SP · Brazil
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Get to know the place
More than a hundred beaches are squeezed between the Serra do Mar (mountain range) and the Atlantic, from calm coves for kids to beaches with heavy waves that have shaped generations of surfers. You can start the day snorkeling around an island with clear water in Ubatuba and end it having dinner in Maresias or in the colonial village of Ilhabela. Between one beach and the next you find Atlantic Forest waterfalls, coastal trails and caiçara (traditional coastal) communities.
This destination brings together 4 cities: Caraguatatuba, Ubatuba, São Sebastião, Ilhabela.
A look at the place
These pictures are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs. They may differ from the place.
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One destination, many paths
Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.
Caraguatatuba combines a long urban waterfront with beaches and forest-covered hillsides. You can alternate seaside walks with outings along the different stretches of the coast.
Ubatuba brings together beaches, caiçara (traditional coastal) communities and protected areas of Atlantic Forest on the São Paulo coast. A stay here lets you explore the sea and learn about the town's history and culture.
São Sebastião has a historic center facing the channel and beaches spread along the coast. You can combine town walks with sea outings and caiçara (traditional coastal) culture.
Ilhabela sits on a mountainous island off the São Paulo coast and preserves large areas of Atlantic Forest. A trip here combines beaches, strolls around the town center and paths through waterfalls and forest.
The local experience
A long, tree-lined beach with a river flowing into the sand and consistent waves, a venue for surf championship events. Even when it is crowded, its size leaves plenty of room, and the scenery remains largely undeveloped.
An island with clear water and a light sandy bottom, reached by boat from Praia da Fortaleza, with visits controlled by advance booking. It is the best snorkeling spot on the São Paulo North Coast.
At about 325 meters above sea level, the viewpoint has a statue of Santo Antônio, the local patron saint, and launch ramps for hang gliding and paragliding. The view takes in the waterfront, the bay and the São Sebastião channel, with Ilhabela in the background.
Listed as a heritage site by Condephaat in 1969, the seven-block area preserves colonial townhouses built with stone and mortar made from crushed shells. The Igreja Matriz, begun in 1603, stands on the main square, and the Convento de Nossa Senhora do Amparo is nearby.
Discover Centro Histórico e Igreja Matriz
Protected as a state park since 1977, the island was home to a prison opened in 1908, the scene of a major rebellion in 1952. Today the boat trip combines the restored ruins of the old prison with calm-water beaches and forest trails.
In the northern part of town, it has about 1 km of fine sand and calm water, with views of the Cocanha and Tamanduá islands. Offshore is the largest mussel farm in the state, an activity tied to the local caiçara (traditional coastal) culture.
A wild beach on the ocean side of the island, reached by a dirt road passable only by 4x4, by trail or by boat. From the viewpoint above, the cove looks like a heart.
Discover Praia de Castelhanos e Mirante do Coração
The largest island in the municipality has five small beaches, trails and unspoiled nature, and is visited on boat trips. Boats leave from the Mococa, Cocanha and Tabatinga beaches, just a few minutes' crossing away.
With about 900 meters of white sand, it is separated from neighboring Camburizinho by the river that flows into the sea. The right end has the best waves for surfing, and the shore has restaurants and shops surrounded by Atlantic Forest.
In the south of the island, it is reached by boat or by a long trail in the Parque Estadual de Ilhabela that passes the Laje, Areado and Saquinho waterfalls. It is home to a traditional caiçara (coastal) community and has waves sought after by surfers.
The visitor center in the Itaguá neighborhood has sea turtle observation tanks, an aquarium and enclosures with freshwater and land species. It also houses a caiçara museum with more than 200 objects from the local traditional culture.
The island's colonial core, with old mansions, the 17th-century church of Nossa Senhora D'Ajuda and the Museu Náutico, on narrow streets that come alive at night. It is the starting point for schooner trips.
