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The Traveling Twin Mama

9 Best Places to Visit in Northeast Brazil (2024)- The Complete Travel Guide

Thinking about visiting Northeast Brazil? Read on to learn about the best cities, beaches, and experiences this region of Brazil has to offer.

Nestled within the heart of Brazil, the Northeast Brazil region is a treasure trove of history, culture, and natural beauty. This underrated corner of Brazil offers an authentic and unique experience that sets it apart from the rest. From the golden beaches that stretch along the coastline, to the rhythm of traditional music that permeates the air, to the unique and delicious food that can’t be found in other parts of the country. Northeast Brazil captivates travelers of all types. 

Recently, I traveled to Northeast Brazil with my family (ages ranged from four – 65 years old). We were pleasantly surprised by all of the amazing activities and culture it had to offer. It was truly an unforgettable experience for all of us and left us itching to return and explore more of the magic offered by this region of Brazil. 

Whether you’re drawn by the allure of historic cities like Salvador, the lively rhythm of forró music, or the tranquil beauty of pristine beaches, a journey to Northeast Brazil promises an unforgettable adventure that unveils the lesser-explored facets of this captivating country. 

Continue reading to learn about the best places to visit in Northeast Brazil and the best beaches in the area for tourists to visit.

9 Best Places to Visit in Northeast Brazil

Northeast Brazil has many beautiful attractions that are full of culture, history, and incredible nature. As a bonus, it’s mostly undiscovered by international tourists – so you aren’t likely to feel cramped and crowded even during peak season. 

The following nine places are some of the best spots to visit in Northeast Brazil. 

Salvador is the capital of the Brazilian state of Bahia, located in Northeast Brazil. It is one of Brazil’s largest cities with a population of over 3 million people. As one of the larger cities in the northeast, it is an easy city to fly into from other parts of Brazil (or another country in South America ).

The historical port city of Salvador is known for its rich Afro-Brazilian culture, colorful houses, stunning beaches, vibrant music, and both delicious and unique cuisine. 

One of the best places to visit in Salvador is the Historic Center, which is also referred to as the Pelourinho. This historic part of Salvador is full of cobblestone streets, colorful colonial-style buildings, and the beautiful Catedral Basílica de Salvador. It’s a very picturesque area to visit while in Salvador.

As you walk through the streets of Pelourinho, all your senses will be overwhelmed by the unique culture. You’ll listen to locals play live music and dance in the squares, take in the beautiful sights, and smell traditional food being prepared behind the walls of Salvador’s many restaurants. We were actually lucky enough to be in Bahia, Salvador during a live fashion show! 

One of Salvador’s most unique attractions is the Lacerda Elevator – an urban elevator that connects the lower city to the upper city. It was actually the world’s first urban elevator and has become one of the top tourist attractions in Salvador. 

Salvador is surrounded by some of the most incredible beaches that Brazil has to offer.  Some of the best include Ilha dos Frades, Praia do Porto da Barra, Praia do Forte, Praia Farol da Barra, and Flamengo Beach.

Chapada Diamantina National Park

Chapada Diamantina National Park is a beautiful national park located in Bahia. The park is full of towering mountains with scenic views, amazing hiking trails, beautiful waterfalls, and lots of mysterious caves .

To explore Chapada Diamantina National Park, you’ll first want to head to the town of Lençóis. Lençóis has a small airport, so flying there from Salvador or other Brazilian cities is possible. Another option is to arrive by bus, which takes around six hours from Salvador.

Since it’s a bit remote from other places in Northeastern Brazil, it is best to stay in Lençóis for a couple of days. It is important to explore the national park with a guide or on a group tour since it’s a very large area and many trails aren’t clearly marked.

One of the best things to do here is to visit the Fumaca Waterfall. Be sure to also include a visit to the beautiful underground caves and pools (such as Poço Azul). Another highlight is hiking the Morro do Pai Inacio, which is an incredibly scenic viewpoint in Chapada Diamantina National Park.

Explore the caves of Chapada National Park I love that this is an affordable private tour

Jericoacoara National Park

Jericoacoara Na tional Park is an incredible place to visit in the northeastern region of Brazil. Located in the state of Ceará, it is around a 1-hour flight or a 6-7 hour bus ride from Fortaleza. When visiting, you can stay in the small village of Jericoacoara which has a beachy, bohemian vibe and is known for incredible seafood.

Jericoacoara National Park is known for its stunning sand dunes, lagoons , and the famous Jericoacoara Beach. The sand dunes are especially unique, and one of the highlights of visiting is riding in a dune buggy across the dunes. This is an incredibly scenic place to visit, and it is a true hidden gem of the northeast region of Brazil.

✔️ Get Transportation availability and price from Jericoacoara to Fortaleza ✔️

Fortaleza is the capital of the Brazilian state of Ceará. Another major city in Brazil, Fortaleza is a great place to fly into from other Brazilian cities or nearby countries. It isn’t as popular for tourism compared to Salvador, but it is worth staying for a day or two before checking out other parts of Northeastern Brazil.

One of the unique things to do in Fortaleza is to explore the Mercado Central de Fortaleza, which is a large market full of all kinds of souvenirs. You can also plan a visit to one of the urban beaches like Praia do Futuro. Make sure to try some local food and drinks while you’re in the area!

Lençóis Maranhenses National Park

Lençóis Maranhenses National Park is a remote national park in the Brazilian state of Maranhão. The closest town is Barreirinhas, which does have a small regional airport (making it possible to fly there from other Brazilian cities).

This national park has incredible sand dunes that reach up to 40m in height. During the rainy season from January through June, pools of water create lagoons in between the dunes. These lagoons are popular spots for swimming.

✔️ Learn more about a Guided Lagoon Tour ✔️

Recife is the capital city of the state of Pernambuco. The city is one of the largest in Northeast Brazil and is nicknamed the “Venice of Brazil” due to the waterways that wind through the city. As one of the largest cities in the northeast, it’s easily accessible by an airport and several bus connections. 

Recife is known for being a tropical, urban oasis and is full of incredible beaches such as Oa Viagem Beach. It is one of the more popular spots in Northeast Brazil for tourism and has fantastic bars, cafes, and nightlife.

Recife also has a historical old town that is full of 16th-century buildings and is definitely worth a visit. Another favorite with tourists, Marco Zero Square is a colorful square in the heart of the old town. While in Recife, be sure to plan a visit to the Casa da Cultura – a former prison that was converted into an artisanal marketplace.

Olinda is a charming historic town that also happens to be a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is located in the Brazilian state of Pernambuco. Since it’s only a short drive from Recife, it’s possible to visit Olinda on a day trip if your time in Northeast Brazil is limited. 

As a colorful and lively town built in the 16th century, Olinda is definitely one of the highlights of the northeast region. Olinda’s historic center is a great place to wander around and enjoy the vibrant architecture and ornate churches. It is a popular town for artists, so there are many art galleries throughout the town as well as unique street art and traditional music.

Serra da Capivara National Park

Serra da Capivara National Park is an incredibly unique destination in Northeast Brazil. It’s a fairly remote area of Brazil, so I recommend going with a guide or on a tour. Serra has a small airport and the flight from Recife takes only 2 hours. 

Serra da Capivara National Park is a unique national park because it is home to one of the most important archeological sites in all of South America: its prehistoric cave paintings, which are believed to be 25,000 years old. The caves are a UNESCO World Heritage site and are a fascinating place to visit. There are also many hiking trails in this national park.

Natal is a city located on the northeastern tip of Brazil and is the capital of the state of Rio Grande do Norte. Natal is a large city, which makes it possible to access by bus or by flying from other cities in Brazil. 

Natal is best known for its dunes, lagoons, and incredible beaches with crystal-clear water. One of the best beaches is Ponta Negra, which is lined with restaurants and shops. For a more peaceful beach, you can visit Via Costeira. This beach stretches 10km on the coastline with no infrastructure, making it a very relaxing spot for a beach day or a great place to rent a dune buggy .

Another highlight in Natal is to visit the Forte dos Reis Magos – a historic 16th-century Portuguese fort, as well as the historic center of Natal.

Explore the Beach of Turtles- a private area only accessible via this tour

Best Beaches in Northeast Brazil

The northeast is widely known for having amazing beaches. At these Brazilian beaches, you can count on soft sand, beautiful blue waters, colorful corals, and plenty of marine life. The tropical climate and the beautiful beaches in Northeast Brazil are the main drivers of tourism in the region. Below are some of the best beaches in Northeast Brazil that are worth checking out during your trip.

Best Beaches in Northeast Brazil Near Salvador

Porto da Barra

Located in Salvador As one of the most popular beaches in Salvador, Porto da Barra Beach is known for its soft sand, excellent surfing, and lively beach bars. Since it’s such a popular spot, it’s best to get there early in the morning.

Praia do Forte

Located 80km north of Salvador Praia do Forte is a perfect beach for families since it’s very relaxing and more remote than the other well-known beaches in Salvador. Located along the coastline of a small village, it’s known for its soft, white sand and clear water. This is a common spot to find sea turtles!

Ilha dos Frades

Located near Salvador Ilha dos Frades is a beautiful island near Salvador that is the perfect spot for a picturesque beach day. Enjoy a scenic boat ride to the island and spend the rest of the day relaxing on a white-sand beach. 

Best Beaches in Northeast Brazil Near Recife

Praia Boa Viagem

Located near Recife Recife’s most popular beach consists of a lively 7-mile stretch of soft sand. The ocean waters in this area are warm and calm due to the protection of the coral reef, making it an excellent beach for some swimming or snorkeling. Perfect for traveling with kids who love the ocean!

Praia do Pina

Located near Recife Another popular beach in Recife is Pina Beach. This is a beautiful sandy beach with many hotels, restaurants, and bars in close proximity – making it the perfect area to plan your beach vacation in Brazil .

Porto de Galinhas

Located 60km south of Recife Porto de Galinhas is south of Recife on the coast of a small beach town. This beach is best known for its bright blue water and beautiful coral reefs, so it’s an excellent place for both scuba diving and snorkeling.

Best Beaches in Northeast Brazil Near Natal

Praia de Genipabu

Located near Natal Genipabu Beach is known for its rolling sand dunes, freshwater lagoon, and relaxing beach atmosphere. The environment here is under protection that bans new development and accentuates the natural scenery. Here, you can rent a buggy and head out to explore the sand dunes.

Praia Ponta Negra 

Located near Natal Ponta Negra Beach is a popular beach in Northeast Brazil for beach sports such as volleyball and surfing. It’s a very lively area full of hotels, restaurants, and Barracas – which serve food and drinks. On the south end of Praia Ponta Negra is Morro do Careca, a large dune, and landmark of Natal.

Best Beaches in Northeast Brazil Near Fortaleza

Praia do Futuro

Located near Fortaleza Full of music, bars, and food vendors, Praia do Futuro is a lively and fun beach to visit in Northeast Brazil. In addition to its upbeat atmosphere, there are also chairs and umbrella rentals available – making it the perfect spot for a beach day. 

Jericoacoara

Located 300km west of Fortaleza Located in a laid-back beach village, Jericoacoara is quite a long distance from Fortaleza – so it’s worth staying for a few days. You can take the bus or drive there, but it’s the fastest to fly. Jericoacoara Beach is known for its incredible windsurfing and kite surfing. You can also tour the sandy dunes and lagoons or rent a dune buggy to drive around the sand.

What to Know About Northeast Brazil

Northeast Brazil is a large region in Brazil that covers an area of more than 600,000 square miles and is made up of nine different Brazilian states. The population is around 53 million people, and it is home to several coastal cities – such as Salvador, Recife, Natal, and Fortaleza. The northeast has a diverse landscape filled with highlands, beaches, mountains, national parks, and more.

There’s no shortage of beautiful natural landscapes to explore here! However, the region is best known for its stunning coastline and beautiful beaches. 

English is common in some areas of Northeast Brazil , like Recife, Salvador, and Fortaleza. However, in the smaller beach villages you are less likely to find English-speakers, so be sure to download a handy translator app before your trip.

Transportation in Northeast Brazil

Since it’s such a large region, transportation around Northeast Brazil can be a little tricky to navigate at times. The most common method of transportation to get to or around the northeast region is to fly or take the bus.

Although taking a bus or driving around Northeast Brazil is possible, it’s sure to be a long journey – especially if you are coming from popular southern cities like Rio de Janeiro or São Paulo . 

In my opinion, the best way to get around the Northeast quickly is to fly. When we visited, we booked flights on a couple of Brazil’s domestic, budget-friendly airlines such as Azul and GOL Airlines. We found it the most effective way to get from city to city since most of the cities in the northeast have an airport. 

