The Identities of the São Paulo Coastline

Caiçara. Are you familiar with the term? The word originates from Tupi-Guarani and refers to the stakes placed around the villages, which acted as traps to catch fish brought in by the sea’s waves.

It has always been synonymous with proximity to the sea, giving its name to the culture and community that emerged from it, composed of black, indigenous, and Portuguese people in the coastal cities of São Paulo.

When we think of the state of São Paulo, we first think of the might of industry, the wealth of the countryside, or foreign immigration. Few remember the significance of this coastal strip of the state, a region full of natural beauty, stunning beaches, and important cities, whether for tourism or the economy. There are 16 municipalities with their own unique and captivating features, formed right from the beginning of Brazil’s history.

What we call the “São Paulo Coastline” covers an area of 7,617 m², encompassing 16 municipalities. It is characterized by rocky formations, continental beaches, and areas of natural preservation that make up what are known as the North and South Coasts.

There are also a large number of islands. The city of Ilhabela is situated on the country’s largest oceanic island, covering 350,000 m². Of the 16 municipalities, 12 are in the South, between the areas of Baixada Santista and Registro.

The other four are in the North, with over 180 beaches in total. Even though this region has its own identity, there are significant variations between cities like Santos, Iguape, Ilha Comprida, Ilhabela, and Cananeia, which are quite distinct from one another.

Places like Santos and Guarujá are best known for the large number of tourists they regularly receive, especially from the capital, seeking beach access and relaxation on vacation.

Known as the “Pearl of the Atlantic,” Guarujá has 27 beaches and an infrastructure geared towards this regional tourism. Santos, in turn, has one of the best HDIs in the country. Besides water sports and beach leisure, it has a unique history and various tourist attractions in its historic center, not to mention the economic importance of the Port of Santos, the largest in Latin America.

On the other hand, places like Peruíbe and São Sebastião are already known as quieter destinations, even during the high summer season. In the category of places that are less crowded and closer to nature, Praia Grande stands out, still only 50 kilometers away from the capital.

São Vicente, which gave its name to a hereditary captaincy, is another very popular destination. It blends the sense of escaping from the big city with infrastructure worthy of the country’s best tourist spots, not to mention its main attraction, Ilha Porchat.

Ilhabela has some of the country’s best spots for sports such as kite surfing, sailing, and diving. Rounding off this list are municipalities like Bertioga, Iguape, Ilha Comprida, and Mongaguá.

Near the border of Paraná, quieter yet equally appealing for sports and leisure, lies Cananéia. And in the northern section, are Caraguatatuba and Ubatuba can be found. The latter is surrounded by the tropical forest of the Serra do Mar National Park and hosts activities for the Tamar Project.

The São Paulo Coastline deserves broader national recognition. It is a region that blends proximity to Brazil’s most cosmopolitan city with natural and tourist destinations, and hidden local gems – perfect for relaxation and enjoying the connection with the sea and the still well-preserved native vegetation. Just like in Bahia and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil took its first steps here.