Northeast Brazil & Atlantic Coast
Endless dunes, warm reefs, and vibrant rhythms ☀️
The Northeast (Nordeste) is Brazil's sunniest region, famous for a relaxed pace of life and a coastline that stretches for over 3,000 kilometers. For families, the primary draw is the beach culture. Unlike the colder waters of the south, the ocean here is warm year-round. Destinations like Porto de Galinhas and Praia do Forte feature natural reef pools (piscinas naturais) that form at low tide, creating calm, aquarium-like enclosures where children can snorkel safely with tropical fish.
Salvador, the capital of Bahia, is the cultural soul of the region. The historic Pelourinho district is a UNESCO World Heritage site filled with pastel-colored colonial houses and cobbled streets. Families can watch impromptu capoeira demonstrations—a mix of dance and martial arts—in the plazas. The city's elevators connect the Upper and Lower towns, offering great views of the Bay of All Saints. Just be aware that the city is busy and loud; many families choose to stay in coastal resorts like Costa do Sauípe and visit the city on day trips.
Further north, the landscape shifts to massive sand dunes. In Natal and Fortaleza, "buggy rides" are a standard tourist activity; drivers take families over the dunes, often stopping at freshwater lagoons for a swim and a meal of fresh shrimp. For a truly unique landscape, the Lençóis Maranhenses National Park offers a desert-like expanse of white sand dotted with thousands of rainwater lagoons. Between May and September, these lagoons are full and swimmable, creating a surreal playground for kids.
The region is also home to Fernando de Noronha, an island archipelago that limits visitor numbers to protect its wildlife. It is one of the best places in the world to see spinning dolphins and sea turtles. While more expensive and harder to reach, it offers a safe and pristine environment for nature-loving families. Throughout the Northeast, the food is distinct, featuring tapioca pancakes and moqueca (fish stew), though parents should check the spice levels of dishes containing dendê oil.
Click a region to explore
Activities & Best Times
Hiking, wildlife, outdoor exploration, ecotourism
The unique Lençóis Maranhenses dunes and lagoons offer a globally peerless ecological spectacle best viewed just after the rainy season. Shoulder months allow for lagoon viewing before they dry up, while peak rains in early year can make trail access and visibility difficult.
Beach resorts, marine activities: diving, snorkelling, kite surfing, wind surfing, sailing
Home to iconic destinations like Jericoacoara and Porto de Galinhas, offering warm tropical waters and world-class kite-surfing winds. Peak season aligns with the dry months of July-November, while March and April see the highest tropical rainfall.
Urban tourism, museums, historical sites, architecture
Salvador and Olinda provide an authentic immersion into Afro-Brazilian heritage and Portuguese colonial history with UNESCO-listed architecture. Cultural activities are year-round but most pleasant during the lower humidity/rainfall period from July to October.
Events, celebrations, seasonal attractions
Features world-class events like the Salvador Carnival in February and the massive São João festivities in June. These are authentic, high-energy cultural benchmarks that attract sophisticated travelers seeking genuine local traditions.
Sport tourism, fitness activities, active recreation
The Ceará coastline is globally recognized as one of the best locations for kitesurfing and windsurfing due to remarkably consistent trade winds. Conditions are world-class from August to November, while the rainy season significantly reduces wind reliability.
Spa retreats, wellness centers, peaceful getaways
High-end 'barefoot luxury' pousadas in Trancoso and Jericoacoara provide sophisticated, peaceful retreats with a focus on sustainable wellness. Best enjoyed during the driest months when outdoor yoga and beach-side treatments are uninterrupted by rain.
Scenic drives, countryside tours, route-based travel
The 'Route of Emotions' offers a spectacular scenic journey across dunes, deltas, and beaches between Maranhão and Ceará. Driving conditions are best when sandy tracks are firm and dry during the second half of the year.
Amusement parks, family entertainment venues
Beach Park near Fortaleza is an internationally acclaimed water park, consistently ranked among the best globally for its innovative and record-breaking slides. Optimal visiting times avoid the peak tropical downpours of March and April.
Learning experiences, scientific sites, historical education
Rich opportunities for learning about colonial history, the transatlantic slave trade, and unique coastal ecosystems like mangroves. Optimal during the dry season when guided educational tours of historic sites and nature reserves are most accessible.