FAQ: Northeast Brazil

A: Northeast Brazil, and Brazil in general, has a reputation for being unsafe. While there are some cities with higher than average crime rates, it’s possible to visit the region safely . Using a local guide, staying outside of high-crime neighborhoods, being alert to your surroundings, and avoiding being in unfamiliar areas at night are all necessary precautions for staying safe in Northeast Brazil. 

A: Northeast Brazil has a tropical climate, so temperatures remain warm and humid for much of the year. On average, temperatures in the major cities along the northeastern coast are between 72–88ºF (21–31ºC) for most of the year. The Northeast is known for having a lot of sunny days, but the rainy season is typically between February and May.

A: Northeast Brazil is known for its tropical climate, vibrant culture, coastal cities, incredible national parks, and stunning beaches that stretch for miles. It’s not uncommon to see surfers, snorkelers, scuba divers, and windsurfers enjoying the waves and/or marine environment in this region of Brazil. 

Conclusion: Best Places to Visit in Northeast Brazil

Northeast Brazil is a vastly underrated tourist destination that is worth visiting in South America. This region of Brazil has so much to offer – including coastal cities, breathtaking national parks, historic old town centers, colorful architecture, delicious local cuisine, and some of the best beaches Brazil has to offer. Be sure to add Northeast Brazil to your bucket list so you can experience this incredible region for yourself!

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If we only had 2 weeks: North Brazil itinerary

Sometimes, I use affiliate/sponsored links with my recommendations, which if bought through might earn me a few pennies at absolutely no extra cost to you . This helps with the cost of keeping this site alive so I can continue to guide you on your travels. Please remember that I would never ever ever recommend anything I don’t or wouldn’t use myself. Big thanks to each and every one of you who have trusted my recommendations so far! Lozzy x

We’re lucky enough that our location independent business means that we can travel extra slow. If this is an option to you, we strongly recommend that you take your time, really getting to know and appreciate each country you’re in rather than try to cram as many passport stamps as you can into a few months. We would advise at least one month in each country in Latin America , perhaps with the exception of Panama and Belize, which have less going on.

However, that’s not always possible, as we are often asked by people who only have a 2 week holiday from their jobs where we would prioritise in the given time.

After this ideal 2 weeks North Brazil itinerary, I recommend also reading:

• 32 tips for safe travel in South America
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So behold! Here is our 2 weeks North Brazil itinerary for anyone who is tight on time but still wants to soak up the best that this incredible country has to offer. Most visitors flock to the coastlines and landmarks of the South of the country, so by choosing to spend your in the North you’ll definitely being seeing some different spots to the usual Brazil itinerary.

This 2 weeks North Brazil itinerary will have you alternating from colonial cities to beaches in a whirlwind tour of the coastline, ending in an awe-inspiring trip to see the out-of-this-world sand dune lagoons of Lençóis Maranhenses in Maranhão. Even though I’ve been there, I’m still jealous that you’ll go!

Things to consider when planning a trip to North Brazil

Remember, Brazil is GINORMOUS, like almost the size of Europe, and plane or bus transport internally tends to be both long and relatively expensive compared to the Latin American average. It’s not unusual to see 20, 30 and 40-hour buses running up and down the country, but luckily we have guides for you on what to look for in a night bus in South America and how to stay safe and comfortable on night buses .

When planning your 2 weeks North Brazil itinerary, you need to factor in these increased travel times, as well as the fact that routes between cities can’t always be assumed to exist, even if they are both major or they look close on the map. Brazil needs a bit more travel prep than other countries in Latin America, in our experience!

As you only have a fortnight in North Brazil, we highly recommend you fly as much as you can afford so as to save time – for the below 2 weeks North Brazil itinerary, this would mean flying from Porto Seguro to Salvador, then Recife to São Luis , and onto Rio de Janeiro to fly back home.

However, if you’re on a budget you can save money on accommodation but taking some of the journeys via night bus – you just may feel a bit groggy the next day!

Even though this is a 2 weeks North Brazil itinerary, we’ll start you off from the most southerly point of the trip, but it’ll probably be in your best interest to connect through Rio de Janeiro as this tends to offer the cheapest flights from Europe or North America. If you’d rather stay around the Rio area, don’t miss out on our 2 weeks South Brazil itinerary , too.

2 weeks North Brazil itinerary:

Here’s a quick run-down of my suggested 2 weeks North Brazil itinerary with recommended places to stay; below I’ll tell you more about what to do in each of these destinations.

What not to miss in your 2 weeks North Brazil itinerary

Days 1 to 4: porto seguro.

Kick off your 2 weeks North Brazil itinerary with a stroll along the port edge to see all the beautiful houses. Take a bus or rent a car to visit the hilltop church of Santa Cruz Cabrália and then join the beach parties at Axé Moi and Tôa Tôa. on your way back.

The next day, hop on the ferry to Arraial d’Ajuda and add a ribbon of Bonfim (Bahia wish bracelet) to the wall of the Matriz Nossa Senhora D’Ajuda church for good luck before spending an afternoon on the beach. Grab cocktails from one of the stalls on the Passarela do Álcool (alcohol catwalk).

Click here to read my full Porto Seguro guide.

Days 5 to 7: Salvador

Eat grilled cheese as you catch a sunset sitting under the lighthouse in the Barra district, browse Pelourinho in the daytime, have lunch on the balcony of Cafélier (you need to reserve a table in advance!), chill on the beaches of the Rio Vermelho district.

This is the best point in your 2 weeks North Brazil itinerary to soak up some spicy city nightlife; the area around Rio Vermelho is a good place to be for it!

Days 8 to 9: Maragogi

Get a tour to Praia dos Carneiros to see some gorgeous beaches and check out the famous green chapel at the water’s edge.

Back in Maragogi, swim in the Gales natural pools and walk the La Barra sand bar out into the sea.

Click here to read my full Maragogi guide.

Days 10 to 13: Barreirinhas (for Lençóis Maranheses)

With absolutely zero doubts in my mind, this will be the highlight of any 2 weeks North Brazil itinerary.

You have a few days here not only to get through the cumbersome transport necessities (like a flight to São Luis via Recife) but also to have a chance to really appreciate the natural wonder of Lençóis Maranhenses. You can also grab some downtime on the sandbacks of Atins.

Click here to read my full Lençóis Maranhenses guide.

Day 14: Rio de Janeiro

Ok, so depending on your flight times this will likely be a fleeting visit, but it’s a perfect way to sign off your 2 weeks North Brazil itinerary. Rio is an absolute hub of vibrance, and there’s a lot you can cram in during a one day stop-over before heading home.

My parents actually hired a taxi driver during their 12-hour connection in the city and ticked off 4 or 5 activities from the list of fantastic things to do in Rio de Janeiro .

Got 3 weeks in North Brazil?

Even better! Definitely add in a trip to Natal (below) and Pipa in between Maragogi and São Luis, though note that the transport between those places isn’t great so your cheapest option afterwards may be to get to Recife to catch a flight or 27-hour (gulp) bus to São Luis. Recife itself is a cool place to spend a couple of days, too.

An easier beachy alternative is to extend your time in the vibrant city of Salvador, getting the ferry over to Morro de São Paolo for a couple of days. If you’re done with the beach life, catch a flight up to Manaus and take some tours down the Amazon river to explore the rainforest.

If you haven’t yet decided where in Latin America to spend your 2 weeks holiday, you might also want to check these out before booking those flights!

• 2 weeks South Brazil itinerary
• 2 weeks Uruguay itinerary
• 2 weeks Peru itinerary
• 2 weeks Colombia itinerary
• 2 weeks Ecuador itinerary
• 2 weeks Belize itinerary
• 2 weeks Nicaragua itinerary
• 2 weeks Guatemala itinerary
• Which country to visit in Latin America?

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Last Updated on 17 October 2022 by Cuppa to Copa Travels

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7 Destinations You Have to Visit in Northeast Brazil

When you think of Brazil, you probably think of Rio de Janeiro  with its glamorous Copacabana Beach, vibrant Lapa, and the bohemian quarters of Santa Teresa. We loved our time in Rio, but it wasn’t until we traveled north visiting destinations in Northeast Brazil that we discovered a thriving beach scene, unspoiled nature, deep colonial heritage, and unique cuisine of this fascinating region. 

*This post may contain affiliate links, as a result, we may receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you) on any bookings/purchases you make through the links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Read our full disclosure

If you are thinking of visitng Brazil and are looking to explore beyond Rio and Iguazu Falls, these are the destinations we recommend you visit the vibrant region of Northeast Brazil.

1. Salvador

If you are coming to Salvador from Rio de Janeiro (like we did), you’ll find the city to be a shock to the system (but in a good way). For us, its appeal was far beyond the cobblestone streets and colourful buildings of the UNESCO Heritage Listed Old Town and the beautiful views of the sun setting over the ocean from the Santo Antônio da Barra Fort.

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It was here that we got a chance to sample some amazing Bahian cuisine (aracaje and moqueca are the best ), learned a bit about the history of the slave trade in Brazil , and got our first introduction to the capoeira dance . If you are looking for a city to delve into Brazilian culture , Salvador is one of the must-see places to visit in Brazil.

Here’s our video exploring Salvador, Olinda and Fernando de Noronha

At first glance, Recife didn’t strike us as anything special. Its gritty commercial center, full of highrise apartments and business buildings didn’t inspire us to stick around for too long. 

But the second we set our foot on Recife’s long sandy drag known as Praia Boa Viagem, we knew we hit a real hot spot. The beautiful stretch of the beach was full of locals and visitors enjoying sun, sand, fresh coconuts, and the fried fish . 

In our opinion, Recife is one of the most underrated places to visit in Brazil. If you come here, make sure to spend some time at the beach, catching some sun and taking in the views.

Just half an hour north of Recife sits a pretty little town of Olinda, that in our opinion had more charm and appeal than most other cities in the Northeast of Brazil.

We fell in love with Olinda’s pastel-coloured buildings, winding streets, and beautiful views that emerged once we climbed to Alto da Se, the cathedral square at the top of the town.

Street food and souvenir stalls filled the square with buzz and excitement, making it that much harder to say goodbye to this bohemian town. We recommend adding Olinda in your itinerary of Northeast of Brazil, because it is yet another place that is under mass tourism’ radar (for now). Use the opportunity to visit this gem of Northeast Brazil before it gets affected by mass tourism.

4. Fernando de Noronha

The island of Fernando de Noronha is Northeast Brazil’s best kept secret. It’s exclusive (only 400 people are allowed to visit the island at a time) and it’s expensive (flights to the island, island fees, food, activities, and accommodation added up to be well over our budget). However, there is a good reason why this island located northeast of Brazil is so pricey.

The untouched nature of the island and its surrounding shores is unlike anything else we have seen in Brazil. Fernando is a haven for active travelers offering a multitude of hikes , snorkeling and diving opportunities, and some of the most beautiful beaches in the country. It’s easily one of the best Brazil vacation spots.

5. Morro Branco

Similar to a number of other destinations in Northeast Brazil, the small inconspicuous beach of Morro Branco remains untouched by mass tourism . We say that because, during our visit, we were the only foreigners in the sea of local visitors. We knew that we hit a local hot spot when a tour guide taking a group of locals around the area laughed in our face when we asked if his tour was available in English. Still, another of the best Brazil locations to add to your list!

Heres our video exploring Morro Branco,  Jericoacoara and  Lençóis

Luckily, the topography of Morro Branco’s sandy cliffs radiating a variety of yellow, orange, and red shades told us everything we cared to know. We walked around the small canyon, running through the heart of the cliffs, completely mesmerised by the views, thrilled to have discovered a spot as unique as this. It’s definitely one of the top places to visit in Brazil.

6. Jericoacoara 

The further we traveled in Northeast Brazil, the more sand we encountered. Luckily, Jericoacoara, a small town in the heart of the sandy National Park by the same name, offered more than sand. The town was built completely on the sand, but walking down its Main Street lined with boutique shops, kite surfing schools, and amazing restaurants , it was easy to forget exactly how remote this place was.

Jericoacoara sucked us in hard. A fishing village turned hippy backpacker town, Jeri had it all. Activities (kite-boarding, surfing, jeep tours, etc), beach , shopping , dining , and a happening nightlife make Jeri an easy place to get stuck in. We almost did.

7. Lençóis Maranhenses

If there was a place worth leaving Jeri for, it was the sprawling sand dune park of Lençóis Maranhenses. Lencois is an incredible natural phenomenon, a place where sand dominates all, where the horizon is filled with dunes and more dunes, where sheep and goats farm on the tiniest patches of grass, and where beautiful green freshwater lagoons create an incredible landscape. But besides the pristine landscapes, this place in Northeast Brazil offers a much-needed refreshing swim after a long hike up and down the dunes.

