Beaches in Brazil: our guide to the best

If there’s one thing Brazil is known for, it’s for its perfect tropical beaches. The beaches in Brazil always rank amongst the best in the world, and one short trip to this South American titan will let you see clearly why. Since their summer coincides with the European/North American winter, it’s the best time to visit Brazil and escape the coldest months in the Northern hemisphere.

Get ready to take a trip through some of the best beaches in Brazil and what to do in them. Prepare your caipirinha and enjoy! But first, remember that you might need to apply for the Brazil visa to be able to enter the country.

What are the best beaches in Brazil?

Lopes Mendes

Lopes Mendes, located in Ilha Grande, is one of the best beaches in Brazil without a doubt. It’s a natural paradise surrounded by two hills covered in luscious green trees, with the softest white sand and a turquoise sea. It feels isolated and it’s not rowdy like some other beaches in Brazil. 

You will have to take a short walk through the surrounding forest, which will end right on the beach. A stunning sight to take home with you! 

Praia de Pipa

Praia de Pipa is located in Rio Grande do Norte, with Natal being the closest big city. It’s usually bustling with people, with many accommodations and bars close by for those looking for a party. 

This beach is quite popular because of the dolphins that come to visit, as well as the sea turtles. These are the two best activities to enjoy in Praia de Pipa (outside of swimming and sunbathing, of course). If that seems a bit boring for you, you can also enjoy surfing at this beach in Brazil.

Some other great beaches in the vicinity are Praia do Madeiro and Baia Formosa. 

Praia do Rosa

Praia do Rosa is a beach in Florianopolis, a southern state that has some of the most popular and best beaches in Brazil. 

This beach is tranquil and beautiful, surrounded by an ecological reserve and with the softest sand you can imagine. You can practice some water sports or just relax in the water: the sea is perfect!

But something that completely sets apart Praia do Rosa from other beaches in Brazil is that, if you travel between July and November, you’ll be able to join a whale-watching excursion! 

Praia do Sancho

Off the coast of Natal, in Northern Brazil, lies the Fernando de Noronha archipelago. This UNESCO World Heritage site is home to one of the best beaches in Brazil: Praia do Sancho, often chosen as the most beautiful beach in the country. It’s usually accompanied in the top spots of the ranking by a neighboring beach: Praia do Leão.

It’s more difficult to reach than the other entries of this list. You have to rent a boat to get there or take an hour-long flight, and the number of daily visitors is limited to aid in the conservation efforts taking place in the area. The effort is completely worth it: it’s a paradise on earth.

The Fernando de Noronha Marine National Park will let visitors see an extremely diverse wildlife: sea turtles, dolphins, sharks and all kinds of fish await. Pack your snorkel!

Porto de Galinhas

This is one of the most popular beaches in Brazil. Not only is it extremely beautiful, but there’s also very good infrastructure that will help you enjoy your stay in the area to the fullest. You’ll see that there’s plenty of food offerings as well, like food trucks and regular restaurants.

One of Porto de Galinhas’ main attractions are the natural pools that form when there’s a low tide, which are very close to the coast. You can even get there by swimming! Don’t miss out on the chance to see these pools: they are filled with fish, and you can swim with them and take pictures. 

This beach is also great for surfing so, if you like the sport, don’t forget your board. Also, remember to bring your snorkel to see the fishes! 

Praia da Trindade

Praia da Trindade is one of the most beautiful beaches in Brazil. You have to go to the quaint town of Paraty to be able to reach this beach, which is in itself worth the visit: Paraty’s pretty cobblestone roads serve as a reminder of its colonial past. 

But this beach in itself is reason enough to travel to this area of Brazil. The water is the most clear turquoise and the sand is soft. It’s a quiet beach with only one place to grab something to eat and drink, although there are sellers walking around offering cheese, chicken or fish skewers.

Trindade is surrounded by a forest of the most intense green. A short walk through this forest will take you to a warm natural pool. The landscape is breathtaking and it enhances the beauty of the coastline. 

What is the name of a famous beach in Brazil and where is it?

The two most famous beaches in Brazil are Copacabana and Ipanema. They are both located in Rio de Janeiro. Copacabana is the main beach of Rio, and also the place to go if you want to see the famous firework show if you find yourself in Brazil on New Year’s Eve.

Although they are extremely well-known (they have even inspired famous songs like “The Girl from Ipanema"), they are not the best beaches in Brazil: they can get extremely crowded and they’re not very safe, so you would have to take great care of your belongings if you visit them.

The entries on this list are as beautiful as Copacabana or Ipanema (or more), and they are also more enjoyable.

Are there white sand beaches in Brazil?

Yes! Some of the best beaches in Brazil with white sand are:

• Praia Ilha do Campeche
• Ilha de Tinhare
• Praia do Forno
• Jericoacoara Beach
• Praia do Espelho

Also, the aforementioned beaches in Brazil Lopes Mendes and Praia do Sancho have white sand. This is only part of the reason why they are some of the best beaches in Brazil.

What state in Brazil has the best beaches?

There isn’t a single coastal state in Brazil that doesn’t have at least one beach worth visiting. It’s an incredibly beautiful country, rich in attractions both urban and natural. Don’t miss the chance to explore all the beaches in Brazil you can!