Discover Vila de Ilhabela e Igreja Nossa Senhora D'Ajuda
A group of falls inside the Parque das Cachoeiras, with trails, swimming pools and the first wheelchair-accessible route to a waterfall in Brazil. The upper falls reach dozens of meters.
Discover Cachoeira da Água Branca
With about 2.5 km of firm sand, it has a stretch with steady waves and another with shallow, calm water. Offshore is the Ilha dos Gatos, a rock formation whose profile looks like a whale, and behind the beach rise mountains covered in Atlantic Forest.
Next to the border with Ubatuba, it has about 2 km of sand and shallow, calm water, popular with families. It is a departure point for boat trips to Ilha do Tamanduá (island), visible from the beach.
Surrounded by Atlantic Forest on the northern coast of the municipality, it has white sand, a freshwater stream and a natural pool among the rocks at the right end. The left side has waves sought after by surfers, while the right side has a calm sea.
At the far north of the island, it is reached by a road whose last stretch is dirt, and it has light sand and clear sea, surrounded by the forest of the state park. At the right end, a stream forms a freshwater lagoon separated from the sea by sand and rocks.
One of the most famous beaches on the São Paulo coast, with strong waves that have produced surf champions and nightlife known across the state. The wide strip of sand stretches for kilometers.
A cove with a calm sea and light sand, with good facilities including bars, restaurants and vacation homes, a favorite with families. It is next to smaller beaches reached by short trails along the rocky shore.
One of the most beautiful and busiest beaches in Caraguatatuba, with bars, restaurants and water sports along the shore. Short trails lead from the rocky shore next to it to smaller beaches.
Your base to explore
Where you stay is part of the trip. Choose the area that best fits your itinerary.
An oceanfront hotel on Praia de Maresias, part of the Rede Beach Hotéis chain, which has other locations on the South Coast of São Sebastião. It suits couples and families who want to stay close to the buzz and nightlife of Maresias.
A hotel right on the sand at Praia do Curral, with 84 rooms, a spa, heated pools and its own restaurants. It suits anyone looking for a stay with full beach and wellness facilities in Ilhabela.
A 175-room hotel connected to the Serramar Shopping mall, opened in October 2025 as the city's first international-brand hotel, with a rooftop pool. It suits leisure and business travelers and events.
A hotel right on the sand at Praia das Toninhas, formerly Recanto das Toninhas, now part of the Nacional Inn chain, with two pools, a spa and a restaurant. It suits anyone who wants to stay in the south of Ubatuba with beach service and leisure facilities.
A hotel on Praia da Tabatinga, inside a residential gated community on the border with Ubatuba, with pools, a sauna and its own restaurant. It suits families who want a quiet beach and half-board packages.
A hotel about 80 meters from Praia do Arrastão, a calm-water beach, with adult and children's pools, a tennis court and a game room. It suits families who want to stay close to the historic center and the ferry to Ilhabela.
A hotel facing Praia do Engenho d'Água, created from two old vacation homes, with reclaimed wood in the decor. It suits families, couples and water sports fans, about a 20-minute walk from the Vila.
A hotel facing Praia das Toninhas, with rooms overlooking the sea or the gardens and accessibility from the entrance to the rooms. It suits families looking for a calm-water beach in the south of Ubatuba.
A hotel in Tabatinga, a five-minute walk from the beach, with pools, a spa and adventure activities such as zip-lining and rappelling. It suits families with children and anyone who wants to explore the beaches of Caraguatatuba and Ubatuba.
A resort facing Praia de Itamambuca, in the north of Ubatuba, which also has a campground. It suits anyone who wants to stay right by one of the best-known surf beaches in town, surrounded by Atlantic Forest.
A group of apartments and suites on the hillside above the Vila, 300 meters from the beach and the historic center, with views of the channel. It suits couples who want to stay close to restaurants and do not need breakfast on site.