WHY NORTHEAST BRAZIL TOPS OUR LIST OF PLACES TO VISIT IN THE COUNTRY

Brazil boasts unparalleled nature and biodiversity, vibrant cities and friendly locals. And while many destinations in Brazil were interesting to visit, it was Northeast Brazil that really got us. 

This part of the country has a serene nature and environment and so many undiscovered places. If you are wondering what places to visit in Brazil, we definitely recommend adding some Northern Brazil destinations to your list.

Have you ever been to the Northeastern part of Brazil? What did you think? Did we miss anything?

About the author.

Oksana & Max St John

7 thoughts on “7 destinations you have to visit in northeast brazil”.

Hi Oksana and Max,

You’re absolutely right, when it comes the name of Brazil in our mind, the Rio de Janerio comes first which is the incredible place in the world. I have a wish to visit this place, see when it comes true.

Thanks a lot for suggesting the wonderful places of Brazil, I really unknown about the places which you have mentioned here. Sounds like each one is famous and perfect place to make the Brazil trip full of fun and relief. This is really interesting to know these places of Brazil, each one looks quite beautiful and suitable for make our Brazil trip awesome.

The island of Fernando De Noronha is amazing in looks and I got impressed to see the beauty of this place. Also, Lencois Maranhenses, Recife, Salvador is perfect find for trip. Thanks for highlighting the amazing destination of Brazil. I would like to visit Brazil soon. Have a great week ahead. – Ravi.

Hey there Oksana and Max,

I am currently living in Belo Horizonte, Brazil for a year. I am planning though on visiting Northeastern side of Brazil on September but I was a little bit distracted and hazy by the route to be taken in order to reach such places. Also bare in mind that i am on very tight budget around 2K Reais. So I would prefer if i would take a flight from Belo Horizonte to a place and then from the last destination to Belo Horizonte once again and the rest to be done by buses. So if you would mind helping me out finding the way and give me some tips regarding this matter!

Thank you so much guys <3

Hi Yarah, it is possible to get around Brazil by bus. It’s a cheaper and much more sustainable way to travel around the country. Bus rides between main cities can be long, so we recommend planning lots of stopovers in smaller towns along the way to break up your journey and see lesser visited destinations along the coast.

Wow, this Morro Branco looks amazing!! I have never heard of it, wish I could visit it sometime *-* And congrats on the post, it is really good and with great tips! Another tip for traveler is to get around Brazil by bus… sometimes it a long trip, but I think the buses are good at comfort and, most important, cheaper 🙂 I get my tickets online.

Hello guys!! We are planning a visit to the northeast of Brazil and would like a recommendation for a calm, beautiful and relaxed beach to rent a house….. It also should be possible to do a bit of kite surfing there….. any suggestions?? Yhanks so much, Marisa

Hi Marisa, We loved Jericoacoara. Great for kitesurfing and lots of lovely beaches around. Nice place to part up for a while.

Oh, I know the NE Region, I live here! Hahahaha. I’m very happy to see our beautiful region being noticed. I just felt I needed to add a few places from my own state, Alagoas, because it tends to go unnoticed. Alagoas is the second smallest state in the northeast (and the country), but it’s definetely one of the most beautiful. The beaches of Maragogi, Japaratinga, Patacho (in the city of Porto de Pedras), Mirante do Gunga and Barra de São Miguel are just a few examples. The historic cities of Penedo and Piranhas. The canyons of the São Francisco river. Google these places and you’ll Want to come back here right away, I guarantee you hahahahaha. Regards and safe travels!

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Leave the glamorous cities and beaches of Brazil 's central and southern coast behind and see the wilder part of the country, where cities didn't really develop until the 19th century. Northern Brazil is the place to see the enormous Amazon rainforest .

States [ edit ]

Cities [ edit ]

• -1.455833 -48.503889 1 Belém — a major city near the mouth of the Amazon River, with a blend of cultures including indigenous influence, colonial architecture, and modern skyscrapers
• 0.032958 -51.065311 2 Macapá — Located on the equator north of the mouth of the Amazon River, and cut off from most of Brazil by road.
• -3.118889 -60.021667 3 Manaus — The largest city in the region, located near the meeting of the rivers that form the Amazon. A natural place to start river tours or rainforest adventures.
• -11.71 -47.722778 4 Natividade — A historic town from the mining ages in Tocantins.
• -10.188611 -48.333611 5 Palmas — A planned city built out of nowhere (like Brasilia ) in the 1990s to serve as the capital of Tocantins.
• -2.627778 -56.735833 6 Parintins — Home to the Boi Bumbá folk festival, with extravagant theatrical retellings of a local legend.

Other destinations [ edit ]

• -3.16 -60.03 1 Amazonia - jungle tours, wildlife, floated wood, the Mysteries of the amazon
• -4.439444 -56.840278 2 Amazônia National Park
• -2.394722 -60.920556 3 Anavilhanas
• -0.978611 -49.581667 4 Ilha do Marajó - the large island at the mouth of the Amazon
• -1.164 -48.469 5 Ilha do Mosqueiro
• Jalapão - A departure from the Amazon region, this uninhabited cerrado area has bright orange sand dunes, rivers and waterfalls. Increasingly popular with off-road adventure lovers
• 5.141944 -60.764167 6 Mount Roraima

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Visit the Northeast Coast, Brazil

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The northeast of Brazil, from the state of Bahia to the state of Ceará, boasts a stunning and varied coastline of palm fringed deserted beaches, reef pools, mangrove swamps and busy little fishing towns.

Some of Brazil’s most exclusive beach retreats can be found on this stretch of coast as well as a handful of wonderful small, locally run pousadas that are ideal for those with their own vehicle looking to explore the area at their leisure.

Although the southern parts of this coastline do have a rainy season it’s more than manageable with a well-timed afternoon nap, whilst further north there are over 300 days of sunshine on average each year making it a fantastic destination to visit year round.

Start planning your tailor-made trip to the Northeast Coast by contacting one of our Brazil specialists

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Places to visit in the Northeast Coast

Featuring heavily on our experiences of visiting the Northeast Coast, these selected places are destinations that also prove consistently popular with our travellers. Our specialists can help you choose how to include them in your wider trip, based on your preferences.

Jericoacoara

Natal & Around

Recife & Olinda

Start planning your trip to The Northeast Coast

Map of the northeast coast, places & hotels on the map, places in and around the northeast coast.

• Jericoacoara The Northeast Coast
• Natal & Around The Northeast Coast
• Pipa The Northeast Coast
• Recife & Olinda The Northeast Coast
• Morro de São Paulo 108 miles away
• Trancoso 115 miles away
• Salvador 140 miles away
• Praia do Forte 177 miles away
• Lençóis & Chapada Diamantina 228 miles away

Photos of the Northeast Coast

Our expert guides to exploring the Northeast Coast

Written by our specialists from their own experiences of visiting the Northeast Coast, these guides will help you make the most of your time there. We share both our practical recommendations and the best ways to appreciate the Northeast Coast at its best.

Family holidays in Brazil

Why you should consider a family trip to Brazil, and what to do once you’re there. From hotel and resort recommendations to how to see Rio, we explain the best ways to experience Brazil’s key highlights as a family.

Accommodation choices for the Northeast Coast

We’ve selected a range of accommodation options for when you visit the Northeast Coast. Our choices usually come recommended for their character, facilities and service or location. Our specialists always aim to suggest properties that match your preferences.

Toca da Coruja

Pousada Naquela

Manary Praia Hotel

Pousada dos Quatro Cantos

Pousada Do Amparo

Hotel 7 Colinas

Kenoa Resort

Pousada Praiagogi

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10 Best Places to Visit in Northeast Brazil

When hear about Brazil , most people around the world automatically think about Rio de Janeiro , its numerous attractions, its golden beaches, and of course, the Carnival, which is the most popular on the planet.

On the one side, for a country is good to have so famous cities on its territory.

In this case, however, Rio attracts too much attention, and many other places, which are actually just amazing, remain less famous and just don’t receive the attention they deserve.

Here we would like to show you 10 places you should definitely consider for your next vacation.

They are all located in the Northeast Region of Brazil and reveal one less popular but really adorable side of the country.

1. Lençóis Maranhenses, Maranhão

The Lençóis Maranhenses National Park is located in the northern part of the state of Maranhão, on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean.

It covers an area of 1550 sq.km. and is a place of unique natural beauty.

It is really very contrasting compared to the rest of Brazil because this is one of the most forested and green countries on the planet, and in the same time, the National Park rather looks like a sandy desert.

Most of its territory is occupied by huge sandy dunes and is practically devoid of vegetation.

At the same time, the area receives abundant precipitations over the year.

For this reason many people call Lençóis Maranhenses “the rainiest desert on the planet”.

There is one more thing that makes this place so unique.

The sandy dunes are diversified by freshwater lagoons, which are sometimes home to small populations of fish.

They usually come here during the high-water season of the local rivers.

2. Fernando de Noronha Island, Rio Grande do Norte

Fernando de Noronha is one of the most beautiful and important places to visit in the Northeast Region of Brazil.

Since 2001, together with the other islands of the archipelago with the same name, Fernando de Noronha is under the auspices of UNESCO.

It is located approximately 358 km northeast of the state of Rio Grande do Norte although actually as a municipality it belongs to the state of Pernambuco.

The island is known for its fabulous golden sandy beaches, which are often compared to the beaches of Hawaii and are considered among the most beautiful in South America.

Its warm and full of life tropical waters attract divers from around the world.

However, the number of visitors is limited to about 500 per day!

The island enjoys perfect weather and temperatures between 28 and 30°C during the day and night temperatures of around 24°C.

3. The old town of São Luís, Maranhão

São Luís was founded in 1612 by French seafarers. Over the centuries the city has been influenced by people from different parts of the world but mostly by French, Spanish, Dutch, and of course by Portuguese.

All of them have left their own cultural imprints over the face of the city.

The old historic centre of São Luís, the capital of the state of Maranhão, is considered one of the most beautiful in the Americas, together with places such as Havana in Cuba or Cartagena in Colombia .

Because of its architectural treasure, today this place is a real museum under the open sky.

Since 1997, the city is under the auspices of UNESCO .

They often compare the city of São Luís with the capital of Portugal , Lisbon, and the similarity between them is really obvious in many aspects.

4. The beaches of Morro de São Paulo, Bahia

Morro de São Paulo is a small town located on the northern tip of the island of Tinharé, in the central coastal part of the state of Bahia.

The town is really charming but not its old spirit is what makes this place so special.

Actually, the town is famous all across Brazil for its legendary beautiful seven beaches.

They are just incredible and are covered by the finest golden sand.

The coastal water is azure and shallow, which makes Morro de São Paulo the perfect place for a nice summer vacation.

In addition, the summer season here never ends so you can enjoy equally good weather in January and in July.

The beaches are separated from each other by coastal rocks, forming several larger or smaller adorable beaches.

The seawater temperature is around 25 – 28°C throughout the year.

The average temperature during the day is 26 – 30°C so the perfect weather is guaranteed.

5. The old town of Olinda, Pernambuco

The old town of Olinda in the state of Pernambuco is the best preserved colonial city on the territory of Brazil, and since 1982, it is under the auspices of UNESCO .

It an exceptionally charming place, with very well preserved architecture and numerous building from 16 century.

Although this is not the oldest city in the country, there is no other place Brazil to offer such an authentic historical atmosphere from the earliest days of Brazil.

Nowadays, most of the tourist usually visit the South and the Southeast of Brazil, and sadly, many people haven’t even heard about this treasure.

However, for a real traveler, who wants to feel the real taste of Brazil outside the banal tourist routs, the old town of Olinda is a must!

The only you should think about in advance is the temperature.

Here, even in July (the coldest month), the average temperature during the day is over 27°C in the shade!

6. The beach village of Canoa Quebrada, Ceará

Canoa Quebrada is a small and very quiet tourist village on the coast of the state of Ceará, in the Northeast Region of Brazil.

It is located approximately 125 km southeast of the downtown of the famous Brazilian metropolis of Fortaleza.

This place is a well known destination for outdoor activities.

Its popularity comes mostly from the fact that it is a great kitesurfing destination.

Actually, Canoa Quebrada is considered one of the kitesurf capitals in the world, so if you are into this water sport, this place is a must for you!

Except as a kitesurf hot spot, Canoa Quebrada is also famous for its sandy dunes.

The stripe of fine golden sand is nearly 5 km wide at some places, so it is too wide to be called simply a beach.

It rather looks like a smaller model of the Sahara desert .

If you want to explore the area, the best way to do it is by buggy.

