Abstract In line with the aim to minimize climate change and dependence on fossil fuels, there is an increasing demand from different transport sectors for non-oxygenated and low-cost biofuels. In this study, bio-hydrocarbons were synthesized from macauba oils, which is a new and promising biofuel feedstock. These fatty materials were subjected to deoxygenation reactions over beta zeolite and ZSM-5 catalysts with different acidities (Si/Al ratio). Other parameters such as the reaction atmosphere (N2 or H2), catalyst calcination time, feedstock composition, and reaction time were also investigated. A preliminary study of the deoxygenation reaction kinetics indicated a higher conversion rate of hydrocarbons using beta zeolite, achieving a conversion of 100% in 3 h. The products were categorized into different compounds classes, such as linear, cyclic, branched, and aromatic hydrocarbons. The longer calcination time of the non-noble metal catalyst (15 h) and the use of hydrogen resulted in a high degree of deoxygenation. A higher percentage of hydrocarbons was obtained using an already hydrolyzed macauba pulp oil, with high initial acidity (38% m/m), and 10 bar H2. This feedstock and the innovative process provide low-cost alternatives to produce drop-in biofuels on a large scale.