Copacabana, Ipanema — iconic beaches to dive into and soak up Brazilian culture, because the beach here is an institution! A pair of flip-flops, a colorful sarong, and a bikini, and you're off, carefree.
The Costa Verde runs along the Atlantic, with lush green mountains on one side and turquoise waters fringed with white sandbanks on the other, dotted with paradisiacal islands and fishing communities. Angra dos Reis is home to Ilha Grande, a strictly protected nature reserve: a lush forest home to egrets, kingfishers, ibises, and other birds, warm sandy beaches, and charming pousadas — the ideal recipe for disconnecting from the buzz of the capital.
The road leads to Paraty, a charming colonial village nestled on a stunning bay. Continue further and you draw near Praia do Sono, a stretch of white sand considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, before arriving at Saco do Mamangua, home to a few caiçara families at the heart of Brazil's own fjord. A charming lodge sits in this paradise, accessible only by shuttle boat.