 7. Chapada das Mesas National Park, Maranhão

Chapada das Mesas National Park is one of the most beautiful wild places to visit not only in Brazil but in the world.

This small piece of the heaven is located in a picturesque remote area in the southwestern parts of the state of Maranhão and covers a territory of around 159,952 hectares.

This is one of the places in the country that really worth a visit.

Here you will find an amazing combination of some of the most beautiful waterfalls in the country such as São Romão Waterfall and Prata Waterfall, wild savannah, deepwater rivers surrounded by dense tropical vegetation, wonderful canyons and rock formations with strange shapes as well as a great variety of species of wild animals.

The site was declared a national park in 2005.

The closest city to the national park is Carolina, which is located at one of the meanders of the Tocantins River and has a population of less than 24,000 people.

8. Historic Centre of Salvador de Bahia, Bahia

If you visit the Northeast Region of Brazil, you definitely have to pay some special attention to one of the old capitals of the country – Salvador.

The old town of the city is known for its rich colonial-style architecture. Since 1985, the historic centre of the city is under the auspices of UNESCO .

From 1549 to 1763, as we already said, Salvador de Bahia (the official name of the city) was the capital of Brazil, and this explains its rich historical spirit, which could be compared only to some of the oldest cities in old Europe.

The place is known under the name Pelourinho, and it is a really great place to buy some souvenirs, to visit some small old fashioned coffee or restaurant, or just to walk around the paved streets enjoying the colorful building.

9. Chapada Diamantina National Park. Bahia

If you want to visit a mysterious and picturesque place in Brazil but you still haven’t decided where to go, Chapada Diamantina National Park is the place for you.

It offers amazing landscapes, including forested plateaus, deep valleys and green canyons.

The area is home of a great variety of species of wild animals.

It covers an area of around 152,142 hectares in the central parts of the state of Bahia and is located more than 400 km west of Salvador de Bahia.

The national park is well known also for its caves.

The most famous of all is the Blue Well – a deep flooded cave, which is considered the most beautiful in South America.

10. Porto de Galinhas, Pernambuco

Porto de Galinhas is located on the coast of the state of Pernambuco, approximately 30 km south of the city of Recife. The place is one of the top tourist destinations of Brazil.

It attracts tourists with its fabulous beaches, shallow turquoise waters, and year round great weather with temperatures between 27°C in July and 30°C in January.

It is one of the most important places to consider if you are planning a vacation in Brazil.

This place is known as an important yachting hot spot.

Snorkeling is another activity you can practice here.

It won’t be difficult even if you have no any experience because the reefs are just a few steps of the golden sandy beach.

In addition, the level of services in the local hotels and restaurants in this popular tourist destination is known as one of the highest in Brazil and South America as a whole.

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• The Ultimate Roadtrip Route Across...

The Ultimate Roadtrip Route Across Brazil's Northeastern Coast

Brazil’s north-eastern coast is known for its stunning weather, beautiful beaches and unique culture. Individually, many of the region’s cities are excellent tourist destinations in themselves, but a great way to see them all is by taking a long road trip from Maranhão all the way down to Bahia.

The journey starts in the city of São Luis, with its beautiful colonial architecture and lively reggae scene, before working your way east through two of Brazil’s most beautiful spots: the gorgeous dunes and lagoons of Lençóis Maranhenses and the amazing secluded beach town of Jericoacoara.

Lençóis Maranhenses gets its name from the vast, sweeping dunes that cover the park, which are often said to look like bed sheets ( lençóis , in Portuguese). The rainy season causes pristine lagoons to form in between the dunes, meaning you can trek over desert-like hills of sand before taking a dip in the gorgeous natural pools below.

The journey on to Jericoacoara is by far the most complex stretch of this route, requiring a vehicle with a bit of off-road capability. From Barreirinhas, the entry point to Lençóis Maranhenses, you’ll need to take some sand tracks east to the beach town of Paulino Neves, only then will you return to properly paved roads as you journey through the towns of Tutoia, Parnaiba and Camocim, before reaching Jericoacoara.

The sleepy fishing village of Jericoacoara , or Jeri, as the locals call it, is a truly fairytale destination for any visitor to Brazil. With its beautiful beaches and slow, relaxed pace of life, it is the perfect place to relax while soaking up the sun and stunning scenery. One of the main attractions is the Duna do Pôr do Sol (Sunset Dune), where crowds gather to lay back and see one of the world’s greatest sunsets, as the sun drops into the Atlantic horizon, often creating the famous Green Flash phenomenon.

The route then takes you through a number of the region’s state capitals: Fortaleza, Natal, João Pessoa, Recife, Maceió and Aracaju, as you begin to snake south towards your final destination, the amazing city of Salvador.

Often overlooked by foreign travellers, Fortaleza is one of the country’s biggest cities and is made absolutely gorgeous by its idyllic beaches and party atmosphere. Head for a walk around Ponte dos Ingleses and Praia do Iracema, or for an excellent city beach check out Praia do Futuro and its excellent sands.

The pretty José de Alencar theatre is well worth seeing, with its Art Nouveau décor dating back to the 1910s. To top off your time in Fortaleza, have a night out around Praia do Iracema, which becomes one of the north-east’s most happening spots once the sun goes down.

The next major stop will be Natal , located on Brazil’s north-eastern tip and the capital city of the state of Rio Grande do Norte. The city itself doesn’t have much going for it, but the surrounding region makes Natal a must on any north-east road trip.

Before making it into the city itself, you will pass the lovely coastal locations of Galinhos, São Miguel do Gostoso and Genipabu, all of which are worth a stop. In Natal, spend some time in the hip southern beach neighborhood of Ponta Negra and then head further south to Praia da Pipa.

With life moving along at a similar pace to Jericoacoara, Pipa is a gorgeous little town with great beaches and a hip, relaxed atmosphere. It is a good spot for surfing, and you can also swim with dolphins at the fittingly named Baía dos Golfinhos (Dolphin Bay).

The route then starts to turn south and takes us to the chaotic yet charming city of Recife and its stunningly beautiful neighbor Olinda . While most of the towns and cities on the journey so far have an overwhelmingly relaxed and chilled-out atmosphere, Recife is decidedly more urban and as such has great character and culture.

The suburb of Boa Viagem is the most popular spot for tourists in Recife, with its excellent nightlife and restaurants. Just don’t go into the water, as Boa Viagem’s beaches are notorious for shark attacks.

On the outskirts of Recife is the quaint town of Olinda, with its gorgeous museums and beautifully preserved colonial architecture. It may be a good idea to find a charming B&B in Olinda during your stay, from where you can explore the town and take quick trips into Recife.

The last stop on the journey is Salvador , the capital of the state of Bahia. Once being a key city of Brazil’s slave trade, Salvador today is arguably the most African city outside of Africa, and is a rare example of a South American city where the culture of black slaves has been so well preserved and celebrated.

If after all that, you’re still looking to go a bit further, the towns of Ilheus and Porto Seguro, in the southern parts of Bahia state, are also worth a visit. The entire trip involves around 40 hours of driving, so give yourself plenty of time to enjoy your stopovers.

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Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

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Our vacation in Northern Brazil, entrance to the largest jungle in the world

Belém, Santarém, Marajó  … these exotic sounding names are synonymous with adventure and mystery amidst exuberant jungle. Who has not dreamed as a child of being an adventurer, or an explorer, landing at the mouth of the Amazon in search of some lost treasure or forgotten tribes? This dream can become a reality with a trip to the  state of Pará. As one of our more authentic Brazil vacation packages , the state of Pará is not one of the traditional destinations in terms of tourists coming to see the jungle in Brazil. Tourists are normally directed more inland, to the state of Amazonas. To take in Pará, the other region bathed by the biggest river in the world, means to go off the beaten track. Moreover, although this region is still relatively unknown to travelers, it has many centers of interest giving it status as a top choice destination for a trip to Brazil.

Come face to face with the gateway to the Amazon!

Our stays in the northern region, belém, island of marajó.

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A vacation in Northern Brazil – a little known region full of surprises!

The relatively low level of tourism in  Pará can be partly explained by the fact that it is a region that has long been valued primarily for its economic resources rather than for its extraordinary landscapes.

It was also a difficult area to access as soon as one moved away from the regional capital,  Belém,  which had mysteriously specific climatic conditions such as the famous daily rainfall at 17:00.

However, modern communication, Internet and regular flights at reasonable costs have considerably accelerated the development of the region and facilitated its openness to travelers.

Infrastructures adapted to international tourism appeared at the end of the last century allowing visitors to travel freely and easily in this part of Brazil. We now have the pleasure of offering you stays where  comfort, pleasure and wonder  are the fundamental elements in the most interesting and undiscovered parts of the country.

Pará, the perfect destination for exotic tourism

Amongst our offers are three very different and exotic stages that will allow an authentic immersion in the universe that is North Brazil.

Travelers with a fondness for  history and art  in general will enjoy a region occupied by indigenous peoples for millennia, then by European settlers from the sixteenth century onwards. Among its many parks, monuments, museums and public gardens, there is plenty to see and do!

If you appreciate being able to discover the way of life and customs of the locals, the port of Belém and its constantly active market, where everything is, sells and is bought, is an essential stop.

A whirlwind of flavors, colors and smells, it will flatter the senses and arouse the curiosity of the visitor eager for novelty. Do not miss out on tasting the many fish from the largest river in the world such as Tambaqui, or  the largest freshwater fish in South America, the Pirarucu , up to 300 kg and 3 m long. A real treat !

Starting from the place called ” The Paris of the Americas  ” (at the beginning of the twentieth century), you can also enjoy beautiful boat trips in the area. This is an opportunity to discover all the riches of the mouth of the Amazon and its islands. It is also possible to stay on the huge island of Marajó: planted in the middle of the estuary of the largest river in the world, it is the size of Switzerland!

If  you like adventure,  then we will meet you on the waves in the middle of the Amazon forest, in the city of Santarem. You can take a  cruise  between the islets that dot the confluence between the Amazon and Rio Tapajos, offering dozens of sandy beaches that are as much an invitation to bathe as any other thing.

The North of Brazil is therefore a region where all traveler profiles will be satisfied. With family, friends or lovers, Pará awaits you to share its wonderful wealth. A small warning however:   it is advisable to visit this region between June and December,  because the rains can be heavy during the other half of the year!

Belém, go through the gates of the Amazon!

Belém  is a regional capital with a long history that began in 1616 with its first colonial founding. Prosperous at a time thanks to the export of rubber in the nineteenth century, its economic situation changed drastically with the appearance of Asian production of the famous latex in the early twentieth century.

It is a  city ​​where pioneers, merchants, adventurers  and other  explorers  from all ages and nationalities have landed to storm the world’s largest equatorial forest. For a long time it was the obligatory passage for those wishing to sink into the depths of the Amazon and enjoy a vacation in Northern Brazil.

This was also valid for those who came back, loaded with a thousand unknown and strange treasures gleaned throughout their journeys within what many have called the “green hell” (in reference to the film by James Whale).

From there, all these products went to supply the markets of Europe, North America and Asia. It is therefore primarily a trading town whose growth is closely linked to the value of products extracted from the forest and its subsoil, destined for foreign markets.

Also called ”  the city of mango trees  ” (because of the many specimens of the fruit that exist there), visitors have the pleasure of discovering a remarkable architectural heritage. A striking example is the “Ver-o-peso,” literally “see the weight.” Located at the port, it is the largest indoor market in South America.

Next door, you will find the  Mercado de Ferro , a large market hall made from wrought iron and canopies imported from Europe. Not to be missed either, is the magnificent  Peace Theater,  symbolic of the prosperous era of the rubber industry.

One of the great events of the city is the  Ciro de Nazaré . The most important religious festival in Brazil and one of the most important in the Christian world, it brings together nearly 3,000,000 faithful each year for a morning! It takes place in October in Belém; during a great procession, Catholics have the whole city covered with an effigy of our Lady of Nazaré.

Marajó, the largest freshwater island in the world

Pará is also home to the largest estuary island in the world, the island of Marajó , located in front of Belém. The eastern half of the island is occupied by man, the other has remained in the wild because it is practically submerged a good part of the year.

People mostly go on this vacation in northern Brazil to discover its  exceptionally rich wildlife  but also to discover the human agricultural activities such as the breeding of buffaloes and horses. A good opportunity for an excursion, go by boat, or for a more unique experience, on the back of a buffalo!

Fans of history and archaeology can go in search of “ Tesos” , semi-artificial hills enlarged by indigenous “ Marajoarenses”  now disappeared to serve as a deposit for beautiful urns and funerary vessels. For over a century they have been the subject of important archaeological research to try to better understand the settlement of the Amazon basin before colonization. An exciting story to delve into!

