Brazil Beaches
Brazil Beaches
Brazil is Beach Paradise
Brazil has 4,650 miles of coastline! The regular coastline in the north contains some awesome beaches and there are deep indentations in the coastline in places like Recife, Salvador and Rio which create great harbors, as well as great beaches. Brazilians take pride in their beaches and can talk for hours about their favorite strip of white sand in some secluded area of the country. Brazil made the Girl from Ipanema famous and their flo dental bikinis changed swimsuit fashions. Dentals are now worn around the world. The beaches at Copacabana are world famous, but there are thousands of beaches to enjoy in Brazil. The best beaches in Brazil are not the famous ones, in fact the number one beach in the country is not even on the coastline; it sits on a river in the heart of the Amazon rainforest. Around 18 miles from Santarem, which is a rainforest city, is the area known as Alter do Chao. Alter do Chao is called the golden paradise. It seems like you’re on a Caribbean island right in the middle of the rainforest. You can relax on the river beach in the morning and enjoy the fresh fish lunches that are served daily in the local restaurant. In the evening the charming pousadas are a perfect place to retire, so you can do it all over again the next day.
Another gem which is simply called paradise by the locals is Fernando de Noronha, which is an archipelago 350km off the north-east coast of Brazil. Fernando is a small volcanic island that has three gorgeous beaches. Praia do Sancho, Baia dos Porcos, and Atalaia have natural salt water pools and abundant sea life. The water is crystal clear and the beaches are secluded. Another fabulous beach is Praia do Toque, Alagoas, which is protected by coral reefs but there’s no highway; the main costal road disappears and only those who know to take the road through the coconut trees and tiny villages can find it. The waters around the beach are always warm and you can hire a small fishing boat and visit the tidal pools at low tide.
Bahia is the home of many spectacular beaches, but Taipus de Fora on the Marau Peninsula stands out for its natural reef pools that are perfect for snorkeling. The white sandy beach is great for long walks and there’s a cool restaurant bar that has an exotic seafood menu that’s perfect for lunch or dinner. Taipus is a romantic beach especially in the evening. The moon sits right above you and it seems so close you may want to reach out and touch it. Another secluded beach in Bahia is Caraiva. This beach is so remote only the hippies know about it. The Brazilians like to say that the hippies discover the secluded beaches first, then the yacht set finds them and finally the French discover them. Caraiva is still in the hippy stage. The beach is so long you can walk all day just in one direction. The beach is surrounded by almond trees and the mule carts that provide transportation to and from the beach. At the end of Ipanema is the beach area known as Arpoador. Arpoador is a favorite hang out for surfers, local sun-worshippers and body surfers. The beach has a quaint restaurant with outdoor tables and a fantastic ocean view.
One of the whitest beaches in Brazil is Lopes Mendes which is on the island of IIha Grande in the state of Rio. It’s not easy to find. It’s a three hour bus ride from Rio and then a 45 minute ferry ride takes you to the island, but once you arrive the rest of the world disappears and the crystal clear water and the palm and almond trees surround you in this tropical paradise.
In between Rio and Sao Paulo is one of Brazil’s natural jewels. Simon Heyes is protected by a coastal mountain that drops down to the sandy fishing village of Picinguaba. There’s a river that’s surrounded by mangroves and once you wade across the river you find two miles of secluded beach that’s scattered with palm trees. It’s a great beach for surfing and it’s the perfect place to watch the dolphins and the whales play in the warm waters off the beach.
Florianopolis Island has over 42 incredible beaches. The most popular beach is Praia Mole and it’s surrounded by mountains. On the south side of the island is Lagoinha do Leste which is a deserted beach that’s at least an hour’s hike away, but it is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. It’s filled with sand dunes and sandbanks and the Atlantic rainforest sits behind it. The beach is a perfect camping site or it’s a great day trip. The most popular seafood restaurant in the city is Arantes. It’s a great spot for lunch and perfect for dinner.
