Brazil

Brazilian Beaches: From Bardot to Bahia

Exotic, fun-loving Brazil offers many faces to honeymooners, from the still-uncharted mysteries of the Amazon to the nightlife of Rio de Janeiro. Beyond these familiar icons lies a vast nation full of history and natural wonders, but if there's one thing Brazil is famous for above all others, it is beaches.

Copacabana and Ipanema -- Rio's two fabled strands -- are nearly synonymous with South America's biggest country. Yet they represent just a few grains in the thousands of miles of beach and coastline stretching from the Amazon estuary in the far northwest to Rio Grande in the south. And up and down the Brazilian coast, honeymooners will find five-star beach resorts sprinkled among the palm trees.

In the mid-Sixties, actress Brigitte Bardot opened the world's eyes to carefree Bzios, a sundrenched coastal city just east of Rio. Today, the former fishing village is known worldwide for its shopping, beautiful beaches, and relaxed lifestyle.

Honeymooners can stay in one of Bzios' classic pousadas, or rustic inns, or opt for a sophisticated retreat like The Pearl, where each guest room is adorned with original works by local artist and architect Helio Pellegrino. The Pearl has its quiet side, but also is just steps away from famous Stone Street, home to Bzios' best boutiques, restaurants and nightclubs.

Further south is the state of Santa Catarina, known more for pine forests and waterfalls than beaches and palms. But perched on the lush coastline of Praia do Rosa is the Quinta do Bucanero guest house, where the best of the 10 guest rooms feature outdoor decks and hammocks with exceptional elevated views, and a gracefully landscaped pool seems to merge with the sea.

Mixing the charm of a pousada with five-star luxury, the Ponta dos Ganchos Resort in Santa Catarina has 15 seaside cabanas, some with verandah jacuzzis and all with breathtaking views of the ocean and surrounding mountains. The resort's signature seafood restaurant looks out over a series of small islands sitting in an aqua bay, and honeymooners can reserve a table on one for the ultimate romantic dinner.

North of Rio is Bahia state, whose capital, Salvador, is a city of music and mysticism best known for its energetic Carnival celebration. Bahia is known for resorts that blend luxury with love of the natural world, and one of the best is the Itacar Eco Resort, where activities range from rainforest hikes to surfing, river rafting, and instruction in capoeira -- Brazil's native martial art.

Shaded by hundreds of thousands of coconut palms, Praia do Forte is one of Brazil's most beloved beaches. An hour north of Salvador, this long stretch of white-sand shoreline is home to the Praia do Forte Eco Resort, where couples spend mornings lounging in seaside verandahs before finding a tanning spot by the pool or joining a yoga or tai chi class. In addition to fishing and diving, the resort has an authentic fishing village and offers tours of a nearby 16th-century stone castle. The protected Praia do Forte coast also is a nesting ground for sea turtles, and includes a number of lookouts where you can catch a glimpse of migrating humpback whales.

The sparsely populated northern state of Pernambuco includes Recife, "the Venice of Brazil," a city of canals, rivers and bridges with a mixed Portuguese and Dutch heritage. South of the city is Muro Alto Beach, a palm-lined stretch of paradise that includes the Nannai Beach Resort, where the hotel restaurant serves local cuisine accompanied by wines from growing regions throughout Brazil. The ultimate water-lover's resort, Nannai's luxury bungalows all have private swimming pools, while guests share a serpentine pool located beside a natural tidal lagoon.

Brazilians love their beaches and are happy to share them with honeymooners, who will find themselves awash in the carefree culture of a people whose optimistic outlook perfectly complements couples starting life's journey together.