Brazil🇧🇷 | townsUbatubaTamar turtles, Itamambuca surf, Atlantic forest coves, coastal buses | things to do and best time to go

From the Ubatuba bus station, the center is a 5 to 10 minute walk or a short taxi ride of US$2 to 4. Most backpackers combine walking within one beach zone with local buses to hop between beaches, because the coast is long and traffic jams badly on summer weekends and holidays.

• Walking: Free and ideal inside Centro, Itaguá or Praia Grande. Not worth attempting between distant beaches, since the roads have few sidewalks.
• Local buses: Several lines run along the coast for roughly US$1 to 1.50 per ride, with the first around 5:30 am and the last by about 9 to 10 pm. They are slow in summer traffic, so start early and check the last bus back before heading to remote beaches.
• Taxis and app rides: US$3 to 10 for most short hops, more at night or to distant beaches. Worth splitting among three or four

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From the Ubatuba bus station, the center is a 5 to 10 minute walk or a short taxi ride of US$2 to 4. Most backpackers combine walking within one beach zone with local buses to hop between beaches, because the coast is long and traffic jams badly on summer weekends and holidays.

• Walking: Free and ideal inside Centro, Itaguá or Praia Grande. Not worth attempting between distant beaches, since the roads have few sidewalks.
• Local buses: Several lines run along the coast for roughly US$1 to 1.50 per ride, with the first around 5:30 am and the last by about 9 to 10 pm. They are slow in summer traffic, so start early and check the last bus back before heading to remote beaches.
• Taxis and app rides: US$3 to 10 for most short hops, more at night or to distant beaches. Worth splitting among three or four people, and often quicker than waiting for a bus.
• Boat taxis and schooner tours: Small boats reach islands and beaches with no road, such as Ilha Anchieta, for roughly US$15 to 30 for a tour. Go in the morning when the sea is calmest.

Renting a car is rarely worth it: parking is tight in summer and the beaches are close together once you pick a base.

Ubatuba works well as a base because beaches, islands and trails sit within an hour, and buses or boats cover most of it.Ilha Anchieta: Former prison island turned state park, with ruins, a short trail and clear snorkeling water. Boats leave from Praia da Enseada or Itaguá and take about 30 minutes; budget US$25 to 45 including a stop for lunch. Go from April to October and book early on weekends.

Paraty: A colonial town with cobbled streets and boat trips, about 1.5 to 2 hours northeast by bus for roughly US$6 to 10 each way. Arrive by mid-morning, since the last bus back is early evening. Floods at high tide are a feature, so wear sandals.👉 Explore ParatyTrindade: A fishing village with natural rock pools and a beach trail, about 1.5 hours away via Paraty for US$8 to 12 total. Visit on … read more 👉

Ubatuba works well as a base because beaches, islands and trails sit within an hour, and buses or boats cover most of it.Ilha Anchieta: Former prison island turned state park, with ruins, a short trail and clear snorkeling water. Boats leave from Praia da Enseada or Itaguá and take about 30 minutes; budget US$25 to 45 including a stop for lunch. Go from April to October and book early on weekends.

Paraty: A colonial town with cobbled streets and boat trips, about 1.5 to 2 hours northeast by bus for roughly US$6 to 10 each way. Arrive by mid-morning, since the last bus back is early evening. Floods at high tide are a feature, so wear sandals.👉 Explore ParatyTrindade: A fishing village with natural rock pools and a beach trail, about 1.5 hours away via Paraty for US$8 to 12 total. Visit on weekdays to avoid crowds.

Picinguaba: A quiet fishing hamlet within Serra do Mar State Park, about 40 minutes by bus for US$2 to 3. Bring cash and start early.