Best Santos and Sao Paulo Beaches

Praia da Feiticeira beach on Ilhabela island. Credit: Pri Lalli / Wikimedia

Whether visiting the Sao Paulo cruise port at Santos or Sao Paulo city itself, visitors won't want to miss out on the region's aquamarine waters, tropical sun, soft white sand and swaying palms.

1. Praia do Encanto Beach

A beautiful beach with a name meaning “chamer," Encanto is also known as the 5th beach and is famous for its serenity. Indeed, it's one of the quietest and calmest beaches in all of Brazil. Visitors can expect to see beach loungers sitting and reading under on the open beachfront. Such are the scenes of Encanto.

Most visitors get there by hotel transportation or with the aid of excursions and tour services as it's a tad out of the way of reach of a taxi unless chartered. However, hiring a private carriage may prove quite expensive.

There is also a nearby town, Garapua, which offers amenities such as restaurants, clubs and a variety of small attractions for tourists.

2. Santos

The port town of Santos, the oldest town in Brazil, is the largest shipping terminal in South America. Apart from offering world class logistics however, Santos also features the world's longest landscaped oceanfront garden running parallel to the four-mile-long beach. This beach has often been called the most beautiful beach in all of Sao Paulo.

While soaking up the sun here, guests can also pay a visit to Santos' memorial for the great soccer player, Pele. There is also a Coffee Museum that tells the history of Santo's role in trade and shipping. These allow for an indoor escape in case the rain rolls in.

3. Ilhabela

With an absolutely appropriate name, Ilhabela,“beautiful isle," lies just off the mainland and features a near-flawless coastline of powdery sands and aquamarine seas.

At more than 200 square miles, Ilhabela is Brazil's largest island covered by a massive layer of thick Atlantic coastal forest. It is home to exotic animals such as capuchin monkeys and portly blue manakins. The woods also feature 360 registered waterfalls including a few that permit swimming.

Almost every day, large crowds converge on the island to enjoy the beautiful beaches along the coast whether it's just for sailing on the open seas or relaxing at a beach bar, most find it's well worth it.

4. Guaruja Beaches

Of all the beaches in Sao Paulo, those found near Guaruja are among the most commercialized and tourist-oriented. As such, the beaches are often overcrowded. Still, there are plenty of restaurants, beach bars and hotel-related food vendors and other amenities for patrons.

The main beach, Pitangueiras, is particularly well known for overcrowding especially during the high season and on holidays.

5. Periube Beaches

In contrast to Guaruja, the beaches of Periube are quieter and less congested. These beaches are however located on the south coast of Sao Paulo. Here, visitors will find secluded beaches marked by small bays, inlets and lagoons, creating areas of complete peace and harmony along the shore.

There are in fact all of six islands in the Periube area, all with various tourist sights. There are a few of these beaches that require special forms of transportation to get there. In any case, it's best to organize visits with hotel staff or excursion companies.

If there is one thing visitors will not want to miss while in Brazil, it's life at the beach. Anyone visiting Sao Paulo will want to explore the wonderful beaches along the coast. They will find it to be well worth it.