A pousada (guesthouse) 200 meters from Praia de Juquehy, with a heated pool, a bar and restaurant and beach service with chairs and umbrellas. It suits families looking for the South Coast of São Sebastião at a slower pace.
Ubatuba Palace Hotel is in downtown Ubatuba.
Pousada Recanto Maranduba is at Praia de Maranduba, in Ubatuba. It has Wi-Fi and an enclosed garage.
Pousada Kaliman Ubatuba is right on the sand, at Sapê beach, in Ubatuba. It has breakfast, heated pools, a jacuzzi, three restaurants, a gym, massages, a kids' area, a game room and beach service.
Hotel Villa di Rimini faces Itaguá beach, in downtown Ubatuba. It has a breakfast buffet, Wi-Fi and private parking, a 24-hour front desk, a pool, a bar and accepts pets.
Ubatuba Praia Hotel is in central Ubatuba, on the Itaguá waterfront. It has breakfast, Wi-Fi, suite cleaning, private parking, a pool, accessibility, air conditioning and minibar.
Pousada Todas as Luas is at Itamambuca beach, surrounded by Atlantic Forest, in Ubatuba. It has a pool with bar, a jacuzzi, a sauna, massages, a restaurant and an event space.
Pousada da Tina is in the heart of Ubatuba. It has Wi-Fi and parking, housekeeping and breakfast included.
Thai Pousada is 650 m from the beach, in Ubatuba. It has breakfast.
Pousada do Rei is 100 m from the Itaguá beachfront, in Ubatuba. It has breakfast, its own parking, Wi-Fi, air conditioning, minibar, fan and TV.
Pousada Morada da Prainha is half a block from the beach, about 2.5 km from downtown Caraguá, in Caraguatatuba. It has Wi-Fi and breakfast included.
Hotel Costa Norte Massaguaçu faces Massaguaçu beach, in Caraguatatuba. It has breakfast included, a restaurant, a pool with swim-up bar, a sauna, laundry, room service, a kitchenette area and pets allowed under conditions.
Pousada Porto do Rio is 800 m from Porto Novo beach, in Caraguatatuba. It has a pool, a jacuzzi, breakfast, parking subject to availability, air-conditioned rooms, Wi-Fi and minibar.
Pousada Porto do Rio Praia is 200 m from Flecheiras beach, in Caraguatatuba. It has Wi-Fi, TV, minibar and air conditioning. It has not accepted pets since March 1, 2024.
Hotel Mar is in downtown Caraguatatuba. It has a restaurant.
Hotel Spa Nau Royal faces the sea, on the sand of Cambury beach, in São Sebastião. It has two pools, one with a heated jacuzzi; sauna; spa; YYE restaurant; adults only.
Amora Hotel is right on the beach, on the sand, in São Sebastião. It has breakfast; heated pool; parking; accessibility; air conditioning; Wi-Fi; gym; restaurant; beach service.
Juquehy La Plage Hotel has direct access to the beach, without crossing a street, in São Sebastião. It has a heated pool; beach service; Areias Cantantes restaurant; Wi-Fi; air conditioning; breakfast included; 24-hour front desk; no parking.
Abricó Beach Hotel faces the sea, at Praia Deserta, in São Sebastião. It has a pool; breakfast; Wi-Fi; parking; air conditioning; minibar; small pets allowed under conditions; accessible room.
Pousada Toca da Praia is in the heart of Maresias, a few steps from the beach, in São Sebastião. It has a heated pool; breakfast; bar; beach kit; accepts pets; air conditioning; minibar; Royal room with mini fireplace and private heated pool.
Hotel Real Villa Bella faces the Yacht Club, near the historic center, Santa Teresa and Prainha, in Ilhabela. It accepts pets in the rooms, subject to rules.
TW Guaimbê Exclusive Suítes is right on the sand at Praia do Julião, in Ilhabela. It has an infinity pool; Benigaia restaurant; breakfast; beach service; spa; concierge.
