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Published: 07-04-2022
Beach time comes down to everyone’s personal opinion of what their ideal beach may be. Whether relaxing, surfing, eating seafood or partying, is your idea of an ideal vacation, South America's most spectacular beaches will make sure that you return, to enjoy their Pacific, Caribbean or Atlantic coastal regions, for years to come. Of course, in South America, Brazil rules the roost when it comes to spectacular coastlines, but there are other more surprising destinations in other South American countries also, such as Peru, Colombia, Ecuador and Chile, that are blessed by mother nature with some magnificent stretches of sand. Whether you prefer the vibe of a quiet fishing village, a remote island paradise, a happening party shoreline or a vibrant surf town you can be sure that in South America there will be the perfect coastal paradise for you!
Beach volleyball
Jericoacoara, Brazil
Paradise is a beach called Jericoacoara, not far from Fortaleza, in north Eastern Brazil. It is no wonder that travellers who plan to head to this beach for the weekend, end up staying for weeks and even months! While this beach is not the best for swimming with shallow waters (so excellent for paddlers!) what makes Jericoacoara so special are the impressive sand dunes on this beach. Climbing them is a lot of fun and when you reach the top, you have the best vantage point for an immaculate sun set over the Atlantic.
Jericoacoara
Joaquina, Brazil
Florianopolis, found in southern Brazil, is blessed with a stunning-beach front. Local people come here for holiday time and the coastline also attracts a number of foreign visitors to its shores. Of the many beaches in the region, photogenic Joaquina is probably the most picturesque. Once more sand dunes take centre stage and the surf attracts the young and the beautiful during the summer months. This beach is also known for its fresh seafood and delicious caipirinhas on the sand, to while away those sunny days and evenings.
Joaquina
Prainha, Brazil
Not all Rio de Janeiro’s beaches are packed with volleyball and football pitches! Praia Prainha in the south of the city, is surrounded by verdant rainforest and washed by powerful, emerald green Atlantic waves. This famous surf beach attracts surfers who visit for the curling breaks at the beach’s southernmost point, as well as the mouth-watering fresh fish or petisco bar snacks, washed down with a cold beer.
Prainha
Itamambuca, Brazil
Framed by rainforest canopies, this long beach of idyllic golden sand surrounds the village of Ubatuba, on the border of Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo. Weekends are busy when the city folk head for their beach houses and extensive condos that are found behind the sands. The rest of the time, peace rules with low-key pousadas on the main highway near Itamambuca as well as Praia do Félix, the next beach along.
Itamambuca
Praia das Dunas, Brazil
East of Rio de Janeiro the coast changes to flat sandy terrains with vast salt lagoons. The beach at Praia das Dunas near Cabo Frio has fine white sands backed with shifting dunes and with crystal clear Caribbean waves. It would take you a morning to walk the length of the beach, and if you’re here during the week, you will only witness a few solitary surfers and people walking their dogs.
Praia das Dunas
Lopes Mendes, Brazil
Found on Brazil’s island paradise, Ilha Grande, the beach in Lopes Mendes is a stunning white sand praia, lined with almond and palm trees, with crystal blue waters stretching for 3km. The most remarkable aspect of this stretch of sand is that it is untouched and undeveloped with not a single building in sight. All you need to bring is a good book, suntan lotion, and a cold one!
Lopes Mendes,Ilha Grande
Ica, Peru
The coast region of Ica, near the oasis town of Huacachina, south of Lima, Peru, is ruggedly romantic. The dry desert interspersed with rolling dunes and craggy cliffs and sweeps of sand offers a unique backdrop on this desert region. You are more likely to see sea lions than people on these untouched beaches and many people flock here for the Paracas wildlife reserve, where yellow and red bays are battered by the powerful Pacific waves. This beach option is not the best for swimmers due to the cold water temperatures, but sea life encounters are second to none!
Ica, Peru
Mancora, Peru
This once small resort town, in sunny Piura, found in north-western Peru, is famous for its top-end open-air restaurants with the Pacific Ocean on one side and desert on the other. It is also a popular place for kite surfers who visit all year-round, for the breeze and the impressive Pacific swell. In summer (between December and March), Peruvians and international travellers alike arrive to the beach to relax, top up their tans, while gazing at the mesmerizing blue ocean and eating excellent seafood. During the day, the beach is not too crowded, however this beach town has a vibrant nightlife during the evenings. If you are looking for a more chilled out vibe, head to one of the neighbouring beaches of Punta Sal, Organos or Vichayito.
Mancora sunset
Valparaíso, Chile
Chile has an immense Pacific coastline with water temperatures in the country’s favourite beach resort of Valparaíso being a little chilly, forgive the pun! The town’s long bays backed with skyscraper hotels; the sandy beach is rarely empty. But if you’re after a seashore break from Santiago with plenty of bar-packed nightlife, there’s no better option. The colourful colonial houses, steep, winding streets and edgy street art, add to the bohemian feel of this seaside resort.
Valparaiso
Anakena, Chile
This completely remote destination, thousands of miles from the mainland, Chile’s Easter Island is more famous for its moai stone heads than its sandy shores. But this is not only a place for anthropologists and intrepid travellers alike. Bring your swimmers to enjoy the stunning Anakena Beach, with its bright white sands. Mornings are the best time to head down to the beach, as you will have it almost entirely to yourself while most visitors tour the giant moai´s. The beach itself is home to six fascinating moai as well, so you can kill two birds with one stone!
Anakena beach
Concha, Colombia
The lush coastal region to the east of Santa Marta, on Colombia’s Caribbean coast is pristine and untouched. The area is protected as part of the Tayrona National Park and is blessed with wildlife. Turtles nest on the sand, toucans perch in the trees and the sea is filled with coral. Many of the beaches are only accessible via long walking trails or by boat, but Concha is easier to reach from Santa Marta. The southern part of the beach is packed with vacationers, but walk a kilometre north and you will only be accompanied by sand crabs and seashells.
Playa Concha
San Andrés, Colombia
This tiny speck in the Caribbean Sea, just off the Nicaraguan coast and once occupied by British pirates, Colombia’s reef-fringed San Andrés is the resort island for vacationers and weekenders looking to escape the city. The high season run from December to March, however throughout the week and during the warm winter months before the rains come in, the pristine white sands and fish filed coral reefs are peaceful and calm.
San Andres
El Cabo San Juan, Colombia
Deep in the heart of Colombia’s spectacular Tayrona National Park, El Cabo San Juan, or Cape San Juan, is a paradise in the jungle. This simple palm-backed stretch of sand is on the Caribbean coast and the main appeal can be found in its off the beaten track location. It takes an hour and a half to get there, but this is all rewarded with a plunge in the pristine blue waters. Travellers who made it all this way, usually rent a hammock and spend the night star-gazing for the ultimate experience.
El Cabo San Juan
Montañita, Ecuador
Situated on Ecuador’s famous Ruta del Sol, Montañita is a funky beach town that offers incredible surfing, scuba diving, bodyboarding, windsurfing and water-skiing opportunities. The international travel scene and the town’s laid back Rasta vibe attract travellers all year round. With numerous ceviche restaurants and bars, chilling under the sun, playing beach volleyball or football, and even watching surfers who proudly attack their waves This is also the country’s only tolerant and liberal party scene in this conservative country.
