Many of Brazil‘s icons come from its beach culture.
Brazilian bikini waxes, dental floss bikinis, and Copacabana are a few things that come to mind.
Brazil is a large country, accounting for half of the South American continent.
You’ll find nearly 8,000km, or 4,656 miles, of beautiful coastline, and thousands of beaches to choose from.
There’s something for everyone.
You can sunbathe and work on a golden tan, swim in the ocean, or party with your friends as the sun goes down.
10 Best Beaches in Brazil
1. Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro
Copacabana is the most well-known beach in Brazil, particularly outside the country.
It’s located in Rio de Janeiro.
The beach is bordered by majestic mountains.
You’ll find high-rise homes, hotels right on the beach, and shopping and restaurants on the boardwalk.
Vendors offer snacks and drinks throughout the day, so you don’t have to leave your towel.
Lifeguards patrol the beach, as well as police.
However, you should still be careful on the beach after dark.
Copacabana is well known for its party atmosphere, particularly when the sun goes down.
New Year’s Eve is a huge event at the beach, with about 2 million people streaming onto the sands each year.
2. Alter do Chao, Para
When you think of Brazilian beaches, you probably think of the Atlantic coast.
However, one of the greatest beaches can be found in the heart of the Amazon.
Alter do Chao is located in Para.
It’s a small town with a stunning riverside beach.
It’s well known to native Brazilians, but unheard of by most tourists.
It’s known as the “Caribean of the Amazon”, because of its white sand beaches and clear blue waters, which sets it apart from most of the Amazon.
Take the Canal do Jari boat tour and visit a canal that’s teeming with local wildlife.
You may encounter squirrel monkeys, sloths, and caimans along the way.
You should also check out Amazon’s famous giant water lilies.
These lilies can grow up to 10 feet wide, and support the weight of a child or small adult.
3. Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro
Ipanema is another iconic beach in Rio de Janeiro.
If the busy party atmosphere of Copacabana isn’t your style, you’ll love this beach.
It’s a great place to relax and enjoy the golden sands and sunshine.
The beach is now famous thanks to the song The Girl from Ipanema, but it’s long been a favorite for Brazilian beachgoers.
You’ll find food and drink stalls, as well as many open-air gyms so you can stay fit while soaking up the sun.
You can also climb Dois Irmãos Hill. You’ll find an incredible view of Rio and the beach from the top.
The beach is well known for its spectacular sunsets.
It also offers great surfing, particularly throughout the winter months.
4. Fernando de Noronha
Often referred to as “paradise”, Fernando de Noronha is an island off the northeast Brazilian coast.
There’s a lot of hype and legend about the island.
You’ll hear claims the sharks are friendly, celebrities visit frequently, and that jets aren’t allowed near the beach’s airspace.
The island is 20 miles across and made up of volcanic rock.
It’s accompanied by 20 smaller islands, making it an archipelago.
There are actually several stunning beaches on the island.
Baía dos Porcos, which translates into Pig’s Bay, features lush beauty and excellent swimming.
There’s a limited number of tourists allowed on the island, which preserves the natural beauty and ecosystem.
The exclusivity and remoteness of the island do contribute to a higher price tag than many beaches, but it’s certainly worth it.
5. Jericoacoara, Ceará State
Jericoacoara, or Jeri for short, is one of the most beautiful unspoiled beaches in Brazil.
It’s located in the north, in Ceara.
The area moved into the modern era and adopted electricity in 1998.
Streetlights are still prohibited to prevent light pollution.
It’s within a national park, so there’s no development here.
You’ll find it much the same as it was 100 years ago when Jeri was simply a fishing village.
It’s one of the few west-facing beaches in Brazil, making it one of the best places to see the sunset.
Tradition states that you should watch the sun go down atop Duna do Pôr do Sol or sunset dune.
Instead of climbing down, you can ride a wooden board, known as a esquibunda.
It’s even more appealing thanks to the light pollution ban, which means you can see a sea of stars at night.
Adventurers can go windsurfing or kitesurfing.
You can also rent stand-up paddle boards.
The water is typically calm and shallow, making it a great place to swim as well.
6. Praia do Forno, Rio de Janiero
It’s no surprise that Rio finds its way onto our list again.
