Santos Trip Overview
Starts in Santos and ends in the city of Rio de Janeiro!
Take an amazing guided tour between Santos and Rio de Janeiro going through one of the most scenic drives in the world in a 4-day trip.
This tour is suitable for those who are going to arrive at the seaport on a cruise ship or are at a hotel in town and has as their final destination Rio de Janeiro. Extend your trip for a few days to discover hidden gems and marvelous landscapes such as bays, coves, springs, islands, mangroves, waterfalls, trails, and yet beautiful beaches.
The touristic route outlines the Atlantic ocean and sandy beaches on one side, and on the other side an astonishing green and protected mountain range that extends along the southeast coast of Brasil.
Following pick-up in Santos, the itinerary goes through the cities of Bertioga, São Sebastião, Caraguatatuba, Ubatuba, Paraty, Angra dos Reis and Rio de Janeiro driving for about 600 km with multiple stops on your rhythm as the guide goes at your pace.
Additional Info
Duration: 4 days
Starts: Santos, Brazil
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Cultural Tours
Explore Santos Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Santos, State of Sao Paulo, Brazil
Starts in Santos and ends in the city of Rio de Janeiro!
Take an amazing guided tour between Santos and Rio de Janeiro going through one of the most scenic drives in the world in a 4-day trip.
This tour is suitable for those who are going to arrive at the seaport on a cruise ship or are at a hotel in town and has as their final destination Rio de Janeiro. Extend your trip for a few days to discover hidden gems and marvelous landscapes such as bays, coves, springs, islands, mangroves, waterfalls, trails, and yet beautiful beaches.
The touristic route outlines the Atlantic ocean and sandy beaches on one side, and on the other side an astonishing green and protected mountain range that extends along the southeast coast of Brasil.
Following pick-up in Santos, the itinerary goes through the cities of Bertioga, São Sebastião, Caraguatatuba, Ubatuba, Paraty, Angra dos Reis and Rio de Janeiro driving for about 600 km with multiple stops on your rhythm as the guide goes at your pace.
Itinerary
Day 1: DAY 1 – Pick-up in Santos / Port To São Sebastião – Discover The Beauties Of São Sebastião
Stop At: Sao Sebastiao, Sao Sebastiao, State of Sao Paulo
After the guide picks you up, the drive goes towards the northern coast of the state of São Paulo.
The drive goes through mountains on winding roads, with incredible viewpoints of sceneries spanning along all the vastness of the valleys and escarpments laying beside the ocean, locations ideal for photo stops and contemplation.
The 1st day is designed to be spent day and night time in the city of São Sebastião, which is a popular spot on weekends and holidays for beach-goers. Explore its neighborhoods with commercial centers and urban beaches.
Each beach has its own life, with inns, bars, restaurants, and shops. With so much movement, the nightlife is guaranteed. On the streets taken by cool bars and sophisticated restaurants, traffic is constant. Despite the buzz around it, São Sebastião preserves historic center, taken over by nice colonial houses and chapels that maintain the simple original.
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Juquehy Beach, Avenida Mae Bernarda, Sao Sebastiao, State of Sao Paulo 11623-304 Brazil
Get ready to spend a relaxing day on a popular busy sandy beach near snack bars and restaurants having appetizers and sipping drinks beachfront.
Juquehy beach, in the city of São Sebastião, has a long strip of clear soft sand, almost 4 km long with an excellent infrastructure. It brings together all the good in one place: wonderful beach, magnificent sunsets, hikes, Stand Up Paddles, Kayaks, Surfboards, nearby river, good waves for surfing, or calm waters on the other end to enjoy with kids.
In addition, it is one of the busiest beaches in the region, with two super charming mini-malls and excellent restaurants.
Duration: 6 hours
Stop At: Juquehy Beach, Avenida Mae Bernarda, Sao Sebastiao, State of Sao Paulo 11623-304 Brazil
Once night falls, we are going to go out exploring the nightlife areas of the charming town. The city is reputed to offer excellent options for those who want to extend the fun beyond the sand, sea and sun.
The excitement in São Sebastião begins with the sunset, when tourists leave the beaches and go to strategic bars to have a cold beer and delicious snacks while seeing the sunset.
Duration: 3 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotels.
Accommodation included: Centrally-located 3-star hotel or inn accommodation with air conditioning.
