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Rio de Janeiro -

One of the most visited cities in the world, Rio is everything you'd expect it to be—vibrant, colorful, and exciting. Brimming with world-class tourist attractions, South America's Cidade Maravilhosa sits on the coast in glittering splendor and serves as the perfect springboard from which to explore Brazil's wealth of other fabulous oceanfront destinations.

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Copacabana Beach -

Don't leave Rio without a saunter across Copacabana Beach, one of the most famous stretches of sand on the planet. Leave time, too, to explore Rio's other great golden shoreline: Ipanema.

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Florianópolis -

Florianópolis, the capital of southern Brazil's Santa Catarina state, is a Brazilian mecca for outdoor sports such as hang gliding, climbing, hiking, and surfing. Notable beaches include Jurerê, Canasvieiras, and Ingleses.

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Salvador -

Capital city of the state of Bahia, Salvador blends a colonial Afro-Brazilian vibe with a palm-fringed tropical coastline. It doesn't get more exhilarating than this!

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Trancoso -

Trancoso in Bahia is not much more than a tiny fishing town, bereft of tourist trappings and set very much under the radar. And therein lies its appeal. And the kicker? Its amazing beaches have remained unspoiled by large hotel chains and all-inclusive crowds.

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Buzios -

Buzios is South America's Saint-Tropez. This exclusive enclave draws wealthy Cariocas from Rio with its calm, clear waters, polished ambiance, and glitzy nightlife. And hey, no less that 23 beaches embrace this upmarket getaway.

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Paraty -

Paraty, in Rio de Janeiro state, enjoys one of Brazil's most spectacular settings, backed as it is by precipitous jungled mountains plunging into an island-studded bay. Characterized by Portuguese colonial and Brazilian imperial architecture, Paraty is perched on the lush green Costa Verde.

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Natal -

Natal is the bustling capital city of Rio Grande do Norte, on Brazil's northeastern tip. Complementing its plethora of plush resort hotels are some famous historic sites—notably the 16th-century Forte dos Reis Magos—and a collection of soft, honey-hued beaches.

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Morro do Careca -

Among Natal's natural wonders is Morro do Careca, an enormous sand dune that tumbles down onto Ponta Negra—the state capital's most famous beach.

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Pipa Beach -

Natal's other celebrated band of sand is Pipa Beach. Set, in fact, 53 mi (85 km) from the city center, Pipa is paradise found, and popular year round with sun lovers and watersports enthusiasts.

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Fernando de Noronha -

Star of the glossy tourist brochure, Fernando de Noronha is a famed volcanic archipelago anchored in the Atlantic Ocean and part of the state of Pernambuco. Only the eponymous main island is inhabited, which is the location of the landmark Morro do Pico and Do Meio and Conceição beaches (pictured).

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Baia do Sancho -

Another must-see Fernando de Noronha destination is Baia do Sancho. This gorgeous cove with its picture-perfect arc of sand is often voted one of the world's best beaches.

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Arraial do Cabo -

Arraial do Cabo is well known as the "dive capital" of Rio de Janeiro state, its azure waters teeming with sea life. And for those who prefer to stay put on terra firma, there's always Paradise Beach.

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Ilhabela -

Ilhabela is an archipelago and city moored off the coast of São Paulo state. It's a destination with something for everybody. Sun worshippers have Castelhanos, Curral, and Jabaquara beaches to play with. Divers, meanwhile, can explore the fascinating Aymoré and Velasquez shipwrecks. And for nature lovers, there's the vast, forested Ilhabela State Park to trek into.

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Angra dos Reis -

Angra dos Reis is located in the southern reaches of Rio de Janeiro state and as such the town is a popular getaway for Rio residents. And who can blame them? This idyllic locale is made up of nearly 400 islands served by a small port and  surrounded by steep, forested coastline.

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Ilha Grande -

One of these islands is Ilha Grande, which is textured by the pristine Atlantic forest that is Ilha Grande State Park. A number of sheltered villages and hidden bays await tourists with a sense of adventure.

