Beach sights in Brazil
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Ipanema & Leblon Beaches
Although the beaches of Ipanema and Leblon are one long beach, the postos (posts) along them subdivide the beach into areas as diverse as the city itself. Posto 9, right off Rua Vinícius de Moraes, is Garota de Ipanema, which is where Rio’s most lithe and tanned bodies tend to migrate. The area is also known as the Cemetério dos Elefantes because of the handful of old leftists, hippies and artists who sometimes hang out there. In front of Rua Farme de Amoedo the beach is known as Bolsa de Valores or Crystal Palace (this is the gay section), while Posto 8 further up is mostly the domain of favela kids. Arpoador, between Ipanema and Copacabana, is Rio’s most popular surf…
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Copacabana & Leme Beach
A magnificent confluence of land and sea, the long, scalloped beach of Copacabana and Leme runs for 4km, with a flurry of activity always stretching along its length: over-amped soccer players singing their team’s anthem, Cariocas and tourists lining up for caipirinhas at kiosks, favela kids showing off their soccer skills, beach vendors shouting out their wares among the beached and tanned bodies.
As in Ipanema, each group stakes out their stretch of sand. Leme is a mix of older residents and favela kids, while the area between the Copacabana Palace Hotel and Rua Fernando Mendes is the gay and transvestite section, known as the Stock or Stock Market – easily recognized…
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Ponta Negra
Ponta Negra, at the far south end of the city, is the nicest beach in Natal - nearly 3km long and full of hotels, pousadas, restaurants, beach bars, surfers and sailing boats. On weekends it gets pretty packed: the northern part of the beach, with its pedestrian-only walkway, is less crowded. The surf here is consistent if small: you can rent boards from a few places along the beach for around R$25 a day. At the south end of the beach is Morro da Careca, a spectacularly high sand dune with a steep face that drops straight into the sea. Access to the dune has been closed off to prevent further erosion and damage to the primary Atlantic rain forest that covers it.
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Beaches
Across the channel from town is Praia do Farol, a broad attractive beach that's good (and convenient) for swimming and sunbathing. Continuing clockwise along the shore, a rocky outcrop called Ponta do Boiador marks the beginning of Praia da Princesa. This is the island's best beach, stretching 8km, with rough surf and backed by dunes, palms and the occasional structure or rocky outcrop.
The island has several tidal channels (known as furos, or 'punctures', in Portuguese) which connect inland lagoons to the ocean, and vary in size and strength according to the tide. The channel separating Algodoal from Praia do Farol can be waded at low tide, while canoes ferry people…
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Beaches
The waters of Morro's four conveniently named main beaches are mostly calm, shallow and warm, and their sands are narrow and swallowed by the high tides.
Tiny Primeira Praia is lined with pousadas and has a decent surf break. Deep Segunda Praia (500m) is the 'action' beach with pousadas, restaurants, nightclubs and a sea of tables and chairs. Pousadas and anchored boats dominate one end of Terceira Praia (1km). Once you pass a pair of restaurants, Quarta Praia (2km) is a long, lovely stretch of sand graced by tall, swaying palms. For even more isolated peace, continue on at low tide to Praia do Encanto (5km) or further down the island to Garapuá, which has one pousada.
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Beaches
Within the district of Ubatuba, there are some 74 beaches and 15 islands. Regular buses run along the coastal road. Some of the best beaches south of Ubatuba include Praia Vermelha (3km), Enseada (8km), Flamengo (12km, on the Ponta do Flamengo), do Lázaro (16km) and Domingos Dias (18km). The big, loud party scene is 6km south of Ubatuba at Praia Grande.
North of town, the beaches are hidden away down steep hillsides. They're harder to find, but good for boogie boarding and surfing and well worth the effort. Among the best are Vermelha do Norte (9km); Itamambuca (15km), Promirim (23km) and Ubatumirim (33km).
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Praia do Futuro
Fortaleza's best beach, Praia do Futuro is a clean length of sand that stretches 5km (3.1mi) south along Av Dioguinho to the Clube Caça e Pesca (Hunting and Fishing Club). It is easily the city's best beach, though it's a fair way from most hotels. Barracas (kiosks) serving crab and beer line the beach, which gets packed on weekends. It doesn't start getting really nice until you're at least 1km (0.6mi) away from the industrial port.
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Praia de Ponta Verde
The most popular and beautiful of the city beaches is Praia de Ponta Verde. Protected by an offshore coral reef, Maceió's ocean waters are calm and a deep emerald color.
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Beaches
In general, the southern beaches are trickier to get to, but they're prettier and have better surf. The northern beaches are more sheltered and closer to the towns.
