Brazilian Northeast: A Tourist’s Paradise Awaits

Discover the wonders of the Brazilian Northeast: A paradise of beaches, culture and history

The Northeast is the Brazilian region that receives the most tourists, both domestic and foreign. The reasons are obvious: every corner of its immense coastline is capable of gracing the pages of tourist supplements and magazines.

Genipabu no Rio Grande do Norte
Genipabu in Rio Grande do Norte

The Northeastern States

The Northeastern States of Brazil are known for their rich cultural, historical and natural diversity. The region is made up of nine states, each with its own unique characteristics:

  1. Bahia: Known for its vibrant culture, music, dance and cuisine, Bahia is famous for the Salvador Carnival and beautiful beaches such as Porto da Barra and Praia do Forte.
  2. Sergipe: The smallest state in Brazil, Sergipe is known for its beaches, such as Aracaju and the Xingó Canyon region, as well as its cultural festivals.
  3. Alagoas: Famous for its beaches with crystal clear waters, such as Maragogi and Maceió, Alagoas is also known for its gastronomy and handicrafts.
  4. Pernambuco: It stands out for its rich culture, such as Frevo and Maracatu, as well as historic cities like Olinda and Recife, and beaches like Boa Viagem.
  5. Paraíba: Known for its beautiful beaches, such as Praia de Tambaba, Paraíba is also famous for its cuisine and June festivals.
  6. Rio Grande do Norte: With stunning beaches such as Ponta Negra and Genipabu, Rio Grande do Norte is known for its tourism and salt production.
  7. Ceará: Famous for its dunes and beaches, such as Jericoacoara and Canoa Quebrada, Ceará is also known for its forró culture and handicrafts.
  8. Piauí: Piauí is known for its natural beauty, such as the Serra da Capivara National Park and the beaches of Luís Correia.
  9. Maranhão: It stands out for the Lençóis Maranhenses, a national park with dunes and lagoons, and for the rich cultural heritage of São Luís.
mapa da Região Nordeste do Brasil
Map of the Northeast Region of Brazil

Elements of tropical paradise

Porto de Galinhas em Pernambuco
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Melhores destinos no nordeste brasileiro

Here are the elements of the archetypal Tropical Paradise: blue sea, white sand, coconut palms and sun – lots of sun, every day.

The beauty is irresistible and in itself justifies travelling anywhere. But the Northeast is much more than a series of beautiful beaches; its soul is also found in its cities and the history they carry.

Elementos do Paraíso Tropical das praias do nordeste brasileiro
Elements of the tropical paradise of Brazil’s northeastern beaches

Traces of the past

In the region where the first Europeans landed, the traces of the past are everywhere: In the baroque churches that suddenly appear among the modern buildings of the capitals and in the quiet squares of the villages; in the fortresses that still seem to watch over the coast, waiting for ancient invaders; in the townhouses, the tiles and the fountains.

Praia do Farol da Barra em Salvador
Barra lighthouse beach in Salvador
Azulejos e Fachadas de São Luís do Maranhão
Tiles and facades of São Luís do Maranhão

Archaeological sites

There is another, even more distant past that lives on in the Northeast: the one that can be glimpsed in the rock carvings of Serra da Capivara, in Piauí, or in the fossils of Santana do Cariri, in Ceará – two of the many archaeological sites scattered throughout the Sertão.

What can be seen at Sete Cidades, also in Piauí, where the work of the wind over millions of years has sculpted immense rock formations.

Tore 1 do Sítios Arqueológicos de Pedro II - Iinscrições rupestres no sítio arqueológico da torre
Tower 1 of the Pedro II archaeological site – Rock carvings at the Tower archaeological site

The Sertão: Vast interior

Here, travel is difficult, the landscape is arid and luxury is non-existent. But those who have the patience to endure the hardships of the rocky roads and the discomfort of the rare lodgings will be rewarded.

The handicrafts are produced by masters and their apprentices; the São João festivities are packed to the sound of the accordion, and the street markets are full of sounds and smells.

Seridó - Sertão do Rio Grande do Norte
Seridó – The hinterland of Rio Grande do Norte

Surprises of Chapada Diamantina

In the Chapada Diamantina, tourism is becoming increasingly professional.

Its waterfalls, rivers and caves, which hide unexpected blue lagoons, attract travellers who transform the daily life of the small towns of the region, born from the brief wealth brought by diamond mining. In Lençóis Maranhenses, tourism is still in its infancy.