However, Praia do Forno is located in the state of Rio, but not the city.
You’ll find this stunning beach tucked away in the lesser-known town of Arraial do Cabo.
You’ll find a small bay with lush greenery.
The white sand and aquamarine waters will make you feel like you’ve entered a tropical paradise.
This beach feels secluded, but it’s only a short hike away from the city center.
You can enjoy diving, snorkeling, swimming, or simply relaxing on the beach.
However, Praia do Forno is also known as oven beach, because it can get unbearably hot in the summer.
Temperatures are much more comfortable in the winter months.
One of the most interesting features is its floating seafood restaurant, which you shouldn’t miss.
7. Lagoa da Conceição, Santa Caterina
Lagoa da Conceição is located on the Florianópolis island, in Santa Caterina.
It’s a trendy area that is a magnet for hipsters and the health-conscious.
Florianopolis Island features 42 beaches, but Lagoa da Conceicao is the biggest lagoon on the island.
You’ll find fine white sand surrounded by lush green hills.
You’ll find plenty of restaurants and even jungle treks on the island.
If you are feeling adventurous, try your hand and sand surfing the dunes.
You can find great surfing, kitesurfing, and windsurfing.
If you are new to these sports, there are schools on the island.
You can also rent kayaks and stand-up paddleboards.
Another option is to hike the forested hills or take part in yoga classes, which are very popular on the island.
8. Santos Beach, Sao Paulo
Santos Beach, in Sao Paulo, has a few claims to fame.
It’s the longest beach garden in the world, as well as the largest Latin American harbor.
It was a huge coffee export port for centuries.
However, it’s now a large city, rather than an export hub, boasting nearly half a million residents.
The beach garden is nearly 6 miles long.
It’s bordered by the beach on one side, and neighborhoods on the other.
You’ll find more than 3,500 different species of flowers, a large array of palm trees, pristine greens, sculptures, and fountains.
The beach itself features golden sands and blue waters.
You’ll also see majestic mountains in the background.
9. Baia do Sancho, Fernando de Noronha
Baia do Sancho is located on the Fernando de Noronha island.
It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site, which means that development of the area is prohibited.
There are facilities on the island, which can accommodate 700 visitors at one time.
Luckily, the remote location keeps the tourist population low.
Baia do Sancho is one of the least visited beaches on the island because it’s a bit harder to get to than the others.
To arrive at the beach, you’ll follow dirt trails, climb some ladders, and squeeze through an opening in the rocks.
It’s also inside a National Marine Park.
The blue waters are pristine, and there’s a wide array of wildlife.
You can encounter sea turtles and a stunning array of fish and dolphins.
You’ll find white sand and 230-foot cliffs topped with lush greenery.
10. Lopes Mendes, Ilha Grande
The island of Ilha Grande has an interesting past.
It was used as a leper colony.
When it stopped being used as a quarantine island, it remained uninhabited for several decades.
This allowed it to avoid development, so the rainforests on the island, and the accompanying wildlife, are in pristine condition.
There are no roads on the island.
To get there, you’ll need to be dropped off by boat, and then make a short hike through the rainforest.
You can enjoy swimming and surfing at Lopes Mendes.
The waters are a bright blue, and the sand is light gold.
Brazil Safety Overview
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Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: HIGH
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you swim at Brazilian beaches?
Many beaches allow swimming, however, there are a few things to be aware of.
In some areas, pollution is a problem.
Swimming in these waters can make you ill.
Some waters have very strong currents, which can pose a danger, particularly if you aren’t a strong swimmer.
When should you visit Brazil's beaches?
Summer begins in December.
This is when most tourists go to visit the beaches.
However, beaches near the equator are best visited in the winter months, around July, because they can be extremely hot during the summer.
Is a Brazilian beach vacation expensive?
Brazil is one of the most expensive places to visit in South America.
However, this will vary based on your location.
You may still find you can get by with a smaller budget than you would with an American vacation.
Do you need a VISA to visit Brazil?
If you are from the U.S., you won’t need a visa to visit Brazil for recreation.
However, you will need a valid U.S. passport.
The beach is a mile long, so you’ll have plenty of space to relax and enjoy the natural beauty of the island.
Brazil’s beach culture is a huge part of its identity and attracts tourists from all over the world.