Wild Northeast Brazil

Fly from the UK to Recife and transfer to Olinda, where you’ll spend 2 nights at Hotel 7 Colinas, set in the heart of the historic centre among mature gardens and close to the city’s principal monuments.

Spend your first afternoon at leisure before exploring Olinda and Recife with a private guide the following day. Begin in Olinda’s historic centre, wandering its colourful colonial streets and visiting São Bento Monastery, Misericórdia Square and the Cathedral, while stopping at viewpoints overlooking the coast. Continue to Recife, known for its rivers and bridges, to discover its historic centre, churches, museums, handicrafts and traditional cultural influences including Frevo and Maracatu. It’s a fascinating introduction to the history, architecture, art and food of Pernambuco.

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Fly from Recife to São Luís before travelling by road to Santo Amaro, a small village on the western edge of Lençóis Maranhenses National Park. Stay for 2 nights at Rancho das Dunas, a characterful pousada close to the park, with comfortable chalés, a pool and restaurant. Its location means you can reach the dunes and lagoons of Lençóis Maranhenses without the longer transfers required from some of the region’s other gateways.

The following day, head into the park by 4×4 on the Betânia Lagoon circuit, travelling through the dunes to crystal-clear lagoons and the Rio Alegre. There’s time for swimming and relaxing beside the river, as well as experiencing the landscape and local communities that make this part of Maranhão so distinctive.

Continue to Atins, travelling first to Barreirinhas before boarding a speedboat along the Preguiças River. Follow the river through palm-fringed landscapes and mangroves, stopping at Vassouras and passing small fishing villages before arriving at Atins, where a 4×4 transfer takes you to your hotel.

Stay for 3 nights at Atins Charme Chalés, a small property surrounded by native vegetation, with comfortable chalés and a relaxed atmosphere close to the Lençóis Maranhenses. Atins itself has sandy streets and a laid-back feel, sitting between the dunes and the Atlantic coast and known internationally for kitesurfing.

Spend a full day exploring another part of Lençóis Maranhenses by 4×4, visiting Ponta do Mangue and Canto do Atins, with time to swim in the lagoons before watching the sunset from the dunes with a picnic. Your final day is free to enjoy the beach and village, with optional activities including a quadricycle tour or private kitesurfing lesson.

Call 01273 923100 to start planning your holiday

Leave Atins by boat and 4×4, continuing along the coast towards Barra Grande with a visit to the remarkable Parnaíba Delta along the way. After reaching Tatus Port, board a speedboat to explore the maze of islands and waterways, travelling towards Caju Bay and Guarás Island. As the sun begins to set, look out for the spectacular Revoada dos Guarás, when large numbers of bright red scarlet ibises gather across the delta.

Continue to Barra Grande for 2 nights at La Plage Hotel, a small boutique property around 100 metres from the beach, with a pool, restaurant and rooftop bar. The following day is free to enjoy this relaxed fishing village and its beautiful beach, with optional kitesurfing lessons or a peaceful kayak trip through the mangroves.

Continue by 4×4 to Preá, travelling along the coast through dunes, lagoons and traditional villages before arriving at this small fishing community close to Jericoacoara. Stay for 3 nights at Rancho do Peixe, a relaxed beachfront retreat with 26 traditional-style bungalows, a private beach area and water sports facilities, making it a natural base for enjoying this windswept stretch of Ceará coastline.

The following day, head out by buggy to explore the Blue and Paraíso Lagoons and the distinctive landscapes around Jericoacoara National Park. Stop at Lagoa do Paraíso, Lagoa Azul and Buraco Azul Caiçara before continuing along the coast and passing the distinctive Árvore da Preguiça.

The rest of your time in Preá is free. You might take advantage of the area’s reputation for kitesurfing, visit nearby beach clubs and restaurants or simply spend time on the long sandy beach and enjoy the slower pace of village life. A day trip to nearby Jericoacoara is another option if you would like to explore its shops, restaurants and lively atmosphere.

Call 01273 923100 to start planning your holiday

Travel by 4×4 from Preá to Fortaleza, following the coastal route towards Ceará’s vibrant capital. Stay for your final night at Pauli Boutique Hotel, a comfortable hotel in the Mucuripe district with an outdoor pool and a relaxed atmosphere, giving you an easy base for your final evening.

Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure, perhaps taking a final walk along Fortaleza’s coastline or simply relaxing at the hotel before your journey home the following day. Transfer to Fortaleza Airport for your flight back to the UK, bringing your journey through the dunes, lagoons, villages and beaches of Northeast Brazil to a close.

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