The Best Beaches in Brazil

Fernando de Noronha

Baía do Sancho and Baía dos Porcos are on Fernando de Noronha, an archipelago off Brazil's north-east coast. Sancho needs a national park pass that is valid for 10 days. The way down goes by narrow iron ladders through a rock crevice, at set times for going down and coming up. Baía dos Porcos is reached at low tide by a rocky trail from Cacimba do Padre, in timed groups of 50 wearing helmets.

Arraial do Cabo

Praia do Farol is on an island inside a Navy-controlled reserve. Only authorised boat tours from Arraial do Cabo's port land there, visitors stay 30 to 45 minutes, and bags and food stay on the boat. Prainhas do Pontal do Atalaia lies below a long wooden staircase inside a gated area with a quota for cars; a shared taxi up the rough road costs about R$20 per person.

Forest trails

Praia de Lopes Mendes on Ilha Grande and Praia do Sono near Paraty are reached through forest. Boats from Abraão land at Praia do Pouso, and a hill trail of 15 to 30 minutes leads on to Lopes Mendes. Praia do Sono has a 3 km trail from Vila Oratório or a boat from the Laranjeiras pier. Both trails are slippery and muddy after rain, and both beaches have strong waves or rip currents.

Praia do Espelho

Praia do Espelho near Trancoso has calm, warm water, and low tide uncovers natural pools among the reefs. The dirt road from Trancoso is bad after rain, and the beach bars charge high minimum spends.