Porto Pacuíba Hotel faces Praia do Viana, in Ilhabela. It has pools; restaurant; air conditioning; minibar; whirlpool tub in specific room categories.
Hotel Mercedes is at Praia do Viana, in Ilhabela. It has breakfast; parking; Wi-Fi; gym; games; restaurant; spa; pool.
Hotel Colonial Ilhabela is in Ilhabela. It has air conditioning; minibar; Wi-Fi; parking; pool; 24-hour front desk; terrace.
Velinn Caravela Pousada Ilhabela is a few meters from the ferry, in Ilhabela. It has parking included; pool; bar; Wi-Fi; 24-hour front desk; pets accepted on request.
Pousada Bonns Ventos is 1.5 km from the ferry, at Praia do Perequê, facing the channel, in Ilhabela. It has air conditioning; Wi-Fi; breakfast; pool; parking; 24-hour front desk.
Barra do Piúva Porto Hotel is in the Piúva neighborhood, in Ilhabela.
Flavors of the destination
A restaurant opened in 1988 at Praia de Camburi by chef Edinho Engel, built on stilts in the middle of the Atlantic Forest, with a seasonal seafood menu. It suits anyone looking for a special-occasion dinner on the North Coast.
A restaurant opened in 1993 on Rua Guarani, devoted to the caiçara stew of fish with green banana, served with rice and pirão (fish-broth porridge). It suits anyone who wants to try the signature dish of the North Coast at a traditional downtown spot.
A beachfront restaurant on the sand at Praia do Viana, open for more than six decades. It is known for its shrimp casquinha (shrimp gratin served in a shell), made from a family recipe, and suits anyone spending the day at the beach.
An Italian cantina on Avenida Prestes Maia, more than 20 years in Caraguatatuba, with a menu of pasta, risottos and seafood. It was among the winners in the à la carte category at the Caraguá A Gosto 2025 festival.
A beachfront restaurant on the sand at Juquehy, created by the owners of Chapéu de Sol as a more casual spot, with caiçara (traditional coastal) cooking of fish and seafood. It also has a location in Maresias and caters to families on a beach day.
A gastropub in Massaguaçu with fish and seafood dishes, pizzas and sharing plates. It won the à la carte category at the Caraguá A Gosto 2025 festival and suits groups looking for dinner near the northern waterfront.
Chef Renata Vanzetto's restaurant, opened in 2020 in the former Marakuthai space, a boat garage in Santa Tereza. The caiçara menu uses fish and ingredients from the island and suits anyone looking for a casual meal near the Vila.
A restaurant in Itaguá with a fresh fish menu that changes with the season and market ingredients, in a rustic setting with a bromeliad garden. It suits anyone looking for a more refined dinner focused on seafood.
A beachfront bar and restaurant on Avenida José Pacheco do Nascimento, on the southern part of the island, with seafood and Scandinavian-inspired dishes such as gravlax. Run by the owners themselves, it is popular for watching the sunset.
A restaurant in the Capricórnio neighborhood led by chef Artur Gama, with Brazilian cooking and sharing plates. It won the sharing plates category at the Caraguá A Gosto 2025 festival with a smoked beef rib croquette.
A fish and seafood restaurant on Rua Guarani, in Itaguá, known for grilled fish in portions to share. It suits families and groups looking for a seafood meal near the central waterfront.
A restaurant on Rua Navegantes, in Maresias, with Brazilian cooking focused on fish and seafood, such as moquecas (seafood stews), and decor with local crafts. It suits anyone who wants to have dinner in the heart of the Maresias scene.
Before you go
A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.
Access is via the Rodovia dos Tamoios (SP-099) from São José dos Campos, which connects to the Rio-Santos highway (BR-101), about three hours from Guarulhos Airport.
From March to May, when the sea is still warm, the rain eases off and the beaches empty out after the São Paulo summer.
Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.
