Top 10 beaches in Brazil

Alter do Chao in Pará is a beach on a river at the heart of the Amazon rainforest - the perfect place to relax and cool down in the 'green inferno' Photograph: Andre Penner/Getty Images/LatinContent RM

Fernando de Noronha is an archipelago off the north-east coast, so finding a nice beach is an easy task. Tourist numbers are strictly monitored, and it's a naturalist's haven with turtle-spotting and wonderful snorkelling Photograph: Douglas Vieira/Douglas Vieira

Praia do Toque, Alagoas, has 15km of beaches fringed by coconut trees, and the sea is always warm Photograph: Ricardo Freire/Ricardo Freire

Taipus de Fora, Marau Peninsula, Bahia, has spectacular sweeps of beaches and is a magical place to enjoy a moonlight cocktail Photograph: Conor O'Sullivan/Conor O'Sullivan

Caraiva, Bahia, where the only soundtrack is the breeze in the almond trees and the surf washing on to the shore Photograph: Steven Chew/Steven Chew

Arpoador, Rio de Janeiro - a continuation of Ipanema with a great view of the mountains and the city Photograph: Christian Knepper / Embratur/Christian Knepper

Praia Lopes Mendes, Ilha Grande, Rio state, is a beach of your dreams, with the whitest, finest sand stretching out to a calm, crystal blue ocean and not a building in sight Photograph: Embratur/Embratur

Praia da Fazenda, Sao Paulo state. A natural jewel, where heavily forested coastal mountains drop down on to the beaches and into the sea Photograph: Emmanuel Rengade/Emmanuel Rengade

Bonete, Sao Paulo state - what Brazil must have looked like to the Portuguese when they arrived 500 years ago Photograph: Marco Yamin/Marco Yamin

Lagoinha do Leste, Florianopolis, Santa Catarina. Florianopolis is where the young and beautiful head, but Lagoinha do Leste is deserted and perfect for camping Photograph: Editora Peixes / Embratur/Embratur