Top Northeast Brazil Full-day Tours

Beach hopping is one of the Fortaleza area’s top activities, but it can be hard to get between the spread-out beaches independently, especially if you’re short on time. Visit three beautiful beaches in one well-planned day tour to Morro Branco, Praia das Fontes, and Canoa Quebrada. Learn more about these distinct places from your guide, get the chance to swim and take photos, and even take an optional buggy ride.

The tour begins at 8:30 AM in a Toyota 4x4, taking a one-hour off-road trail to reach the first lagoons of Lençóis Maranhenses. The first stop is at the stunning Lagoa do Gavião. From there, we head toward the open sea and the village of Canto do Atins, home to the renowned restaurants of Mr. Antônio, Mrs. Luzia, and Carminha (Ponta do Mangue), famous for their delicious grilled shrimp, fish, and sun-dried meat. After lunch, we continue to the village of Atins to visit the mouth of the Preguiças River, where the river meets the sea in a breathtaking landscape. On the way back, we explore more of the region’s iconic lagoons, such as Lagoa das Sete Mulheres, Lagoa Tropical, Lagoa do Kaite, and others. The return from Atins is around 4:00 PM, with arrival back in the city scheduled for 5:30 PM.

Recharge from a busy vacation schedule out on the water with this group boat trip to Picãozinho and its natural tide pools. Heading out on a pirate-style ship, enjoy a few hours relaxing on deck, swimming, and diving, with plenty of opportunities to see native marine life. As the reef here is shallow, this is a great option for travelers who aren't confident swimmers but still want to spend time in the water.

Take a breather from the hustle and bustle of Salvador on this day trip to the Bahian beach town of Praia do Forte. Ideal for travelers looking to add a quiet beach day to their vacation schedule, this trip covers all the transportation for you. Enjoy a visit to the Tamar Project to see sea turtles, followed by solo time to spend as you wish.

Departure at 8:30 AM in a Toyota 4x4 for a trail of about 1 hour to the first lagoons, starting with Lagoa do Gavião. Next, we head to the open sea and then to the village of Canto do Atins, where the well-known restaurants of Mr. Antônio, Mrs. Luzia, and Carminha (Ponta do Mangue) are located. There, you can enjoy delicious dishes like grilled shrimp, fish, and dried meat. Afterward, we proceed to the village of Atins, where we visit the mouth of the Preguiças River, the meeting point of the river and the sea. On the way back, we explore other lagoons of the Lençóis Maranhenses, such as Lagoa das Sete Mulheres, Lagoa da Tropical, and Lagoa do Kaite, among others. The tour ends around 4:00 PM, arriving back in town at 5:30 PM.

Discover the charming town of Trancoso, without the hassle of public transportation or self-driving, and a ferry, with this full-day small-group guided tour from Puerto Seguro. Stroll through the central Quadrado square, visit the Church of São João Batista, enjoy the sun and sand at Coconut Beach, and visit a chocolate factory for tastings.

Beach day trips from Salvador often deliver sand and sun without much else, but Praia do Forte is home to 7.5 miles (12 kilometers) of reef-fringed coast and the headquarters of Projeto Tamar—Brazil's national sea turtle conservation program. This guided day trip from Salvador handles the 31-mile (50-kilometer) drive north, and on arrival, leaves the day open for independent time at the beach and the turtle center (own expense).

Unwind for several hours as you hit pause on a busy vacation schedule with this boat tour to Itaparica and Frades Islands. Great for travelers staying in or near Salvador, relax as the boat crew handles the trip for you. Catch the sun on deck as you travel and spend time on both islands. Swim, relax on the beaches, and enjoy a local lunch before heading back to the mainland.

Visit Fortaleza dos Reis Magos and Ponta Negra on this full-day guided sightseeing tour from Natal. In a comfortable, climate-controlled vehicle, take a scenic drive on the Coastal Highway to visit an important civic landmark and some of the city's most beautiful beaches. Wade in the tranquil waters of Cotovelo Beach and make a stop at the Ponta Negra Market.

Explore beyond the city limits of Salvador da Bahia, without renting a car or worrying about navigating, on this full-day tour to Forte Beach and Guarajuba. Travel north along Coconut Road to the fishing village of Forte Beach and stop at the TAMAR Project to see rescued sea turtles. Then, head to Guarajuba, where you have plenty of free time to swim, sunbathe, or purchase lunch.

Your journey begins around 8:00 AM with pickup in Barreirinhas, typically in a van. The trip to Santo Amaro takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes until reaching the parking area, where you will transfer to a 4x4 vehicle. From this point on, the entire adventure unfolds with your guide, crossing sandy trails and entering the heart of the Lençóis Maranhenses. In the morning, enjoy your first refreshing swim in one of the stunning crystal-clear lagoons. Afterward, head to the village of Betânia for a delicious regional lunch and a moment to rest. In the afternoon, continue exploring the park with more lagoon visits, enjoying peaceful baths surrounded by towering white dunes. The day ends with a magical stop to admire the sunset—a breathtaking moment that transforms the landscape into shades of gold and pink. After the dune crossings, you return to the same morning transfer vehicle, with arrival in Barreirinhas expected around 8:00 PM.

