Ubatuba – quick travel guide

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Small beach city which gets crazy crowded sometimes, mostly family-oriented beaches but also a few nice chill beaches as well.

Although I had a great time going early Jan 2025, I recommend you absolutely avoid during high season because you’ll have both crappy weather (lots of rain) and too much overcrowding. Car traffic all day long making exploring other beaches by car impossible, and lots of people on the beaches. Go during low season and it’ll feel like a more magical quieter beach town.

3 days is enough. Not practical to stay longer because of inconvenience…not as walkable compared to other beach towns. Many areas are far from each other, and beaches are not that nice.

Where to stay:

  • Centro – centralized location being in city center but also between centrally located between north and south beaches. Not my favorite. Not the prettiest beach or boardwalk, not the best shops, not the best beach (you can’t really swim here). I would only pick here if you wanted cheap accommodation and had a car (or bicycle) to take you to the better beaches. Public transport is too inconvenient for but would also work.
  • Itagua – probably best and most recommended area for most people. Lots of accommodations available, has many nice restaurants, bars, and shop, and a beautiful boardwalk along the water. Beach is not swimmable but the nice boardwalk with bike lane, can help entertain your walk or bike ride to the better beaches. Itagua is also a very central location so many taxis/rideshare available. Most of all, Itagua is not crazy crowded, it has more of the beach town vibe compared to the downtown-looking Centro or noisy-family Praia Grande. The best area of Itagua (in middle of nice restaurants, bars, shops and busy boardwalk) is right by Monoquilha Bar n’ Brunch.
  • Itamambuca – totally residential area. Feels more like a beach village compared to downtown city Centro or posh beach boardwalk Itagua. Hardly any commercial establishments. So can be a bit inconvenient if you want to find restaurants, shops, or other commercial things. But very beautiful beach and escape from the crowds. You’re also very close to the beautiful Praia do Felix. Perhaps, you can manage food by using delivery app or cook at home.
  • Praia Grande – good for families having walking distance to multiple kid-friendly beaches. But not a great if you wanted the most beautiful or most chill beaches, and to be away from crowds.
  • Pereque-Acu – cheaper accommodation in central more rundown residential area. Yes, it appears close to the water but the river and beaches around here are not recommended for swimming. Even the sand is dirty, too. I wouldn’t stay here unless you have a car, and don’t mind that the area sucks. It doesn’t look pretty.
  • south areas (Enseada, Saco da Ribeira) – looks like nice areas with many beaches to choose from but I haven’t explored there. Only passed by on bus. Seems a good place to stay if you don’t want to drive all the way to Ubatuba.

First consideration is whether you have a car. With a car, you can get around easier, pick from wider range of accommodation locations), and also able to see more beaches. Does being able to see more beaches really matter? Perhaps no, if you’re happy with seeing 1 or 2 per day and will stick to only the best ones. Also, if you’re only going to visit a few beaches…you might be ok with using a bike one day and then taxi another day.

Without a car, you have to consider what you care about most? Overall convenience (restaurants & shops, family oriented beaches & activities), or the most beautiful beaches.

Hostels & Hotels:

  • Golden Garden Hostel:
    • Booked here and so happy. The owners are a lovely couple running this place with an amazing vibe. The atmosphere is lovely and easy to meet people. Chill vibe with all necessary amenities. They have bike rentals as well to help you cover the longer distances.
    • I honestly think the tent experience may be better than being in the mixed dorms in the house…because the dorm beds are so annoyingly small and flimsy, and cramped space for luggage. Also, the house only has 1 bathroom which is ALWAYS full…and all alternate bathrooms are outside by the tent. Being in the tent outside, you’re still comfy on beds, closer to multiple available bathrooms, and less noise of too many people in one room.
  • Other hostels I checked mostly all had issues of being too small, too noisy, too dirty, and bad service.

Neighborhoods, walking areas, public squares:

  • Boardwalk –

Activities to do:

