The Brazilian northeast holds the greatest diversity of ecotourism destinations in the country: national parks, dunes, highlands, mangroves and reefs — almost always with sun all year round. In this list you, ecotourist, will find 10 destinations that combine preserved nature, welcoming communities and experiences worth every real, with an honest idea of costs (approximate 2026 values) and the best time to go.
1. Jericoacoara (CE)
The sand village inside a national park needs no introduction: the Sunset Dune, Pedra Furada and crystal-clear freshwater lagoons. A sustainable tourism fee of R$ 41.50 and buggy tours from R$ 300 to R$ 600 per vehicle. Plan it all with our complete Jericoacoara guide or go straight to the 4-day itinerary. Best season: all year — winds from July to December, full lagoons from January to June.
2. Lençóis Maranhenses (MA)
The Brazilian desert that fills with blue lagoons is one of the most striking landscapes on the planet. 4×4 tours from Barreirinhas start at around R$ 150 per person; multi-day crossings on foot are the definitive experience for an ecotourist. Best season: May to September, when the lagoons are full.
3. Chapada Diamantina (BA)
Giant waterfalls (including the Fumaça, at around 340 m), caves of blue water and historic mining trails. Accredited local guides cost on average R$ 250 to R$ 400 a day per group — and hiring one is a golden rule of safety and of support for the local economy. Best season: March to October. Plan with our complete Chapada Diamantina guide.
4. Fernando de Noronha (PE)
The most famous marine sanctuary in the country: dolphins, turtles and the clearest sea in Brazil. It is also the most expensive — the fees alone add up to R$ 105.79 a day (TPA, official page) plus R$ 192 for the Marine National Park ticket (official site), values confirmed in August 2026. Worth knowing whether it is your moment: compare in Jericoacoara or Fernando de Noronha. Best season: August to December for diving.
5. Delta do Parnaíba (PI/MA)
The only open-sea delta in the Americas: a labyrinth of creeks, dunes and fly-ins of red scarlet ibis at dusk — a spectacle of birdwatching. Boat trips start at around R$ 150 per person leaving from Parnaíba. Best season: July to December. Everything about the destination in the Delta do Parnaíba guide.
6. Serra da Capivara (PI)
A UNESCO World Heritage site, it holds the largest concentration of rock art in the Americas amid the caatinga — ecotourism with a layer of archaeology. National park entry from around R$ 40, with a compulsory guide (about R$ 250 to R$ 350 a day per group). Best season: May to September. The full picture is in the Serra da Capivara guide.
7. Costa dos Corais — Maragogi and São Miguel dos Milagres (AL)
The largest coastal marine protected area in Brazil shelters natural pools and manatee conservation projects. Trips to the reefs of Maragogi start at around R$ 130 per person. Respect the rules: do not stand on the coral and do not feed the fish. Best season: September to March.
8. Praia da Pipa (RN)
Pink cliffs, a dolphin bay and the Pipa Ecological Sanctuary, with trails and viewpoints (entry around R$ 20 to R$ 40). Dolphins appear frequently at low tide — watch from the water without chasing them. Best season: October to March.
9. Boipeba (BA)
The quiet sister of Morro de São Paulo: no cars, with mangroves, the natural pools of Moreré and the rhythm of a fishing village. Crossings and boat trips from around R$ 100 per person. Best season: September to March.
10. Ubajara National Park (CE)
The smallest national park in Brazil is a well-kept secret in the Serra da Ibiapaba: a cave with calcite chambers, a cable car with a view over the backlands and humid forest trails. Entry and the cable car together come to around R$ 40 to R$ 60. Best season: June to January. The detail is in the Ubajara guide.
Which one first?
If this is your first ecotourism trip in the northeast, Jericoacoara and the Lençóis Maranhenses are the perfect gateways — good infrastructure, stunning nature and a mid-range cost. For diving and marine life, Noronha and the Costa dos Corais lead. And to escape the obvious, Serra da Capivara and Ubajara deliver experiences few people know.
🥾 Who is it for?
Effort: it varies by destination on this list — from gentle floats to intense trails; check the specific guide for each place. Children: most of the destinations listed are family-friendly; the individual guides give the ages. Older travelers and people with reduced mobility: destinations such as Maragogi and the Delta do Parnaíba are very accessible; the highlands and the crossings need a case-by-case assessment.
