, and Azorean roots (immigrants from the Portuguese Azores settled here not long after the island’s discovery in the 1700s), there’s a mixed cultural heritage in Florianópolis and a warmth of its people to match. The island is known for its laid-back lifestyle, perhaps due to a hamper of natural beauty spots that lend themselves to fun outdoor pursuits.

As well as hitting the gorgeous beaches – Praia da Joaquina and Praia Mole, for instance – you can go hiking, biking, and exploring in nature reserves such as the Lagoa do Peri Municipal Park and the Florianópolis Botanical Garden. A handful of historic treasures, such as the colonial fishing village of Ribeirão da Ilha, the central Old Town, and the famous suspension bridge, all give some storied context to this relatively unknown island.

German culture in Santa Catarina

As well as its self-named island, some truly beautiful oceanscapes are to be found in the Santa Catarina region – such as Bombinhas, known for its crystal-clear waters and sublime diving and snorkeling spots; Garopaba, for picturesque beaches surrounded by lush green hills; and Praia do Rosa, a surfing, kiteboarding and whale-watching hotspot.

What makes the Santa Catarina region unique, however, is its strong German influence. An influx of German immigrants established themselves in towns Blumenau, Joinville, Pomerode, and Brusque during the 19th century, and German culture still exists here – in its architecture (timber-framed, lodge-style housing), food such as sauerkraut, and traditions. A version of Oktoberfest even takes place in Blumenau, and the Festa Pomerana event in Pomerode.

Go gaucho in Rio Grande do Sul

Another southern gem, Rio Grande do Sul is famed for its gaucho culture, given its proximity to the Pampa region in Argentina. The gaucho, or ‘cowboy’ lifestyle is defined by a strong connection to the land and a love of horse riding and cattle herding, as well as barbecue and folk music – lots of things that make a great event. Indeed, you can experience the gaucho lifestyle of Rio Grande do Sul by staying in a number of ranches, attending festivals, or exploring the gaucho towns of Gramado, Canela, and Bento Gonçalves.

As well as this, you can indulge in the nature spots here, full of undulating meadows and white-sand beaches. The Serra Gaúcha region, with its picturesque valleys and vineyards, is ripe for hiking, cycling, and wine tasting; while beach towns Torres and Capão da Canoa are perfect for sun-worshipping and sea-swimming.

Culinary delights on Brazil’s coastline

One of the treats of traveling Brazil’s eastern border is indulging in coastal cuisine, which, as you’d expect, is abundant with fresh seafood and juicy, tropical fruits.

For those living on Brazil’s coastline, grilled fish, shrimp, and octopus are often on the menu, marinated in lime, garlic, and herbs for a simple yet zesty seasoning. Local dishes are a mix of creamy shrimp stews and spicy rice bowls – moqueca, a famous Bahian dish, is a fish stew drenched with coconut milk, dendê oil, and spices; while acarajé is a satisfying bite of black-eyed pea fritters stuffed with vatapá (seafood mix) and caruru (okra stew).

The locally-grown fruits here are also something else. The warm, humid climate, coolness of the Atlantic air and consistent periods of rainfall make conditions perfect for harvests of bananas, mangoes, coconuts, papayas, pineapples, and more – basically most of the ingredients of a delicious piña colada.

Make it happen

To start planning your own tour of Brazil’s coastline, get in touch with one of our locally-based travel experts. There’s a lot to pack in, but they’ll recommend the best coastal destinations based on your ideal vision and build an itinerary that’s perfect for you.