Ubatuba is the number people throw around when they say “over 100 beaches” on the São Paulo coast, and for once the number holds up. The municipality runs along roughly 100 km of coastline where the Serra do Mar drops almost straight into the Atlantic, which means every beach sits in its own cove, separated from the next by forest rather than by a strip of hotels. The town centre itself is not the draw — it is a functional grid of pousadas, açaí counters and surf shops. The draw is what is 10 to 40 minutes away in either direction, and that only works if you are not trying to do it in a single day from São Paulo.
| Where | North coast of São Paulo state, 230 km from the capital |
| Cost | Bus from Tietê terminal R$ 90-140 one-way; a decent pousada R$ 250-500/night; a full beach day (parking, food) R$ 80-150 |
| Time needed | 2-3 days minimum to cover both the north and south beach clusters |
| Getting there | Car via Tamoios highway (SP-099), 3.5-5 hours depending on traffic; direct bus from Tietê, roughly 4.5 hours |
| Best time | April-June for calm seas and empty beaches; July for whale-watching season further out |
Which beaches to actually pick
Ubatuba’s beaches split into two clusters, and trying to see both in one visit means a lot of driving on narrow coastal roads. South of the centre — toward Caraguatatuba — the beaches are calmer and more built up: Praia do Itaguá is a five-minute walk from town and fine for a swim but not a highlight. North of the centre, past Praia Vermelha do Norte, the road gets slower and the beaches get better: Praia da Almada, Praia do Félix and Praia Grande de Ubatuba (not to be confused with Praia Grande near Santos) are where the surf crowd goes. Praia do Félix in particular has a reliable right-hand break and a cluster of surf schools that rent boards by the hour, no lesson required. If you’d rather link several of these coves on foot instead of driving between them, a guided seven-beaches coastal hike covers a good stretch of this same shoreline in one outing.
If you only have one full day, skip the town beaches entirely and go north to Félix or Itamambuca, both about 25-35 minutes from the centre depending on traffic on the coastal road — allow more on weekends when day-trippers from São Paulo clog the same stretch you are on.
Ilha Anchieta and the boat trips
Ilha Anchieta sits just offshore and used to be a prison island; it is now a state park with clear water, a small museum in the old cell block, and beaches that are only reachable by boat. Schooners leave from the centre of Ubatuba on loop tours that stop at the island plus two or three other coves, typically running four to five hours and costing R$ 80-150 per person depending on the boat and season — haggle a little in low season, prices are soft. Bring water shoes; the landing points are rocky in places.
A guided island-and-waterfall day trip from São Paulo covers a similar idea further south, on Ilha de Santo Amaro near Bertioga, if you want the island experience without the extra driving to Ubatuba.
Projeto Tamar and the turtles
Projeto Tamar has a visitor centre on Praia do Itaguá, right in town, dedicated to protecting the five species of sea turtle that nest along this coast. It is a genuinely good stop for families and not just a gift shop with tanks attached — there are rescued turtles recovering from boat-strike injuries, and the exhibits explain nesting season (roughly November to March) honestly rather than promising sightings that mostly do not happen for casual visitors. Entry runs R$ 20-40, cash and card both accepted, and it closes on Mondays.
Surfing and why Félix has a following
Ubatuba is the closest reliable surf coast to São Paulo, which is exactly why it gets crowded on weekends. Praia do Félix and Praia Vermelha do Norte both hold consistent beach breaks that work for intermediate surfers; board rental plus a two-hour group lesson runs roughly R$ 120-200. Perequê-Açu, closer to town, is gentler and more forgiving for a first try. If you are set on serious surf and can extend the trip, surfing near São Paulo compares Ubatuba against Maresias and Ilha Comprida further afield.
Inland trails and waterfalls
The Serra do Mar rises directly behind Ubatuba’s coastline, which means genuine rainforest hiking is often a shorter drive than the next beach cluster over. Cachoeira da Prumirim, on the road toward Paraty, is a popular short hike with pools to swim in at the base, busy on weekends and near-empty on weekday mornings. Further inland, sections of the Serra do Mar State Park have marked trails ranging from easy river walks to longer climbs with views back over the coastline — trailheads are not always well signposted from the highway, so ask locally or check with your pousada before setting out. This inland side of Ubatuba gets a fraction of the visitors the beaches do, which is exactly its appeal if you’ve had enough of crowded sand. For a different way into that same interior, a guided visit to the Boa Vista indigenous village spends an afternoon with the local Guarani community rather than on another trail, with craft demonstrations and a shared meal in place of a hike.