Chapada da Diamantina
Chapada da Diamantina
Lençois Maranhenses
Lençois Maranhenses

Adventure in the dunes

Visitors need to have an adventurous spirit to enjoy what lies ahead: a landscape of strange beauty, made up of white dunes constantly sculpted by the wind, interspersed with blue or green lakes, winding rivers and small fishing villages.

Dunas de Genipabu no RN
Genipabu dunes in RN

Stories of the people

The people who live among the sea of white hills tell their stories – of whole towns swallowed by the sand, of ghost ships hidden beneath the dunes, and of voices and lights seen on a full moon night.

Joys of the Northeast

Inexhaustible, the Northeast unfolds in many pleasures. The pleasures of body and soul, fuelled by music, dance, drums and the carnivals of the afoxés and maracatus.

In the pleasures of the table, experienced with the acarajés, vatapás and carurus from Bahia, with the delicate cakes and sweets from Pernambuco and Piauí, with the cuxá from Maranhão and the ubiquitous tapioca.

And – why not? – the simpler, easier pleasure of seeing a beach with sea and coconut palms – and plenty of sunshine, every day.

Features that make the Northeast an attractive tourist region

The Northeast is an extremely attractive tourist region due to several outstanding characteristics:

  1. natural beauty: The north-east coast is famous for its paradisiacal beaches, such as Jericoacoara, Praia do Forte and Porto de Galinhas, with their white sand, blue sea and coconut trees. The dunes of Lençóis Maranhenses and the waterfalls of Chapada Diamantina are examples of breathtaking landscapes.
  2. Favourable climate: The region has a tropical climate that guarantees sunshine almost all year round, making its beaches ideal for those who want to enjoy sunny days.
  3. Rich culture: The North East is a cultural melting pot of indigenous, African and European influences. Popular festivals such as São João in Campina Grande and Carnival in Salvador are celebrated with music, dance and local traditions.
  4. Gastronomy: The cuisine of the northeast is varied and tasty, with iconic dishes such as acarajé, vatapá and caruru, as well as typical sweets such as bolo de rolo and regional drinks such as cachaça.
  5. History and Heritage: The region is rich in history, with towns that preserve colonial architecture, baroque churches and archaeological sites such as Serra da Capivara that reveal traces of ancient civilisations.
  6. Hospitality: North-easterners are renowned for their hospitality and warmth, making visitors feel welcome and at ease.
  7. Diverse Activities: A wide range of activities are available, from water sports such as surfing and diving to nature trails and cultural tours.
  8. Local Handicrafts: Handicrafts are an important part of the culture of the Northeast, with unique products such as ceramics, embroidery and straw objects that reflect the art and tradition of the region, attracting tourists in search of authentic souvenirs.

Why are the beaches of the North East so famous?

The beaches of the North East are world famous for a number of reasons:

  1. Natural Beauty: The beaches of the Northeast are famous for their white sands, crystal clear waters and stunning landscapes. Places like Jericoacoara, Praia do Forte and Port de Galinhas offer scenery that’s straight out of a picture postcard.
  2. Various environments: The region has a variety of beach types, from quiet and secluded to busy and urbanised. This attracts different profiles of holidaymakers looking for relaxation or excitement.
  3. Favourable climate: The north-east has a tropical climate that guarantees sunshine almost all year round, making its beaches an ideal destination for those who want to enjoy sunny days.
  4. Recreational Activities: The beaches offer a wide range of activities such as surfing, snorkelling, kite surfing and buggy rides. This attracts both water sports enthusiasts and those who just want to relax by the sea.
  5. Local culture: Many beaches are surrounded by a rich local culture, with popular festivals, typical gastronomy and handicrafts. This gives visitors a more complete experience of the North East way of life.
  6. Tourist Infrastructure: The growing tourist infrastructure, including guesthouses, resorts and restaurants, facilitates visits and provides comfort to tourists. Cities such as Natal, Salvador and Maceió have a good infrastructure for receiving visitors.
  7. Accessibility: With the improvement of roads and the construction of regional airports, the beaches of the northeast have become more accessible, attracting a growing number of tourists.
  8. Peace and tranquillity: Some beaches, such as those in the Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, offer a quiet and peaceful environment, ideal for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.

These factors combine to create an irresistible tourist destination, making the beaches of the Northeast one of the most sought-after places for Brazilians and international tourists alike. The combination of natural beauty, vibrant culture and warm hospitality makes the region a must for those seeking new adventures and discoveries.

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