Day 2: DAY 2 – São Sebastião To Ubatuba – Discover The Beauties Of Ubatuba
Stop At: Ubatuba, Ubatuba, State of Sao Paulo
The 2nd day is planned to be spent in the city of Ubatuba, which is an area densely occupied on the roadside beaches, and becomes more rustic and wild towards the sea.
The beaches of Ubatuba are spread over 100 km, the attractions appear in the form of inlets and bays of green and blue waters, framed almost always by the dense vegetation.
There are dozens of waterfalls, islands, and many trails. Along the Serra do Mar State Park there are trekking options that cover deserted beaches, cliffs, rivers and ruins, always surrounded by the Atlantic forest.
Seafood restaurants are all around the downtown having as highlight the traditional recipe of fish with banana, called Azul-Marinho.
Tourists can also pay a visit to the TAMAR project, which is an ONG that aims to preserve and manage five species of sea turtles that occur in Brazil, all endangered.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Projeto Tamar, R. Antonio Atanazio, 273, Ubatuba, State of Sao Paulo 11680-000 Brazil
Tourists can pay a visit to the TAMAR project, which is an ONG that aims to preserve and manage five species of sea turtles that occur in Brazil, all endangered. The TAMAR in Ubatuba has a complete infrastructure for environmental education and leisure, including tanks and aquariums.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Cedro Beach, Litoral Sul, Ubatuba, State of Sao Paulo Brazil
One the most incredible hikes on the North Coast of São Paulo is the one called “Seven Beaches trail” (Travessia das Sete Praias) that goes along the coast in a rich area of native Atlantic Forest revealing deserted beaches and sceneries with breathtaking viewpoints.
A stop to enjoy the sea and the amazing view of Cedro Sul beach, considered one of the 10 most beautiful and peaceful beaches in Brazil.
After the hike, enjoy the day at the beach eating appetizers, freshly prepared seafood and having delicious caipirinhas. Head out for swims in the river or the sea. Ask the guide for the beach’s hidden spots like trails to waterfalls, viewpoints and other nearby isolated beaches. Get to know the local traditional community of hospitable fishermen that live there for generations.
Duration: 6 minutes
Meals included:
• Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotels.
Accommodation included: Centrally-located 3-star hotel or inn accommodation with air conditioning.
Day 3: DAY 3 – Ubatuba To Paraty – Discover The Beauties Of Paraty
Stop At: Paraty, Paraty, State of Rio de Janeiro
In the evening, go to Paraty on a road that cuts in-numerous beaches with all kinds of wonderful views. From Ubatuba to Paraty, the stretch passes through a large uninhabited area, with mountains and preserved forests.
At first glance, it seems that time stopped in Paraty, a small town squeezed between the mountains and the sea and that had its peak in the Gold Cycle. The Historic Center preserved its colonial mansions, churches from the 18th and 19th centuries and streets paved by slaves where car traffic is prohibited.
The 3rd day can be spent touring around in the historic city that has a myriad of activities to do and things to see. Walk around the alleys to see a pulsating, charming city, with people, accents and tastes from all over the world, combining tradition and modernity.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Centro Historico de Paraty, Centro Historico Paraty, Paraty, State of Rio de Janeiro 23970-000 Brazil
Paraty is an example of the preservation and richness of colonial architecture. It is one of those cities where history is impregnated in the walls, in the houses, on the floor, in the people who pass by. It pays to save part of your day just getting to know it on a walking tour learning secrets, curiosities and little-known places in a walking tour through the charming Historic Center.
Listed by the National Historical Heritage Institute, the Historic Center of Paraty was built between the 17th and 19th centuries. But still, you will find colonial houses and churches, mostly in good conservation.
Many of the townhouses are occupied by bars, restaurants, inns and craft shops. We can easily spend many hours strolling through the Historic Center, exploring all it has to offer. From artistic interventions in the streets, to many shops to explore and good places to eat – from cheaper options to more “gourmet” ones.
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Serra da Bocaina National Park, Serra da Bocaina National Park, State of Sao Paulo
Serra da Bocaina National Park imposes itself as a grandiose preserved paradise extending from mountains to beaches. Ecotourism in the Park takes advantage of the most diverse natural attractions ranging from several waterfalls to peaks and viewpoints. That makes you have a unique experience of contact with nature.