A  stay on a farm  on the huge  island of Marajó , a real animal sanctuary, will leave you with unforgettable memories.

We offer simple but comfortable and pleasant accommodation to discover the daily life of the inhabitants of this island, share a little of their way of life and walk the surrounding land in search of wild animals.

Top Belém and the North of Brazil FAQs

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Some of the main attractions in the city include the  Carmo church, the Sé Cathedral, the Teatro da Paz   and the old town.  “Círio de nossa Senhora de Nazaré”  is a huge annual Catholic event in Belém with millions of visitors every year.  “Ver – o -Peso”  is one of the biggest markets in Brazil and it is crammed full of mysterious forest produce, definitely worth a visit!

From Belém, you can also visit the  island of Marajó  – this is the largest delta island in Pará. The island of Marajó is the size of Switzerland and has a very interesting history. It is home to cowboys who farm buffalo, which also are one of the main modes of transport on the island! Also on the island, you can get your very own piece of authentic  Marajó pottery.

Browse our other destinations

Minas gerais, brasília, rio de janeiro region, iguaçu, são paulo.

The most beautiful place you’ve never seen: Northern Brazil in photos

There’s a part of Brazil that is mostly void of international tourists. It’s a little harder to get to, it’s more remote than iconic Brazil and English is not widely spoken. But it’s worth the effort because you’ll be blown away by its natural beauty, fascinating history and energetic locals.

I’m talking about Northern Brazil and it’s a hidden gem you need to get to.

The area was a photographer’s dream. With brightly painted buildings that are hundreds of years old, no saturation is required for any photo taken in Salvador. And an old mining town called Lencóis has a similar feel but the streets are quieter and more peaceful and the locals are laidback.

If it’s expansive landscapes you’re after then Chapada Diamantina National Park has got you covered. You can practise your steady hand on a slow shutter speed on the many waterfalls in the region, get your wide angle lens out for the impressive lookouts and just bask in the greenery.

For beach life, head to isolated Jericoacoara. You’ll have to ride an hour through sand dunes before you see a little oasis town on the horizon. It’s said that Jeri has some of the best sunsets in all of Brazil and I think that could be true.

So, armed with my camera on Intrepid’s new Northern Brazil trip, I got snap happy and here are the results.

Scenes from Salvador

Founded in the 16 th Century, Salvador was Brazil’s first capital and it’s known as the happiest place in Brazil. It’s not hard to see why! With so many colours on its old buildings it’s impossible not to feel euphoric. This was one of the streets leading up to the main square in Pelourinho, the historic old town – a UNESCO World Heritage Listed site.

I was walking around the cobbled streets of Salvador’s old town and when I turned a corner I caught this scene. Earlier that morning the city received a torrential downpour with thunder so loud it literally scared me, so I suspect this lady made a nice little profit selling her bright umbrellas.

Capoeira is hugely popular in Brazil. It sort of looks like a cross between dancing and martial arts, which two people perform against the beat of traditional Brazilian music. It’s quiet mesmerising to watch and not uncommon to see performances in popular squares, such as this one in Salvador.

This is a typical street in Lencóis, our base within Chapada Diamantina National Park, which is about a 6 hour bus ride from Salvador. Chapada means steep cliffs and diamantina means diamond, many of which were found there in the mid-19 th century. So it developed into quite a wealthy little town and now has a charming, colonial style feel that boasts a lot of colour.

Lencóis was so beautiful. This was taken as the sun was setting so the light that fell on this building was perfect. The river rolled through the town and that building seemed to be a bit of a social hub – one night we stumbling on a Capoeira school entertaining the locals.

Into the wild

We did a full day hike through Chapada Diamantina National Park and came across caves, rivers, waterfalls and stunning lookouts. It was all very beautiful. This was taken just after we all went for a swim in the river and really captures the landscape we encountered on our hike.

“Trust me, this is the best natural massage you’ll ever have!” Our local guide in Chapada Diamantina wasted no time in stripping down and jumping under this waterfall. It was hammering down and we were all taken by surprise. But eventually everyone worked up the courage to get a pummelling on our backs!

We went swimming in here and it was bliss. Definitely the best natural pool I’ve ever had the pleasure of swimming in. To the right is the Poço do Diabo waterfall, where you can swim directly underneath.

The grand finale to our Chapada Diamantina experience was sunset from the top of Pai Inácio Hill. This is Pedro, our Intrepid leader, who is enjoying the fine view featuring those iconic steep cliffs that Chapada is known for.

Life’s a beach (or more specifically, a lagoon)

OK, so I didn’t actually take this photo (our talented photographer Lucy Piper did) but it represents Jericoacoara so well! The sleepy town is surrounded by sand dunes and deep within these is a lagoon they call ‘Lagoa Paraiso’ – no prizes for guessing what that means. The trip hit its peak as soon as I got into that hammock with coconut in hand.

This was taken half way up the Pôr do Sol sand dune just before sunset. These guys are hauling a cocktail cart up the sand dune, because what’s a sunset without a cocktail in hand?! We had some pretty moody weather in Jericoacoara, but it made for some dramatic photos.

And this is the sunset we saw from the top of the sand dune. The main beach at Jeri is not the best swimming beach as the waters are very shallow. But at sunrise and sunset when the sun glistens on the water it has the effect of a mirror and it’s just simply beautiful.

Inspired? Of course you are. Check out Northern Brazil with Intrepid Travel.

Feeling inspired?

Amanda Linardon

Amanda is not one to sit still for very long - when she's not eating her way around the world, hiking through national parks or rubbing shoulders with the locals on the train, she's likely to be researching her next adventure. On the rare occasion when she isn't thinking about travelling, Amanda loves to get around on her bike, cook a different cuisine every night and drum up PR for Intrepid Travel.

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The Best Beaches in Northeastern Brazil

Warning: Northeastern Brazil is very dangerous – There is a 25% chance you will get lost, there is a 50% chance you will get sunburned, and there is a 75% chance you won’t want to leave – be very careful.

The main culprit behind these scientific statistics (that I made up) is the never-ending coastline of beautiful beaches within the region.

From Sao Luis to Salvador , Northeastern Brazil is saturated with soft sand and plentiful palm trees.

While living and traveling across the country, I had the opportunity to explore many of these tropical treasures, and I’ve compiled a list of my favorites.

Here are the top five best beaches in Northeastern Brazil, in my humble opinion…

5. Porto de Galinhas

While Porto de Galinhas beach outside of Recife is a tourist hot spot, and can get pretty crowded, its long-stretching beach and clear, snorkel-friendly water is worth a visit.

I recommend eating fresh crab on the beach or going for a flat-bottom sailboat ride along the coast.

You can rent a car in Recife and make the quick hour trip outside the city to this oasis.

4. Praia dos Carneiros

From Porto de Galinhas, continue driving along the coast until you see signs for Praia dos Carneiros. Every local I spoke with in Recife said that while Porto de Galinhas is popular, Praia dos Carneiros is the real gem.

The beach is clean, the water is pristine, and the crowds are limited.

The most beautiful aspect of Praia dos Carneiros is the palm trees that line the sea like they’re ready for a swim.

As usual, locals were right.

3. Praia do Amor – Pipa

Natal is my favorite city in Northeastern Brazil, and it’s the perfect launching point for experiencing some of the most magnificent coastline I’ve ever seen – We’re talking beaches on beaches on beaches!

If you look at a map of Natal and the surrounding area, it’s crazy to see how many beaches are labeled.

My preferred destination was Praia do Amor in the lovely beach town of Pipa. Praia do Amor, or Love Beach, is laid back, somewhat hidden, and features dramatic cliffs along the water.

It’s a bit out of the way, but you can rent a car or easily take a public bus directly to Pipa from downtown Natal.

2. Jericoacoara

Speaking of a place worth its journey – the famous Brazilian destination of Jericoacoara is a long trip from Fortaleza, but the juice is definitely worth the squeeze.

Jericoacoara and the surrounding area are well known for it’s incredible white sand dunes that plunge into the sea, and also for the Kite Surfing conditions.

I took my first Kite Surfing lesson at Preá Beach just next to Jeri, and it was an awesome experience.

Whether you go for the adventure or the tranquility, it’s the place to be.

1. Fernando de Noronha

“The Hawaii of Brazil,” is how one Brazilian friend described Fernando de Noronha to me – Which I thought was insane considering how crazy-beautiful Brazil already is.

I couldn’t believe there was a place that trumped all the other amazing beaches I’d already seen throughout the country.

Fernando de Noronha can be expensive, they limit how many visitors arrive each day, but it is absolute paradise.

With dramatic cliffs, lush green landscapes, and crystal-clear water, the beaches of Fernando de Noronha are the most beautiful beaches (off the coast) of Northeastern Brazil.

Now, who’s ready for a Brazilian vacation?

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My name is Gareth Leonard, a Marketing Director turned World Traveler with a passion for slow, meaningful travel. I have been traveling the world full-time for the past 9+ years and document it all on Instagram and YouTube . Come join me!

Gorgeous! Those blue waters, the walkable sands – I’m ready to visit!

I knew I should have travelled further north than Rio! I loved the danger stats at the start of this post. In my case, I would say more like a 100% chance of sunburn though. Type 1 skin is a bitch!

What a wonderful site! I am into photography and traveling. I worry no more about jetlag now, thanks to JetLagFX http://www.jetlagfx.com/ . I have more energy to capture beautiful photos everytime I travel.

Brazil Looks Amazing, Never been there but I want to go there sometime in Future !

However if you come to India, You must check out :

Top 7 Royal Palaces in India : http://amazingindiablog.in/top-7-royal-palaces-india/

Adventure Sports in Rishikesh ,India : http://amazingindiablog.in/adventure-sports-in-rishikesh-the-adventure-capital-of-india/

Top 10 Haunted Places in India : http://amazingindiablog.in/list-of-top-10-haunted-places-in-india/

Lovely post. I would love to check out all five beaches if I get the chance. But fernando sounds spectacularly amazing.

we have various destinations to for vacation,holidays like Australia http://www.planjourneys.com/international-holidays.aspx?tour=australia-tour-packages/

I am ready… and I love the shot from Praia dos Carneiros, I so agree, always listen to the locals…. Stay dangerous, Craig

Hey there his article about Beaches in northeastern Brazil was awesome! I loved it….

Even I own a website I hope you will like to visit. Stylish two wheelers for Ladies: http://bikedetailspro.com/stylish-two-wheelers-ladies/ Best Lightweight two wheelers: http://bikedetailspro.com/best-lightweight-two-wheelers-for-girls/ Best Two Wheelers for Ladies: http://bikedetailspro.com/best-two-wheelers-ladies/

Thanks a lot! Akash Navi

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North And South Pantanal Itineraries In Brazil: Which Is Better? (2024)

Last Updated on March 13, 2024 by Nicole

My husband and I spent 10 days in the Pantanal in Brazil in October. It was simply magnificent. If you love seeing wild animals in their natural habitat, living their lives largely undisturbed by humans and modern life, then this is the destination for you. Over 10 days, we saw 14 jaguars, a handful of giant otters, tapirs and giant anteaters, and hundreds of capybaras, caiman, and birds (as well as other animals). We spent days on beautiful rivers with barely a person or building in sight, spotting and watching these incredible creatures and it was extraordinary. In this article, I will provide our itinerary, a planning guide about how to organize your trip, and an overview about the differences between the south and north Pantanal, and which, in my opinion, is better if you don’t have time to visit both.

This post may contain affiliate links. That means that I may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you buy something through my site. This helps me run my website and produce the articles that I hope you find helpful.

At A Glance

I know you are busy. If you only have a couple minutes to spare, here are the key takeaways from this article.

• Both the North and South Pantanal offer excellent wild life viewing. Caimans, capybaras, tapirs, and dozens and dozens of different species of birds are easily found in both areas.
• If you want to see Jaguars or Giant Otters, you should go to the North Pantanal.
• If you want to see Giant Anteaters, you should go to the South Pantanal.

If you can find more time, try to read my full article. It explains my suggestions, gives you details about experiences that you will have, and provides travel tips.

Background To Our Pantanal Vacation

Once I researched the Pantanal and decided that it was the area that I wanted to visit, I enlisted the help of John at Brazil Nature Tours to help craft my itinerary. He was very helpful and patient, answering the endless questions that I had.

What I especially appreciated was, through our discussions, not only was he recommending programs and lodges already listed on the company’s website, but also making other suggestions to satisfy my requests. He really listened to my goals for this holiday.

Ultimately, the 10 days that we spent in the Pantanal was everything for which we hoped.

