Guarujá
Guarujá, Southeast Brazil
Boasting 23 beaches, Guarujá is undoubtedly São Paulo’s beach city. Though its 300,000+ population is enormous compared to most fishing villages, it's tiny when related to São Paulo’s 12 million—its compact size makes it popular with travelers looking to enjoy its fast-paced nightlife and sandy stretches.
The basics
Built on an island just 1.5 hours from São Paulo, Guarujá’s 22-mile (35-kilometer) coastline includes hidden coves only accessible by motorbike, plus sandy beaches lined with high-end hotels, restaurants, and snack shacks. The longest beach, Enseada, has plenty of waves for experienced surfers—surfers looking for a quieter spot head to Tombo. Pitangueiras is the most famous beach and good for water sports, and there are also some spectacular hiking trails in the mountains
Tours range from abseiling to aquarium visits, but a popular way to visit Guarujá is on a day trip from São Paulo—tours typically combine time exploring Guarujá’s beaches with a stop in Santos, a coastal city famous for its historic center and coffee museum.
Things to know before you go
- Guarujá has a wide range of amenities, including a great selection of accommodations and restaurants.
- There are beaches for all budgets and tastes—some with resorts and swimming pools, and others that are hidden and unspoiled.
- Some of the beaches are inside private villages with restricted access (Praia Branca, Iporanga, and São Pedro)
How to get there
The closest airport is in São Paulo Congonhas, but it’s often more practical to fly to São Paulo Guarulhos Airport, from where direct buses leave daily to Guarujá. Guarulhos is also São Paulo’s biggest airport with direct flights to many US cities and to London too. By road, Guarujá is 1 ½ hours from São Paulo, and you can book transfers in advance.
When to get there
High season here is December through February, but the weather is hot year-round. Even in July, the coldest month, the average temperature is 70°F (21.1°C). Book accommodation in advance if you’re visiting between December and February, as rooms fill up fast.
Swap piña coladas for coffee
The coastal city of Santos is just across the bridge from Guarujá and has a fantastic museum on the region’s coffee-growing history. For a cup of Joe in Guarujá, head to O Rei do Trigo for inexpensive coffee and glass cabinets filled with every Brazilian pastry imaginable, or Georgia Café for the best brew in town enjoyed with a beach view.
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