  • Viewpoints, landmarks, sunsets, hikes:
    • Farol do Cruzeiro – this tiny lighthouse has view of water around.
  • Buildings & architecture:
  • Parks, gardens, green spaces:
  • Beaches, bridges, water-points:
    • Knowing what I know now, I’d say the most beautiful and enjoyable beaches are Praia de Itamambuca and Praia do Felix. All other big ones are annoyingly crowded. The nice small ones can be harder to reach.
    • Boardwalk –
    • Central beaches
      • Praia de Iperoig – perhaps nice to look at but it’s not for swimming as the water is kind of dirty. Nobody really goes here except to hang by the water and maybe some kids play in the sand.
      • Praia de Itagua – same as Iperoig. These 2 are the most central beaches to the city center.
    • Going north
      • Prainha do Matarazzo – heard it was a nice tiny beach right in middle of the city, but not so nice anymore with trash.
      • Praia do Pereque-Acu – walked here and saw exactly what Google Maps reviewers were saying…that the water is dirty, smelly, and not for swimming. Sand is dirty color, too. You can hangout here away from the water and enjoy a non-crowded ocean view. If you must get in the water, it’s better at the north end. My guess is it’s always dirty and smelly where rivers passing the city dump out into the ocean.
        • Praia da Barra Seca – small beach, not the best but can be pleasant out of season.
        • Praia Saco da Mae Maria – beautiful tiny oasis, because few are willing to pass the dense jungle and dangerous rocks to get here.
        • Praia Vermelha Do Norte – small beach, not crowded because it lacks restaurants and also because the waves are for surfing and not kids-suitable.
        • Praia do Alto – small beautiful, one of the best in Ubatuba. Requires a hike from the car path but you’re rewarded with a nice uncrowded beach AND there’s kiosks.
      • Praia de Itamambuca – the nicest big beach in the area, many people’s favorite. Big space and restaurant conveniences, also kid-friendly and still some nice waves but also not so crowded. Lots of young sexy people here. Busiest part is the south. I’m guessing the more expensive accommodation pricing of this area is a part of this.
        • Praia Brava De Itamambuca – really beautiful (shallow beach with rocks and lagoon). Not busy because of the confusing path to get here. See helpful tips.
        • Praia do Felix – absolutely beautiful beach. Also worth climbing around the very edges to see the other connected beautiful beaches…Praia do Portugues and Prais das Conchas.
    • Going south
      • Prainha do Cais – totally paved the whole way so it’s nice to walk or bike here. Then you can see a nice sunset, and maybe also some turtles fish and other wildlife here. But it’s not recommended for anything else. Not many swim since it’s dangerous along the rocks and no lifeguard.
        • Praia do Flavio – I didn’t go this small beach next over. But read it kinda disappears during low tide, and has rocks on bottom making it dangerous.
      • Praia do Cedro – secluded cove beach on backside of a peninsula. Beautiful setting but super packed during high season. Tons of cars drive all the way in and they short hike down to the beach. Everyone else going on foot or bike will be slower because of the hills before the beach. One beach restaurant here. You might be able to stomach the crowd by climbing the rocks on right or left side.
      • Praia Vermelha – strangely way less crowded than other beaches despite being easily accessible and having restaurants, etc. The north is the surfer side, less busy and has nice rocks to sit away from the crowd. The south side is more crowded, families and kids, etc. Beautiful view of greenery around. There’s also a shallow river for kids to play.
      • Praia do Tenorio – super crowded, we skipped and went dinner instead.
      • Praia Grande – absolutely crazy and crowded, many restaurants, people everywhere. Just driving past it, we saw enough of it. I hear one side is good for surfing and other end is for playing in the water.
      • Praia de Enseada – super crowded beach as well when our bus came past. So we had no desire to see it.
      • There are so beaches and some do look amazing but most were crowded from what we saw. Also, the distance is so far from here that it’s not recommended unless you know a very specific beach and that your car won’t be stuck in 2-hour traffic.
  • Arts, museums, culture:
  • Markets, shopping:
    • Many shops and boutiques. Enjoy!
  • Tours:
    • Boat tours – many of them take you to several nice beaches. The good thing is you get to see all nice beaches in one convenient tour. The bad thing is you’re being dropped off at the same time with tons of people from other boat tours. All of you crowding the same beaches in the same areas. Maybe a good idea off-season. During high season, I’d suggest you go to the nice beaches for a couple hours to enjoy it when the boat crowd leaves.

Restaurants & Cafes:

  • Monoquilha Bar n’ Brunch – nice restaurant and has outdoor seating right next to outdoor gym (so you can knock some sets out while waiting). Has indoor seating upstairs with sea view as well. Bottom area has music, upstairs more peaceful quiet and seems good for coworking.
  • Jardim Restaurante e Pizzeria – nice and good, kinda highend pricing.
  • Buffet restaurants:
    • Moringa Restaurante – expensive buffet restaurant. Food looks nice, but pricing is higher than other buffet style restaurants.
    • Sabor do Mar – mid price buffet restaurant but good food and nice looking restaurant.
    • Marlin Azul Restaurante & Pizzeria – cheap buffet restaurant. I didn’t try cuz the food didn’t look enticing enough to my friend.
  • The Best Acai – by far my favorite. Huge store and with many options; their acai seems fresher as well. Go here!
  • Maria Farinha Paes Artesanais – nice traditional bakery, big and with nice decor. But I was full and didn’t try anything.

Bars, clubs, and nightlife:

  • Many bars or bar restaurant, but in terms of a more party club or party bar vibe…you’ll likely find that on Fridays. Most will be samba type of stuff. I imagine the “nightlife” would be in the Itagua and Centro areas. Maybe by Praia Grande as well.

Miscellaneous tips:

  • Brazil – quick travel guide
  • Transportation:
    • Buses – they work and many are available. But I didn’t use so I don’t know how often each line comes.
    • Rideshare – 99 and Uber apps both work well.
    • Bicycle – long well-marked bike lanes that are frequently used. Will help you bike longer distances quickly.
  • Mosquitos – I found it strange that my first visit in Jan 6-9, 2024 (lots of rain), had very few mosquitos. Very happy I wasn’t chewed up like the previous year on Ilha Bela.
  • Thieves – careful of thieves breaking into your car while you’re at the beach. I imagine this happens more on the small car-accessible beaches in the north (near Pereque-Acu) and less for crowded beaches with lots of people. Some beaches, your car can be visible even from the beach.

Itinerary:

  • DAY 1 – head to Praia da Itamambuca beach and hang out until sunset, then eat in Itagua. If you still got some energy at night, can walk the boardwalk from the lighthouse down to the Ubatuba sign.
  • DAY 2 – head to Praia do Felix, explore the 2 small beaches around its sides.
  • DAY 3 – explore the Ponta Grossa peninsula. I’d recommend biking up to it and then walking around.
  • DAY 4 – explore farther beaches.

Nearby towns:

  • Ilha Bela – good for families and couples. More of a commercial vibe than a chill backpackers vibe. I found most beaches here too crowded for my liking, and I also hate hate the sandflies…they’re so hard to kill, leave more painful bites than mosquitos, and their bites can leave permanent scarring on your skin.
  • Paraty* – lovely small beach town vibe. Nice beaches, but nothing on the level of Ilha Grande’s beauty.
  • Trindade* – nice hipster town.
  • Ilha Grande* – most beautiful beaches in the immediate area.

Unfiltered notes:

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