Best brazil beaches

Lucky old Margaret Summerfield - as a scout for Pathfinder, she has spent the best part of this year exploring South American beaches; beginning with Uruguay and Argentina, and ending with a few months in Brazil - here she tells TheMoveChannel.com the top three pics for retirement or buying a second home...

Third place: Leblon, Rio de Janeiro

Brazil has almost 5,000 miles of beautiful coastline and I couldn't write about the country's top beaches without mentioning Rio de Janeiro...it's world-famous for its city beaches.

And Rio is also Brazil's most beautiful city. Green forested mountains sweep down to the ocean, with a wide fringe of white sand in between. Rocky outcrops stud the bay, along with some private islands that are home to the ultra-wealthy. Rio is lush and verdant, with two huge parks. The iconic Sugar Loaf Mountain and the enormous Christ the Redeemer statue watch over the city beneath them.

Rio is Brazil's top tourist destination for foreigners, and that popularity is partly due to the city's partying reputation. From nightclubs to cultural attractions to gourmet restaurants, Rio has it all. Carnival is the biggest Celebration, followed by the New Year's festivities on Copacabana Beach...both of which attract millions of people.

Then there are the beaches. While most visitors head for Copacabana or Ipanema, my personal choice is Leblon.

Leblon has the white-sand beach and blue Atlantic waters we associate with Rio's beaches, and it's popular with local families rather than tourists.

Beachfront apartments in Leblon often have multi-million pound price tags. One two-bed apartment off the beach, with ocean views from the balcony, was a more affordable £152,399, for 100 square meters. A smaller 70 square meter apartment with part-ocean view (and awesome mountain views) in the exclusive Alto Leblon neighbourhood was £131,336.

The weather in Rio de Janeiro is seasonal though, with a distinct winter. It's not warm enough to swim year-round. For that, you need to head to Brazil's northeast Coast.

Second place: Cumbuco, Fortaleza

Cumbuco, thirty minutes west of Fortaleza on the northeast Coast, is rapidly shedding its fishing village infrastructure and amenities. The town's laid-back friendly charm carries on, though.

The dazzling-white sand beach has a curve of coconut palms hugging the bay. Off shore, the brilliant blue sky meets the deep blue of the ocean. Fishermen cast their nets from their little jangadas (boats), and the beachside Bars serve up the day's catch-you don't get much fresher than that.

Many of Fortaleza's wealthy families own large homes in Cumbuco, but recently, it's caught the attention of developers as well.

The first golf course in the area is due to start, as part of a major development by a Portuguese group. The hotel for this project-called Vila Gale-is under construction. Another development by a Spanish group will have almost 1000 residential units...and a Brazilian developer next door is planning 1400 units.

Lots in a gated community close to the beach in Cumbuco are available. Averaging 400 square meters (4306 square feet), the start price is 70,000 reals (£23,329). For something right on the sand, 250,728 reals (£83,561) buys you a 75 square meter (807 square feet) condo, currently under construction.

The first high-end boutique condo-hotel is due to open soon. This is a major upgrade in the village, as this luxury hotel will be in a class of its own in Cumbuco. Once the new residential developments and golf course are complete, this village will have a market for the chic restaurants and cafes that will surely follow.

For now, enjoy the nicest, widest stretch of sand close to Fortaleza, before the crowds get here.

First place: Coqueirinho, Paraíba

Driving along the section of Coast south of João Pessoa, you'll find an abundance of secluded, pristine beaches. This is where I discovered my #1 pick, Coqueirinho. It has year-round warmth, white-sand, sparkling water...and an added touch of luxury.

At Coqueirinho, coloured cliffs backdrop an open-air beachside restaurant, the perfect place for an alfresco lunch. We shared a tasty selection of appetizers and fresh-cooked fish, while we relaxed in the tranquil setting.

A 600 square meter (6458 square feet) lot beside the beach had an asking price of 320,000 reals (£106,651). It was the only beachfront property we could find, despite an extensive search. There is one condo development planned that I know of, which I'll keep you updated on.

Set back from the beach, on a hill, is a residential gated community, with 400 square meter lots (4306 square feet) from 88,000 reals (£29,329). The lots have ocean and forest views, and the master plan includes a swimming pool and sports facilities. Building costs run around 1400 reals (£466.60) per square meter, so a 225 square meter house (2422 square feet) would cost 315,000 reals (£104,982) to build.

The beach here isn't crowded, with plenty of space for stretching out and sunbathing. What makes Coqueirinho beach perfect is the cosmopolitan touch of tented massage tables and spa treatments on the beach itself...plush day beds...and cool world music in the background.

This touch of luxury gives Coqueirinho the edge for me, creating such a serene atmosphere that you can't help but relax...and it's why this beach makes my top spot.

Picture of Cumbuco by Margaret Summerfield