Attractions (72 total)
Adventure Park / Outdoor Activity Center
Arraial d'Ajuda Eco Parque
Porto Seguro
A large-scale outdoor activity center nestled in lush coastal forest, offering eco-friendly water slides, climbing walls, and ziplines.
Visit website →Beach Park
Aquiraz
A world-class outdoor water and adventure complex featuring the famous Insano slide and diverse family-oriented aquatic attractions.
Visit website →Genipabu Dunes
Extremoz
A world-renowned outdoor activity hub famous for its shifting sand dunes, dromedary rides, and high-adrenaline buggy tours.
Engenhoca Parque
Aquiraz
A dedicated adventure hub providing diverse outdoor activities including ziplining, archery, pedal boats, and historical farm exhibits.
Visit website →Beach / Coastal Recreation Area
Baía do Sancho
Fernando de Noronha
Frequently ranked among the world's best beaches, this secluded bay features crystalline waters and vibrant marine life perfect for snorkeling.
Visit website →Jericoacoara Beach
Jijoca de Jericoacoara
A remote coastal paradise known for its massive dunes, hammocks over lagoons, and the iconic Sunset Dune.
Lençóis Maranhenses National Park
Barreirinhas
A vast landscape of seasonal rainwater lagoons nestled between rolling white sand dunes, offering a unique swimming experience.
Visit website →Porto de Galinhas
Ipojuca
Famous for its natural pools formed by coral reefs where visitors can swim with colorful fish during low tide.
Visit website →Canoa Quebrada
Aracati
Known for its iconic red cliffs carved with a moon and star symbol and a vibrant, bohemian atmosphere.
Galés de Maragogi
Maragogi
A set of massive natural swimming pools located 6km offshore, featuring some of Brazil's most transparent waters.
Ponta Negra Beach
Natal
Home to the Morro do Careca, a giant sand dune that is the most famous landmark in the city of Natal.
Porto da Barra Beach
Salvador
A historic urban beach located between two colonial forts, offering calm waters and one of the few places in Brazil with a sunset over the sea.
Praia da Pipa
Tibau do Sul
A cosmopolitan beach destination famous for its high cliffs, dolphin sightings, and excellent surfing conditions.
Visit website →Praia do Forte
Mata de São João
A charming coastal village known for its ecological preservation, coral pools, and the sea turtle conservation headquarters.
Visit website →Art Gallery / Fine Art Museum
Centro Dragão do Mar de Arte e Cultura
Fortaleza
A vibrant cultural hub featuring the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Museum of Ceará Culture, known for its iconic modern architecture.
Visit website →Instituto Ricardo Brennand
Recife
A stunning neo-Gothic castle housing a world-class collection of armor, weapons, and Dutch-era Brazilian art set in lush gardens.
Visit website →Museu de Arte Moderna da Bahia (MAM-BA)
Salvador
Located in the historic 18th-century Solar do Unhão, this museum offers contemporary art exhibitions with breathtaking sunset views over All Saints Bay.
Visit website →Oficina Cerâmica Francisco Brennand
Recife
An extraordinary art sanctuary and museum set in a former brick factory, featuring thousands of unique ceramic sculptures by the artist Francisco Brennand.
Visit website →Pinacoteca do Estado do Rio Grande do Norte
Natal
Housed in the beautiful neoclassical Palácio Potengi, this gallery features works by local artists and national treasures in an elegant historical setting.
Museu Afro-Brasileiro (MAFRO)
Salvador
An essential cultural institution dedicated to the research and exhibition of African and Afro-Brazilian art and history, located in a historic school building.
Visit website →Museu de Arte da Bahia (MAB)
Salvador
The oldest museum in the state, housing significant collections of sacred art, colonial furniture, and paintings by Brazilian and European masters.
National Park / Nature Reserve
Chapada Diamantina National Park
Lençóis
A dramatic highland region featuring massive mesas, deep canyons, underground caves, and spectacular waterfalls like Cachoeira da Fumaça.
Visit website →Fernando de Noronha Marine National Park
Fernando de Noronha
A UNESCO-listed volcanic archipelago offering world-class diving, snorkeling with sea turtles, and pristine beaches.
