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I Finally Found the Secret Beach Walks in Ubatuba Sao Paulo
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items Planning a trip to Ubatuba but every blog recommends the same crowded beaches? Same thing happened to me. I spent two weeks hiking, getting lost, and asking locals before I found the trails and spots that actually felt remote. This is for anyone who ...
Map
Sections
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Secluded Trails That Lead to Empty Beaches
Snorkeling Spots You Can Walk To
Waterfall Detours Near the Coast
Where to Eat After a Long Beach Walk
Gear That Survived Two Weeks of Jungle and Salt Water
Secluded Trails That Lead to Empty Beaches
Every popular beach in Ubatuba had someone trying to rent me a kayak before I even put my towel down. These trails took me to stretches of sand where I could actually hear the ocean instead of a Bluetooth speaker.
Start at Praia do Prumirim and hike south through seven beaches that get emptier as you go. By beach four, I had the whole cove to myself. Wear shoes with grip because the rocks between beaches get slippery after rain. For anyone who wants that Robin...
Trail of 7 Beaches
Grab a bottle of water and head out from Praia Grande do Bonete. The trail drops you at Cedro, which has no road access. I showed up on a Tuesday and counted exactly three other people. If you hate crowded tourist beaches, this one will reset your wh...
Praia do Cedro (ou Cedrinho) - Guia de Destinos
Short hike from Praia da Almada through Atlantic Forest. Took me about 25 minutes and I was standing on a wild beach with waves crashing against huge rocks. Bring a waterproof bag because the trail crosses a small stream. Perfect for photographers wh...
Trilha da Praia Brava da Almada
Walk past the ruins of an old fort and then the trail opens up to a quiet rocky beach. I sat there sketching for two hours and nobody walked by. Go early morning when the light hits the water just right. This one is for the person who needs a break f...
Trilha para a Praia da Fortaleza
Snorkeling Spots You Can Walk To
I packed my snorkel gear expecting to need a boat. Turns out some of the clearest water in Ubatuba is a short walk from the road, you just have to know which beaches have the right conditions.
Swim out to the left side of Praia do Felix during low tide and there are natural pools between the rocks full of small fish and sea urchins. I saw a seahorse here, no joke. Check the tide chart before you go or you will miss the pools entirely. Idea...
Search hotels in Praia do Felix - Brazil
This fishing village beach has a shallow reef close to shore. Toss on a mask and you can see parrotfish, starfish, and coral without swimming far. I stayed in the water for over an hour and my fingers were pruned beyond recognition. Best on calm days...
Praia de Picinguaba
Take the short boat ride from Picinguaba and snorkel right off the beach instead of joining the guided groups. The water is so clear it almost looks fake. Bring your own gear because rental stuff on the island was scratched up when I went. Stock up o...
Ilha das Couves
Tucked between Praia da Enseada and Praia do Flamengo, this tiny stretch has tide pools that form in the morning. I found anemones and tiny crabs just sitting in ankle-deep water. For anyone who geeks out over marine life but does not want to scuba d...
Praia do Meio Tide Times & Tide Charts
Waterfall Detours Near the Coast
Some of these waterfalls are literally a fifteen minute walk from the beach. I kept finding them by accident while looking for trailheads, and they became my favorite part of the whole trip.
Park near Praia do Prumirim and walk about ten minutes into the forest. The waterfall drops into a deep green pool surrounded by rocks perfect for sitting. I jumped off the lower ledge and immediately understood why every local told me to come here. ...
Prumirim Waterfall
Smaller and quieter than the famous ones. The hike in is shaded and smells like wet earth and wildflowers. I ate lunch on a flat rock next to the falls and it was the most peaceful hour of my entire trip. This spot is for the person who would rather ...
Cachoeira da Rocinha – Secretário
Deeper in the jungle near Praia da Fazenda. The trail takes about 40 minutes and crosses a couple streams. When I arrived, the waterfall was thundering from recent rain and the pool was ice cold. Wear quick-dry clothes because you will get soaked on ...
Cachoeira de Pajeú
Flat rock slides into a natural pool. I watched a family of locals sliding down the rocks and joined in after about three seconds of hesitation. The water is cold enough to make you gasp but warm enough to stay in. Bring water shoes because the rocks...
Cachoeira da Lagoa Azul
Where to Eat After a Long Beach Walk
After four hours of hiking in humidity, I needed more than a granola bar. These spots are close to trailheads and serve food that actually tastes like someone's grandmother made it.
Sit on the patio overlooking the water and order the moqueca. The broth is coconut-rich and packed with fresh fish caught that morning. I was sunburned and exhausted and this meal brought me back to life. For anyone who thinks Brazilian food is just ...
Peixe com Banana - Restaurantes: Ubatuba
Right near Praia da Almada, this tiny bar serves cold beer and grilled fish wrapped in banana leaves. No menu, just whatever Giba caught. I stumbled in after the Brava trail covered in mud and nobody blinked. Go hungry because the portions are enormo...
Bar do Gil (@bardogil_)
Try the shrimp bobó here. It is creamy, slightly spicy, and comes with rice that soaks up every drop. The restaurant sits on a hill with a view of the bay and I lingered way too long watching boats come in. Great for a slower dinner after a full day ...
HOTEL REFUGIO DO CORSARIO | ⋆⋆
Casual spot near the center of Ubatuba with acai bowls thick enough to stand a spoon in. I went here every morning before hitting the trails and it kept me fueled until lunch. They also make a tapioca with banana and cinnamon that I still think about...
Toca do Urso - Cervejaria Colorado
Gear That Survived Two Weeks of Jungle and Salt Water
My first day I wore cotton shorts and flip-flops on a trail. By noon I had blisters and my shorts were soaked through. After that disaster, I figured out what actually works for tropical coastal hiking.
Swap your flip-flops for these before you hit any trail near water. They drain fast, grip wet rocks, and I wore them snorkeling, hiking, and walking through town without switching shoes once. My feet survived two weeks of salt water and jungle mud wi...
Mens Hydro Moc Slip-Ons BLOOM® Performance Foam
Keep your phone, wallet, and snacks bone dry even when you are wading through streams to reach a beach. I dunked mine accidentally in a waterfall pool and everything inside was completely fine. Rolls up small enough to stuff in a pocket when you do n...
Ultralight Dry Sack 20 L - Packing Organization Accessory
Ditch the cotton tee. This thing dries in about twenty minutes and does not smell terrible after a sweaty hike, which is saying a lot in 90 percent humidity. I wore two of these on rotation for the entire trip and they held up through salt, sweat, an...
Men's Capilene® Cool Daily Shirt
Use this to fill up from streams along the trails instead of carrying three liters from town. It filters fast and weighs almost nothing. I drank from a creek near Cachoeira do Prumirim and felt fine, which is more than I can say for the time I truste...
Sawyer Squeeze