Chapada Diamantina is one of Brazil's largest national parks, and its headline sights are spread across the Serra do Sincorá on different access roads, making them tricky to navigate alone. Check off five of the region's most-photographed sites in one day—the Vale das Piscinas pools on the Mucugezinho River, the Fumaça cave, Fazenda Pratinha's natural swimming pool, the blue-lit Gruta Azul, and Morro do Pai Inácio's summit viewpoint.

Most schooner (two-masted ship) trips from Salvador split the day across multiple islands, leaving limited time on each. For an in-depth visit, this trip focuses on a single island—Ilha dos Frades in the Bay of All Saints—giving you plenty of free time on the beach to swim, climb to a 17th-century chapel, or enjoy views of the bay from the sand, with the return sail timed for sunset across the water.

Tackle rugged terrain with ease on a 4x4 tour of Natal’s south coast. Go beyond the typical tourist trail and discover beaches, lakes, and dunes without the crowds. Letting someone else drive means you can sit back and soak up the scenery, while a small group ensures you get personalized attention.

Discover all that Salvador has to offer on a full-day sightseeing tour with included hotel pickup. This comprehensive excursion is perfect for curious travelers with a strict vacation schedule. Thanks to all-inclusive transportation, you can visit more than a dozen attractions without breaking a sweat. Highlights include Forte de Nossa Senhora de Monte Serrat, Sao Francisco Church and Convent, Cathedral Basilica of Salvador, and Pelourinho (Old Town).

Embark on an unforgettable Panoramic City Tour to discover the rich history and vibrant culture of Fortaleza. Afterwards, journey to Cumbuco Beach, a stunning destination known for its mesmerizing sand dune landscapes. This vacation paradise offers everything from luxurious hotels, lively bars, and exquisite restaurants. Optional activities include horseback riding, dune buggy adventures, and exhilarating ski-bunda rides down the high-speed sand dunes!

Jericoacoara is one of Ceará's most-visited beach destinations, but the 186-mile (300-kilometer) drive and protected dunes zone make it a multi-day trip for most travelers. Beat the time crunch with an early morning departure from Fortaleza, followed by a vehicle change at Jijoca to enter the protected zone by 4WD and cross the dunes and lagoons into Jericoacoara—all in a single long day.

You can’t wander into a Brazilian quilombo community on your own, but this quilombo heritage private tour takes you safely into one, so you can experience its culture firsthand. Along with round-trip transport from your Salvador hotel, learn how to make flour and palm oil at a local factory and meet with a faith healer. You’ll gain a deeper understanding for the quilombo community in just one day.

Participate in a 3-hour Brazilian percussion workshop in Salvador. Get to know the rhythms and beats that provide the backdrop for Bahia's famous Carnival celebrations. Listen to the music that is essential in the Samba de Roda and the Candomblé ceremony. Learn about the percussion's roots in the African continent and how the tradition has transformed in modern Brazil from your local guide and professional percussion teacher. Round-trip transportation from Salvador hotels is included.

Praia da Lagoinha sits 71 miles (115 kilometers) west of Fortaleza in the small fishing village of Paraipaba, with a horseshoe-shaped bay framed by clifftop dunes—quieter and less developed than the busier beaches that sit closer to the city. Get there with ease on this full-day tour, which covers the drive each way, with time at the natural viewpoint above the bay and on the sand below.

Get a sense of country life in Cachoeira during this 10-hour educational tour from Salvador. Explore the UNESCO World Heritage-listed city's architecture, which reflects Portuguese colonialism and African heritage. Visit the churches of Carmo and Rosário, the City Hall and the former colonial-era jail. Visit a nearby farm for a traditional Brazilian lunch, followed by a tour of the famous Danneman cigar factor. Learn about the history, culture and national significance of the region from your local guide as you explore. Round-trip transportation from Salvador is included.

Swap the urban beaches and bustle of Fortaleza for the more relaxed sand dunes and lagoons of Cumbuco Beach, without the hassle of public buses or self-driving, on this full-day guided tour. At Cumbuco Beach, enjoy free time to relax or take part in optional outdoor activities such as dune buggy rides, windsurfing, or kiteboarding (extra fees apply).

This full-day adventure will allow you to enjoy both the magnificent panoramic views Salvador offers, as well as discover its rich history, extraordinary architecture, and dynamic culture, result of the blend of Portuguese, African and Indigenous people. We will see the city from different angles, discovering the Lower City, with its bucolic interior atmosphere, around the calm waters of the All Saints Bay, and continuing to the tip of the Itapagipe Peninsula, the extreme west part of Salvador, and then the Upper City with its Historic Center – the cradle of our city’s history.