This coastal Brazilian town has 27 beaches with white sand and clear waters. Palm trees line the shoreline, and local restaurants serve fresh seafood near the active city center.
Located 87 kilometers from São Paulo, Guarujá draws weekend visitors to its 27 beaches. You can watch surfers catch waves at Tombo Beach, swim in the calm waters of Pitangueiras Beach where food vendors sell fresh coconuts and grilled seafood, or walk the quiet shores of Praia Branca. At Acqua Mundo aquarium, you can see shark feeding sessions at 2 PM daily and visit the temperature-controlled penguin habitat, while the stone walls of Andradas Fort house 18th-century cannons and military equipment.
Getting to Guarujá
Take the Imigrantes highway (SP 160) or Anchieta Road (SP 150) from São Paulo - the drive takes about 45 minutes without traffic. Plan extra time during summer weekends and holidays when traffic can add 1-2 hours to your journey, especially after 4 PM. While the city plans to build its own Civil Metropolitan Aerodrome, you'll currently need to fly into São Paulo's airports.
Beaches and Swimming
The 27 beaches along Guarujá's coast range from developed to remote. At Pitangueiras Beach, you'll find rows of umbrellas, beach chairs for rent, and vendors selling drinks and snacks. Enseada Beach has a 4-kilometer boardwalk lined with food kiosks. Tombo Beach maintains water quality standards that earned it Blue Flag status, making it ideal for swimming. For a quieter experience, head to Praia Branca or Praia Preta, where you'll find stretches of sand backed by Atlantic forest with no buildings in sight.
Moving Around the City
Rent bikes from shops along Pitangueiras Beach to explore the waterfront areas. Local buses run between main beaches and central areas from 6 AM to 10 PM, with reduced service on Sundays. For evening transportation, use taxi apps or local taxi services, which are widely available throughout the tourist areas.
Food and Drinks
Beach vendors walk the sand selling fresh shrimp skewers, crab meat, açaí bowls, and grilled corn. In the city center, seafood restaurants serve local fish stews and grilled catches of the day. Beach kiosks extend their hours until midnight during summer months, serving cold beer, caipirinhas, and simple meals like fried fish with rice.
Best Times to Visit
Even in winter (June-August), temperatures reach 29°C (85°F) with regular sunshine. December through February brings crowds from São Paulo, filling beaches and increasing accommodation prices. July sees similar crowds during school breaks. Plan your visit in March, June, August, or October for smaller crowds and lower rates.
Neighborhoods to Explore
Walk along Avenida Leomil in Pitangueiras, where you'll find restaurants, beach supply shops, and ice cream parlors two blocks from the beach. Tombo's streets are lined with apartment buildings and local homes, giving you a glimpse of daily life. Vicente de Carvalho has produce markets and small shops where locals do their daily shopping.
