South American Beach Guides

Uruguay has two official nude beaches: Playa Chihuahua near Punta del Este and La Sirena in Rocha. Both are legal and government-designated; nudity is banned everywhere else.

Brazil's FBrN lists seven naturist beaches, from Tambaba to Galheta. Praia do Pinho lost its status in Dec 2025. Rules, single-men limits and how to get there.

Rio de Janeiro has over 90 kilometers of coastline with beaches for every taste — from Copacabana's electric atmosphere to Prainha's empty surf breaks. Here's where to swim, eat, and watch the sunset in one of the world's great beach cities.

Fernando de Noronha keeps visitor numbers down with daily fees and park permits, producing some of the clearest water and most pristine beaches in the Atlantic. From Baía do Sancho's cliff-enclosed sands to Atalaia's reservation-only snorkeling pools, here's the complete guide.

Florianópolis, Brazil's island capital of Santa Catarina, has about 42 beaches, from upscale Jurerê to trail-only Lagoinha do Leste. Where to surf, where the water is calm, how to check water quality, and when to go.

Galápagos beaches come in white, gold, and red, populated by sea lions, marine iguanas, and blue-footed boobies with zero fear of humans. From Tortuga Bay's mangrove kayaking to Kicker Rock's hammerhead sharks, here's the complete beach and dive guide.

Jericoacoara — Jeri to those who've been — has sand streets, no cars, and a sunset dune ritual that stops the village nightly. This guide covers the lagoons, kitesurfing, Pedra Furada, and why lobster here costs $14 for half a plate.

Montañita packs serious surf, nonstop nightlife, and South America's best-value beach scene into six blocks on Ecuador's Pacific coast. This guide covers the waves, the party, and where to escape both along the Ruta del Sol.

Punta del Este transforms from a quiet town of 25,000 into a destination for half a million each summer. From Playa Mansa's calm waters to José Ignacio's celebrity-chef restaurants and Cabo Polonio's off-grid isolation, here's Uruguay's full beach playbook.

San Andrés Island's Sea of Seven Colors is backed by one of the Americas' largest barrier reefs. From the natural aquarium at El Acuario to the Raizal seafood stew rondón, this guide covers Colombia's most remote Caribbean destination.

Brazil's 4,600-mile coastline delivers everything from Rio's famous Copacabana to the world-ranked Baía do Sancho and a freshwater Amazon beach. Here are the best Brazilian beaches, with safety tips, seasonal advice, and plenty of caipirinha guidance.

The best beaches in Ecuador and the Galápagos, covering Montañita's surf and nightlife, pristine Los Frailes, remote Mompiche, Galápagos highlights like Tortuga Bay and Gardner Bay, plus logistics, costs, and seasonal planning for both mainland and islands.

Los Roques is a national park archipelago 160 km north of Caracas with some of the Caribbean's emptiest beaches. Read the current official advice against travel to Venezuela first.