6 Best Sights in The Northeast, Brazil

Walk 30 minutes north of Pipa's main street via a terra-cotta dirt road or along the beach (depending on the tide) and you will arrive at the deserted, rugged beauty of Praia das Minas. Luxury eco-hotel Toca da Coruja now runs the sole beach bar and restaurant, serving delicious fresh fish and caipirinhas as a reward for your efforts. Big waves and strong currents make the water best for paddling. Amenities: food and drink; shower; toilets. Best for: solitude; sunrise; walking.

One of the Northeast's most magical spots, this local favorite is accessible only during low tide and the most likely place to swim with wild dolphins outside Fernando do Noronha. There is no access point down from the salmon-pink cliffs that frame the long slip of sand, which means that aside from a lone water seller who makes the trek daily, the beach's pristine beauty is preserved. To get there, consult the tide chart and head northwest from Pipa's central beach. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: solitude; swimming; walking.

The reliably strong waves at Praia do Amor are what makes Pipa such a surfer's town. Surf schools offer boards and lessons, as well as lounge chairs, umbrellas, and waiter service for avid spectators. At the right-hand side of the beach, the water is calmer and offers great swimming, particularly in the natural pools that are formed during low tide. Stand atop the dusky red cliffs and look down over Praia do Amor and you will see that the shoreline curves in the shape of a heart. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking; showers; toilets. Best for: partiers; sunrise; surfers; swimming; walking.

The soft, white sand and calm, warm waters of Praia do Madeiro make it a favorite for long days swimming and soaking up the sun. The steep path that winds through the trees down from the road offers glimpses of the glistening sea through the forest and keeps the masses at bay. Beginner surf schools and beach barracas serving coconut water and crispy shrimp are clustered at the right-hand side of the beach; if you head left along the long curve of sand, you'll have the coconut plams all to yourself. To get there, catch one of the minivans that run between Praia da Pipa and Tibau do Sul and request to stop at Madeiro. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: solitude; surfing; swimming; walking.

Nature lovers will enjoy the Santuário Ecológico de Pipa, a 120-hectare (300-acre) protected area. Sixteen short, well-maintained trails pass through Atlantic Forest vegetation and allow for some great views of the ocean. Between January and June, visitors can take part in baby-turtle conservation effort organized by Projecto Tamar. Call ahead for details and availability.