Farol das Conchas

Brazil

　　Built in 1872 on orders from Dom Pedro II, this lighthouse stands picturesquely atop a hill at the island’s most easterly point. From here you have panoramic views of the island, the bay and the Serra do Mar. It’s a popular spot to watch the sun drop below the horizon...

Reserva Extrativista Baixo Rio Branco-Jauaperi

Brazil

　　This newly minted extractive reserve is an outstanding place to immerse yourself in the best the Amazon has to offer, with excellent wildlife-watching – if you're here to see the Amazon in its pristine state, this place should be high on your list. The reserve extends north from the Rio...

Parque Nacional do Iguaçu

Brazil

　　Brazil's second-oldest national park, created in 1939, protects one of South America's most magical and majestic sights, Iguaçu Falls, part of the largest waterfall system in the world. The 1200m-long Trilha das Cataratas ('Waterfall Trail') is one of Brazil's best moments – a series of islands cut the river into...

Praia da Pipa

Rio Grande do Norte

　　The main beach, Praia da Pipa, is about 1.5km long and has fishing boats, numerous bars and restaurants, and rock pools at low tide. ...

Lagoa de Guaraíras

Rio Grande do Norte

　　Lagoa de Guaraíras, behind the river mouth at Tibau do Sul, 8km northwest of Pipa, is one of the area's most stunning landscapes. A massive, dune- and mangrove-bound lagoon, it's particularly spectacular at sunset. ...

Santuário Ecológico de Pipa

Rio Grande do Norte

　　This small, privately owned reserve, 2km west along the main road from the town center, does a valuable job of protecting at least some of the Pipa coast from development. Well-marked trails lead through secondary forest to impressive lookouts over Baía dos Golfinhos and Praia do Madeiro, from which you...

Praia do Amor

Rio Grande do Norte

　　This advanced surf beach is accessed off the eastern part of Av Baía dos Golfinhos. You can rent surfboards here and in town for around R$30 per hour (or R$50 for the day); swimming can be dangerous. For a fantastic view of Praia do Amor and beyond, head to the...

Praia do Madeiro

Rio Grande do Norte

　　Praia do Madeiro curves northward from the headland at the far end of Baía dos Golfinhos and is perhaps Pipa's most enchanting stretch of sand. It has a few upmarket hotels on the cliffs above but the sands below are free of buildlings. It’s good for beginner surfers (individual classes/three-day...

Igreja da Sé

Ceará

　　Fortaleza's neo-Gothic Catholic cathedral is the city's most important church. ...

Praia do Meireles

Ceará

　　This central beach has an attractive waterfront promenade with homey beer barracas (stalls) on the sand side and smart air-conditioned restaurants and hotels across the street. The fish market and evening craft fair are also draws. ...

Centro de Turismo

Ceará

　　The Centro de Turismo, a converted 19th-century jail, houses a lot of craft stalls and a tourist information office. Upstairs, the Museu de Arte e Cultura Popular, which has an impressive collection of Ceará crafts, is currently closed for renovations. You can often see lacemakers at work here. ...

Museu de Arte Contemporânea

Ceará

　　This contemporary art museum is one of two museums that make up Fortaleza's excellent Centro Cultural Dragão do Mar and is well worth a wander. ...

Praia do Futuro

Ceará

　　A clean length of soft sand stretching 5km along Fortaleza’s east-facing coast, this is easily the best city beach, though it's far from most accommodations. It's lined by huge restaurants known as barracas, which serve seafood, beer and cocktails at tables on the sand, and attracts enormous crowds at weekends;...

Memorial da Cultura Cearense

Ceará

　　Part of Fortaleza's excellent Centro Cultural Dragão do Mar, this museum hosts exhibits on Ceará's traditional way of life and culture. Temporary exhibitions are on the upper floors – by the main entrance – while the permanent collection is below. ...

Centro Dragão do Mar de Arte e Cultura

Ceará

　　This excellent, extensive complex includes cinemas, performance spaces, a good cafe, a planetarium and two good museums: the Museu de Arte Contemporânea and the Memorial da Cultura Cearense, which features exhibits on Ceará's traditional life and culture. Elevated walkways join blocks on different streets; it all blends well with the...

