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This is our complete Northeast Brazil travel guide complete with the 8 BEST places to visit and a day-by-day travel itinerary! It includes all of the best things to do in Northeast Brazil as well as a well-planned route to help plan your Northeast Brazil itinerary!
We heard so many great things about Brazil’s northeastern region that we just had to go – and now we are so glad that we did! Northeast Brazil is amazing and offers so many unique and interesting things to do and see that other parts of Brazil don’t.
As a more “off-the-beaten-path” area of the country, Northeast Brazil offers unique experiences to those who make the journey here. Northeast Brazil is like a different world to Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, but that’s what made our time there so spectacular!
From secluded beaches to mountainous national parks to wildlife, Northeast Brazil is home to some of the best places to see in Brazil and was amazing to explore. So, if you’re thinking about visiting Northeast Brazil for yourself, don’t hesitate, you’re going to love it!
The only problem we had with traveling to Northeast Brazil was the lack of information available for planning. Where are the best places to visit? What are the best things to do? What route should we travel? What are the safety concerns? These are all questions we had before we traveled to the region.
So, that’s why we’ve written this blog! To help others plan their trip to Northeast Brazil! We’ve included the 8 best places to visit along with a detailed itinerary and other important tidbits of info so you can feel prepared before you go!
A Little Bit About Northeast Brazil
Northeast Brazil is an area of Brazil typically ranging from Salvador to Fortaleza. It isn’t as far north as the Amazon and isn’t as far south as Rio. This area is most usually traveled along the coast although there are some points of interest inland as well.
Northeast Brazil is different from southern areas of Brazil for one big reason, the culture is different. In some ways, it feels like an entirely different country – which is what makes traveling here so great! The people look different, talk differently, and dance differently.
But that’s not all.
There are fewer tourists, and while this can create somewhat of a safety concern, it also makes traveling in this area of Brazil much more affordable!
For anyone looking for a bit of adventure and wanting to get to know a side of Brazil that most don’t see, then going to Northeast Brazil is a must!
Getting to Northeast Brazil
You can either get to Northeast Brazil by bus or airplane. Depending on where you want to start and end your trip, an airplane is probably the best choice (especially if you’re following our recommended itinerary below!)
We booked a flight for about $120 USD from Rio de Janeiro to Fortaleza. The flight was three hours long and saved us well over 50 hours on a bus. The bus is usually the cheaper option in Brazil, but in this case, the price was very similar and a flight saved us a lot of time (and sore backs and necks!)
If you prefer to take the bus, we found that Busbud.com is great for seeing all of the options available and knowing the prices and how long each route takes. A bus ride from Rio to Salvador is about 24 hours long and is a good starting point for exploring Northeast Brazil. However, cheap flights are also available from Rio to Salvador and vice versa too.
Hot Tip: Go directly onto the Brazilian airline websites to book your flight. Often the best deals are only offered there and in Portuguese. Bookaway is another company we have used offering comparable prices in English. Using Skyscanner or other online flight search engines will not always give you the best deals on flights in Brazil.
Related Read: Here are our budget saving tips for Carnival in Rio so you don’t have to worry about overspending!
8 BEST Places to Visit in Northeast Brazil
There are so many places that you can check out, but for my Northeast Brazil Travel Guide, I am going to focus on my favorites as well as the most popular tourist spots. All of the places I’ve listed are also included in the day-by-day itinerary I’ve included further below in this blog.
1. Salvador, Bahia
Salvador is a city right on the coast and the capital of the state of Bahia. It’s popular for its bright colonial buildings and amazing beaches right in Salvador city! There is also a massive marketplace called Mercado Modelo which is well worth checking out!
We were in Salvador for the pre-carnival celebrations and it was so much fun! There was a massive parade all along the boardwalk next to the water leading into town.
Salvador is Northeast Brazil’s most vibrant city, and also likely one of the most popular tourist destinations in the region. In fact, many tourists visit only Salvador and skip the other destinations I mention below. While I don’t necessarily recommend this, if you’re short on time, it is definitely an option.
While in Salvador, you can visit all of the city’s best attractions in just one day on a guided city tour like this one which is very highly rated and perfect for those who want to learn about this city’s history while sightseeing. It visits the Barra Lighthouse to take pictures (costs $12 BRL/$2.23 USD extra to enter), a few different museums and churches, local art and souvenir shops, along with some amazing architectural attractions before trying some ice cream from a shop started in 1931 ($10 BRL/$1.90 USD a scoop).
You can also go on a day trip to some amazing nearby beaches. This full-day tour costs $23 USD and visits two of the best beaches in the area, Guarajuba Beach and Forte Beach which was really a highlight for us! Plus you’ll also get to check out the Tamar Project which is a turtle sanctuary and learn all about these creatures and how this organization is protecting them.
