Beyond Rio: The Best Brazilian Beach Towns Worth Visiting

The true Brazilian beach town is more than just a beautiful coastline. Its essence lies in the little details: the scent of freshly grilled fish drifting from a beachside shack. Red plastic chairs sunk into the sand. A faded laminated menu that always delivers. Quiet samba playing in the background. Caipirinhas served in plastic cups. Afternoons that start sunny and end with warm rain.

It’s simplicity at its finest—and the heart and soul of Brazilian beach culture. The atmosphere is so welcoming, you’ll want to stay longer than planned. Whether you’re here to surf, work remotely, or simply get away for a while, these are the Brazilian beach towns worth visiting.

For digital nomads, surfers, and bohemian beach lovers

Set along Brazil’s northeastern coast, Pipa blends dramatic pink cliffs with dolphin-filled bays. The town’s charming whitewashed center feels like it has been plucked straight from the Mediterranean.

Once a sleepy hippie enclave, Pipa is now one of Brazil’s most popular beach towns for digital nomads. It’s even home to the first official Nomad Village in Brazil, a co-living and coworking retreat at a local hotel. Here, high-speed Wi-Fi and bungalow-style apartments give remote workers a chance to connect.

It’s also a haven for kitesurfers. The restaurant and bar scene is just as lively as the waves, especially on weekends when locals from Natal pour in.

For surfers, families, and remote workers

Nicknamed the Ilha da Magia, or “Magic Island,” Florianópolis combines stunning natural beauty with a folkloric history rooted in Azorean culture. Unlike Brazil’s smaller beach towns, Floripa is a full-fledged city. There are shopping malls, high-rises, and highways—yet still more than 40 beaches.

You’ll find everything from pro-level surf breaks to calm bays perfect for families. Floripa has also become a favorite among seasonal remote workers. Reliable infrastructure and a wellness-leaning lifestyle make it an ideal base.

Stay in stylish boutique hotels in Lagoa da Conceição, beachside resorts in Jurerê Internacional, or cozy guesthouses near Campeche. With a direct airport on the island, it’s easy to explore by car for the full experience.

For just about everyone

Just a 2.5-hour drive from Rio, Búzios is where I take friends visiting for more than a week. It’s like Disneyland for adults, as I like to say, with stylish beach clubs, trendy bars, and great restaurants huddled together on a very walkable beach town.

Once a humble fishing village, the town today is home to design-forward whitewashed pousadas and boutique hotels with cliffside infinity pools. At the center of town you’ll find Rua das Pedras, the main entertainment road lined with cafés, live music, high-end dining, and vibrant nightlife. With over 20 beaches to explore and a distinct Mediterranean feel, Búzios is perfect for a romantic weekend, a girls’ trip or a beachy family getaway.

For luxe honeymooners and design lovers

Perched on the cliffs of southern Bahia, Trancoso is where laidback beach life meets high-end style. Once a quiet fishing village, it’s now home to some of the most beautiful boutique hotels and restaurants in Brazil—places like Uxua, where every detail feels straight out of an Architectural Digest spread. The Quadrado, Trancoso’s historic village square, is lined with chic shops and colorfully restored homes now housing aesthetically perfect restaurants.

Down by the sea, golden beaches stretch beneath dramatic cliffs, with beach clubs serving up drinks and music all afternoon. It’s romantic, elegant and effortlessly cool—the kind of place you go for a honeymoon and dream about returning to the following year.

For solo travelers and couples looking to disconnect

Tucked away on Bahia’s coast, just over an hour south of Trancoso, Caraíva offers a completely different vibe. It’s slower, more humble, and wonderfully off-grid. Even after just one visit, it became my favorite beach town in Brazil. All the roads are made of sand, there are no cars, and everyone is always barefoot. Cell service barely works (unless you’re on Wi-Fi), but that only adds to the charm.

The tiny village center is lined with aesthetic little restaurants, candlelit bars, and live forró music that spills into the streets. Stay in a boutique pousada tucked among the trees, then end your day bathing in the calm river on one side and the ocean on the other—Caraíva sits right where the two meet. Don’t leave without trying a caipirinha served in a cacao fruit. It’s slow living at its best, and the sunsets here feel like magic.

For yoga and surf lovers

Set along São Paulo’s northern coastline, Ubatuba is a sprawling beach town that feels worlds away from the big capital city. With over 100 beaches to choose from—ranging from beginner-friendly surf spots to quiet coves surrounded by Atlantic rainforest—it’s a haven for those looking to reconnect with nature. The town has a low-key, wellness-oriented vibe, with yoga classes, healthy cafés, and trails that lead to hidden waterfalls.

For beach lovers

Just a few hours from Rio, Arraial do Cabo is famous for its turquoise seas. The stunning water has even earned it the nickname “Caribe Brasileiro.” Its most iconic spot, Praia do Farol, is only accessible by boat and often ranked among the country’s most beautiful beaches, with its insanely turquoise water and flour-soft sand. Another highlight is Praia do Pontal do Atalaia, where a dramatic wooden staircase leads down to twin beaches separated by tide, one of the most photographed views in Brazil.

Boat tours are the main attraction here, taking visitors to swim, snorkel, and sunbathe across Arraial’s scenic coves. It can get crowded on weekends, but weekdays offer a calmer experience. Between July and October, it’s even possible to spot humpback whales offshore. Arraial is close enough to pair with a trip to Búzios—and some boat tours even connect the two towns. If you’re chasing Gatorade-blue seas, this is the spot.

For adventure travelers and kite surfers

Reaching Jericoacoara requires some effort. After flying into Fortaleza, travelers typically take a 4 to 6 hour journey—first by road, then the final leg in a 4×4 over sand dunes. But that journey is part of the appeal. Tucked away in Brazil’s northeastern state of Ceará, the village of Jeri offers wind-swept beaches, stunning natural beauty and a raw, off-grid vibe that’s hard to match. It has become one of the world’s top spots for kite and windsurfing. Even for those who don’t hit the water, the glittering lagoons, rustic‑chic pousadas, and small-town magic make Jeri feel like one of Brazil’s most special beach escapes.

For nature-loving honeymooners

Tucked between the Atlantic rainforest and palm-lined beaches, Itacaré is a dreamy, still uncrowded beach town on Bahia’s Cocoa Coast. It’s perfect for couples who want to unwind in style. The town itself is small and quiet, but its boutique hotels are next-level, like the Barracuda Hotel & Villas, where minimalist design meets jungle views and infinity pools. Days here are best spent hiking to hidden beaches like Prainha, swimming under waterfalls or just relaxing with a caipirinha in hand. It takes a bit to get here (fly into Ilhéus, then drive 90 minutes), but that just adds to the feeling that you’ve landed somewhere truly special.

For art lovers

Located along Brazil’s lush Costa Verde (Green Coast), Paraty is a beautifully preserved colonial town where cobblestone streets and jungle meet the sea. It’s where I love to bring my family—equal parts charming and cool, with an unmistakable artistic energy. The historic center is entirely walkable and packed with excellent restaurants, galleries, boutiques, and cafés. Art is everywhere here, from the walls to the festivals. Paraty even hosts Brazil’s most famous literary fair. And while the town hugs the coastline, the best emerald-colored beaches are just a boat ride away, hidden among the region’s fjords and islands.