We were picked up and dropped off at all airports and transferred to and from our lodges and hotels effortlessly.

We stayed for 4 nights at Southwild Jaguar Flotel in the North Pantanal and for another 4 nights at Pousada Refugio da Ilha in the South Pantanal. At each lodge, we had our own English speaking naturalist guide who guided us on our private tours. Each lodge offered their own daily programs but left it to us to ultimately decide at what time we wanted to start or stop, or whether we wanted to make changes to the activities.

All meals at the lodges were included in the cost of our stay, and any meals purchased on our way to or from a lodge were always at a good and well priced restaurants with clean bathrooms.

We never felt unsafe. Quite the opposite, we only met wonderfully kind and hardworking people. As you will see from my more detailed description below about our time in each destination, we spent hours traveling to and from airports to our lodges. We saw a good chunk of the Pantanal and had an opportunity to really get a feel for the area.

Apart from arrival and departure cities, it was mostly wide open land with a few towns here and there. There was not one instance that I felt anything but welcomed.

Where And What Is The Pantanal

The Pantanal is a natural region in Brazil encompassing the world’s largest tropical wetland area, and the world’s largest flooded grasslands.

It is located mostly within the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso do Sul (from Campo Grande airport), but it also extends into Mato Grosso (from Cuiaba airport) and portions of Bolivia and Paraguay. If you look at a map, it is found almost in the center of South America.

For context, the Pantanal is larger than 29 US states and at least nine European countries, and yet, it is only a small fraction of Brazil.

This massive wetland has the highest density of animals in the Americas. In addition, it has the largest concentration of caimans in the world, with approximately 10 million. Jaguars, the largest feline in the Americas, love to hunt caiman. Accordingly the Pantanal, has one of the highest density of jaguars anywhere in the world. The Pantanal is also home to the biggest parrot on the planet, the Hyacinth Macaw.

Some people confuse the Amazon and the Pantanal. For clarity, the Amazon and the Pantanal are two very distinct areas in Brazil and offer different wildlife viewing and experiences.

Almost 95% of the Pantanal is owned privately, mostly by farmers. The area is not very fertile so it is mostly used to raise cattle.

The Importance Of Timing In The Pantanal

There is a vast difference between the wet and dry season in the Pantanal.

The rainy summer season runs from about November to April, during which the bulk of the basin’s roughly 40 to 55 inches of annual precipitation falls. This leads to much of the Pantanal being submerged underwater, with waters rising up to five meters (sixteen feet) during January and February.

From July through to the end of October, it is the dry season in the Pantanal. Not only does it not rain, but it is so hot and dry that the land that was once underwater by several feet in the rainy season is bone dry, with most small rivers almost completely drying up and disappearing.

We were there in October, the very end of the dry season. I can attest that the land was incredibly dry and small inland rivers were basically puddles with dozens and dozens of caimans and other wildlife surrounding them, trying to get their food and water from what little water was left.

What this means from a wildlife perspective is that in the dry season, all animals are drawn to the larger rivers in order to eat, drink and survive. On the other hand, during the rainy season, these same animals could be driven to completely different areas, staying on higher ground if land animals. They do not need to go to the large rivers in search of water or food.

As we did not go to the Pantanal in the rainy season, I can’t speak to what you will see or your experience during this time. However, our guides told us that a whole different ecosystem evolves and there are also significant wildlife encounters that you can have, many of which are completely different than what you will see in the dry season.

Accordingly, before booking, you should figure out why you are going to the Pantanal and what animals you wish to see. Make sure you time your trip so that the weather allows you the best opportunity to see these unbelievable animals.

North Pantanal Itinerary And Planning Guide

We first went to the North Pantanal on our trip to Brazil. We flew 2 hours from Sao Paulo to Cuiaba on a direct early morning flight, and were collected from the airport by a driver and Zaine, our naturalist guide for our 4 night/5 day stay at the Southwild Jaguar Flotel.

Once settled, we immediately started the 152 miles (245 km) drive to Porte Joffre, the place from which we would pick up our boat to take us to our lodge. The land journey, if done without stops takes around 4.5 hours.

For the first half of the drive, we were on paved roads. However, the roads were unpaved and gravel for the second half of the drive, essentially from the entrance gate of the Pantanal to Porte Joffre. We had to go much slower on these roads than the paved ones.

But that was just fine. Almost immediately upon entering the Pantanal, we casually passed hundreds of caimans, dozens of capybaras, and of course, birds, birds and more spectacular birds.

We stopped for lunch on our way and another time for a bathroom break. All told, it took us 6 hours to reach Porte Joffre. However, time passed quickly as we were lost in the animal viewing.

Southwild Jaguar Flotel

We were greeted at Porte Joffre by a speed boat and Tito, a lovely local young man who whisked us 30 minutes along the Cuiaba River (and others) to our lodge. We later learned that this was our private boat for our 5 day stay and Tito was our captain who also helped Zaine spot animals.

Within seconds of leaving the port, we were completely immersed in the deep browns of the river, the emerald greenery of the trees and grasses along the shores, and the beautiful and exotic birds flying overhead and resting on the shore. Apart from the occasional boat, there was little evidence of any civilization.

After 30 minutes, we arrived at our hotel which is unlike most hotels anywhere in the world. Before us, there was two air-conditioned small ferry sized boats anchored end-to-end that had been converted into a hotel.

One boat offered 12 spacious and luxury guest rooms called Jaguar Suites, all of which featured four-meter-wide, floor-to-ceiling, sliding glass doors, comfortable bed and ensuite, and sitting area. On the top deck, there was an outside communal area with seating and fantastic views of the river and the shore.

The other boat offered fewer rooms that were also a lot more modest. They had large very comfortable beds and an ensuite with excellent air conditioning, but the rest of the room was very small and basic. In addition, these rooms were located right underneath the communal dining room and indoor living room for everyone, and next to where guests loaded and unloaded from their boats.

Amenities at Southwild Jaguar Flotel

The amenities at the lodge were very limited. There was a large dining room with wifi where we ate our three meals per day. There was a large selection of food offered buffet style for each meal. Seating was dining room tables and chairs. There was also a bar in the dining room that was cash-only.

The only other indoor common space was adjacent to the dining room. It was a large living room style that also served as a spot that the main naturalist guide for the lodge (different from our guide) gave nightly 30 minute lectures about different commonly seen animals in the area.

While we were there, he lectured on jaguars, giant otters, and caimans. These talks were really informative and interesting.

Other than the dining room, living room, and the outdoor top deck of the other boat, there wasn’t anywhere else for guests to go or sit (apart from your own room).

Impressions Of Our Stay At Southwild Jaguar Flotel

The reason that people choose to stay at the Southwild Jaguar Flotel is that you are immersed in nature, on the river, and in a part of the Pantanal that offers you the best opportunity to spot jaguars, Giant Otters, and other animals nearby, or a short boat ride away. There were multiple rivers that were easily accessed from the lodge.

There were only a couple of floating hotels like this in the area. What other accommodation was available was traditional, on land near or beyond Porte Joffre, and required you to use up parts of your day getting to and from your lodge to the areas with the animals.

However, choosing to stay at the Flotel meant that there was very little to do when not on your boat looking for Jaguars and other wildlife encounters.

As for the rooms, we stayed in the modest suites below the living room. I thought that we had booked the nice suites, but we had not. Our travel agent said that had we booked the other suites, we would have had to pay thousands more dollars. However, this was not made clear to us. Accordingly, if you wish to stay here, make sure that you are very clear about which category of room that you want and are booking.

As described above, these rooms were very basic and could be noisy when people were getting into and out of their boats, or during meal time when people were walking overhead. We always travel with ear plugs and a white noise maker so this did not impact us. However, if you are sensitive to sound, these rooms would not be ideal.

Nonetheless, they had two of the most important things – a very comfortable bed and amazing air conditioning. Temperatures were over 100 degree Fahrenheit (40 degree Celsius) when we were there!

There was lots of healthy food. During each buffet, there were multiple entrees, salads, and desserts offered. No one would ever go hungry on the Flotel. However, the food wasn’t particularly remarkable.

In my experience, food at ecolodges is rarely exceptional. What makes an excellent ecolodge – remoteness and trying to be as authentic to the natural surroundings as possible – makes it a difficult spot for chefs to easily access a variety of ingredients to produce well seasoned or interesting food.

There was also a big emphasis on re-purposing food. So, steak that was offered at lunch would reappear at dinner, served in a slightly different way. While I appreciated that they were trying to limit waste, it wasn’t appetizing knowing that you were seeing the same food reappear for a few meals.

Daily Schedule At The Jaguar Flotel

Each morning, we woke up at 5:30 am, had breakfast, and got on our boat no later than 6:30 am. With sweltering temperatures and high humidity, we needed to look for wildlife in the cooler parts of the day. By 11:00 am, the heat and sun were brutally hot. Neither animals nor humans wanted to be anywhere but in cool shady spots.

From 11:00 am – 2:30 pm, we ate lunch and normally read or napped in our room.

After that, we returned on our boat searching for more wildlife until sunset, around 5:45 pm.

Just before it got too dark, we came back to the boat, showered and headed up for drinks, dinner, and any lecture that may be offered. We always ate our meals with Zaine, our guide.

By 9:00 pm, we were in bed and asleep.

Wildlife Encounters In The North Pantanal

Over the next 3 days, we encountered 14 different jaguars. We saw them swimming (they LOVE the water), mating, resting in trees over rivers, sleeping in underbrush next to the rivers, and stealthily stalking the shores.

We saw literally hundreds of caiman of all sizes, both in the water, on the sandy shore, and in the low lying grasses.

One of my favorite animals were the capybaras. These giant rodents often hung out and played with their offspring in the shallow parts of the river. I could watch them for hours.

Giant otters were also easily found. These critically endangered animals were playful and cute, but as a group, a serious threat to predators who dared approach. We loved watching them dig out their nest into the bank of the river, ready for bedtime.

And then there were the birds! I am not a bird watcher or even a bird enthusiast, but in the Pantanal, you can’t help but be mesmerized by the hundreds of species of gorgeous and fascinating birds that were everywhere you looked. They were incredible.

We spent hours and hours, mostly alone, exploring the rivers around us and never got tired of spotting these astounding animals.

The only other time we were not alone was when a jaguar was spotted. When that happened, the guides in each boat warned the other guides by walkie-talkie, and most of the time, about a dozen boats eventually arrived trying to spot it.

Some people then spent hours sitting and watching the jaguar, hoping for a unique animal behaviour – mating, swimming, or even a kill. Nothing might happen – the jaguar could simply walk mere feet back into the brush and grasses along the shore and disappear – or you could be rewarded with amazing sights. However, the stifling heat meant most jaguars stayed near the water. Each boat decided how they wanted to spend their time – stay and watch, or move on to other wildlife encounters.

You never went ashore. All land was private and there were no paths. Our whole time in the North Pantanal was spent on the water and it was wonderful.

Other Resources

We have had many wonderful adventures in Central and South America. For more information about other destinations and our experiences, please see:

• Best 4 Day Adventure In The Amazon ;
• Best 5 Day Galapagos Cruise ;
• Best 7 Day Itinerary In Peru ;
• Best 14 Day Colombia itinerary ; and
• Best 11 Day Guatemala Itinerary .

South Pantanal

After 4 nights, we left and made our way back to Cuiaba to catch our flight to Campo Grande in the South Pantanal. If you book a direct flight, it is only an hour’s flight.

From Campo Grande, we were picked up and driven 141 miles (227 km) to our next lodge, Pousada Refugio da Ilha. The drive took just over 3 hours.

The drive was on paved roads except for the last 10 minutes when we were nearing the lodge. We went through a few towns but spent most of the drive in the countryside. However, unlike the North Pantanal, we only saw a handful of animals on our drive. It wasn’t very populated, but compared to the North Pantanal, there were more towns, buildings and civilization along our route.

Pousada Refugio da Ilha

Pousada Refugio da Ilha is a family owned inn that sits on its own private reserve. It only offers 8 suites in its beautifully sprawling main house. All of them are large, authentically and uniquely decorated, and charming. Each room has air conditioning and its own outside private seating area.

Located on an island formed by two river branches, Pousada Refúgio da Ilha is on the edge of the crystal clear waters of the Salobra River, in the Salobra River Delta. From every vantage point from the main house or around it, you see different bodies of water filled with various fauna, birds, caiman and capybaras. Within steps of the main house, you are at the banks of the river, ready to climb into a boat to discover wildlife along its banks.

The main house offered lots of seating areas to read or watch tv, and an honor bar to enjoy cocktails at any point during the day. You could walk around the property, crossing bridges over ponds or standing on decks, watching the wildlife that called the property home. There was also spots to lay out and sunbathe, or swim in the river, if you were so brave.

