Beyond Copacabana: The Best Beach Resorts in Brazil, From Bahia to Santa Catarina

With more than 4,600 miles of coastline, Brazil is home to some of the most diverse beach landscapes in the world. Yet for many international travelers, their beach vacations begin and end with Rio de Janeiro.

There are many reasons to venture beyond the shores of Copacabana, though, especially since the best beach resorts in Brazil are located in more serene corners of the country. We’re talking about the properties deeply nestled into nature reserves where turtles nest, with sea-facing bungalows and private pools.

Some sit inside preserved stretches of Atlantic Forest, while others open directly onto natural pools formed by coral reefs. A few blend centuries-old architecture with modern design. And each stay is shaped accordingly.

Together, they showcase the richness of the country’s coastline and redefine barefoot luxury do jeitinho Brasileiro—in a way that feels distinctly Brazilian. I’ve carefully chosen the top 5 best beach resorts in Brazil worth planning a trip to, and yes, it’ll be tough to choose between them.

Overview

Located about an hour north of Salvador along Bahia’s celebrated “Coconut Coast,” Tivoli offers full-scale resort comfort while immersed in a nature reserve. The hotel’s architecture blends into the surrounding Atlantic Forest, and nearly all the rooms have a balcony strung with a hammock, a small but very Bahian detail that invites guests to slow down.

The location itself is clearly part of the draw: Its beach, Praia do Forte, is known for sea turtle nesting (including a renowned conservation project), whale watching, and the nearby ruins of Castelo Garcia D’Ávila, one of Brazil’s oldest colonial forts. And there’s the Anantara Spa on site—repeatedly recognized as one of Brazil’s best resort spas—offering Thai wellness treatments. Last but certainly not least, the property’s restaurants focus on regional seafood and dishes that offer a wonderful introduction to Bahia’s rich and sometimes spicy stews.

Highlights

Overview:

Kenoa describes itself as eco-chic, and that feels accurate the moment you arrive: exposed brick, hand-carved stone sinks, indigenous artwork, thatched roofs for insulation, and wide windows that flood the suites with light. It’s an absolute lesson in Brazilian design, combining contemporary minimalism with raw natural elements.

The property feels purposely designed to frame the Atlantic Forest on one side and the turquoise sea on the other. Its location in Barra de São Miguel, along Brazil’s northeastern coast, is celebrated for its clear, bath-warm waters and a coral-framed shoreline. And dining at Kaamo, the restaurant led by renowned chef César Santos, is an equally essential part of the experience.

Highlights

Overview

Awasi, derived from the Quechua word wasi, meaning “house,” is built around the idea of making every stay feel deeply personal. Each villa is assigned a private guide and a 4×4 vehicle, allowing guests to explore Santa Catarina’s coastline and Atlantic Forest at their own pace. You can adventure to hidden coves accessible only by trail or boat, visit Azorean heritage villages, take on a forest trek, and simply ask your guide to take you to the region’s little-known beaches.

The property’s villas are tucked into greenery overlooking a peaceful bay, creating a sense of immersion in nature without sacrificing comfort. There’s also a 265-square-meter Wellness Center that includes therapy rooms, soaking tubs, and an “alchemy atelier,” where guests can blend oils and essences. Guests can also book private yoga or meditation sessions, and indllge in menus centered on detoxing to round out the experience. Awasi Santa Catarina is as much a wellness retreat as a beach escape.

Overview

Set along the unique Muro Alto beach, about an hour by car from Recife’s international airport, Nannai has helped define luxury beach stays in northeastern Brazil. The property was among the first to introduce tropical-style bungalows in the region, many of which featured private plunge pools. Accommodations range from garden- or ocean-view apartments to expansive one-bedroom villas and several bungalow categories, allowing guests to choose between being close to the sand or secluded in quieter corners of the property.

Gastronomy is central to the experience. The main NANNAI Restaurant offers buffet and à la carte options focused on fresh seafood and regional ingredients, while TiaTê refines family recipes in a wood-accented setting overlooking the sea. Salero, the beachfront tapas bar, introduces Mediterranean influences with Brazilian roots. Time here is spent between stand-up paddle sessions in the calm waters of the naturally formed pool across the shoreline and slow afternoons at the on-site spa.

Highlights

Overview

Staying at UXUA means waking up in the heart of Trancoso’s UNESCO-protected Quadrado, where colorful colonial houses face an open green overlooking the sea, and cars are blissfully absent. The accommodations at UXUA range from one- to three-suite private houses, all incredibly designed and entirely unique. Some open onto lush gardens with private pools, while others feature expansive living spaces filled with handcrafted furniture.

Days unfold between the Quadrado, a private beach lounge for guests, and the hotel’s restaurant, where Chef Ju Pedrosa’s menus celebrate southern Bahia’s biodiversity using ingredients sourced from the hotel’s own organic farm. It feels less like checking into a hotel and more like stepping into a beautifully preserved piece of living history, with five-star service woven in.

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