14 of the most beautiful beaches in Brazil

This is one of the world’s most incredible urban beaches, and smack-dab in the middle of Rio. "The Girl from Ipanema" was inspired by the stunning women that strut their stuff on this beach, but if that isn’t enough there’s performers, epic surfing, and a hopping boardwalk that features stalls selling capirinhas, bars galore, and open-air gyms where people pump iron at all hours.

Baia do Porcos, aka the Bay of Pigs (not that Bay of Pigs), is a stunning cove surrounded by volcanic rock and full of incredible tide pools. The tide pools not only act as personal, natural hot tubs, but also as natural aquariums, as they fill up with beautiful marine life.

The isolated little hippie town of Jericoacora (or “Jeri”) has become a hipster hotspot, attracting everything from yacht-owning jet setters to surf bums to its unpaved roads and sandy dunes. The most well-known dune is called the Pôr do Sol (sunset dune), one of the few spots in the world from which to see an ‘emerald sunset’ — when the sun flashes green for a hot sec before disappearing into the horizon.

Ok, so it’s not really a beach, but this otherworldly spot is a can’t-miss in Brazil. Giant, blindingly white desert sand dunes fill up with blue-green water during the rainy season, turning the national park into hundreds of incredible freshwater pools and lagoons, with miles of different shorelines to explore.

This surf paradise on the southern coast of Brazil is still a little off the beaten path. Waves are gentle and ideal for beginners, who can take lessons at one of the many surf schools. However, there are also tons of breaks for advanced surfers.

This is hands-down one of Brazil’s most handsome beaches. Mountains make a rugged backdrop to this incredible, almost two-mile beach, whose fine white sand is dotted with colorful fishing boats. The beach isn’t easy to get to — you must either take a boat or go on a three hour hike through lush rainforest — but man, is it worth it.

No list would be complete without Rio's Copacabana beach, a 2.5 mile stretch in the middle of the city that features incredible views of the famous Sugarloaf Mountain. A must for anyone looking for some local flavor, the party beach is lined with bars, caipirinha stands, and clubs, and a hotspot for surfers, sun worshippers, and both volleyball and "foot volleyball," aka futevolei, players.

This stunner is consistently voted one of Brazil's beast beaches thanks to its super clear waters and natural rock pools. In fact, it was voted "Best Brazilian Beach" nine times in a row by local magazine Voyage & Tourism.

This beach is surrounded by super shallow waters — so shallow that its incredible coral reefs and sea life are easily explored on foot at low tide. Its calm water and natural pools are world famous, so dozens of tour operators offer day trips here for scuba diving and snorkeling.

This beach is said to be the birthplace of Brazil's surfing culture, and to this day attracts adrenaline junkies from all over the world. There are surfboard rentals, open air gyms, and locals practicing capoeira, and for those wanting to take a late night dip, it's one of the few beaches that's lit up at night.

Pipa was a quaint fishing village until it was discovered by surfers in the '70s. Now it attracts visitors from all over the world (who often end up staying and opening businesses), and has a super laid back vibe, great waves, and incredible views. The crystal-clear waters are surrounded by dramatic 30-foot cliffs, and filled with turtles and dolphins.

The perfect beach for families, Carneiros has super warm, lagoon-like calm waters, and is generally free of crowds. That's because it's technically a private beach, owned by a single local family, and thus charges an entrance fee. However, it's worth every penny for its super relaxing vibe and picturesque setting.

This beach is Florianópolis island’s crown jewel, beating out around 42 other beaches in matters of beauty. Mostly empty thanks to the hour hike it takes to get here, this beach is often considered a secret tip. The scenic spot has rainforest, dunes, and even a lake, and allows visitors to pitch a tent anywhere they please.