Brazil off the beaten track, in the state of Espirito Santo.

I have spent the past 10 days cycling through Brazil without meeting a single non Brazilian. I have been cycling through some truly amazing landscapes in the state of Espirito Santo. Stayed at some fantastic beaches. But foreign tourists in Brazil almost all stick to a few famous spots. So Brazil is probably the easiest place in South America to get totally off the beaten track when you are tour cycling.

Cycling along the Brazilian coastline in the state of Espirito Santo.

Espirito Santo is one of the most forgotten states in Brazil. It is squeezed in between the two big states Rio de Janeiro and Bahia. But that does not mean that Espirito Santo is not interesting. It has some amazing beaches, with hardly any tourists. It is one of the states that makes sure that Brazil is one of the biggest farming nations on the planet: Having field after field with pineapples, sugar cane and various other agricultural products. I have truly enjoyed cycling up through the state, partly along the coast and partly through farm regions. The capital Vitoria is not really a city that is my cup of tea, but maybe I just had a bad day when cycling through. But the rest of the state has been nothing but pure joy to cycle through.

Fishing boats on the Brazilian coastline.

Brazilian family on a sunday bicycle trip.

Before coming to Espirito Santo, I was cycling through the northern part of the Rio de Janeiro state. That part of Brazil is mainly known for having offshore oil fields. So it does not attract many tourists, but I can only recommend people to go there. The area has fantastic beaches, pleasant little towns and I found decent accommodation everywhere I went.

Brazilian children fishing.

Talking about accommodation: I have had some very good prices in Espirito Santo. I have typically paid between 10$ and 25$ per night and mostly had very nice rooms with private bathroom, air con and such. I am, in fact, sitting writing this blogpost from a 3 star hotel, that I am paying 20$ to spend the night in and that includes breakfast.

The entrance to the local cemetery in Sao Mateus.

Typical road scene in rural Brazil.

I have been cycling through a couple of nature reserves too, where signs have been asking to please not run over Boa snakes, capybara’s, panthers and other exotic animals. The animals I have seen the most though are the vultures who are always sitting by the side of the road giving me hungry looks.

A sign telling me not to run over the Boa snakes.

Pineapple fields forever in Espirito Santo.

So if you think that there is no pretty places left in this world that is not flooded by the international tourist crowd, then just head to the state of Epirito Santo in Brazil and you will see that there is still pristine places left in this world, for those of us who are ready to go off the beaten track.   

Cycling the Brazilian highways is great.