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Brazil🇧🇷 | beachesPraia da LagoinhaSheltered bay, rocky-end snorkeling, forest trails, grilled fish | things to do and best time to go

Explore Porto de GalinhasExplore Praia da Pipa

Backpacking in Praia da Lagoinha
👀 For curious travelersbeach ranked #19
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 19, 2026

Praia da Lagoinha near Ubatuba is not the Lagoinha of Ceará or Florianópolis, and it has no lagoon to speak of, just a calm, curved bay. It sits on the São Paulo coast of Brazil, south of Ubatuba town. The sand is clean, the water is clear and flat enough for easy swimming, and snorkeling is decent at the rocky ends. Skip it for nightlife. The bus ride in dropped me at a dusty junction where a kiosk owner pointed me down a steep lane toward the sound of waves. Spend a first day swimming early, then eating cheap fish by the sand.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 Brazil Travel Guide.


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✨ Why go?
Ranked #19 beach in BrazilWhat makes it a must-see beach

Praia da Lagoinha works because the bay is sheltered, so you can float and snorkel along the rocky eastern end without fighting waves. The village behind the sand is small, with simple pousadas and family-run kitchens, which keeps costs low compared with the big Ubatuba beaches. It also fits a coastal route: you can pair it with the Ubatuba beach strip and keep moving toward Paraty or Caraguatatuba. Evenings are quiet, so it suits travelers who want to sleep well, read, and rinse salt off rather than chase a scene.

💡 HighlightsPlaces and moments you shouldn't skip

  1. Swimming in the main bay. The curved, sheltered water stays calm and clear, ideal for easy laps or floating.
  2. Snorkeling the rocky ends. Small fish gather around the boulders when visibility is good.
  3. Short coastal trails. Paths from the sand climb through Atlantic forest to quiet viewpoints over the bay.
  4. Beachfront fish lunches. Simple kiosks grill fresh catch with rice and fries, a good midday ritual.
  5. Sunset on the sand. The bay faces a mellow horizon, and locals gather with drinks as the sky shifts.
Most visitors never walk the forest trails at the edges of the bay, and they are the best way to see the coastline from above.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do near Praia da Lagoinha

Boat tour experience with snorkel mask included - BY NETUNO TOURS

Boat tour experience with snorkel mask included - BY NETUNO TOURS

4.9(1445) 5h
From €21
per personViator
Private Boat Tour

Private Boat Tour

5.0(470)
From €136
per personViator
Private 4x4 Jeep: Waterfalls and Distillery (6h) by Jango Paraty

Private 4x4 Jeep: Waterfalls and Distillery (6h) by Jango Paraty

5.0(288)
From €269
per personViator
Jeep Tour in Paraty: Waterfalls and Cachaça Experience

Jeep Tour in Paraty: Waterfalls and Cachaça Experience

4.9(309)
From €25
per personViator
Mangrove, Beaches and Islands by Kayak tour

Mangrove, Beaches and Islands by Kayak tour

5.0(257) 4h
From €50
per personViator
Exclusive Horseback Riding Experience in the mountains

Exclusive Horseback Riding Experience in the mountains

5.0(145) 4h
From €104
per personViator
Trip to the beaches of Trinidad - Nature & Sea BY PARATY TOURS

Trip to the beaches of Trinidad - Nature & Sea BY PARATY TOURS

4.9(114)
From €34
per personViator
Small Group Hike to Saco Bravo Waterfall

Small Group Hike to Saco Bravo Waterfall

5.0(88) 10h
From €116
per personViator
4-Day Juatinga Crossing Tour

4-Day Juatinga Crossing Tour

5.0(82) 96h
From €723
per personViator
Private Bike Tour in Paraty

Private Bike Tour in Paraty

5.0(50) 5h
From €80
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?Seasonal considerations and timing

