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Itamambuca Beach, Ubatuba.

Ubatuba is a municipality on the northern coast of São Paulo state, on the border with the Rio de Janeiro state.

Ubatuba is a true paradisiac area, being predominantly covered by exuberant Atlantic rainforest and containing more than 80 non-contiguous beaches distributed along 100 km of coast. You may find some of them completely deserted, especially on low season.

Ubatuba is devoted to tourism, but the fact that it is relatively far from both São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro (despite being almost exactly between them) makes it far more a "vacation or holiday" destination than a "weekend destination".

For that reason, during summer vacation (Jan-Feb) and holidays, the city and the more central beaches will be packed, and congestion in the Rio-Santos road may frequently occur. However, during the rest of the year, especially during weekdays, the city will be almost empty, and some beaches far from the city center may even be completely deserted.

The low season is thus great if you want tranquility, but in the other hand, the city center will be far less vivid, and it may be very difficult to find something to eat or drink outside it. Many shops, kiosks and restaurants close during low season.

Ubatuba is humorously referred by Paulistas as "Ubachuva" (chuva means rain in Portuguese) due to the good chance of raining when they get there. In reality, this reputation is likely due to the city being most visited between December and March (the summer), which coincides with the rainy season. Winter months (between June and August) have little rain, but the average temperature goes below 20°C. However, there is usually plenty of sunshine hours year-round.

Ubatuba Tourist Information, +55 12 3833-9123.

Ubatuba Tourist Information, +55 12 3833-9123.

Prumirim waterfall.

Prumirim Waterfall, Rio-Santos (BR101) (19 km north from city center, near Prumirim bridge. It is actually a sequence of waterfalls, surrounded by exhuberant rainforest. Easily accessible by a short trail from the Rio-Santos road; check the signs for "Cachoeira de Prumirim". It is possible to swim, but some care, specially with children, is advised.
Automobile Museum, Rua Tapajós 65 - Itaguá. Thurs-Sun.
Caiçara Museum. Exhibits items produced by the traditional caiçara communities, coast-dwelling fishing communities.
Projeto Tamar, Praia do Itaguá. The local unit of the country's most important sea turtle conservation project offers the chance to get up close and personal with the sea turtles.
Serra do Mar National Park, Picinguaba Unit. Contiguous with Serra da Bocaina National Park.
Ubatuba Aquarium.

Ubatumirim beach. Ubatuba is simply one of the best places in Brazil to practice surf, nautical sports, diving and birdwatching. With 80 beaches, there are beach options for all kinds of audiences – from the high waves of Itamambuca to the calms waters of Lázaro. Uninhabited beaches such as Brava, Almada and Cedro draw one’s attention, and the access to them is made through tracks. For those looking for movement, the best option is “Grande” Beach or the schooner rides to Anchieta Island.

Almada.
Brava.
Cedro.
Enseada.
Félix. Beach with preserved natural surroundings, despite being next to a condominium. It is popular among surfers, although slightly less than Itamambuca.
Grande. The most popular beach in town, over 2 km long with a wide sandy area and strong waves that are good for surfing. With younger crowds and many kioks.
Itaguá. Ubatuba's central beach is not suitable for bathing, but it can be very pleasant place for walking or cycling at morning, or having a snack or a drink during the evening.
Itamambuca, access via a sidestreet at Km 34 of BR-101 (15km north of downtown. Famous beach that hosts international surfing competitions. Like Félix, it is at a condominium complex but has preserved natural surroundings. It is also where the Itamambuca river flows into the sea. The river is not suitable for bathing, but you can make a short boat ride there.
Lázaro. Beach with beautiful surroundings, popular among families due to its calm waters.
Maranduba.
Perequê.
Prumirim. Wonderful beach and a view of the Prumirim island, which is popular among divers and can be accessed by a boat ride. The Prumirim river flows here to the sea.
Saco da Ribeira.
Sununga.
Toninhas. An urban beach that does not look urban at all, being surrounded by trees instead of roads and buildings. One can walk from there to Praia Grande by a small trail.
Ubatumirim. Long, broad and flat beach, perfect for walking, jogging and other sports. One of the few beaches that is easily accessible by car and not inside a suburb or condominium,instead containing some camping facilities.
Vermelha do Norte. Beautiful beach with thick and red sands, strong waves indicated for surfing, and a small waterpark for children.
Vermelha.

Almada.

Brava.

Cedro.

Enseada.

Félix. Beach with preserved natural surroundings, despite being next to a condominium. It is popular among surfers, although slightly less than Itamambuca.

Grande. The most popular beach in town, over 2 km long with a wide sandy area and strong waves that are good for surfing. With younger crowds and many kioks.

Itaguá. Ubatuba's central beach is not suitable for bathing, but it can be very pleasant place for walking or cycling at morning, or having a snack or a drink during the evening.

Itamambuca, access via a sidestreet at Km 34 of BR-101 (15km north of downtown. Famous beach that hosts international surfing competitions. Like Félix, it is at a condominium complex but has preserved natural surroundings. It is also where the Itamambuca river flows into the sea. The river is not suitable for bathing, but you can make a short boat ride there.

Lázaro. Beach with beautiful surroundings, popular among families due to its calm waters.

Maranduba.

Perequê.

Prumirim. Wonderful beach and a view of the Prumirim island, which is popular among divers and can be accessed by a boat ride. The Prumirim river flows here to the sea.

Saco da Ribeira.

Sununga.

Toninhas. An urban beach that does not look urban at all, being surrounded by trees instead of roads and buildings. One can walk from there to Praia Grande by a small trail.

