Top 10 Beaches of The World

The Guardian this week announced the top 10 beaches in the world.  When I saw the headline I assumed that there would be at least one of Latin America's beaches on the list, but I was a bit surprised to see that it was Porto da Barra in Salvador da Bahia, Brazil that was chosen. Don't get me wrong, Bahia is one of my favorite parts of Brazil and Salvador  is a fantastic city to visit. But it is not a place I would go to for beach time. The beaches in the area surrounding Salvador, particularly Barra, are relatively non-descript, crowded and polluted. A few hour's drive up the coast to Praia do Forte and some of the surrounding beaches will be well worth the trip.

To be honest, Brazil is lined with gorgeous beaches and Barra is one of its lower points as far as beachfront goes. It's hard to find a more pristine situation than Fernando de Noronha, the sparsely inhabited island off the coast of Recife. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2002, Fernando de Noronha is also home to some of Brazil’s best, and most secluded beaches. The island (actually an archipelago) is not only a beach destination, but also a scuba diver's paradise.  70% of the Fernando de Noronha archipelago has been declared a National Marine Park, which has helped to maintain the underwater ecology. The surrounding waters are home to dolphins, turtles, rays, 14 species of reef sharks and some of the largest fish you will ever see.

For more information check out our travel recommendations and advice for Fernando de Noronha.