SÁO PAULO COAST TO RIO

It may seem ironic that between Brazil’s two largest and most industrial cities is a coastline of unparalleled beauty and variety with some of Brazil’s finest beaches. Spanning the 429 kilometers of coastline are beaches and tropical islands, both urbanized and semi-deserted. Some areas are practically unknown and untouched—such as the far side of Ilha Grande or the beaches north of Ubatuba—and stand in sharp contrast to the major metropolitan areas nearby. This is where the bustle of the city comes to a screeching halt. Most will find that the beaches get prettier the closer you get to Rio, with a coastline that is clear and blue-green. If you’re into water sports or diving, there are many areas for both along the way.

Highlights along this stretch of coastline include the islands and beaches of Ubatuba, the Paraty Bay, and Ilha Grande. In the morning at Ubatuba, visitors distribute themselves among the many different beaches to the north and south of town, depending on their particular mood that day. There’s everything from quiet sandy inlets to party beaches to remote and semi-deserted areas that are excellent for scuba diving and long walks on the sand.

Similarly, Paraty offers a variety of beaches north and south of the main village. In this case, the village is a historical town from the Brazilian gold cycle of the 1700s. Its churches and monuments line the stoney streets of the Centro Histórico and light up and night with restaurants and bars. The water here is especially warm and bright green and the beaches are calm and shady. Ilha Grande, the largest island off the coast of Brazil, offers some of the most beautiful beaches in the country and many that require long hikes or boat trips to reach. The scuba diving options around the island are among the best on the São Paulo coast.