São Sebastião is just a 3-hour drive from the capital. This region boasts islands, waterfalls and some of the nicest beaches on São Paulo coast. These tranquil shores feel worlds away from the roar of the city.

What makes it special?

São Sebastião stretches along 100 km of coastline. The town itself has a charming historical centre and a handful of well preserved colonial buildings to explore. However, it’s also a major port, so we recommend staying closer to the region’s many beaches – Maresias and Camburi are popular with younger crowds, while Barra do Sahy and Camburizinho are a little more family friendly.

We recommend taking the 15-minute ferry journey over to Ilhabela. This chic island is teeming with natural wonders, including dozens of idyllic beaches and some 400 waterfalls. The São Sebastião channel, which separates Ilhabela from the mainland, is a popular spot for sailing.

 

---

How to get to there – from São Paulo

Pássaro Marron run several buses daily from São Paulo (Tietê rodoviária) to São Sebastião (from 7.30am until 8pm) and back again (from 4.25am until 6.35pm). There are faster buses which take 3 hours, 50 minutes and some services take a longer route, which adds another hour and a half to the trip. Tickets cost around R$91 each way.

If you prefer to drive, you can take these routes:

• Follow the SP-070 (Trabalhadores/Ayrton Senna) and drive towards São José dos Campos. Then take the SP-099 (Tamoios) to Caraguatatuba. Then follow the BR-101 (Rio-Santos) south to São Sebastião.

• Follow the SP-150 (Anchieta) or SP-160 (Imigrantes). When you reach Cubatão, follow signs to Bertioga, north via BR-101 (Rio-Santos). São Sebastião is past Bertioga.

---

How to get to there – from Paraty

Viação UTIL operate a daily bus service from Paraty to São Sebastião (3.10am) and an additional service on Thursdays, Fridays, Sundays (12.30pm) and a twice-daily service back again (9am and 10pm). The journey takes about 3 hours and 10 minutes and costs around R$64.90 each way.

Alternatively, you can drive – the route is shown in the map below.

Last updated: 25 Nov 2023

_{Photo: Rogério Cassimiro – MTUR}