Getting behind the wheel of a car in Brazil opens the door to a world of road trip adventures. Distances may be long and routes may be rough in places, but the sense of achievement that comes from driving the country’s snaking coastal byways, inland highways, and high mountain roads will stay with you for a lifetime.
Driving in this vast country isn’t always easy due to an opt-in approach to road traffic laws and the fact that 87% of Brazil’s highways are unsurfaced, undivided roads. However, if you stick to daytime driving and avoid bigger cities, road travel in Brazil becomes much less stressful.
With some careful planning and a commitment to taking it slow, a road trip through Brazil can be an uplifting adventure through a world of natural wonders. Here’s a guide to the best road trips in Brazil.
Rio-Santos Road
Best road trip for beautiful beaches
Santos–Rio de Janeiro; 550km (341 miles)
The coastal road linking Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo is not the quickest way to get between the two cities, but it is certainly the most intriguing.
Wedged between the forest-covered slopes of the Serra do Mar and the Atlantic Ocean, this winding route captures the curves of the coastline, passing countless beaches and hundreds of islands, including standout places such as Ilha Grande and Ilha Bela for overnight stops.
Although the journey can be completed in two or three days, taking your time is worth it. The road built in the 1970s offers beautiful ocean views, sparkling rivers, and peaceful fishing villages alongside bustling vacation spots.
Be sure to include essential overnight stops such as Paraty and the pristine beaches north of Ubatuba, like Praia do Félix and Itamambuca.
Don’t forget to enjoy activities along the way. Explore waterfalls, hike in the dense Atlantic Forest, and savor tastings at distilleries producing cachaça. Make regular pit stops at beach shacks or upscale restaurants to try caiçara cuisine, the seafood-rich cooking tradition of Brazil’s southeastern coastal communities.
The Royal Road
Best road trip for historical sites
Ouro Preto–Paraty; 710km (441 miles)
The Estrada Real (Royal Road) outlines a significant slice of Brazil’s colonial history along its expansive route. Comprising a network of roads rather than a single route, it was constructed largely by enslaved individuals starting in the 17th century to connect mining towns in Brazil’s interior with ports in Paraty and later Rio de Janeiro—shipping gold and diamonds to Portugal.
This route is identified by its scenery, culture, and architecture, linking many of Brazil’s most striking Portuguese-era towns. For better navigation, the Instituto Estrada Real provides maps and a Royal Road stampable “passport.”
The Caminho Velho (Old Route) section—linking Ouro Preto, Tiradentes, Mariana, and Congonhas—is especially noteworthy for its baroque churches and steep cobbled streets.
Taking about eight days to traverse, the Caminho Velho primarily follows dirt roads, making a 4×4 vehicle crucial. Starting in Ouro Preto and ending in Paraty, both recognized as UNESCO World Heritage sites, this journey is rich in history and biodiversity.
Stop along the way to explore waterfalls, visit traditional cheesemakers, and enjoy restaurants serving comida mineira, a hearty regional cuisine celebrated for its warmth and flavor. Consider timing your trip with local festivals representing various cultural themes.
The Northern Bahian Coast
Best road trip for sea views
Aracaju–Boipeba; 560km (347 miles)
Bahia boasts the longest coastline in Brazil—an impressive expanse of chic beach resorts and quaint fishing villages. Highlights include the Coconut Coast, Cacau Coast, and the Discovery Coast, each offering their unique allure.
In Bahia, the relaxed pace prevails, making it the perfect mindset for this road trip. Stop frequently for fresh seafood meals and refreshing dips in the sea.
Beginning in the capital Aracaju, you can easily stroll to Mangue Seco—a stunning peninsula crowning the northern end of Bahia state, marking the start of the palm-lined Coconut Coast. Don’t miss the vacation haven of Praia do Forte and the Tamar turtle preservation project before arriving in Salvador, the rich hub of Brazil’s Afro-Brazilian culture.
You can take a regular car ferry across the Bay of All Saints to Bom Despacho, where the Dendê Coast heads south, offering more appealing beach stops. Finish your adventure by parking in Valença or Graciosa and taking a small speedboat to Boipeba Island, famous for its pristine white sands and azure waters.
Rota das Emoções
Best road trip for escapism
São Luís do Maranhão–Jericoacoara; 642km (399 miles)
A poetic translation of Rota das Emoções is a “Route of Emotions.” This long stretch of road connects São Luís, the capital of Maranhão, with the seaside town of Jericoacoara, revealing the natural wonders of Brazil’s northeastern coastline.