2. Chapada Diamantina National Park
Only a five-hour bus ride from Salvador heading inland is an incredible national park, Chapada Diamantina!
Since it’s a bit of a distance, you will likely want to spend a few nights in the town closest to the park called Lencois.
Chapada Diamantina National Park features caves, turquoise blue swimming holes, waterfalls, and beautiful viewpoints. It is often missed by international visitors but the town of Lenois is still a tourist town, but mostly filled with Brazilians!
From Lencois you can choose from all different types of tours that head to the Chapada Diamantina National Park. Some are single-day adventures like this Aguas Claras Day Hike which is a relatively easy flat family-friendly trail that provides great views of the landscapes from 1,000 meters (3,280 feet) and finishes with a dip in a natural pool and a picnic lunch.
If you aren’t big on hiking consider this Caves Tour which goes to the most popular viewpoints inside the park. Your guide will show you to many rivers, waterfalls, caves, and the emblematic Morro do Pai Inácio whilst teaching you facts about each area.
You can go even on a multi-day adventure like this 2-day tour for $90 USD. It visits a cave, waterfalls, rivers, and the Morro do Pai Inácio on day one and spends the second day on a waterfall and river trail that delivers gorgeous views of the city.
If you want more time here then opt for this 4-day adventure that will visit a major of the spots the other tours hit but will also include a visit to the charming village Vila do Remanso, a nature boat tour, seeing Serra das Paridas Archaeological Complex (a site of ancient rock paintings), hikes, and other natural pools! In my option, this tour is such a good deal for all you will get to see and experience priced at $220 USD a person. It includes 3 lunches but you must book your accommodations separately.
Chapada Diamantina is a really unique destination in Northeast Brazil and one that nature lovers will truly enjoy!
3. Olinda
Olinda is a small city that sits only a few minutes away from the city of Recife. Now, you can choose to stay in Recife and just make a day trip to Olinda or you can stay in Olinda itself.
If you choose a day trip you won’t have to worry about arranging transportation and will be chauffeured to all of the must-visit sights. This 5-hour tour is one of the best! You will knock off seeing Igreja do Camo, the Embaixada dos Bonecos Gigantes, the Rua do Amparo, Alto da Sé Square and the Francisco Brennard Museum (entry included).
Olinda has a charm to it that makes it a great place to wander around for a day or two. They often have live music and dancers performing on the streets and markets set up. The houses and buildings around Olinda are painted in vibrant colors making it a photographer’s dream location.
For me personally, Olinda was one of my favorite places in Northeast Brazil, and one I highly recommend checking out for at least one day!
4. Recife
Recife is the larger metropolitan city that neighbors Olinda. It is less of a tourist destination and more of a real Northeast Brazilian city – but that doesn’t make it any less special to visit.
Recife offers lots of historic buildings, shopping, and delicious food and drinks. You can simply wander the streets on your own, or jump on a guided city tour like this one that includes visiting landmarks such as the Park of Statues, Casa da Cultura, Marco Zero Square, and more for $64 USD!
There is also a museum tour catered to history buffs that splits 5 hours between two of Recife’s main museums – Ricardo Brennand Institute and Oficina Francisco Brennand.
If you are a shop-til-you-drop type of person I’d recommend this in-depth shopping tour where a local will bring you to all of the best and hidden shops in town!
There are also some great beach day trips available from Recife. One in particular that we did and loved, was a visit to the beach called Porto de Galinhas! Here, the reef creates a natural swimming pool that is full of fish! After the boat ride back in from the beach, you’ll have 3 hours of leisure time to relax on the beach, shop, or eat.
While it can be very busy during the holidays in Brazil, it is still worth visiting for a vibrant Brazil beach experience!
For more information, check out our complete blog about the best things to do in Olinda and Recife!
5. Pipa
If you want to relax, this little (and I mean little) beach town is the place to do so. It’s quaint, right on the ocean, and safe!
The hostel called Lagarto Na Banana is known for being one of the best hostels in Brazil for its amazing vibe, location in the middle of the jungle, free yoga, and tasty cocktails. All for just $9 USD a night!
Pipa is the type of place that those backpacking around Brazil just love. For me, I spent two nights there and then had to keep moving but I would have loved to base myself there for a few months!
The beach near Pipa also is known for having wild dolphins. If you’re lucky, they might even swim right up to you! I didn’t see any when I was there, but the people I met did!
The truth is, for such a small town, there is a huge range of exciting things to do in Pipa, Brazil! It is the perfect place to relax on your Northeast Brazil holiday!
6. Natal
Natal is the city closest to Pipa. It is only an hour and a half away and for that reason, many choose to stay in Natal and make a day trip to Pipa.
It is actually quite a large city that sits along the coast. The beach near the city is nice and there is even an old fort that is really worth checking out. Expect to find lots of cheap food and drinks, as well as some great local markets too!