Ubatumirim. Long, broad and flat beach, perfect for walking, jogging and other sports. One of the few beaches that is easily accessible by car and not inside a suburb or condominium,instead containing some camping facilities.

Vermelha do Norte. Beautiful beach with thick and red sands, strong waves indicated for surfing, and a small waterpark for children.

Vermelha.

Prumirim Waterfall, Rio-Santos (BR101) (19 km north from city center, near Prumirim bridge. It is actually a sequence of waterfalls, surrounded by exhuberant rainforest. Easily accessible by a short trail from the Rio-Santos road; check the signs for "Cachoeira de Prumirim". It is possible to swim, but some care, specially with children, is advised.

Automobile Museum, Rua Tapajós 65 - Itaguá. Thurs-Sun.

Caiçara Museum. Exhibits items produced by the traditional caiçara communities, coast-dwelling fishing communities.

Projeto Tamar, Praia do Itaguá. The local unit of the country's most important sea turtle conservation project offers the chance to get up close and personal with the sea turtles.

Serra do Mar National Park, Picinguaba Unit. Contiguous with Serra da Bocaina National Park.

Ubatuba Aquarium.

Trekking or hiking at Ubatuba's dozens of forest trails. Reach various deserted beaches, waterfalls and even some indigenous tribes
Scuba diving at the islands (Anchieta, Vitória and Prumirim)
Surfing at Itamambuca, Félix, Vermelha do Norte and other great surfing points
Climb Corcovado - Not the famous statue-crested peak of Rio de Janeiro, Ubatuba's Corcovado Peak can be reached by a trail from Praia Dura, offering a pretty, albeit Jesus-free, view of the area. The trail is poorly-signposted and hard to follow, however, so it is best to arrange for a guide through the tourist information center (see the Understand section above).

Trekking or hiking at Ubatuba's dozens of forest trails. Reach various deserted beaches, waterfalls and even some indigenous tribes

Scuba diving at the islands (Anchieta, Vitória and Prumirim)

Surfing at Itamambuca, Félix, Vermelha do Norte and other great surfing points

Climb Corcovado - Not the famous statue-crested peak of [[Rio de Janeiro]], Ubatuba's Corcovado Peak can be reached by a trail from Praia Dura, offering a pretty, albeit Jesus-free, view of the area. The trail is poorly-signposted and hard to follow, however, so it is best to arrange for a guide through the tourist information center (see the [[#Understand|Understand]] section above).

There are many tourist-oriented shops on Rua Guarani and in the north part of R. Leovegildo Dias de Oliveira, in front of the Itaguá beach. The area becomes quite crowded during evenings on high season and holidays, and contains shops, restaurants, bars and kioks in the beach front.

The "actual" commercial center of the city is Av. Thomás Galhardo, where you can find more general products and services. The area is being revitalized, to make it a popular spot among local and tourists.

Specialties in Ubatuba include locally-harvested mussels and peixe azul marinho, blue marine fish served and pirão de banana verda, a dish made with manioc flour and green bananas.

Perequim Restaurante e Pizzaria, Rua Guarani 385, +55 12 3832-1354. Pasta and pizza, with more than 60 brands of beer and 100 wines on offer.
Rei do Peixe, Rua Guarani 480 - Itaguá, +55 12 3832-3272. Specializes in seafood. All dishes are large portions intended for two people.

Perequim Restaurante e Pizzaria, Rua Guarani 385, +55 12 3832-1354. Pasta and pizza, with more than 60 brands of beer and 100 wines on offer.

Rei do Peixe, Rua Guarani 480 - Itaguá, +55 12 3832-3272. Specializes in seafood. All dishes are large portions intended for two people.

Anchieta Café, Av. Tamoios, 64, +55 12 3833-4232.
Areia Summer House, Rodovia Rio Santos, km 101 - Praia Vermelha do Norte, +55 12 3836-2261.
Coyote Bar, R Coronel Domiciano 74 - Centro, +55 12 3832-4856. Th-Sa from 18:00.
Friends Lounge and Club. Good spot for a caipirinha.
180°, Félix Guisard 11 - Prainha, +55 12 3832-6991. This nightclub, in an old Matarazzo family mansion, has three dance floors, six bars, a pizza restaurant and snack bar. National and international DJs spin all types of electronic music for a mostly 20-something crowd. Up to R$30, depending on the event.

Anchieta Café, Av. Tamoios, 64, +55 12 3833-4232.

Areia Summer House, Rodovia Rio Santos, km 101 - Praia Vermelha do Norte, +55 12 3836-2261.

Coyote Bar, R Coronel Domiciano 74 - Centro, +55 12 3832-4856. Th-Sa from 18:00.

Friends Lounge and Club. Good spot for a caipirinha.

180°, Félix Guisard 11 - Prainha, +55 12 3832-6991. This nightclub, in an old Matarazzo family mansion, has three dance floors, six bars, a pizza restaurant and snack bar. National and international DJs spin all types of electronic music for a mostly 20-something crowd. Up to R$30, depending on the event.

Ubatuba is generally a safe place. There is no place to be really avoided during the day, at least not a place that a visitor has reason to go. Walking during the night is generally fine, but consider driving or taking a cab if the place where you want to go is more than a few blocks away. During high season and holidays, R. Guarani and R. Leogevildo Dias de Oliveiro are pretty safe during the evening, since there will be many people there.

As you may expect from a rainforest area, mosquitos will be a serious nuisance in most places. Using a good repellent in all but the most urban beaches is advised.

Anchieta Island State Park
Paraty, just north of Ubatuba, is a historical and coastal town and one of the main destinations of Rio de Janeiro state

Anchieta Island State Park