Uncover Brazil's Coastal Cities & Towns: São Paulo, Natal, Praia de Pipa & Salvador - 9 Days

Day 1: Arrive in São Paulo, Half-Day City Tour

Day 2: Fly to Natal, Gateway to the Atlantic Coast

Today, you'll leave the big city and head for the coast, catching a 3.5-hour flight north to Natal. Upon arrival, a driver will be waiting to take you to your beachfront hotel. Located in the country's northeastern state of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal is a coastal paradise and the gateway to over 254 miles (410 km) of unspoiled beaches, as well as towering sand dunes, pristine lagoons, and charming beach towns. You'll stay in the Ponta Negra neighborhood, known for its lovely beach, steady surf, and lively nightlife.

Get settled, then spend your afternoon discovering some of the local beaches at your own pace. Be sure to visit the Morro do Careca (Bald Man Hill), a high dune measuring over 328 feet (100 m), surrounded by native vegetation, which contrasts dramatically with the turquoise seas below.

Day 3: Dune Buggy Adventure

Day 4: Transfer to the Beach Town of Praia de Pipa

This morning, a driver will be waiting for you in the hotel lobby to take you on the one-hour drive south to Praia de Pipa. A quiet fishing village, it spent centuries unnoticed on the map, but in the late 1970s, surfers discovered Pipa's waves and put the town on travelers' route. Since then, the rustic beach and the nearby village Tibau do Sul have developed cozy pousadas, eclectic restaurants, and bars that make Pipa's nightlife vibrate year-round. After getting settled in your accommodation, you'll have the rest of the day free to explore this privileged setting surrounded by gigantic cliffs.

Day 5: Praia da Pipa Dune Buggy & Bike Tour

Rise early and explore Praia da Pipa and its beaches on your own. Pipa's landscape is filled with dramatic natural features, such as vertical cliffs rising up to 32 feet (10 m) high, fine white sand, crystal-clear waters, and preserved tropical forests. Later on, you'll hop in another dune buggy and set off to explore the nearby cliffs of Chapadão, a local beauty spot with unparalleled views over the Praia do Amor and Praia das Minas beaches. Next, travel along 1.5 miles (4 km) of beach and cliffs to Sibaúma, a charming fishing village. Here you'll stop at a lookout to observe giant sea turtles submerging in the turquoise sea.

Stop at the natural pools of Praia de Sibaúma for a cooling dip, then head to one of the area's best restaurants for lunch. Then it's time to swap your buggy for a bike as you set out on a guided cycle around the area, learning about the local wildlife and history along the way. This scenic adventure takes you along the Rota das Falésias, following a rugged, hard-packed trail accompanied by a constant ocean breeze. Pedal along the hard sand of a deserted 4-mile (6 km) beach that's also a significant turtle nesting area. Stop for a swim, then continue to Sibaúma, a historic fishing village home to descendants of escaped enslaved Africans.

Day 6: Kayak in Lagoa Guaraíras, Fly to Salvador

Set off on an eco-friendly kayaking adventure this morning among the mangroves and dunes of Lagoa Guaraíras (Guaraíras Lagoon). Located 10 miles (7 km) from Praia da Pipa near the village of Tibau do Sul, this coastal lagoon is known for its natural beauty and placid waters. Paddle along the stunning cliffs, stopping for two refreshing swims and a journey through the diverse mangrove channels, known as levadas by locals. The 2.5-hour kayaking experience, available in single or double kayaks, is led by a guide, taking advantage of the tide movements for easier paddling. Don't forget your hat, sunscreen, and plenty of water for this energizing excursion!

After your outing, return to your hotel for some rest. Later in the afternoon, your driver will take you to the airport in Natal, where you'll catch a two-hour flight south to Salvador, where you'll be transferred to your hotel in town. Located in the state of Bahia, coastal Salvador is the center of the country's Afro-Brazilian culture, and the city is known for its music, frequent festivals, relaxing beaches, historic architecture, and distinctive cuisine. After checking in and getting some rest, you'll have the rest of the evening free to explore the city on your own.

Day 7: Pelourinho Walking Tour, Miguel Santana Theater

Meet your guide bright and early and go on a walking tour of Salvador's historic downtown and the Pelourinho district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site home to the most extensive collection of colonial buildings in Latin America. Walk along cobblestone streets surrounded by houses in pastel colors. Visit the exuberant São Francisco Church, and see the Cathedral of Salvador's Rococo refinement. Then, continue to the Lacerda Elevator, which transports passengers to the Lower Town below, where the tour ends. You'll have the afternoon free to continue exploring or rest up for tonight's events.

In the evening, witness the region's rich African heritage with an exhilarating performance by the Bahia Folklore Company (Balé Folclórico da Bahia), one of the world's most respected folklore dance troupes. You'll head to Miguel Santana Theatre in the Pelourinho district for a seamless presentation of the African traditions underpinning Bahian culture. See sacred dances, such as the exhilarating capoeira martial art/dance and a grand finale of samba de roda, an adapted version of this exuberant national dance. After the show, have dinner in a nearby restaurant before returning to your hotel.

Day 8: Day Trip to Praia do Forte

This morning you'll join your driver for a day trip up the scenic Coconut Highway leading north to Praia do Forte, a fishing village 50 miles (80 km) north of Salvador, home to some of the best beaches in Bahia. The latter section of the drive north is flanked by the distinctive white sands of the sparse restinga vegetation, an ecosystem seen in a few regions in Brazil. Praia do Forte takes its name from the fortified Garcia D'Ávila Plantation home, one of the oldest stone constructions in the region. Visit the farmstead ruins, where you'll have a commanding view of the northern coastline.

Have lunch in the village of Praia do Forte, and afterward, visit the TAMAR Project Headquarters. This national sea turtle preservation project is one of Brazil's most successful ecological programs. The visitors' center provides a unique up-close view of these remarkable animals. Then it's time to relax on the beach or browse the many local handicraft shops before returning to Salvador for the evening.

Day 9: Salvador Market Tour & Cooking Demonstration, Depart Salvador

In Salvador, there are few better ways to immerse yourself in the city than by visiting its municipal markets. The São Joaquim Fair is the largest such market in the town, and on today's tour, you'll have an opportunity to tour this massive labyrinth of merchant stalls, produce vendors, and food purveyors. Rub shoulders with locals doing their daily shopping, try a fresh fruit suco (juice), or purchase authentic Bahian souvenirs.

The market is also where you can find all the ingredients necessary to prepare Bahia's signature dish—moqueca—a rich seafood stew made with cilantro, lime, garlic, coconut milk, and dendê (red palm) oil. After the market, you'll visit a local restaurant for a cooking demonstration in which the chef prepares this dish right before you. Enjoy this delicious meal as a farewell to your time in Brazil. At the appropriate time, a driver will pick you up at your hotel and transfer you to the airport for your onward flight. Safe travels!

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