Northern Brazil! Where?! Good lord, please help...

07/28/23 @D.A.B1333. For some reason Aracaju didn't make your list, but I'd recommend it strongly. We just got back from spending a week there and I fell in love all over again.

Aracaju's nickname is "A Pequena Charmosa do Nordeste", "The Little Charmer of the Northeast". The smallest capital in the Northeast and the capital of the smallest state in Brazil is also the capital with the lowest level of inequality in the region, and reputed to have the healthiest lifestyle and to be the safest Northeastern capital. The beaches go on forever, there are plenty of AirB&Bs with good wifi at reasonable prices, lots to see and do, and great restaurants and bars in every price range. The people are relaxed and friendly, and compared to other capitals in the Northeast, it's still relatively undiscovered.

On this list of great locations for digital nomads, it comes in at #2:

https://www.melhoresdestinos.com.br/mel … itais.html

I’m loving this thread

To paraphrase somewhat "Think not what NE Brazil can do for you, rather what you can do for NE Brazil".

@D.A.B1333  Jericoacoara!!!!! It is six hours from Fortaleza. Their are sporadic flghts there, but The Washington Post named it one of the best beaches in the world. Google it on You Tube and see what you think. I have collected 400 videos of Jeri. Have Fun!

Roddie in Retirement

07/30/23 Now, I want to visit Northern Brazil; however, I don’t know where.
-@D.A.B1333

BTW, "Northern Brazil" and "Northeastern Brazil" are two entirely different things.  The Northeast is the cultural cradle of Brazil, historic, densely populated, easy to get around, pretty good infrastructure.  Generally welcoming of and curious about foreigners, at least along the coast.

Northern Brazil is the valley of the Amazon and its tributaries.  It's a vast, sparsely populated water world.  The major cities are modern and interesting, but it's hard not to feel the isolation sometimes.  Outside the state capitals, infrastructure is limited to non-existent.  Many places in the interior can only be reached by boat.  Two or three days out of Manaus or Belém things can get pretty lawless, and dangerous for strangers.  This is a great part of the country for an adventure vacation guided by experts, not so great for wandering around alone. 

I've lived in Manaus for going on six years.  I love it here, but I'm an old Brazil hand, a naturalized Brazilian married to a native-born Brazilian, and speak Portuguese as well as I speak English -- and still never forget for a minute that I stand out like a sore thumb here, 24/7/365.  I often tell people, "Brazil is not for beginners", and that's especially true of the North.  If you're interested in seeing the North you might enjoy a month in Manaus or Belém  or São Luís as a Digital Nomad, and then be glad to get back and closer to the beaten track.

I have been living in Brazil for 30 years. Carnivals, vanity - this is the Brazilian mentality. In the pictures you will see bright colors, but in reality everything is not so colorful. The climate is dry and hot like the Brazilians. A country you definitely need to visit! I choose Rio. For older people it will be noisy. In the evening it is not advisable to go out into the streets, so I sit at home and play ***

What is "link under review"???

@alima49 Appreciate the reply. I've spent time in Rio and love the energy, but I hate being in places like Ipanema or Copa at night and the need for discretion. Or the need to watch my belongings and not swim out to far in the ocean because my phone is on the shore during the day. I'm always on my toes and ready for a situation, so when I'm with my GF, the stress makes me overly alert and her a little uncomfortable. In places like Floripa and BC I could chill... I was thinking of going back to Rio because the area has so much to offer, but there are a handful of mid-sized cities in the North that seem to check most of my boxes.

@abthree Thank you again, Sir!!! You recommended Vitoria/Vila Velha in an older post of mine and I really enjoyed the area. I just need a little more of a classy nightlife and a beach I can surf within walking distance. Also, I'm really surprised there aren't more restaurants considering the two cities are pushing a 1 million person population - we only found one legit Mexican restaurant. Your recommendations have been noted. Make it a great day!

07/31/23 @D.A.B1333.  My pleasure. 😃

Mexican restaurants are really hard to find in Brazil:  there's not much of a Mexican community anywhere here.  Too far and too foreign to be very attractive, I guess.   If you find even a halfway decent one, please share.

Yes, I agree about Mexican restaurants

Please share, especially any you consider authentic.

@abthree Florianapolis had a couple of good spots and a handful of Mexican restaurants. Restaurante Guacamole Cocina was the quintessential TexMex with a band, and Rosarito Taqueria was a quaint little place with good sauces and music. El Matador might be the best of the bunch.

I would err on caution on coming to recife in regards to the amount of increase in assaults on tourists, while its a beautiful place its one of the most unsafe areas in the northeast.

Abthree is right, it can be very lawless up this way, and moreso the farther out you get from recife.

I understand the want for visiting all of brazil, But some areas are not so good for tourism. Maybe in about 5-10 years when things relax some ( lol ) maybe revisit the idea.

My recommendation is Sao Luis. It has  many beaches it’s a safe city at least for me. I have Brazilian friend there which helps. The other’s city is Salvador I would recommend certain areas you should stay. Near the Light House is a great area has beach, restaurants grocery store and a big Mall. All with in walking distance the area called Barra. Both cities I recommend have old colonial buildings to explore. Also near São Luis there are massive Sand Dunes with natural small lakes. Finally if you want to visit the Amazon river Belen is were the river meet the ocean. I confess I haven’t been there yet.

@Mikeflanagan What's your opinion of Joao Pessoa? Seems like a healthy distance from Recife and still has that little city feel, beaches, and what seems like plenty of restaurants and amenities. Thanks in advance for your help.

@D.A.B1333 I would not worry too much about being a good distance from Recife! I have been living on the island of Itamaracá, an hour north of Recife, for 16 years, with no problems to speak of. For me, every city in the world has bad and dangerous areas that are best avoided, and crime is increasing in all of them. For me Salvador is much worse than Recife, but that is just from personal experience. Simply: be aware, and take care, wherever you are.

That said, Joao Pessoa is a great little city with good restaurant options, and you will probably enjoy it. However it is not totally crime-free...

@Peter Itamaraca Really appreciate the insight!!! You’ve quieted a lot of my concerns. That’s been my overall experience throughout most cities in North & South America too. With the exception of Florianapolis and BC/Pria Brava, which are more situated like large towns (not true cities), people just need to use a little discretion, not roam around after midnight (especially if they are drinking), and don’t look/appear like clueless foreigners. My primary concern is my girlfriend who is originally from Medellin, and the fact I often cycle 20-25 miles outside the areas we live. The only place most people have told me to not cycle to far is along the pacific coast in Mexico - particularly in Acapulco, Cabo, etc. Rio had us a bit spooked initially because we stayed in Copa Beach and the apartment owner told us a bunch of stories about a favella 4-5 blocks north of us lol. So now we are always doing our DD. Thanks again!

Throwing my hat in the ring.We are going to Maceio in 2 weeks where we have an apartment and can highly recommend the city.Get in touch  if you want.We have 20 years experience in Alagoas