Natal is also famous for the nearby sand dunes which you can hire a buggy and driver to take you around. This was the highlight of my trip to Natal and such a fun adventurous day speeding around over the sand dunes!
Also not too far from the city of Natal is the world’s largest cashew tree. Although this sounds like an odd attraction, it is truly a lot of fun and really impressive to see!
Honestly, before I visited Natal I had no idea what to expect, but as it turns out, there is a huge range of awesome things to do and see in Natal to keep tourists busy!
7. Fortaleza
Fortaleza is a great starting or ending point on any trip to Northeast Brazil as the airport offers flights to many other places.
We started in Fortaleza and found it a very “local city” with only one street really for tourists.
As we were still nervous about safety at this stage, we spent most of our time exploring the tourist street which was a boardwalk along the ocean. Although nobody spoke English, we managed to find a nice restaurant that sold cheap beers ($4 BRL/$1.75 USD for 600ml and they serve them so nice and cold!)
It was interesting just sitting there watching all the hustle and bustle of the beach and restaurant. Dozens of vendors scurried around from table to table trying to sell all sorts of things, and it isn’t annoying such as vendors in some other countries that don’t take ‘no’ for an answer, all you say is “no Obrigado” (no thank you) and they continue on.
8. Jericoacoara Beach
Jericoacoara Beach is an incredible place to visit in Northeast Brazil. Here, the beach stretches as far as the eye can see and it meets mountains of pure sand! That’s right, sand dunes and an amazing beach all in one place!
Most people visit Jericoacoara from Fortaleza, first taking a bus to the small town of Jijoca. Here, you can stay for a night or two and then go on a day trip to Jericoacoara where you can ride a buggy through the dunes, go horseback riding, or even just enjoy the beach!
Alternatively, it is possible to visit Jericoacoara on an organized tour from Fortaleza too such as this one.
You will first enjoy swinging on hammocks at Lagoa do Paraiso and grabbing lunch from a delicious local restaurant. Next swim in the bright blue waters of Buraco Azul Caiçara and then be driven to inspect the unusual sloth-looking tree on the way to hike Pedra Furada (optional).
The day comes finishes with enjoying some time on Jericoacoara Beach and going across the National Park of Dunes for sunset! You can book your spot here in advance for $41 USD – sounds like a good deal to me!
No matter how you decide to explore Jericoacoara, you’re going to love it! To me, it is the most unique and impressive destination in Northeast Brazil!
Northeast Brazil Itinerary
Fly to Fortaleza
Fortaleza is where we started our Northeast Brazil journey, and to me, it was the perfect place to start. The large airport frequents both international and domestic flights. In fact, we were able to snag flights for just over $100 USD from Rio de Janerio!
2-4 Days in Jericoacoara
Don’t spend too much time in Fortaleza and immediately head to Jijoca by bus. Here you can spend a night or two and visit Jericoacoara Beach easily!
1-2 Days in Fortaleza
Once you’ve finished exploring Jericoacoara, take a bus back to Fortaleza to spend a day or two exploring. Be sure to walk the oceanfront Malecon and take advantage of cheap beer and seafood!
2-4 Days in Natal
Jump on a bus (approximately 8 hours) from Fortaleza to Natal. Plan on spending at least a couple of nights in Natal to enjoy the beach, visit the fort, and go to the world’s largest cashew tree!
2-7 Days in Pipa
From Natal, Pipa is just a short 2-hour drive away. Take the local bus or organize a private transfer.
Once in Pipa, you can relax at the beach, join yoga classes, go biking, explore trendy restaurants and cafes, and even swim with wild dolphins (if you’re lucky!) If you have time to spare, consider spending a few days in Pipa, it is really a gorgeous and relaxing destination that everybody seems to love!
1-3 Days in Recife and Olinda
Recife and Olinda are located about 4 hours south of Pipa. Once you get here, book a hotel in either Recife or Olinda, but be sure to explore both as they are very different and only about 20 minutes away from each other.
Be sure to visit one of the pristine nearby beaches too such as Porto de Gallinhas – they are truly magical!
2-5 Days in Salvador
Salvador is about a 12 hours bus ride from Recife, which makes it the perfect journey to do by night. Book a VIP bus so you can have a comfortable night’s sleep on this long journey.
Be sure to spend a few days in Salvador as there is a lot to do and see. Historic buildings, markets, cobblestoned streets, vibrant culture, and beautiful beaches are what you can expect in Salvador!
4-7 Days in Lencois/Chapada Diamantina National Park
It is about a 5-hour drive from Salvador to the town of Lencois in Chapada Diamantina National Park. Once there, book day trips to visit waterfalls, hike to viewpoints, and swim in crystal-clear swimming holes! It is the perfect place in Northeast Brazil for the outdoor adventurer.
