3. São Sebastião, Brazil

(Time Out) A three-hour drive from hectic São Paulo, this tranquil corner of southeast Brazil is an ideal escape for beach lovers, kite surfers and scuba divers. It’s home to a string of ridiculously perfect sandy beaches stretching along 62 miles of warm Atlantic waters – but despite its charming coastline, the region rarely appears on lists of Brazil’s best beaches. All the better for getting some real peace. Hop between the beaches of Maresias, Juquehy, Barra Do Sahy and Boicucanga; wander São Sebastião’s colonial old town; and catch the ferry to Ilhabela to explore some of the island’s 400 waterfalls. Hungry? Try sustainably caught seafood at Taioba, sip on craft gin at Single Fin distillery, and dine surrounded by nature at Manacá. After being severely impacted by the 2023 Brazil landslides, São Sebastião needs support from tourism more than ever.

For the rest of the 2024 list please visit Time Out.