According to a top travel advisor, here’s how to see Brazil off the beaten path.

For most first-timers visiting Brazil, the buzzy energy of Rio de Janeiro and the iconic vistas of Iguazú Falls are hard to resist. While I have spent many years planning trips to Brazil for clients and traveling there myself, I can tell you that there is a lot of magic when you venture off the usual tourist paths. Traveling to Latin America is my specialty, and these are the top three places to visit in Brazil that you should not miss.

Ibiti Project, A Wild Escape From Rio

If you’re looking for a place to escape the hustle and bustle of Rio, the Ibiti ProjectA private conservation area, it feels like an entirely new world. You’ll feel intimately attuned with nature when you stay here, only four hours away.

This vast reserve is made up of a mosaic Atlantic forest, savanna and highland plateau. This reserve is home to cascading water falls, mysterious caverns, and hiking paths that offer panoramic views.

Ibiti is the embodiment of slow, deliberate travel. It’s the perfect place to reconnect with nature and disconnect from the noise. The reserve is committed to preserving wildlife corridors and reforesting indigenous flora. The lodges are beautifully designed and the food is locally sourced and fresh.

Fernando de Noronha: A Protected Beach Paradise

Fernando de Noronha, a chain of protected islands off the northeast coast of Brazil, is home to some of Brazil’s most breathtaking shores. This destination, located about 350 miles from the northeast coast of Brazil, offers a peaceful world away from busy resorts. This destination has strict visitor restrictions and a strong conservation ethic to preserve its beauty. Its crystal-clear water is a protected marine refuge, making it one of the most popular diving locations in the entire world.

You can swim with sea turtles and dolphins, watch them play off cliffs in the sunrise, or dive into the ocean. South America’s richest underwater ecosystems. Hikes often reveal dramatic rock formations and equally spectacular ocean views, with no other people in sight. Don’t miss Baía do Sancho, which is frequently hailed as one of the world’s best beaches.

Lençóis Maranhenses: Brazil’s Most Surreal Landscape

Lençóis Maranhenses National ParkThe northeast coast of Brazil is home to a surreal landscape that borders on the ethereal. It is unlike anywhere else on Earth. This is one of Brazil’s greatest natural wonders. Yet, it’s still largely unknown to tourists. A vast expanse of white dunes surrounds thousands of turquoise and emerald lagoons of freshwater, sculpted from seasonal rains. It is an almost spiritual experience to hike across these dunes, and dive into the warm, hidden pools.

Brazil overflows with beauty, but perhaps most alluring are those places where silence reigns supreme—where it’s just you and the vast, beautiful landscape. Whether traversing the wild hills of the Ibiti Project, exploring Noronha’s vibrant underwater realms, or serenely floating within the lagoons of Lençóis, these are the kinds of experiences that will stay with you long after you’ve left Brazil.

Lily Bunker It is not a member Travel + Leisure’s A-List is a specialist in Brazil. Bunker can help you create an itinerary that is tailored to your needs by contacting her via [email protected].