Brazil is a vast land — a continental country, as Brazilians like to say. Its enormous scale, diverse cultures, complex connections, and astonishing biodiversity can make choosing the perfect trip a challenge. Where should I send my clients? Should I stick with the classics, like Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo? Highlight the unique nature of the Pantanal or the Amazon? Recommend the richness of Afro-Brazilian culture in Salvador? Or go even further, uncovering hidden corners that are just as special?
No matter the destination, travelers will find magic, authenticity, and heartfelt hospitality across Brazil. It’s a country of many faces, yet united by shared values: warm welcomes, lively conversations over a cold beer, and an undeniable passion for music and soccer.
Truly understanding Brazil is a challenge, even for Brazilians themselves. That’s why, more often than not, the most practical and enriching approach is to rely on a trusted local DMC: someone who can guide your choices until you feel confident navigating the country on your own.
Spanning over 8.5 million km², Brazil offers extraordinary destinations and travel experiences that extend far beyond its natural beauty. These places reflect deep cultural roots, the generosity of their people, and a biodiversity unmatched on the planet. In many of them, travelers will find meaningful, responsible tourism experiences — ones that are committed to sustainability and local impact.
Inspired by our upcoming REMOTE Immersion in Chapada dos Veadeiros this October, which brings us back to Brazil, where REMOTE Immersion first began in 2016, we’ve gathered a selection of incredible destinations that are still off the radar for many travel agencies and travelers. These hidden gems are rich in charm, culture, and natural beauty, just waiting to be discovered by conscious travelers ready to go beyond the obvious.
Read more: Chapada dos Veadeiros: Where Brazil’s Nature Power and Ancestral Wisdom Meet
Discover remote destinations across Brazil
Preá, Ceará
Preá is a charming fishing village on Ceará’s northeastern coast. Nestled along one of the region’s longest beaches, Praia do Preá, and bordering Jericoacoara National Park, it’s known for white dunes, palm groves, and crystal-clear lagoons. Despite growing tourism, Preá remains rooted in its traditions, with local crafts, seafood cuisine, and vibrant community events. Its steady trade winds from July to December make it a world-class kitesurfing destination. Quieter than neighboring Jericoacoara, Preá offers a laid-back escape where natural beauty and cultural authenticity shine.
Where to stay:
Casa & Vilas Siará: Where Ceará’s breezy kitesurf culture meets refined Brazilian design, Casa e Vilas Siará is a serene beachfront sanctuary for conscious travelers seeking authenticity and effortless elegance.
Trancoso and Arraial D’Ajuda, Bahia
Trancoso and Arraial d’Ajuda, nestled along the southern coast of Bahia, are two of Brazil’s most enchanting beach destinations, blending bohemian charm with rich cultural heritage. Arraial d’Ajuda, once a sleepy fishing village, now welcomes travelers with its colorful streets, vibrant artisan markets, and relaxed atmosphere, while still retaining its roots in Bahian tradition. Just a short drive away, Trancoso captivates with its iconic Quadrado, a grassy, car-free square framed by simple yet elegant houses, boutiques, and a historic church overlooking the sea. Both villages offer stunning beaches, lush Atlantic Forest surroundings, and a magical mix of simplicity and sophistication.
Where to stay:
Uxua Casa Hotel & Spa: An ode to Bahian beauty and tradition, UXUA Casa Hotel & Spa invites travelers to slow down and savor life in artisanal villas wrapped in tropical elegance.
Pousada Estrela D’Água: A barefoot-luxury retreat on Trancoso’s golden-sand Nativos Beach, where emerald-sea views meet tropical gardens, soulful service, and serene Bahian elegance.
Kûara Hotel: Nestled between the sea and the Atlantic Forest, Kûara Hotel is a serene sanctuary where refined design and nature’s rhythm create an unforgettable escape.
