If you travel along the North East Coast, you’ll find all this and much more!

The North East Coast is famous for its beautiful beaches, rich culture and delicious cuisine.

During your adventure, you can also visit destinations with different characteristics and landscapes or practise sporting activities, among other attractions at different prices.

There are several options for routes and you can choose the one that best suits your needs and desires.

If you haven’t yet decided where to go next, read on to see what we’ve put together for a ten-day itinerary in the North East!

What to see on a trip to the North East Coast?

Tour Package Options

The Northeast is made up of nine states, which means there are many cities to visit and activities to do.

If you don’t have the time or patience to plan your own itinerary, the best option is to take one of the packages offered by travel agents.

In this way, you can choose the type of tour you want to do and get expert advice on transfers and accommodation.

Create your own itinerary

On the other hand, if you want to create your own itinerary, it’s worth doing some research to find out what makes each destination different and what the most popular options are.

Take a look at some of the most popular destinations for travellers and get inspired!

1. Route of emotions

Main destinations

One of the most fascinating routes in the Northeast, the Rota das Emoções passes through Ceará, Piauí and Maranhão. By choosing them, you’ll discover the best of each place in an unforgettable journey along the sands and coastline of the Northeast.

The itinerary consists of three major attractions: Jericoacoara, Delta do Parnaíba and Lençóis Maranhenses.

Tourists can also tailor packages to visit other beaches and take part in adventure activities throughout the trip.

There are options that include Barra Grande, Fortaleza and Santo Amaro among the destinations visited, as well as optional activities such as horse riding and kite surfing.

Jericoacoara

The trip usually starts in Jericoacoara, which boasts beautiful scenery, beaches with crystal clear waters and spectacular sunsets over the dunes! A suggested itinerary might include

• Day 1: Arrival in Jericoacoara, tour of the village and sunset on the dunes.
• Day 2: Tour of the Paraíso and Coração lagoons.

Afterwards, we head for the Parnaíba Delta, the only delta in the Americas, which surprises with its nature and the diversity of the region’s landscapes. It is made up of more than 80 islands and has a variety of landscapes, with rivers, lagoons, mangroves, dunes and beautiful beaches. One of the highlights is the flight of the Guarás birds.

Lençóis Maranhenses

The adventure ends in Maranhão, where you can enjoy the famous Lençóis Maranhenses.

As well as walking along the dunes, depending on the length of your trip and your interests, you can take a boat trip on the Rio Preguiça and visit the lagoons of Barreirinhas, among other things. To make the most of each state you visit, it is ideal to allow at least ten days, but this may vary depending on the package you choose.

This itinerary integrates ecotourism, adventure and plenty of natural beauty, which can be enjoyed on hikes, horseback rides, panoramic flights and more.

2. Itinerary through Rio Grande do Norte, Paraíba and Pernambuco

Destinations to visit

If you don’t have many days to travel but would like to visit more than one capital city, consider an itinerary that includes Natal, João Pessoa and Recife.

The journey between the three cities can be done by car, with a total distance of approximately 4h30.

Depending on where you are from, the best option is to fly to Natal and hire a car or transfer to the other cities.

In ten days you can see the best of each region, from the beaches to the local culture.

Activities in Natal

Genipabu no Rio Grande do Norte

During your stay in Natal, it is worth including in your itinerary a buggy ride through the Genipabu dunes, a visit to the Tourism Centre, which has craft shops and restaurants, and Pipa Beach, about 80 km from Natal, where you can take day trips or stay overnight.

Praia da Pipa - RN

Suggested itinerary in Natal:

• Day 3: Tour of Genipabu and lunch in a local restaurant.
• Day 4: Visit Pipa Beach and return to Natal.

Exploring João Pessoa

From Natal, you can continue your journey along the northeastern coast to João Pessoa, about 190 kilometres away. In the capital of Paraíba, you can enjoy Praia do Seixas and Praia do Amor, visit the Cabo Branco Lighthouse and watch the sunrise or sunset at Ponta do Seixas (the easternmost point of the Americas), among other activities.

Suggested itinerary in João Pessoa:

• Day 5: Visit the Cabo Branco lighthouse and beaches.
• Day 6: Cultural tour of the historic centre.

Ending in Recife

The final destination on this itinerary is Recife, home to the famous Boa Viagem Beach. Depending on your itinerary, you can also visit Olinda and extend the tour to other beaches in the region.

It is recommended that you allow around three days to explore the main attractions of each capital.

To make your trip even more unforgettable, try to include the village of São Miguel do Gostoso (RN), the natural pools of Pitimbu (PB) and the Praia dos Carneiros (PE).

Suggested itinerary in Recife:

• Day 7: Visit Olinda and explore the historic centre.
• Day 8: Relax on the beach at Boa Viagem and sample the local cuisine.

3. Itinerary of Bahia, Sergipe and Alagoas

Attractions in Bahia

Bahia is one of the most popular destinations when travelling along the northeastern coast, as it has so much to offer visitors.

In ten days, you can travel along the Costa do Descobrimento route in the south of the state and visit numerous destinations such as Belmonte, Santo André, Santa Cruz Cabrália (including Coroa Vermelha beach), Porto Seguro, Arraial d’Ajuda, Trancoso and Caraíva.

Typical gastronomy

Don’t miss the delights of Bahian cuisine, such as moqueca, acarajé and vatapá. There are good restaurants in Porto Seguro and Arraial d’Ajuda.

Alternative routes

Another alternative, also surrounded by natural beauty, is to start your trip in Salvador and continue to Sergipe and Alagoas.

To visit all the beaches on this route would take at least 15 days. So if you’re travelling for a shorter period of time, it’s a good idea to pick a few specific destinations and create a shorter itinerary.

Recommended places

The most recommended places to visit are

• The Ecological Route in Alagoas (São Miguel dos Milagres, Barra de Camaragibe and Porto das Pedras), which can be done in three or four days;
• Aracaju, the capital of the state of Sergipe, is a city that combines natural beauty with modern infrastructure.
• The beautiful beaches of the Bahian coast, such as Praia do Forte and Costa do Sauípe.

The distance between the two capitals is approximately 4 hours by car.

Final itinerary

• Day 9: Arrive in Salvador, visit the Pelourinho and the Church of St Francis. Enjoy the local cuisine in one of the typical restaurants.
• Day 10: Walk along the beaches of Salvador, such as Praia do Forte, and, weather permitting, visit the Tamar Project to learn about sea turtle conservation.

When and how to go to the northeast?

Best time to visit

The months of March to June and September to November are ideal for enjoying everything the North East has to offer in peace and quiet, away from the hustle and bustle.

What’s more, the price difference in low season is considerable. You can find discounts on accommodation, tours, restaurants and even flights. So pick your ideal date and keep an eye out for promotions!

Transportation Options

If you’re travelling from more distant parts of Brazil, the best option is to fly round trip, which will save you hassle and valuable travel time.

Once you arrive at your first destination, you can hire a car or use a transfer service to move between cities more easily.

If you are coming from regions close to the north-east, travelling by car or bus may also be a good alternative.

How many and which cities should you include in your itinerary?

Define your travel profile

Your choice of cities will depend on your profile and the type of trip you are looking for.

The region offers options for all types of traveller, from trendy destinations to deserted beaches in small fishing villages.

Before you start planning your trip to the North East Coast, define your main objectives: do you want to relax, go on an adventure or take a more cultural trip?

Answer these questions and choose the destinations that fit your profile.

Destination planning

The number of destinations you visit will depend on the time and budget you have available. Remember that some cities offer more leisure activities and require a longer visit.

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