São Paulo is an incredible city for countless reasons, but its proximity to the coast is undoubtedly one of the things I love most. Many foreigners don't even consider the São Paulo coast when thinking about visiting Brazilian beaches, and that's a huge mistake! I've visited beaches in many parts of the world, and the São Paulo coast is, in my opinion, one of the most wonderful places in the world. The beaches are clean, with white sand and surrounded by the Atlantic Forest, which is a chapter in itself. Even if you're just passing through or on business, it's possible to be on a paradisiacal beach just a few hours away from the madness of the big city.
Thinking about that, I've listed here the five beaches I like the most within a three-hour drive from downtown São Paulo. So don't forget to pack your swimsuit and prepare yourself for a wonderful time at the beach the next time you come to São Paulo.
Maresias
Distance from São Paulo: 2h40min (by car)
I have a special place in my heart for Maresias because I lived there for almost two years. It’s like this small town (it's really more of a neighborhood) that perfectly blends great food and lodging with a super chill vibe. Sure, it gets packed on weekends and holidays, but there’s always room for everyone.
Known for its perfect waves, Maresias is all about surfing. No matter the season, you can always find good waves along its 5km stretch of white sand. But if you’re just learning, be careful, the waves can get pretty big most days. If you want to do something different, check out "Sete Quedas Waterfall". It’s a hidden gem!
For food, I recommend the “PF Caiçara” at Terral, a cold beer at sunset in Badauê, or a pizza at A Firma.
Camburi e Camburizinho
Distance from São Paulo: 2h20min (by car)
These two beaches are separated by a small islet covered in trees and coconut palms, creating an incredible, cinematic view. Camburizinho, as the name suggests - "-inho" at the end of a word in Brazil means "little" - is the smaller of the two and is located on the left side when facing the sea. To its right is Camburi, which is much larger and usually more crowded.
The vibe here is definitely the coolest on the north coast! Surfing is part of the local culture, with consistent waves that aren't as big as Maresias. On the main avenue, right behind the beachfront houses, there are several bars and restaurants with live music in the afternoons and evenings.
The "Sertão de Camburi", a land that extends into the forest and a bit further from the beach, is a wonderful area of Atlantic Forest, with several houses and inns that create a completely different rural atmosphere from the beach vibe closer to the sea. Here you can find great options for inns at more affordable prices. Just be aware that you will need a car to get to the beach.
If you love eating like me, my recommendation is the Taioba restaurant, located in Sertão de Camburi. Founded by Eudes Assis, a "caiçara" - as we call locals from the coast of São Paulo -, the place combines the most traditional dishes of the coast with a touch of fine dining. Try the "Azul Marinho" - a fish stew with green banana - or the "Arroz Lambe-Lambe com Mariscos" - rice with mussels - after a day at the beach. It's an unforgettable gastronomic experience. I never get tired of visiting this restaurant and I'm sure you'll love it! :)
Toque-Toque Grande
Distância de São Paulo: 3h (by car)
This is definitely my favorite beach in the region. It's relatively small and doesn't have many restaurants or hotels, but it's simply wonderful. The beach is surrounded by huge trees that provide plenty of shade so you don't even need to worry about bringing a beach umbrella. Plus, the sea is usually very calm and perfect for those who like to snorkel and swim for hours.
Because there are almost no hotels or restaurants in the area, the beach is usually much less crowded than its neighbors, Maresias and Toque-Toque Pequeno. If you're looking for peace and quiet, this is the perfect choice. There are a few houses for rent very close to the beach. I recommend having a car so you can go to the supermarket or go out to a restaurant at night.
Toque-Toque Pequeno
Distance from São Paulo: 2h 50min (by car)
Located just 7km from Maresias, Toque-Toque Pequeno is one of the most charming beaches on the north coast. Here you'll find the perfect balance between good infrastructure and a paradisiacal atmosphere with an untouched feel. Contrary to what the name suggests, Toque-Toque Pequeno (Small) is the larger beach and Toque-Toque Grande (Big) is the smaller one. This is because the names refer to the two islands in front of the beaches, meaning that the smaller island is in front of the larger beach and the larger island is in front of the smaller one. Got it? ;)
There aren't many waves here, so be prepared to spend hours in the crystal-clear, warm water. If you want to do something different, contact Raúl (@toquetoquevaa) to arrange a trip in a Hawaiian canoe to Calhetas beach. It's an incredible experience. Don't forget to mention that Gustavo recommended it. ;)
After the beach, have an ice-cold beer and order the "Peixe ao molho de natas" - fish in cream sauce - at Pimenta de Cheiro. In my opinion, it's one of the best restaurants in the area with a very pleasant atmosphere and excellent service.
Juquehy
Distance from São Paulo: 2h 20min (by car)
If you're looking for comfort, safety, and amenities, this is the beach for you. Juquehy is a more "family-friendly" beach, with several hotels, as well as houses for rent. It's also the closest to São Paulo among the five beaches I've mentioned. In my opinion, it's not the coolest beach on the north coast, but I admit it is very nice. The town center has many restaurants, bars, and supermarkets.
A nice thing to do is to hire a boat on the beach and visit "as ilhas", the islands is front of the main beach. I've done this tour once and it's well worth it. If I'm not mistaken, the tour to one of the islands costs around R$25 and takes about 15 minutes. It's worth it and very different!
For food, I recommend the Badauê restaurant - the same one in Maresias - and the artisanal breads from Feito à Mão bakery.
How to Get There?
You can reach all of these beaches by bus (I recommend Clickbus.com.br), departing from Jabaquara Terminal, but besides taking longer, I think you'll end up missing out on a really cool part of the trip which is visiting other beaches besides the one you'll be staying at. So, I think it's worth renting a car for a few days to make the most of our coast.
Ooohh! Before I forget, besides these five beaches, there are many other wonderful options like Santiago, Paúba, Barra do Una or Barra do Sahy. Maybe I'll write a review about them soon. :)