Food was exceptional. The chef was overseen by the owner and worked from her own family recipes. Every meal was served buffet-style with several delicious dishes on offer each time. For every meal, there was a fantastic selection of entrees, side dishes, and desserts, notwithstanding there were only 8 guests staying at the inn when we were there. The food was likely the best food that we had ever eaten at an eco-lodge.

Daily Schedule at Pousada Refugio da Ilha

Once again, we were assigned our own private English speaking guide for our 4 nights’ stay – in this case, the son of the owners.

The schedule was similar to the Jaguar Flotel since it was still exceptionally hot, humid and sunny. We woke up at 5:30 am, had breakfast, and then, left for our morning activity. We would come back around 11:00 am, have lunch and free time until around 2:30 pm. Then, we would head out for our afternoon excursions, returning at sunset.

After a shower, we had drinks, dinner, and either chatted with other guests, watched tv, or headed back to our room. Bedtime was also very early – usually 9:00 pm.

Activities And Experiences At Pousada Refugio da Ilha

Over 4 days, we got to choose from several activities.

We could take our own private motorized boat to explore the rivers and see the wildlife. This was in some ways very similar to our time in the North Pantanal – same type of boat and we were surrounded by stunning scenery: lush green grasses and brush along the shores of the river obscuring anything beyond; brown murky rivers, and not a person, boat, or building in sight.

However, the rivers here were exceptionally narrow and shallow in many spots. This allowed us to get even closer to the wildlife that we spotted along the way.

It offered a land safari with an open air jeep, similar to one that you would find on an African safari . This allowed us to go deep into the forests and lowlands, looking for other animals and birds not necessarily drawn to the rivers. This is where we saw our first giant anteater and it was incredible!

We also did a night safari which was cool. After sunset, we drove on the private reserve in the safari jeep. Our guide shone a spot light out into the fields and trees trying to spot nocturnal animals.

One of my favorite experiences was canoeing on the river. We loved paddling and being able to hear the animals and birds call out. With the noise of the engine on the motorized boat, we normally couldn’t hear the animals. However, with the silence of the canoe, we were able to get even closer to caimans and capybaras who would not hear us approach.

The inn also offered horseback riding which I would have loved to do, but it was just too hot.

On our last day, we did a full day river cruise on the motorized boat. We went deep into nature, following rivers even further away from civilization. The kitchen at the lodge packed us a picnic lunch, which was delicious, so we didn’t have to return until sunset. This is when we saw 4 tapirs.

Tapirs are the largest land animal in South America. They look like a cross between an elephant and a pig. They LOVE the water – even mate in the water – but are also incredibly shy. Often, you may spot one, but as soon as they hear you approach, they quickly disappear into the brush.

However, on this day trip, at the farthest point away from the lodge, we had four different encounters with tapirs. We literally stumbled across each one of them in the water as we turned a bend in the river.

What is incredible is that tapirs totally submerge in the water, including their heads. They can swim underwater for long periods to avoid detection. Luckily for us, because of the narrow size of the river, we were able to cut the engine of the boat, float along the current, and follow them once they popped their head out of the water. Only when they ran into the long grasses along the banks did we lose them.

Which Area Of The Pantanal Is Better?

If you have the time and budget, I would highly recommend that you go to both the North and South Pantanal. They each offer unique experiences.

However, if you have to choose one spot, which one should you choose?

That depends.

Accessibility

If you want to get to your lodge as quickly as possible, then you should choose Pousada Refugio da Ilha in South Pantanal. It took only 3 hours by car and was predominately on paved roads.

On the other hand, Southwild Jaguar Flotel takes a minimum of 4.5 hours by car (without stops), and you spend at least 50% of the time on unpaved gravel roads. Then, you need an additional 30 minutes by boat. All told, with lunch and bathroom breaks, you should allot between 6-8 hours to reach the hotel.

Accommodation and Food

Southwild Jaguar Flotel is very unique. It places you right in the middle of some of the best game viewing in the Pantanal. You are largely cut off from civilization so you are able to become immersed in the spectacular natural surroundings.

However, there is very little else to do at the lodge other than eat and sleep. If sophisticated food is important to you, then the Flotel will disappoint.

On the other hand, Pousada Refugio da Ilha offers more of a traditional hotel experience. Every room is beautifully decorated. You can freely walk around the property and enjoy watching tv or lounging in the sun. Food is exceptional. You are immersed in nature while you are on the property and along the rivers.

However, you don’t have the same feeling of being far away from civilization (because you are not). You are close to a small local community and can be often reminded that you are only a short drive to the highway depending on the excursions you are doing.

Without question, if you want to see jaguars, you MUST go to the North Pantanal and try and stay at the Jaguar Flotel. The guides are trained to quickly spot them and there is a system in place to inform all the guides in the area when a jaguar is located.

There are jaguars in the South Pantanal and we were told that there are occasional sightings of jaguars along the river near and around Pousada Refugio da Ilha. However, it is far less common.

We did not see any jaguars in the South Pantanal over 5 days, compared to the 14 jaguars we saw in the North over a similar time period.

Other Wildlife

Both areas offer an opportunity to spot lots of other wildlife other than jaguars. They are almost equal in opportunity. However, there are differences.

In the North Pantanal, around the Jaguar Flotel, we were surrounded by literally thousands of caimans and observed several Giant Otter families.

In the south, we saw lots of caimans, but by no means anywhere close to what we saw in the north. In addition, we were told that there was a Giant Otter family living near Pousada Refugio da Ilha but there weren’t any when we were there.

Both locations offered lots of opportunities to see birds. If you like to see birds, but are not a bird watcher, then you will likely be happy in either spot. However, if you are a passionate bird watcher, then you should head to the north.

In the North Pantanal, there is far less civilization and far more area for the birds to live without conflicting with humans compared to the south. In addition, in the north, there are extremely large and wide rivers, and also lots of smaller narrower ones. Each river draws their own bird species.

In the south, the rivers around Pousada Refugio da Ilha were very narrow so we could get very close to the birds that we saw. However, we had access to far less rivers and accordingly, saw less species than the north.

Beyond the North Pantanal being better to spot jaguars, Giant Otters, caiman, and birds, the south does have its own advantages.

We only saw Giant Anteaters in the south and we had the most extraordinary encounters with the elusive and shy tapirs in the south. In the north, we once saw a tapir on one of the large wide rivers, but it quickly and easily ran away as we tried to boat closer to the shore. We never saw another one again.

Traveling with Children

It would be hard staying on the Jaguar Flotel with young children. There is very little opportunity to run around. In addition, the wildlife viewing is more challenging on children. Once you spot a jaguar, you must stay motionless and quiet. This becomes even more important if other boats and tourists arrive.

Accordingly, Pousada Refugio da Ilha would be better for young children. They could play outside with close parental supervision. There is also enough room inside for them to play, a tv, and land based activities that they could also enjoy.

Within a two hour’s drive from Pousada Refugio da Ilha is Bonito, a city that is a center of ecotourism and adventure tourism in Brazil. We spent 3 days in Bonito at the beautiful Pousada Boyra after our time at Pousada Refugio da Ilha.

Bonito offers some extraordinary and unique experiences that are completely different than anything we did anywhere in the Pantanal. I would highly recommending adding some time here, in addition to the North and South Pantanal.

However, if you have to choose between visiting only the North or the South Pantanal, then you should review my article Best Things To Do In Bonito In Brazil and the experiences that we had as this could be another factor when considering where you should spend your time in the Pantanal.

For animal lovers, the Pantanal is one of the most extraordinary places to visit. It offers a whole array of animal and bird life that you can’t see anywhere else in the world. In many respects, it rivals an African safari experience, but for far less money. For those of us who live in North America, it is easier to reach than Africa and has little to no time change.

It is also one of the only places that you can truly watch jaguars in the wild. For that reason alone, it should be on every animal enthusiast’s bucket list.

It is still largely untouched. It offers a sophisticated tourism infrastructure, but without the demand. That will likely change. If you are interested, I would highly recommend you visit as soon as you can.

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The itineraries below cover the entirety of the incredibly diverse country of Brazil , from the metropolitan areas in the south to the deserts and unspoiled beaches of the northeast. Given the vast distances involved, you may not be able to cover everything, but even choosing a few highlights will give you a deeper appreciation of Brazil's natural and historical wonders.

Itinerary tips from Anahi: your Brazil Travel Expert

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Begin at Foz do Iguaçu, where you will stand in awe of the huge Iguaçu Falls. Next up, we'll head to the lively city of Rio de Janeiro, home of the legendary Copacabana, Botafogo and Flamengo beaches, and of course, Sugar Loaf Mountain and the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue.

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Blissful Brazil

Welcome to a lavish journey that marries adventure with style, featuring stays in carefully chosen four-star hotels. This reinvigorating trip will have you sightseeing in São Paulo, gazing at the spectacular Foz do Iguaçu falls and relaxing on Rio's finest beaches before you know it.

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Breathtaking Brazil: Rio, Beaches and Waterfalls

Explore the lively city of Rio de Janeiro, home to Ipanema and Copacabana beaches; experience the stunning Foz do Iguaçu National Park and see the world’s largest waterfalls system; immerse yourself in cultural Salvador, the magnificent former capital of Portugal’s New World colony.

"Creating a Brazil itinerary is more than just planning a vacation; it's an immersive cultural journey," emphasizes our Brazilian travel expert , Anahi. Recognizing the significance of a well-crafted itinerary in Brazil, a country adorned with diverse landscapes and cultural richness, is crucial. 

Brazil is a vibrant tapestry of traditions, from the bustling streets of Rio de Janeiro to the tranquil beaches of Bahia . Each region boasts unique allure and offerings. A personalized itinerary guarantees a comprehensive introduction to Brazil's distinctive elements and cultural marvels.

Armed with extensive experience and intimate local knowledge, I can guide you in creating the perfect itinerary. Whether you're eager to explore ancient sites, indulge in the dynamic local cuisine, or uncover hidden natural gems across the vast country, a thoughtfully designed itinerary ensures a seamless and enriching journey.

Let's collaborate to tailor a voyage aligned with your preferences, pace, and style, ensuring your trip to Brazil becomes an unforgettable experience.

Rio de Janeiro and Sugarloaf Mountain from Corcovado, Brazil © galaro/Shutterstock

If you are planning your travel to Brazil yourself, use these itineraries created by our travel writers as a starting point for inspiration.

For more inspiration, check our itineraries by duration: 14 days

For a brief but fascinating introduction to Brazil, try a mesmerizing 7-day journey through the country's diverse landscapes and cultural treasures. Start in Rio de Janeiro, where you'll explore iconic sites such as Christ the Redeemer Cathedral and Copacabana Beach. 

Head to Salvador , known for its vibrant Afro-Brazilian culture and historic Pelourinho neighborhood. Continue to the Amazon rainforest for two days of immersing yourself in its biodiversity and indigenous communities. 

Fly to Iguazu Falls, where the powerful cascades are located on the border with Argentina. End your journey in São Paulo , where you'll experience a dynamic arts scene and culinary delights. This carefully crafted itinerary promises a week filled with the best of Brazil, combining natural wonders, cultural richness and city life.

Iguazu Falls, Brazil © Shutterstock

Set off on a 10-day journey through the hidden gems and iconic landmarks of Brazil. Start in Manaus, the gateway to the Amazon, for a glimpse into the heart of the rainforest. Head south to the Pantanal for days of unparalleled wildlife viewing. 

Then visit Brasilia , marveling at its modernist architecture and unique city layout. From there, head to Belo Horizonte , a cultural center known for its culinary scene and nearby historic towns like Ouro Preto . 

Head to the breathtaking Chapada Diamantina National Park for hiking and natural pools. End your journey in Salvador, immersing yourself in its rich Afro-Brazilian heritage and vibrant arts scene. This itinerary showcases Brazil's ecological wonders, architectural marvels and cultural richness.

Chapada Diamantina cave, Brazil © Alekk Pires/Shutterstock

For a deeper exploration of Brazil, try a 14-day Brazilian odyssey , starting in energetic São Paulo with its world-class museums and culinary scene. Travel to the historic city of Curitiba, known for its innovative urban planning. Then experience the awe of the Iguazu Falls as you explore their majestic beauty from both Brazil and Argentina . 

Head to the serene beaches and vibrant nightlife of Florianópolis . Travel inland to the culturally rich city of Belo Horizonte, home to the historic towns of Ouro Preto and Mariana. Immerse yourself in the heart of the Amazon from Manaus with an excursion deep into the jungle. 