Going counterclockwise from south of Manguinhos, the first beaches are Geribá and Ferradurinha (Little Horseshoe). These are beautiful beaches with good surf, but the Búzios Beach Club has built condos here. Next on the coast is Ferradura, which is large enough for windsurfing and Lagoinha, a rocky beach with rough water. Praia da Foca and Praia do Forno have colder water than the other beaches. Praia Olho de Boi (Bull's Eye) is the area's only nude beach. It's reached by a little trail from the long, clean…
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Beaches
A good sandy beach, Praia do Cajuiero, faces the Rio Tapajós on the west side of the village. Beaches further afield are best reached in a car, including Pindobal (8km), Cajutuba (16km), Aramanai (26km) and Ponta de Pedras (28km). Tour operators in town also offer day trips that include stopping at isolated no-name beaches along the main channel.
Stingrays are a concern in shallow areas of Ilha do Amor, Lago Verde and in the river. One of their nicknames is 'Wish-You-Were-Dead Fish' if that's any indication of the painfulness of their sting. Fortunately, rays are very skittish and prefer muddy areas over sandy ones, which means they're fairly uncommon in busy areas of…
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Fernando de Noronha
With its crystalline water, rich marine life and spectacular tropical landscapes, this archipelago is one of the most stunning places in Brazil. Guia Quatro Rodas Praias, Brazil's 'Beach Bible', awards five stars to just four beaches in the whole country - and three of them are right here.
The marine and coastal environment is well preserved, thanks largely to the Fernando de Noronha Marine National Park and conservation projects based here.
Although Noronha used to be the domain of regulated package tours, it's now easy for independent travelers to visit. Give yourself plenty of time because Noronha is addictive. It's a wonderful place for doing things both water-based…
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Beaches
Separating the peninsula from the mainland is the island-riddled Baía de Camamu, Brazil's third-largest bay. One long, dirt road (often impassable after rain) heads down the peninsula, providing access to stunning beaches with crystal-clear water, such as Praia Taipús de Fora (7km, rated among Brazil's top beaches), and a handful of very small fishing villages. Pricey excursions to Lagoa Azul, viewpoints, bay islands and down the Rio Maraú are offered by local providers.
Other lovely destinations are accessible on foot. At the base of the village lies the 2km-long Barra Grande beach, where the calm waters are fine for swimming. A short walk along the beach leads to the…
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Praia do Moçambique
Praia do Moçambique's pristine charms have much to do with the littoral strip of ecological reserve that protects it from development. It's also famous for its surf.
Just north of the attractive town of Barra da Lagoa is the 14km stretch of Praia do Moçambique (Mozambique Beach). Actually two beaches (it blends blends seamlessly into Praia Barra da Lagoa) this undeveloped swatch of beach faces the Atlantic Ocean, and is a favourite haunt of Catarina's surfistas (surfers). When the wind is a light westerly or north-easterly, there's usually a good easterly or south-easterly swell; waves break in both directions and can be quite strong.
The beach is buffered from the road…
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Praia Lopes Mendes
Outdoor adventure options on Ilha Grande just don't quit. The tourist office gives out a free map showing 16 different signposted trails leading through the lush forest to several of the island's 102 beaches. When visiting some beaches, it's possible to hike one way and take a boat the other. The most popular hike is the three-hour, 6.1km (each way) trek from Abraão to Praia Lopes Mendes. This seemingly endless beach with good surfing waves (shortboard/longboard rental onsite R$25/40 per day) is considered by some the most beautiful in Brazil.
Before hitting the trail, let people at your pousada know where you're going and when you'll be back, stock up on water and bug…
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Praia Grande
A tawny sandbar beach emerges on the far bank of the Rio Branco, opposite Boa Vista, during low water, roughly December to April. Known as Praia Grande, it is indeed big and beachy, and makes for a pleasant afternoon visit. Its transitory existence means there is no shade - bring an umbrella or consider waiting until the afternoon. Porto do Babazinho offers ferry service for R$4 roundtrip, and can provide food and drinks.
Be careful of stingrays, especially in low-water season. The sting hurts like a mother; fortunately, rays are quite skittish and you have to actually step on one for it to sting you. Shuffle your feet when entering or exiting the water - the cloud of…
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Praia da Lua
Manaus's best beach is a short boat ride up the Rio Negro and can be coupled with a visit to the Museu do Seringal for a nice city escape. The sand is surprisingly fine and the water good for swimming, despite the tea-color. Like all river beaches, Lua is biggest when the water is low (November and December) and smallest when it's high (June and July). Trees provide some shade, but the midday sun can be intense. Semi-permanent eateries serve fish and beer at tables set up along the water.