Your first stop is Lençóis Maranhenses, where crystal-clear freshwater lagoons form across a 1550 sq km (598 sq miles) span of sand dunes during the rainy season. The best way to appreciate the grandeur of Lençóis Maranhenses National Park is through a chartered flight, although hiking, quad biking, and jeep tours also offer opportunities for a refreshing swim.
Following this, visit the Parnaíba River Delta, home to a rich variety of flora and fauna. Exploring by boat is ideal, especially during sunset when flocks of scarlet ibises fill the sky.
The final stretch along the Ceará coast is renowned for being one of the world’s premier kitesurfing spots. Arrive in Jericoacoara (or “Jeri”) for a few days enjoying the beauty of the surrounding national park, kitesurfing, or merely relaxing on the beach. The town is enveloped by sand dunes and the sea; however, you can navigate to Jeri by either hiring a local guide or deflating your tires for sand driving along the final stretch.
Estrada Transpantaneira
Best road trip for wildlife
Poconé–Porto Jofre; 150km (93 miles)
The Pantanal impresses as the world’s largest wetland, covering approximately 209,790 sq km (81,000 sq miles) mostly in Brazil, extending into Bolivia and Paraguay.
This natural paradise is essential for wildlife enthusiasts; the terrain is home to an array of creatures, including caimans, capybaras, jaguars, and thousands of bird species. While remote areas of the Pantanal are reachable by plane or boat, the Transpantaneira route (MT-060) offers a unique driving experience through this gorgeous landscape.
This dirt road allows for travel in a standard vehicle during the dry season (April to September). Despite this, a 4×4 becomes essential during the rainy season when rivers can transform into lakes. Various hotels along the Transpantaneira offer accommodations and can arrange boat rides and nocturnal wildlife excursions.
After the devastation of fires in the Pantanal in 2020, campaigns have encouraged tourists to revisit, emphasizing responsible tourism as a sustainable economic alternative to cattle ranching, designed to safeguard the region’s unique biodiversity.
Espírito Santo Mountains
Best road trip for eating and drinking
Start – Vitória; Finish – Alto do Caparaó; Distance – 151 miles/243km
The coastal state of Espírito Santo, nestled between Rio de Janeiro and Bahia, is home to some of Brazil’s best hiking trails. Just an hour’s drive from the state capital, Vitória, the BR-262 highway climbs gradually into the Serra Capixaba region, known for its blossoming agritourism scene.
Following a scenic route dotted with organic farms, delis, restaurants, cafes, and guesthouses, travelers can immerse themselves in the culinary richness of the area, influenced by 19th-century immigrants from Germany, Italy, and Pomerania.
The culinary traditions endure, especially evident in Venda Nova do Imigrante, where specialties include socol (an Italian pork sausage) and polenta, celebrated annually with a massive polenta festival.
A delightful detour off the BR-262 leads to Rota do Lagarto, where visitors can reach the entrance to Pedra Azul state park, offering rewarding hiking trails to admire the park’s namesake blue granite formation. For stunning vistas, drive 62 miles further to the breathtaking Pico da Bandeira, the third highest mountain in Brazil.
Rio do Rastro
Best road trip for panoramic views
Lauro Muller–Bom Jardim da Serra; 34km (21 miles)
High in the Serra Catarinense, where winter occasionally sprinkles snow on the peaks, the Rio do Rastro road elegantly winds along a sheer ridge through sharp chicanes. This breathtaking stretch of road is potentially Brazil’s most gorgeous drive.
Expect spectacular valley views beside the route, with panoramic lookout points allowing for memorable snapshots. You can start or end in either Lauro Muller or Bom Jardim da Serra, the small towns that mark the beginning and end of the SC-390 road, approximately 100km east of the coast.
The highest elevation point, Mirante Serra do Rio do Rastro at 1460m (4790ft), is an ideal spot to enjoy lunch while taking in views extending all the way to the Atlantic Ocean—be sure to visit between 11am and 3pm to avoid morning fog.
Don’t miss a short 2.9km detour to the stunning Cânion da Ronda. Here, a 360-degree view awaits, along with a wind farm and a rewarding hiking trail. While in the vicinity, consider stopping by the Barrinha waterfall.
