The Northeast Region is blessed with incredible natural beauty, but has a lot more than just beautiful beaches. For this reason, it is one of the Brazilian regions with the most potential for tourism, which would energise the local economy. Here there are hundreds of potential nature tourism sites!

From the coastline of Pernambuco to Bahia, the influence of African cultures is most noticeable. This is because slaves lived here farming sugar cane.

With an economy that depended entirely on growing sugar cane, Alagoas discovered in the 1970s that its natural charms could also bring in money. Today, tourism is the State’s leading source of economy.

Maceió offers 40 km of beaches with transparent water, hinting at turquoise and pale green, filled with natural pools, golden sand and vast stretches of green made up of mangroves and sugar cane farms.

Halfway between Maceió and Recife, you will find Maragogi. It is 128 km from the Capital, and you can only get to it via land. The town stands out for its crystalline waters, fine sand, mangroves and reefs, not to mention the excellent infrastructure and hospitality.

The tourist industry is significantly developed in this State. It has the biggest influx of tourism to its coast and one of the best tourism infrastructures, not only on its 1,200 km coastlines.

Salvador is known as the "cultural capital of the country" because it is the birthplace of many important Brazilian creative figureheads celebrated nationally and internationally.

Bahia isn’t just beaches, though. You will find some of the most beautiful scenery in the country at the heart of the State, speckled with waterfalls, canyons, valleys and caves. 

Located just above Ecuador, the State boasts 570 km of beaches, forest, waterfalls, trails, caves, prehistoric cave paintings and colossal monoliths (huge groups of rocks) waiting to be explored.

Fortaleza is a city that does not sleep. There are parties every night of the week. A Monday in Fortaleza is the liveliest in the country.

300 km in distance from Fortaleza is Jericoacoara, which is considered one of Brazil’s most beautiful beaches. Despite its worldwide fame, the easy rhythm of life in this old fishing village remains the same and as do its sandy streets and the streets which have no electric lamps.

Maranhão is located in a transition zone between the Northeastern inland and the Amazon. For this reason, it offers the opportunity to experience different ecosystems, which are sometimes compared to the nature found in Pantanal in Mato Grosso, a national park in the central-west of Brazil.

This is the only Brazilian Capital founded by the French. Yet, despite this, it is notably the most Portuguese. The island is home to the largest Portuguese style architecture in Latin America, with more than 3,000 historically important buildings that are still partially preserved. In 1977, UNESCO declared it a world heritage site.

Lençóis Maranhenses are an amazing series of sand dunes that stretch across 10 km of the coast of Maranhão and 30 km inland. It is truly a surreal and unique landscape to behold.

Paraíba’s economy is based on agriculture, industry, cattle and tourism. Tourism shines particularly brightly due to Paraíba’s fantastic urban beaches, which are undeveloped and allow nudism.

The Capital, with close to 730 thousand inhabitants, was founded in 1585. It is the third-oldest city in the country. It has warm, welcoming inhabitants, tree-lined streets and a seaside whose light and beaches are protected by a law that limits construction height in the city.

Campina Grande lies 135 km from João Pessoa. In June, it competes with João Pessoa for the largest number of visitors. 

Pernambuco can also be a paradise for those who love extreme sports, such as in the city of Bonito, where the temperature is surprisingly fresh. The city of Gravatá, 80 km from Recife, reaches an altitude of 447 m.

Today, Recife is the most important city in Brazil’s Northeast. It is a dynamic commercial and industrial centre, which make it perfect for travelling for business or pleasure.

The beach Praia de Porto de Galinhas is based in the town of Ipojuca, 50 km south of Recife. It is the most popular beach on the coast of Pernambuco, with visitors all year round due to its natural beauty, excellent hotels and warm waters around 28 °C.

Throughout the region, the climate is predominantly semi-arid, with a long dry period and lots of semi-arid vegetation called coating.

The capital city is named after Teresa Cristina, who was the Empress of Brazil. The city is located between two important rivers, the Parnaíba and the Poti; it has several historical buildings as well as many river beaches.

Piauí has more archaeological sites than any other Brazilian state. In the town of Piracuruca, 187 km from Teresina, in the northeastern part of Piauí, you will find the Sete Cidades National Park...

Rio Grande do Norte would become well-known internationally during World War II. Due to its significant proximity to Africa, Brazil let the United States build and keep two naval bases and an airbase here until the end of the war!

Soon after the Reis Magos Fort had been completed, small towns began to form around it. According to some historians, the city was called Cidade dos Reis, and eventually, it became Natal. 

It is is a peninsula in the North of the State which is becoming increasingly popular with tourists. It is still barely known and has a rustic, untouched charm ideal for escaping the big city’s bustle.

To get to know this little State, it helps to understand its name. Sergipe is a Portuguese pronunciation of the State’s original name Siri-i-pe, given to it by the Tupi Indigenous people. In their language, the name means “The flowing river of crabs”.

Curiously, Aracaju’s name has nothing to do with Caju (cashew nut fruit, a delicious fruit that is native to Brazil). In fact, the name stems from the Tupi language and means “The Macaws’ Cashew Tree”.

The State of Sergipe offers many types of beaches, which is the focus of tourism in the Northeast. However, it also offers some of the most interesting journeys to Brazil’s outback.

VBRATA is a British/European-based not-for-profit travel organisation dedicated to promoting Brazil as a tourist, cultural and business destination.