Ilha Anchieta

São Paulo State

　　This protected nature reserve was once home to a notorious penal colony and prison, which laid claim to hosting one of the biggest prison riots in the world when hundreds of inmates rebelled and escaped in 1952. While 129 prisoners were recaptured, many others were eaten by sharks whilst trying...

Ilha das Couves

São Paulo State

　　Ubatuba's most coveted beach destination is this tiny, 58-hectare island that is paradise in every sense of the word. Golden sands, lush rainforest and calm, boulder-strewn translucent waters combine forces to create the postcard-perfect beach of your dreams. But its popularity is its downfall – in December and January, boat...

Praia do Cajueiro

Alter do Chão

　　A few blocks west of the town center along the waterfront promenade is this pleasant beach, wrapping around to the Tapajós River. ...

Ponta do Cururú

Alter do Chão

　　Most afternoons, large numbers of pink and grey dolphins congregate just offshore from this sandy point near the mouth of the Rio Tapajós for an evening snack. It’s a great place to go for sunsets and dolphin-spotting, and many guides combine tours of Lago Verde or Canal do Jarí with...

Lago Verde

Alter do Chão

　　This huge three-fingered lake is surrounded by forest and has places to swim, snorkel with fish and spot wildlife (including a resident family of monkeys). Tour agencies do good boat tours (per person R$50 to R$75, two to three hours, two to six people) or you can hire one of...

Ilha do Amor

Alter do Chão

　　A small slice of paradise just offshore from Alter do Chão, the 'Island of Love' is especially striking when the water is low (August to December) and beach restaurants and cool, calm water make it a great place to chill out. In high water, the island is much smaller but...

Mercado do Artesanato

Maceió

　　If you want a better variety of goods and a better deal than what's on offer at the markets on the beach, head to the Mercado do Artesanato in the city center. To get there, catch a bus that stops in front of the antigo (old) Cine Ideal. ...

French Vice-Consulate Building

Lençóis

　　At the 19th-century French vice-consulate building, diamond commerce was once negotiated. ...

Igreja Senhor dos Passos

Lençóis

　　Honors the patron saint of miners – and was built by slaves. The church is open occasionally to visitors during festivals and other special events. ...

Prefeitura Municipal

Lençóis

　　The lovely Prefeitura Municipal, built in 1860, was the mansion of Colonel César Sá – the Neoclassical details were reportedly added to please his wife. ...

Casa de Cultura Afrânio Peixoto

Lençóis

　　It's worth stopping in this small museum dedicated to the life and career of Julio Afrânio Peixoto, considered one of Lençós' most accomplished citizens. There are two rooms of exhibits for which you'll get a tour from one of the friendly docents. ...

Mercado Cultural

Lençóis

　　For handicrafts made of local wood and stone, clay soaps, and semiprecious jewelry, stop by the beautiful old Mercado Cultural. Perched above the river on the main square, the market's construction began construction in the 19th century. 　　Days and hours aren't consistent, especially during holidays. ...

Parque Nacional da Chapada Diamantina

Lençóis

　　Spanning over 1520 sq km and containing within it innumerable species of plants and animals, deafening waterfalls and vast, rugged plains, Parque Nacional da Chapada Diamantina is a natural wonder that has drawn hikers and naturalists since even before it was officially designated a national park in 1985. Within its...

Praça do Arsenal

Recife

　　Surrounded by many elegant colonial buildings, this square is at the heart of Recife Antigo. Colorful Rua do Bom Jesus, to the south of the square, was formerly known as Rua dos Judeos because a number of Jewish businesses opened here during Dutch rule (1630–54). Bom Jesus is at its...

Pátio de São Pedro

Recife

　　This traffic-free square, lined with bars, restaurants and colorful 19th-century houses, is one of Santo Antônio's more peaceful spots and a good place to stop for a drink. 　　The magnificent 18th-century baroque Concatedral de São Pedro dos Clérigos contains incredibly fine stonework and wood carvings throughout, while the Memorial Chico...