  • Summer (December to March): Hot and humid at 24 to 32°C (75 to 90°F), with long days, afternoon downpours and the biggest crowds. Prices jump around Christmas, New Year and Carnival.
  • Autumn and spring (April to June, September to November): Mild at 18 to 27°C (64 to 81°F), quieter sand and lower rates.
  • Winter (July to August): Dry and sunny at 14 to 25°C (57 to 77°F), with shorter days, cool evenings and lively surf.
Book midweek in May or September for empty sand and cheap beds.

source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: fair for travelingFEBFebruary: fair for travelingMARMarch: fair for travelingAPRApril: fair for travelingMAYMay: fair for travelingJUNJune: fair for travelingJULJuly: highly recommended for travelingAUGAugust: highly recommended for travelingSEPSeptember: excellent for travelingOCTOctober: excellent for travelingNOVNovember: excellent for travelingDECDecember: highly recommended for traveling
when-to-go

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🛏️ Where to stay?How to pick the right area

The best base for backpackers is the village of Lagoinha itself, a short walk from the sand, on the quiet stretch of Ubatuba's coast, roughly 20 km (12 miles) from central Ubatuba. Pousadas and simple guesthouses cluster along the lanes behind the beach, with dorm-style rooms and private doubles from about US$20 to 45 a night in low season. Prices climb in January. You can walk to the sea, a few small restaurants and the lagoon, and the compact village makes it easy to meet other budget travelers. For more nightlife, hostels in central Ubatuba or Praia Grande have more choice but need a bus ride.
Best hostels in Brazil


Best quality hotels in Brazil

🛡️ SafetyTraveler Safety Guide

Praia da Lagoinha is a calm, family-oriented beach where daily routines are relaxed. The sea can have moderate waves and a noticeable shore break, especially after winter swells, so swim near the lagoon end where the water is gentler and watch where locals and surfers go. Sun is strong at midday, so bring shade and reef-safe sunscreen. Jellyfish are uncommon. Petty theft is rare but possible when bags sit unattended on busy summer weekends, so keep valuables with you or leave them at your pousada.
Check Country Safety

FAQTraveler FAQ

Praia da Lagoinha sits on the southern coast of Ubatuba, about 20 km (12 miles) from the center, and the easiest way to reach it is by car or taxi in 30 to 40 minutes. From São Paulo the drive is roughly 3.5 to 4.5 hours via the Tamoios highway, and buses run São Paulo to Ubatuba in about 4 to 5 hours for US$15 to 25. Local buses from Ubatuba's terminal toward Lagoinha take 45 to 60 minutes and cost under US$2, though service is less frequent on Sundays.
Praia da Lagoinha is good for swimming, especially at the calmer end near the lagoon, and its waves also attract beginner and intermediate surfers, particularly from autumn through winter when swells are stronger. Surf lessons and board rentals run roughly US$20 to 40 per session. Snorkeling is limited here because the water is often cloudy; better visibility is found at spots like Ilha das Couves, reached by boat from nearby marinas for around US$15 to 30.
Yes, Praia da Lagoinha is free to visit, with open public access along the whole beach and no entry fee. Parking nearby is usually private and costs about US$3 to 8 a day, higher in January. Umbrellas and chairs from beach vendors rent for roughly US$4 to 10, while a simple meal at a nearby kiosk or restaurant runs US$8 to 15.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Brazilian beaches near Praia da Lagoinha

Explore more nearby:

  • Praia das Conchas—Crushed-shell sand, emerald calm water, gated entry, no kiosks| 107 km away
  • Praia de Lopes Mendes—Squeaking quartz sand, forest backdrop, Abraão trail, Atlantic surf| 116 km away
  • Ipanema—Arpoador applause, Posto 9, Dois Irmãos, Hippie Fair| 212 km away

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We 💚 feedbackSumming up the experience

Praia da Lagoinha suits swimmers, snorkelers, and anyone who wants a calm base without the Ubatuba party crowds. Nightlife hunters will be bored. I would bring a mask and arrive early, before the day-trippers claim the shade.

✈️ When did I visit Brazil?
Call it good timing or luck, but I was able to celebrate Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro in February 2022, after a round trip in the north and east coast.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Brazil, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

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