North Coastline
The beaches of the North Coast of São Paulo stretch out over picturesque fishermen villages and small cities. To the north of Guarujá, the first city is Bertioga, where there is an old fort that keeps, until today, the memory of Hans Staden, a German adventurer who was kidnapped in the 16th century by the Tupinambás, a tribe of Brazilian native indians. Hans Staden escaped from being devoured by the cannibal indians and, after that, wrote his memories and made a series of drawings that are considered to be the first existing images of Brazil.
The next city is São Sebastião with its dozens of beaches of deep blue sea. Founded in the end of 16th century, the region was crowded with sugar cane mills and coffee crops. Today, its economy is based on the tourism, on the fishing industries and also on port activities since São Sebastião is home to the second largest port in the country. A historic city, São Sebastião is home to lots of old buildings and remains of the colonial period. The city houses 78 kilometers of landscapes and exuberant beaches such as Enseada, Cigarras, Guaecá, Toque-Toque Grande, Toque-Toque Pequeno, Paúba, Maresias, Boissucanga, Camburi, Barra do Sahy and Juquehy, among others.
Ilhabela, the largest Brazilian sea island, with almost 350,000 square meters, is also in the North Coast. There are more than 60 beaches in Ilhabela, widely known as the paradise for those who like water sports. Ilhabela has 150 kilometers of coasts and beaches, some of them wild and accessible only by boat. Parque Estadual de Ilhabela (Ilhabela State Park) is home to four hundred waterfalls and a great variety of trees and plants. The island attracts people who like sports such as sailing, yachting, surfing, underwater hunting, and swimming.
Further to the North, next to the state of Rio de Janeiro, Caraguatatuba and Ubatuba offer an amazing scenario. There, the beauty of dozens of beaches and the blue sea contrast with the green of the Atlantic Forest. Ubatuba's first inhabitants were the native indians Tamoios. The city was scene to a number of historic events such as Confederação dos Tamoios, when the native indians attacked Portuguese explorers.
Caraguatatuba, on the other hand, was known by the native indians Tupi as the "high and low seashore." The city's geographic formation is characterized by many reefs and sand undulations. Pedra do Jacaré, at Prainha, and also Pedra do Sapo were originated from these rock formations. Rio das Pedras, with its several waterfalls, adds beauty to Caraguatatuba.
Another must-see attraction is Ubatuba. Founded on October 28, 1637, its name was originated from two indian words: "Uba", "Tuba", which means "many canoes". It was in Ubatuba that the priest Anchieta wrote his poem to Virgin Mary, with more than 4,000 verses. Ubatuba, aside from its rich history, has beautiful beaches, what makes it a perfect place for the holidays. Click here to get more information about the city.