The idea is that you enjoy a walking tour in charming Historic Center in the morning and hike to reach one of the beautiful waterfalls in the park in the afternoon.
Duration: 5 hours
Stop At: Centro Historico de Paraty, Centro Historico Paraty, Paraty, State of Rio de Janeiro 23970-000 Brazil
In the evening, Paraty gets even more charming. The lights of the Historic Center give an air of old times and turn the night walk into one of the best moments for tourists. It is irresistible to attend the delicious restaurants, sit at the tables on the sidewalk and enjoy life pass calmly.
After taking advantage of the historic center’s elaborate menus, why not sit in one of the bars, try a local cachaça and have fun listening to live music? In Paraty, you can quietly extend your dinner and continue enjoying the night.
Duration: 3 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotels.
Accommodation included: Centrally-located 3-star hotel or inn accommodation with air conditioning.
Day 4: DAY 4 – Paraty To Angra Dos Reis – Discover The Beauties Of Angra & Ilha Grande – End Of Tour In Rio
Stop At: Angra Dos Reis, Angra Dos Reis, State of Rio de Janeiro
The road between Paraty and the charming Angra dos Reis is a wonderful landscape. Dozens of islands appear at every turn on a coastline cut by bays and peninsulas, that has as its biggest tourist attraction Ilha Grande.
An island for every day of the year. Angra has no less than 365 islands and more than 2 thousand beaches, surrounded by the region’s characteristic green sea.
In the evening of the 4th day, the tour ends in one of the most beautiful cities in the world, Rio de Janeiro.
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Lagoa Azul, Angra Dos Reis, Ilha Grande, State of Rio de Janeiro Brazil
There are numerous activities to do in Angra dos Reis and all roads lead to the sea. With that said, we will then arrive at a marina to embark on a motorboat joining a small group tour to uncover the main offshore islands hopping from one paradise to another for about 6 hours.
On the tour, there are stops for swimming in enticing turquoise waters to dive among colorful fish, and yet explore wild or busy beaches experiencing culture, food and marvelous paradises including the main postcard island Ilha Grande that is absolutely breathless.
Ilha Grande is one of the great diving spots in Brazil. Amateur and advanced divers find underwater attractions to have fun! With clean crystalline waters of pleasant temperature, it’s one of the largest concentrations of shipwrecks in the world as it was a territory of battles between pirates and corsairs along the history.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Lagoa Azul, Angra Dos Reis, Ilha Grande, State of Rio de Janeiro Brazil
The boat tour in a shared group and with stops for pictures, contemplation, exploration, snacks or lunch, and a little shopping for souvenir.
Blue lagoon is one of the postcards of Ilha Grande, perfect spot for diving. The tonality of the water is incredible and the natural pools are very pleasant.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Lagoa Verde, Ilha Grande, Fronteira entre a Praia da Longa e a Praia Grande de Aracatiba . Este ponto turístico é uma atração pública na natureza), Angra Dos Reis, Ilha Grande, State of Rio de Janeiro Brazil
It is one of the best places for snorkeling. There you will surely find many little fishes to be fed. Lagoa Verde has calm, transparent, and green waters.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Praia de Japariz, Angra Dos Reis, Ilha Grande, State of Rio de Janeiro 23968-000 Brazil
Japariz beach is a good stop for a break for lunch and a little shopping. It is inhabited by a small community of fishermen and traders who maintain intense communication with the continent.
Tourists can also take this opportunity to visit the nearby pretty Funil beach. Located among the mountain, the forest and the sea it’s worth taking 15 minutes from the lunch time for visiting it. It has very clear waters and very calm sea, like a lake.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Stop At: Feiticeira Beach, Angra Dos Reis, Ilha Grande, State of Rio de Janeiro Brazil
Praia da Feiticeira is majestic for its natural beauty, surrounded by trees, flowers and many wild animals, and the typical sound of the Atlantic Forest.
Duration: 40 minutes
Stop At: Praia do Amor, Angra Dos Reis, Ilha Grande, State of Rio de Janeiro Brazil
Tradition says that couples who kiss on the sand at Praia do Amor will never be apart. When in doubt, better not risk it! The pit stop serves only to fulfill the tradition and not give luck to the bad luck.
In the evening of the 4th day, the tour ends in one of the most beautiful cities in the world, Rio de Janeiro.
Duration: 40 minutes
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