Visit website →Jericoacoara National Park
Jijoca de Jericoacoara
Famed for its mobile dunes, the iconic Pedra Furada rock arch, and calm lagoons with hammocks over the water.
Visit website →Serra da Capivara National Park
São Raimundo Nonato
A UNESCO World Heritage site home to one of the world's most significant collections of prehistoric rock art.
Visit website →Abrolhos Marine National Park
Caravelas
The first marine park in Brazil, known for its diverse coral reefs and humpback whale watching opportunities.
Visit website →Ubajara National Park
Ubajara
The smallest national park in Brazil, featuring a cable car ride into a deep canyon and impressive limestone caves.
Visit website →Castle / Palace / Historic Site
Church and Convent of São Francisco
Salvador
A masterpiece of Brazilian Baroque architecture known as the 'Golden Church' due to its incredible interior of gilded wood carvings.
Visit website →Farol da Barra (Forte de Santo Antônio da Barra)
Salvador
Salvador's most iconic landmark, a historic fort containing a lighthouse and nautical museum with great sunset views for families.
Visit website →Historic Center of Olinda
Olinda
A hilltop colonial gem with colorful houses and historic churches that offer panoramic views of the Atlantic coast.
Pelourinho
Salvador
The vibrant UNESCO-listed historic heart of Salvador, featuring colorful colonial buildings and cobblestone streets perfect for family walks.
Ricardo Brennand Institute
Recife
A world-class museum housed in a stunning neo-Gothic castle that fascinates children with its massive collection of armor and swords.
Visit website →Forte de Santa Cruz de Itamaracá (Forte Orange)
Ilha de Itamaracá
A massive Dutch-built stone fortress located right on the beach, ideal for history lovers and beach-going families alike.
Forte dos Reis Magos
Natal
A unique star-shaped fortress built in 1598 that marks the historic birthplace of Natal and offers exploration of its thick stone walls.
José de Alencar Theater
Fortaleza
A historic architectural landmark featuring a magnificent Art Nouveau cast-iron structure and a beautiful garden designed by Burle Marx.
Palácio dos Leões
São Luís
A grand neoclassical palace overlooking the bay that serves as the state government seat and houses a rich collection of French art.
Landmark / Monument / Iconic Urban Attraction
Elevador Lacerda
Salvador
A historic Art Deco elevator connecting the upper and lower cities, offering breathtaking panoramic views of All Saints Bay.
Farol da Barra
Salvador
An iconic 17th-century lighthouse and fortress that houses a nautical museum at the entrance to the Bay of All Saints.
Visit website →Olinda Historic Center
Olinda
A beautifully preserved colonial town on a hill, famous for its Baroque churches and artistic heritage.
Dragão do Mar Center of Art and Culture
Fortaleza
A major urban cultural center featuring red elevated walkways, museums, and a planetarium in a historic district.
Visit website →Marco Zero
Recife
The symbolic founding point of Recife, featuring a large nautical compass rose on the ground and views of the sculpture park.
Morro do Careca
Natal
A massive 120-meter sand dune bordered by Atlantic forest, forming the most famous silhouette of Ponta Negra beach.
Morro do Pico
Fernando de Noronha
The highest volcanic rock formation in the archipelago, serving as its most iconic natural landmark.
Historic Town / Village / Cultural Area
Historic Center of São Luís
São Luís
A UNESCO World Heritage site unique for its thousands of historic buildings covered in traditional Portuguese ceramic tiles.
Visit website →Pelourinho (Historic Center of Salvador)
Salvador
A UNESCO World Heritage site known for its colorful Portuguese colonial architecture and vibrant Afro-Brazilian culture.
Visit website →Cidade Histórica de Porto Seguro
Porto Seguro
The site of the first Portuguese settlement in Brazil, home to 16th-century churches and a historic lighthouse.
Visit website →Historic Town of Lençóis
Lençóis
A charming 19th-century diamond mining town that serves as the gateway to the stunning Chapada Diamantina mountains.
Recife Antigo (Old Recife)
Recife
The historic port district featuring colorful 19th-century architecture, cultural museums, and the iconic Marco Zero plaza.