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Lopes Mendes Beach -

Ilha Grande is noted for Lopes Mendes Beach, a magnificent half-moon of fine white sand appreciated by surfers. The beach is preserved in its natural form, with no tourist infrastructure, so it really does belong to Mother Nature!

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Lençóis Maranhenses National Park -

One of the most outstanding of Brazil's natural coastal wonders is Lençóis Maranhenses National Park. Found in Maranhão state in northeastern Brazil, the park is home to four species listed on the Brazilian List of Endangered Species: scarlet ibis, neotropical otter, oncilla, and West Indian manatee.

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Porto de Galinhas -

A major Pernambuco state tourist attraction, the delightfully named Porto de Galinhas ("Chicken Port") is famous for its bright-water beaches and glass-clear natural rock pools.

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Carneiros Beach -

Another popular Pernambuco attraction is Carneiros Beach, in Tamandare. Located an hour south of Recife, this seemingly endless ribbon of sand is attached to an appealing, family-friendly resort.

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Recife -

Recife itself deserves a visit. The capital and largest city in Pernambuco, everybody here seems to be in a permanent state of party: the city is home to the frevo, a regional dance and music, typical during carnival, and Mangue Beat, a type of Brazilian rock.

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Ubatuba -

Ubatuba in Brazil's São Paulo state appears clad in rainforest. Saco da Ribeira (pictured) is a beautifully framed anchorage for small watercraft, while Itamambuca Beach, in the northeast, is known for its strong surf. Ubatuba is nationally recognized as one of the locations for the TAMAR Project, a non-profit organization owned by the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation that aims to protect sea turtles from extinction along the Brazilian coastline.

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Península de Maraú -

The Península de Maraú is a tranquil strip of land in Bahia state famous for two things—pristine beaches and incredible food. The bars and restaurants set along Taipús de Fora Beach are especially appetizing.

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Jijoca de Jericoacoara -

Jijoca de Jericoacoara is forever associated with the voyages of Christopher Columbus. In 1499, Spanish navigator and explorer Vicente Yáñez Pinzón, captain of Nau Niña, a vessel with the fleet of Columbus, dropped anchor in the bay. Today, tourists set a course for its its eponymous beach and national park.

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Jijoca de Jericoacoara National Park -

Situated in Brazil's Ceará state, Jijoca de Jericoacoara National Park is a breathtaking landscape of dunes and lagoons, a remote ecological wonder that's best explored as part of a guided sightseeing tour.

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Canto Grande Beach-Morro do Macaco -

The impressive Canto Grande Beach in Bombinhas in Brazil's Santa Catarina state falls within the picturesque Morro do Macaco Municipal Park. From the beach it's possible to access the many trails that snake up to the summit of the Morro do Macaco. The views from the top are simply jaw-dropping.

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Porto Seguro -

Porto Seguro in the far south of Bahia state marks the first landing point of Portuguese navigator Pedro Álvares Cabral, who made landfall here in 1500 to 'discover' Brazil for the Portuguese crown. Bathe on Caraiva Beach and wallow in a bit of Brazilian history.

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Itacaré -

Laid-back Itacaré is perfect for anyone seeking seclusion in a traditional fishing village-type atmosphere. But if you ever tire of the solitude, beautiful beaches, a tropical forest, rivers, waterfalls, and good waves for surfing are all within arm's reach.

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Morro de São Paulo -

Morro de São Paulo in Bahia state is a delightful little village that reclines on the northeastern tip of Brazil's Tinharé Island, in the Atlantic Ocean. If you fancy a swim, the main beaches are found on the east side of the island.

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Fortaleza -

If you're in Northeastern Brazil, consider a couple of days in Fortaleza, the state capital of Ceará. Yes, it's noisy and brash, but the city does have some truly appealing visitor attractions, including Beach Park, the largest water park in Latin America.

Sources: (Earth's Endangered Creatures) (Projeto Tamar)

See also: Amazing UNESCO World Heritage Sites in South America

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