The big drawback: no toilets. Catch a boat to Praia da Lua (10 minutes) from Marina Davi. just past Ponta Negra. Take Bus 011, 012, or 120 (20 minutes) to the turnaround and wait for the…
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Praia de Parnaioca
Praia de Parnaioca also ranks up there among the most beautiful beaches in Brazil, accessible via an 8km (each way) trail that passes through Dois Rios, a picturesque beach where two separate rivers flow into the open Atlantic.
Before hitting the trail, let people at your pousada know where you're going and when you'll be back, stock up on water and bug repellent and bring a flashlight, as darkness comes swiftly under the jungle canopy. Guides are advisable for exploring beyond the most heavily traveled routes - poorly marked trails and poisonous snakes can make things challenging.
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Beaches
The coast south of Itacaré is characterized by rough surf (better for surfing than swimming) and cove beaches separated by hills covered with rain forest. Some beaches, such as idyllic Prainha (reachable by trail from Praia do Ribeira), are private and charge entrance fees. Praia da Concha is an ordinary city beach. Resende, Tiririca and Ribeira beaches lie within 1.5km south of town and are frequented by surfers.
Highly recommended are the paradisiacal Engenhoca, Havaizinho and Itacarezinho beaches, 12km south of town.
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Porto Seguro Bay
North of town is one long bay dotted with barracas and clubs with invisible divisions creating Praia Curuípe (3km), Praia Itacimirim (4km), Praia Mundaí (6km) and Praia Taperapuã (7km). The sands are white and fluffy, backed by green vegetation and lapped by a tranquil sea. Tôa Tôa (Praia de Taperapuã), Axé Moi (Praia Mundaí) and Barramares (Praia de Taperapuã) are the biggest beach clubs and all have MCs and dancers leading crowds through popular dances.
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Beaches
Praia Mucugê is Arraial's main tourist beach and is crowded with barracas and blasted by music. As you continue south, Praia do Parracho is also built up, but with beach clubs and a few condominium complexes. Both of these beaches are sheltered by offshore reefs. Around the point, beautiful Praia Pitinga has red striped sandstone cliffs, pretty, calm waters and a few barracas. South of Pitinga, Praia da Lagoa Azul and Praia Taípe are backed by tall cliffs, and face stronger waves.
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Beaches
Praia Ponta da Areia (2km north of Bom Despacho) is a thin strip of sand with clear, shallow water, and with barracas serving good seafood. Praia da Penha (10km south of Bom Despacho) has excellent views of Salvador. Praia Barra Grande (7km further south) is Itaparica's finest public beach with clear water and weekend homes, and lies in front of its namesake village. Bahians, who love a beach with lots of people on it, consider Praia Cacha Pregos (20km further south) the island's best.
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Praia Porto da Barra beach
Praia Porto da Barra beach is rather like the Pelourinho: small, picturesque, usually crowded, loaded with vendors selling everything imaginable, and roughly half those present are foreigners. The bay's waters are clear and calm, and the people-watching is fantastic. To the left of the lighthouse, Praia do Farol da Barra has a beach break popular with surfers. Barra's waterfront is lined with bars and restaurants and is well lit at night, but it gets a bit sleazy in the later hours.
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Sand Dunes & Beaches
There are three sand-dune spots in and about Cabo Frio. The dunes of Praia do Peró, a super beach for surfing and surf casting, are 6km north in the direction of Búzios, near Ogivas and after Praia Brava and Praia das Conchas. The Dama Branca (White Lady) sand dunes are on the road to Arraial do Cabo. The Pontal dunes of Praia do Forte town beach stretch from the fort to Miranda hill. Robberies can pose a danger at the dunes, so get advice from locals before heading out.
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Beaches
Of the sheltered beaches on the north side of the island, Praia Jabaquara is recommended; it's accessed by a 5km-long walking trail. On the east side, where the surf is stronger, try beautiful Praia dos Castelhanos (good for camping and surfing), which is backed by the steeply rising jungle. From the town of Borrifos you can take a four-hour walk to Praia Bonete, a windy surf beach lying on the southern side of the island that you will share with a local community of fishermen.
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Praia da Rosa
Santa Catarina's swankiest seaside town, Praia da Rosa, has two main attractions: a set of stunning, nearly pristine beaches and a sophisticated, eco-aware population. Oh, and many opportunities for surfing. In winter, the bay becomes a breeding ground for southern right whales, and mothers and calves can be seen from the beach. Instituto Baleia Franca, a conservation group created to protect and study these unique mammals, is based here.
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