Where to stay
Perequê-Açu and Itaguá, both a short walk from the town centre, are the practical base for most visitors — close to restaurants and the Projeto Tamar centre, with easy access south toward Caraguatatuba and north toward the better surf beaches. Staying further out, near Praia do Félix or Itamambuca, cuts your daily driving if surfing is the priority, but means a longer trip into town for anything else. Prices run from simple pousadas around R$ 250/night to beachfront options well over R$ 500/night in the December-February peak, when advance booking matters — Ubatuba fills up fast over New Year and Carnival.
Eating in Ubatuba
The town leans on fresh seafood, unsurprisingly, with peixe frito and moqueca appearing on most menus along the centre and Itaguá waterfront; prices for a full seafood meal for two typically run R$ 90-180. Açaí counters are everywhere and worth trying here rather than the pre-packaged versions common in São Paulo — proper Ubatuba açaí is thicker and less sweet. For something more local than the tourist-facing centre restaurants, the weekday lunch buffets (por-kilo) scattered through the town serve honest, inexpensive food aimed at residents rather than visitors, generally R$ 30-50 for a full plate.
Getting there and around
By car, the Tamoios highway (SP-099) is the direct route, climbing over the Serra do Mar before dropping to the coast — it is scenic but has sections prone to landslide closures in heavy rain, so check conditions in the rainy season (December-March). Buses run from Tietê terminal several times a day, roughly 4.5 hours in normal traffic. Once in Ubatuba, a rental car or a lot of patience with local buses is the only way to reach the outer beaches; taxis and ride-apps exist but get expensive for repeated 30-minute trips.
For general coastal logistics from the city, see how to get from São Paulo to the beach and São Paulo’s north coast beaches, which places Ubatuba alongside Maresias, Juquehy and São Sebastião on the same stretch of coast.
Frequently asked questions about visiting Ubatuba
Is Ubatuba better than Maresias or Ilhabela?
It depends what you want. Ubatuba has the widest spread of beach types and the best surf access; Maresias is more of a party beach with nightlife; Ilhabela requires a ferry but has calmer water and waterfalls inland. See which beach town is right for you for a fuller comparison.
Can I visit Ubatuba as a day trip from São Paulo?
Technically yes, but it is a long day: 3.5-5 hours each way leaves only a few hours on the sand, usually at the closest beaches only, which are the least interesting ones. Two nights is the realistic minimum.
Is the water clean in Ubatuba?
Mostly yes, especially north of the centre. The beaches closest to town and near river mouths (Praia do Cruzeiro, parts of Itaguá) can have runoff after heavy rain — check municipal water quality postings, which are displayed at most beach access points.
Do I need a car in Ubatuba?
Strongly recommended. Public buses connect the centre to some outer beaches but run infrequently, and the best coves are spread over 40+ km of coastline.
When is whale season near Ubatuba?
Humpback whales pass this stretch of coast roughly July through October, though sightings are more reliable further south near Ilhabela and São Sebastião, where dedicated whale-watching trips operate.
Is Ubatuba safe?
Yes, in the way most Brazilian beach towns are safe: keep valuables out of sight on the beach, don’t leave bags unattended, and take normal city caution in the town centre after dark. It is not a high-crime destination.
What’s the best time of year to go?
April to June, when the rain has eased but the town is not yet in its July winter-holiday crush. Weekdays year-round are calmer than weekends regardless of season.
Are there good hikes near Ubatuba, or is it just a beach destination?
Both — the Serra do Mar rises right behind the coast, and trails like the walk to Cachoeira da Prumirim give a genuine rainforest experience without much extra driving. See hiking near São Paulo for more on this side of the region.
Where should I stay if I want to be close to the surf beaches?
Praia do Félix or Itamambuca put you within a short walk or drive of the north cluster’s best breaks, though they’re further from the town’s restaurants and the Projeto Tamar centre than staying in Perequê-Açu or Itaguá.
Fitting Ubatuba into a longer trip
Ubatuba works best as the final stretch of a coastal loop rather than a standalone trip. Pair two nights here with a night in São Sebastião or a ferry crossing to Ilhabela for the São Paulo to the coast: a five-day route, or fold a single night into the broader seven days in São Paulo and the coast itinerary if you’re combining city time with the beach. For city-only travellers with three days, Ubatuba is a stretch too far — see three days in São Paulo instead and save the coast for a return trip.