Fly to Salvador to immerse yourself in Afro-Brazilian culture and colonial history. End your journey in Rio de Janeiro, where legendary beaches, Sugarloaf Mountain and the vibrant spirit of the Cariocas await. This itinerary winds through Brazil's diverse landscapes, from urban centers to natural wonders, offering a well-rounded and unforgettable experience.

Salvador, Bahia, Brazil @ Shutterstock

This extensive 3-week journey through Brazil combines vibrant cities, cultural depth and natural beauty. Start in Fortaleza, exploring its beaches and lagoons. Head to the dunes of Lençóis Maranhenses National Park for a surreal desert experience. Then discover San Luis, a city rich in colonial history. 

Fly to Belém , the gateway to the Amazon, and travel deep into the rainforest by riverboat. Visit the charming city of Goiania , known for its Art Deco architecture. Travel to Brasilia, marveling at its modernist design. Explore the ecotourism center of Bonito , home to crystal-clear rivers and wildlife. 

In Porto Alegre, experience gaucho culture and cuisine. See the picturesque scenery of Gramado, a slice of Europe in Brazil. Travel to the cosmopolitan city of Curitiba, known for its innovative urban planning. 

End your extensive tour in Rio de Janeiro, enjoying its legendary beaches, vibrant culture, and landmarks such as Christ the Redeemer. This itinerary offers a deep dive into Brazil's diverse regions, from the little-known north to the famous southern cities.

Theatro Municipal, Municipal Theatre, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Traveling south from Salvador along Brazil's captivating coast reveals an array of stunning beaches and charming towns, a journey that can span two to three weeks, culminating in Florianópolis. 

Start in Salvador, where colonial churches, vibrant samba, and a lively bar scene await. A short boat ride brings you to Morro de São Paulo, a stark contrast with its palm-fringed beaches and dynamic nightlife. For tranquility, venture further south to Boipeba, an unspoiled island of serene beaches and quaint villages. 

Itacaré beckons backpackers and surfers alike, offering wave-riding lessons, capoeira, and relaxing sands. In Espírito Santo, Itaúnas's massive dunes and forró music create a unique ambiance. Rio de Janeiro demands attention with its iconic sights, bustling beaches, and cultural richness. 

Explore the cobblestone streets of Paraty , a coastal town steeped in Baroque history. Ilhabela , a chic island getaway, boasts pristine beaches, lush jungle, and volcanic landscapes. Ihla do Mel, off the coast of Paraná , is a surfers' paradise, perfect for rest, hikes, and surfing. The journey concludes in Florianópolis, a laid-back island with a mix of traditional Azorean villages, modern beach hotels, and a variety of activities.

Train bridge, Parana, Brasil @ Shutterstock

Head out on a three-week journey through Brazil, starting in the vibrant city of Rio de Janeiro, where iconic views and famous beaches such as Copacabana and Ipanema await. Travel along the coast to Paraty, a picturesque colonial town full of charming pousadas and restaurants. 

Don't overlook São Paulo, Brazil's largest city, known for its outstanding restaurants, art galleries, and museums. See the Iguazu Falls, the world's largest system of waterfalls that cascade down the Rio Iguazu River. Fly to Belo Horizonte, the gateway to the colonial hill towns of the state of Minas Gerais . 

If time permits, visit Ouro Preto, a town with steep cobblestone streets and elegant baroque churches. Then fly to Brasilia, the capital of Brazil and a testament to the vision of architect Oscar Niemeyer. Return to the coast and head to Salvador, a city pulsing with Afro-Brazilian culture, rhythms, and flavors. End your tour in Morro de São Paulo, a trendy and lively resort town just south of Salvador.

National Congress, Oscar Niemeyer, Brazil @ Shutterstock

Explore the northeast of Brazil on a two to three-week trip, a region filled with history, culture, and the country's best music. Starting in Salvador, you'll be mesmerized by the city's romantic colonial charm, exotic cuisine, capoeira, and musical heritage. 

Then visit Praia do Frances near Maceio , a relaxed beach with excellent restaurants. Porto de Galinhas, once a quiet harbor town, is now a trendy resort with stunning white sands and a vibrant nightlife. Olinda , a beautifully preserved colonial enclave, offers a mix of baroque architecture, art galleries, and live music. 

Don't miss Praia da Pipa, known for its fashionable beaches, pristine lagoons, and rich marine life, including dolphins. In Natal, explore the expansive dune beaches on off-road vehicles or beach buggies while enjoying the city's dynamic music and dance scene. Jericoacoara, once a gated village for backpackers, still charms with quality surf, wind, and tranquil lagoons. 

Visit Parque Nacional dos Lençóis, a spectacular national park with huge dunes and clear pools. End your journey in São Luis, where luxurious azulejo-decorated mansions house lively bars, museums, and galleries in a hot colonial setting.

Praia da Pipa Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil © Rosanetur/Flickr under CC BY 2.0 license

The Amazon Brazil itinerary 

Rafting the Amazon, once a romantic endeavor, is now more accessible and safer, though it still requires careful planning and patience. Begin your adventure in Belém, the gateway to the Amazon basin, with a charming mix of museums, mango trees, live music, and craft beer. 

Explore the unspoiled beauty of Ilha do Maraju, a huge island with secluded beaches and herds of water buffalo. Travel to Alter do Chão , an unexpectedly remote Amazonian town with a stunning white-sand beach and a wildlife-rich lagoon surrounded by jungle. Discover the tropical paradise of Floresta Nacional do Tapajós, famous for its jungle trails and towering adobe trees along the Rio Tapajós River.

Continue on the iconic Amazon Riverboat from Santarém to Manaus, where you'll enjoy the lavish Amazonas Theater and an array of creative restaurants. Manaus serves as a strategic base for jungle excursions, offering stays in romantic forest lodges or riverboats. Finally, head to the wild jungles of Acre on the border with Bolivia , home to an abundance of wildlife best seen by flying over the forest in a hot air balloon.

Amazon River, Brazil @ Shutterstock

Follow a historic journey through 17th-century Brazil, tracing the legacy of the gold boom that led to the emergence of magnificent colonial towns along the old "Estrada Real". Starting in Rio, known for its beaches, the colonial heart of the city reveals a rich historical zone with elegant baroque churches and mansions.

Follow the Caminho Velho road to Paraty, the original port city of the "Royal Road" that exudes timeless charm. Head north to São João del Rey in the state of Minas Gerais, a modern university town that retains an impressive number of colonial churches and museums. Explore beautifully preserved Tiradentes, home to eighteenth-century churches and mansions.

Ouro Preto, home to the richest collection of Baroque and Rococo art, is the most important stop in Brazil's gold mining history. Stop by Congonhas to see Aleijadinho's Prophets, an extraordinary ensemble of Baroque sculptures.

Belo Horizonte, the capital of the state of Minas Gerais, is home to the informative Museum of Mines and Metals, which tells the story of the region's mining history. End your journey in Diamantina , the most remote, traditional, and intriguing of the historic towns.

The historic Ouro Preto city in Minas Gerais, Brazil © Fred S. Pinheiro/Shutterstock

Discover the heart of Brazil's interior, a treasure trove of stunning national parks stretching from the craggy canyons of the south to the lush jungles of the north. This journey requires flying and ample time to explore.

Begin at Parque Nacional dos Aparados da Serra, where you can hike along the plateau rim, witnessing one of the continent's most breathtaking canyons slicing through the Atlantic ridge. Then, fly to Brasília to explore Parque Nacional da Chapada dos Veadeiros, a high-altitude wonderland of waterfalls, caves, and trails.

In Bahia, Parque Nacional da Chapada Diamantina offers hikers dramatic valleys, peaks, and monoliths. Venture north to Piauí's Parque Nacional da Serra da Capivara, an isolated park filled with prehistoric cave paintings and petroglyphs.

Experience the gem of Brazil's park system at Parque Nacional dos Lençóis, a pristine wilderness of giant sand dunes and crystal-clear lagoons. In Santarém, the Floresta Nacional do Tapajós safeguards majestic samaúma trees.

Visit Mamirauá Sustainable Development Reserve, not a national park but equally spectacular, nestled in the Amazon and brimming with flooded forests and wildlife. Near Cuiabá, explore Parque Nacional da Chapada dos Guimarães, known for its towering Véu de Noiva falls and the Cidade de Pedra.

Conclude your odyssey at the Iguaçu Falls on the Argentine border, where the mighty Rio Iguazu cascades over vast rocky ledges, a fitting finale to this extraordinary journey.

The Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park in central Brazil © Luiz Antonio Nasser Jr/Shutterstock

The optimal time for a holiday in Brazil depends on your preferences and the regions you plan to visit. The country experiences diverse climates due to its vast size. For coastal destinations like Rio de Janeiro and Salvador, the period from December to March is ideal, offering warm temperatures and lively festivities. 

The Amazon Rainforest is best explored during the dry season from June to November when water levels are lower, facilitating jungle excursions. If you're heading to the Pantanal for wildlife adventures, the dry season ( May to October ) is optimal for animal sightings. 

Southern cities like São Paulo and Curitiba enjoy a temperate climate, making any time of the year suitable. To catch vibrant Carnival celebrations, plan your visit in February . Overall, Brazil offers enticing experiences year-round, allowing you to tailor your holiday based on specific interests and destinations.

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written by Andy Turner

updated 25.01.2024

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Brazil explored: immersive trips, diamond trails and long-lost tales.

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There’s never been more interest in actual, genuine off-the-beaten-path travel than now. More and more tourists are searching out escape from the everyday—trips with fewer people, less (or preferably no) technology, and an opportunity to recalibrate and experience something authentic and life-affirming.

Stepping into the market with an offering that undoubtedly fits that definition is Gift of Go , who have launched an inaugural series of explorations into Brazil’s most remote and extraordinary regions for 2024.

Disappear into one of the planet's most biodiverse and least visited places.

Kicking things off is An Exploration of the Highlands of Brazil . A 14-day, 125-mile journey into the majestic Serra do Espinhaço departing on May 6th, a maximum of eight travelers and 10 expedition crew will trek, horseback ride, boat, bike, bushwack and overland their way across a labyrinth of lost historic trails and backroads in one of the planet’s most ecologically diverse places.

The trip promises Seussian landscapes, colonial villages and quilombos (former slave settlements), white sand beach fringed waterfalls, cola-colored rivers, bubbling hot springs and barely-visited UNESCO World Heritage sites. It will culminate at a famed Vesperata celebration in Diamantina, the UNESCO “city of diamonds.”

Journeys will lead to places of tranquility and solitude and beauty.

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The Serra do Espinhaço was once the epicenter of the world’s diamond trade but has been abandoned and largely forgotten about by the outside world for close to 200 years. It’s home to three UNESCO destinations and two globally-renowned biodiversity hotspots in the Brazilian Savanna and Atlantic Rainforest. Yet despite this, its largest conservation unit at the Sempre Vivas National Park receives only a handful of visitors each year, and most of those are from the scientific community. What that effectively means is that, from a tourist perspective, you’ll have the place to yourself.

Experiences are broken up into four chapters. The Serra take visitors on an epic trek through the mountains. The Garden navigates Brazil’s hinterland of big cats and sharp plants, disappearing trails, forsaken ranches and disputed lands by pack-mule and jon-boat. The Sertão brings travelers to the lowlands along miles of open road to festive cow towns and legendary hospitality. Lastly, The Berço is the cradle, dramatic landscapes that lead to tales of hardship and glory and at its end, the slave-built highway that cascades into Diamantina.

Experienced local guides lead the way along often invisible trails.

Gift of Go will lead a collection of curated trips over the year. At 14, 21 and 28 days in length, they are meticulously researched and curated; designed to create deeply immersive, enriching experiences that are as demanding as they are rewarding and that have the power to change how we see the world.

In this sense, Gift of Go is pitching the trips less as vacations and more as immersive stories—more purposeful than recreational, more exhilarating than relaxing. Expect to be challenged by a diverse landscape of cultures, geographies and historic realities through constant immersion and candid, uncurated conversations and interactions with local people.

From highland to lowland, mountain to cradle, guests will hike, ride, bike and bushwack to their ... [+] destination.

In the press release for their first experience, cofounder Eddie Lott notes that, “We are living in the Golden Age of picture-perfect places, carefully-crafted ‘authenticity’, and readily-collectible ‘once-in-a-lifetime' experiences. GOGO trips are different—in our minds, there is simply nothing more compelling, profound, or enriching than experiencing real life in a world far from our own."

Gift of Go slow travel experiences kick off in 2024 on May 6th and run across several months throughout the year. For details, check the 21-day A Diamantine Tale and epic 28-day Diamond/Wild Tales + Lost Trails . A limited number of bespoke itineraries are also available.

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