Instituto Ricardo Brennand

Recife

　　This scenic museum in Várzea, 11km west of central Recife, contains a huge collection of European and Brazilian art, swords, armor and historical artifacts, all set in fake medieval castles on lovely grounds. While there are some worthwhile pieces here, especially the collection of art from the Dutch occupation of...

Concatedral de São Pedro dos Clérigos

Recife

　　The 18th-century baroque Concatedral de São Pedro dos Clérigos has been totally renovated and contains incredibly fine stonework and wood carvings throughout its magnificent interior. On Wednesday from 8am to 1pm admission is free. ...

Capela Dourada

Recife

　　Built between 1696 and 1724, this gem of Brazilian baroque, part of the Convento de Santo Antônio, owes its name to the huge quantities of gold (said to total more than 120kg!) covering its elaborately sculpted walls, altars and ceiling. Admission also includes access to the attached Museu de Arte...

Museu Cais do Sertão

Recife

　　Inaugurated in 2014, this bold museum highlights the culture of the sertão (the interior of Pernambuco state), especially as it relates to the godfather of forró music, Luiz Gonzaga, who was a major player not only in bringing the music of the region to national prominence but the culture as...

Paço do Frevo

Recife

　　This strikingly red museum is a small and modern house of worship for frevo, the quintessential dance of the Recife Carnaval that is easily identified by its use of colorful small umbrellas. There is a great energy about the place, which offers beautifully designed exhibits together with performances and classes...

Oficina Cerâmica Francisco Brennand

Recife

　　Francisco Brennand, born in 1927 into an Irish immigrant family and now considered Brazil’s greatest ceramicist, revitalized his family’s abandoned tile factory to create his own line of decorative ceramic tiles. The expansive indoor and outdoor space in Várzea, 11km west of central Recife, is now mostly dedicated to his...

Museu Waldemar Belisário

Ilhabela

　　This small, two-room museum is dedicated to Waldemar Belisário, a well-regarded Paulistano modernist painter of Italian descent who lived and died on Ilhabela. The permanent room showcases a few of his paintings and personal effects, while a temporary room hosts changing, Brazil-centric exhibits. 　　It's not an essential visit, but it's...

Igreja de NS do Rosário

Centro & the Mainland

　　The best-preserved colonial church, Igreja de NS do Rosário, sits picturesquely atop the steps at Rua Trajano. ...

Praça XV de Novembro

Centro & the Mainland

　　The center of town is the inviting Praça XV de Novembro, with its shady walks and 100-year-old fig tree. ...

Catedral Metropolitana

Centro & the Mainland

　　You’ll hear the hourly ringing of bells in the Catedral Metropolitana, which sits grandly at the high end of the square and is the only church we've ever seen with a flat-screen television at its entrance. 　　The nave is flanked by beautiful stained glass. ...

Mercado Público

Centro & the Mainland

　　Floripa's historic public market bolted out of a huge refurbishment in 2015 with an improved look. It houses numerous bars and restaurants in addition to a wealth of shops; the festive food court is a superb spot for a drink and meal – try Vai Quem Quer. ...

Museu Histórico de Santa Catarina

Centro & the Mainland

　　Formerly the colonial governor’s palace, this gorgeous must-see building has ornate parquet floors and extravagant 19th-century ceilings. 　　The entrance is off Rua Trajano. ...

Museu do Negro

São Luís

　　In this building that once housed a slave market (notice the absence of windows), the Museu do Negro exhibits relics of slavery, including a replica whipping post and a striking collection of wood carvings and statuettes from West Africa. It was closed for restoration when we visited but is slated...

Centro Cultural Vale Maranhão

São Luís

　　This hip new cultural center in a stylishly renovated colonial mansion in the heart of the historical center features rotating exhibitions of high-quality local and national art. Also hosts performances and has a good cafe. It's funded by a multinational mining company, but the friendly staff and guides are anything...

Mercado das Tulhas

São Luís

　　This 19th-century market building now trades in an interesting variety of typical Maranhão crafts and foods, from dried prawns and Brazil nuts to an artificially colored purple cassava liquor called tiquira and Maranhão's most hailed regional soda, Guaraná Jesus. It also has a couple of bars that get animated in...