Fernando de Noronha, Pernambuco
Fernando de Noronha, an archipelago off the coast of Pernambuco, is one of Brazil’s most treasured ecological sanctuaries. Protected as a national marine park and UNESCO World Heritage Site, it boasts crystal-clear waters, dramatic cliffs, and some of the country’s most pristine beaches, like Baía do Sancho and Baía dos Porcos. Known for its rich biodiversity, Noronha is a paradise for divers and nature lovers, offering close encounters with dolphins, sea turtles, and vibrant marine life. With strict visitor limits and sustainable tourism practices in place, the island balances preservation with unforgettable experiences in one of the most breathtaking settings in the South Atlantic.
Where to stay:
Hamares Boutique Hotel: Hamares Boutique Hotel is a seaside hotel in Fernando de Noronha, offering infinity-pool views of Pico Rock, spa tranquility, and effortlessly refined design immersed in lush coastal nature.
Paraty and Ilha Grande, Rio de Janeiro
Nestled along Brazil’s southeastern coast between Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, Paraty and Ilha Grande are part of the Green Coast, offering a captivating blend of natural beauty and cultural heritage. Paraty enchants with its cobblestone streets, historic architecture, and vibrant arts scene, framed by lush Atlantic Forest and calm bays perfect for boat trips. Just offshore, Ilha Grande is a car-free island paradise of tropical trails, waterfalls, and some of Brazil’s most stunning beaches, including Lopes Mendes. Both destinations are part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Atlantic Forest Southeast Reserves, drawing travelers seeking adventure, heritage, and a deep connection with nature.
Where to stay:
O Sítio Ilha Grande: O Sítio is an intimate, eco-soul retreat tucked between the Atlantic Forest and the calm waters of Abraãozinho Bay — a serene family-run haven where luxury is found in simplicity, lush gardens, and genuine hospitality.
Paraty Marin: This boutique-villa haven is nestled on Araujo Island, where tropical gardens, private docks, and infinity-pool views over the bay blend colonial soul with discreet elegance.
Presidente Figueiredo, Amazonas
Famously nicknamed the “Land of Waterfalls” (Terra das Cachoeiras) due to its astounding array of over 100 cascading falls, natural pools, caves, and rapids that punctuate lush Amazon rainforest landscapes, Presidente Figueiredo is located about 117 km north of Manaus in the state of Amazonas. Visitors can join immersive eco-tours to swimming spots and waterfalls, explore subterranean wonders, and encounter rich biodiversity in caves hosting turtles, bats, and fish. The region is part of the Geoparque Cachoeiras do Amazonas, combining geological significance, cultural sites (including rock art), and sustainable tourism to offer unforgettable adventure experiences in Brazil’s northern wilderness.
Where to stay:
Rainforest Private Refuge: An exclusive Amazon sanctuary hidden within a 300-hectare highland reserve—elevated forest suites open to the canopy, bespoke naturalist-guided experiences, and authentic Amazonian cuisine for a soulful, sustainable escape.
Check out the DMCs that can help arrange adventures to these amazing destinations:
Auroraeco Brazil: Since 1999, Auroraeco advocates a simple proposition: carpe diem et fugere urbem. The idea is to get away from the large urban centers, the beaten tourist spots and mass travel arrangements.
Ideia Tours: From product development to full support with quotes and reservations for individual travelers as well as groups, Ideia Tours experienced team brings creativity and dedication together, enabling travel professionals to make the most of this destination.
Matueté Brazil: Matueté crafts ‘very well done’ journeys, highly personalized luxury itineraries born in Brazil and shaped by deep local knowledge, transforming travel into moments of rare discovery and cultural richness.
Pure Brasil: Driven by curiosity and passion, Pure Brasil’s mission since 2002 is to inspire visitors to embrace Brazil’s true essence, revealing hidden gems through carefully crafted itineraries, guiding guests to remote areas of special interest.
Rio Life: With 25 years of expertise, Rio Life crafts tailor-made journeys in Brazil for discerning travelers, offering unforgettable experiences rooted in authenticity, creativity, and deep local knowledge. More than sightseeing, their trips reflect their core values: commitment, support, and true partnership.
Umacanoa: “umacanoa” literally means “a canoe,” symbolizing their belief that the right size vessel can take us to places larger boats can’t reach, while minimizing our impact. As an owner-operated DMC, they work only with vetted partners who share a passionate outlook about Brazil.
Discover more amazing places in Brazil: https://visitbrasil.com/