Bus Back to Salvador and Fly/Bus Back to Rio
From Lencois, you can either book a domestic flight (typically expensive) to your next destination in Brazil. Alternatively, you can do what we did and bus back to Salvador before taking a flight back to Rio. If you have the time, continue down the coast to spend a few days around Rio de Janeiro enjoying the many beach towns, and then check out a couple of the best tours in Rio to see the famous sights!
What Things Cost in Northeast Brazil
Northeast Brazil is much cheaper to travel to than the south of Brazil. There aren’t inflated prices for tourism and even most of the hostels are priced for Brazilians to stay at on a holiday.
Here are some general prices of things in Northeast Brazil:
- 600ml beer at an average-priced restaurant: $6-10 BRL/$1-2 USD
- Meal of the day at an average-priced restaurant: $10-15 BRL/$1.80-$2.80 USD
- A dorm bed in a hostel: $25-40 BRL/$4.65-$7.50 USD
- Bus for 8 hours: $95 BRL/$16.75
Note: At the time of writing $1 BRL equals $0.19 USD. (Updated in November 2022).
Safety in Northeast Brazil
Although we heard great things about the Northeast, we also heard bad things too. It is much poorer than anywhere we had been yet which can lead to crime. So naturally, safety tips for traveling in South America is a topic I must cover in this Northeast Brazil travel guide.
I did some research about Fortaleza (where we landed) before we arrived and apparently, there are many parts of the city that are absolutely unsafe for us “gringos” and even the tourist area is common for petty crimes such as robberies. I was a bit nervous and unsure of what to expect from the city.
Our flight arrived in the middle of the night and we had to get a taxi (no Ubers were available) to our hostel. On the drive, I saw streets very worn down, shacks for houses, a few shady characters around, and garbage everywhere lining the streets. To say the least, I was even more nervous about what we had gotten ourselves into.
After exploring the touristy street called Avenida Beira Mar the following day our opinions were changed. Sure, the majority of Fortaleza may not be beautiful or safe for a couple of gringos, but the one area of street lining the beach was very nice. We never brought our valuables with us so I don’t have many pictures, but there were many restaurants and bars and street food available for kilometers along the beach.
Like in Fortaleza, it is important to exercise caution in all cities in Brazil. Research in advance the best neighborhoods to stay in, learn some basic Portuguese, don’t show off your valuable possessions, and be cautious walking around after dark. It is also important to note that out of everywhere we went in Northeast Brazil, Fortaleza felt the most unsafe, while other places (especially small towns like Pipa) felt completely safe!
We also have a full storytime blog post about the time when we got robbed at gunpoint in Salvador if you are interested in learning out takeaways from the events that unfolded that day.
Don’t be scared of traveling in Northeast Brazil, we loved every minute of it and felt safe most of the time.
Don’t get Caught without Travel Insurance!
We never travel without travel insurance! We’ve had a few instances during our travels when one of us has ended up in the hospital, and travel insurance has saved us thousands of dollars over the years!
SafetyWing is our go-to insurance, we both have policies with them whenever we travel.
They offer travel medical insurance that’s super affordable (only $45 USD per 4 weeks!)The only thing to note is that the insurance must be purchased once you’ve left your home country – we typically buy it as soon as we land at the airport.
We’ve personally used SafetyWing for many different trips, and we’ve been reimbursed for countless expenses when we’ve fallen ill. SafetyWing even covered our flights back to Canada in full when the pandemic first happened (when last-minute flights before the borders closed were super expensive!) While most travel insurance companies left people stranded, SafetyWing fully reimbursed us for our last-minute, pricey flights!
Also, because it is so affordable, there really is no excuse not to take out a policy. Check prices and get a quote online here with SafetyWing (you can even take out a policy if you’re already traveling!)
Thanks for reading!
We loved traveling in Northeast Brazil! But it wasn’t just about the culture and the scenery, we actually met so many Brazilians during our travels! Brazilians love to travel to their own country, so we met many people from the south that were on holiday in the north. Some of these friends even hosted us later on during our travels in the South!
Do you think Northeast Brazil sounds like a neat place to go? Tell us in the comments!
We hope you found our Northeast Brazil Travel Guide helpful and inspiring! Be sure to check out the rest of our Brazil blogs including some of our personal favorites:
Brazil to Bolivia by land – Border crossing guide
10 Things to KNOW Before Visiting Sugarloaf Mountain, Rio
Guide to Ilha Grande, Brazil
Best Brazil travel highlights
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George Barham, an accomplished journalist and avid gambling enthusiast, serves as the esteemed Editor-in-Chief at fly-to-australia.com, Australia’s leading source for comprehensive gambling news and insights. With an unwavering passion for both the written word and the ever-evolving world of betting and gaming, George brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the helm of our editorial team.