Visit website →Farm Park / Petting Zoo / Rural Experience
iPark Complexo Turístico
Maranguape
A large rural adventure park featuring the Museum of Cachaça, giant wooden barrels, and traditional farm activities in a lush setting.
Visit website →Engenho Sanhaçu
Chã Grande
A sustainable, award-winning organic cachaça farm offering guided tours through its production facilities and scenic forest trails.
Visit website →Fazendinha Estação Natureza
Eusébio
An interactive educational farm park where children can engage with animals and experience rural life near the Ceará coast.
Visit website →Engenho Massangana
Cabo de Santo Agostinho
A historical sugar mill estate offering a cultural journey into the 19th-century rural life and colonial architecture of Pernambuco.
Visit website →Botanical Garden / Formal Gardens
Jardim Botânico do Recife
Recife
A lush tropical conservation area featuring thematic gardens, a sensory trail, and an orchid house within a protected Atlantic Forest remnant.
Visit website →Jardim Botânico Benjamim Maranhão
João Pessoa
One of the largest urban Atlantic Forest fragments in Brazil, offering guided ecological trails through a dense tropical landscape.
Visit website →Jardim Botânico de Salvador
Salvador
A recently renovated urban sanctuary focusing on Atlantic Forest biodiversity and Afro-Brazilian ethnobotanical traditions.
Visit website →Zoo / Wildlife Park / Safari Park
Jardim Zoológico de Salvador
Salvador
A well-maintained state zoo focused on the conservation of Brazilian fauna and flora within a lush Atlantic Forest setting.
Visit website →Parque Estadual Dois Irmãos
Recife
A historic nature reserve and zoo that serves as one of the largest green lungs in the city, showcasing regional biodiversity.
Visit website →Parque Zoobotânico Vale
São Luís
A high-quality wildlife park providing a home to native Amazonian species like jaguars and tropical birds in a protected forest area.
Visit website →Aquário de Natal
Natal
The largest aquarium in Northeast Brazil, featuring marine life, penguins, and a rescue center for stranded aquatic mammals.
Visit website →Natural Feature / Scenic Site
Morro do Pai Inácio
Palmeiras
The most famous viewpoint in Chapada Diamantina, offering 360-degree views of dramatic plateaus and valleys.
Visit website →Natural Pools of Porto de Galinhas
Ipojuca
Low-tide coral reef pools where families can swim among colorful tropical fish in warm, waist-deep waters.
Pedra Furada
Jijoca de Jericoacoara
An iconic arched rock formation carved by the sea, serving as the symbol of Jericoacoara National Park.
Visit website →Canyon do Xingó
Canindé de São Francisco
Dramatic orange rock canyons rising from the emerald green waters of the São Francisco River.
Delta do Parnaíba
Parnaíba
The only open-sea delta in the Americas, featuring a labyrinth of islands, mangroves, and dunes.
Aquarium / Sea Life Centre
Projeto Tamar Praia do Forte
Praia do Forte
The national headquarters for sea turtle conservation, offering large observation pools and interactive educational exhibits for all ages.
Visit website →Centro de Visitantes do Projeto Peixe-Boi Marinho
Itamaracá
A specialized conservation center where visitors can observe endangered West Indian manatees in large rehabilitation tanks.
Visit website →Aquário Natal
Natal
The largest aquarium in the Northeast region, featuring a variety of marine species including sharks, rays, and penguins.
Visit website →Oceanário de Aracaju
Aracaju
A unique turtle-shaped facility housing 20 tanks that showcase the diverse marine and freshwater fauna of the São Francisco River and Atlantic coast.
Visit website →Water Park / Splash Park / Aquatic Centre
Pratagy Acqua Park
Maceió
A modern, pirate-themed water park offering interactive splash zones and slides, specifically designed for young families and children.
Visit website →Veneza Water Park
Paulista
A massive aquatic complex near Recife featuring a large lazy river, themed castle slides, and extensive pool areas.
Visit website →Theme Park / Amusement Park
Valparaíso Adventure Park
São Luís
A comprehensive water and adventure park featuring wave pools, large slides, and tropical gardens near the gateway to Lençóis Maranhenses.
Visit website →Mirabilandia
Olinda
The primary traditional amusement park in Northeast Brazil, offering a collection of roller coasters, ferris wheels, and family-friendly rides.
Visit website →