NORTH SHORE: BEAUTIFUL BEACHES AND THE BEST TIPS TO ENJOY THEM
Going down the Serra do Mar toward the North Coast of São Paulo is the most enjoyable trip to do in a short time like a holiday or a weekend, but small details make all the difference. If it is the first time, prefer to travel during the day, both because of the curved path and to enjoy the beauty of the stunning scenery. Always be aware of the flow of cars and awarnings from the Dersa (Roads Department) website to avoid peak times. The ideal for a period of great flow like a weekend or summer holiday, is to leave as soon as the day dawns. Rio-Santos is one of the most beautiful highways in Brazil, but its winding path also holds risks, such as landslides common with summer rains.
On holidays, try alternative schedules and avoid rush hours, you can waste more time leaving São Paulo than on the road!
Gas stations and restaurants are common along the route, which passes through the urban center of several coastal cities. However, because it is a highway with stretches of mountain range - some of them quite isolated -, make sure to fill the tank before leaving.
Before getting to the highway that connects all beaches, there are tolls that range from R$ 10 to R$ 20. To avoid queuing, you may want to have a "Sem-Parar" in the car. You pay a small monthly fee and automatically go through the tolls (most of the shopping malls in São Paulo also have this system). If you do not have one already, stop at the first BR gas station of Rodovia dos Imigrantes and get one. Just use a credit card and register. There is also a good place to have coffee and a snack.
To rent houses, the best request is to use Air Bnb, but if the idea is to relax in a hotel, we give great tips here!
How to get to the North Coast?
Thru Rodovia dos Imigrantes Follow Rodovia dos Imigrantes to the interconnection with "Rodovia Anchieta". Go down the mountain by Anchieta and at the end, take the exit for "Cubatão" via "Piaçaguera - Guarujá". Take the exit on the left, direction "Bertioga / São Sebastião" to get to Rio-Santos, passing by beaches such as Riviera de São Lourenço, Barra do Una, Barra do Sahy and Juquehy.
Thru Rodovia Ayrton Senna Follow the "Ayrton Senna Highway". After the toll, use the exit indicating "Mogi das Cruzes / Bertioga". Continue following the signs "Bertioga" until the end of the mountain range. You will pass by the police station on your left and then you will pass under the "Rodovia Rio-Santos". Enter the Access Strap on the right at the sign "São Sebastião", and follow Rio-Santos.
Arriving in Bertioga, there is a trailer with the famous “pastel” of Bertioga, very simple, but the pastel is good and usually very fresh. If you feel like experimenting, turn right onto the "Bertioga" sign and it will be right there. It's worth splitting, they're great. There is another pastel truck quite before, but the original one is called Pastel do Trevo, go for the original.
Passing Bertioga and Boracéia, the first beach is the Riviera de São Lourenço. Large and urbanized, it has shopping malls, restaurants and many buildings and condos, but it lacks the typical charm and warmth of the Coast. A good tip is to stop at Pão de Açucar market which is on the road, right before the entrance gate of Riviera, to guarantee any groceries. The smaller beaches, such as Una and Sahy, have smaller shops, but not as complete.
UNA One of the most beautiful landscapes of the North Coast, Barra do Una is just after Riviera, and brings together the delights of the beach and the mountain. The River Una descends the mountain range and flows into the sea along the northern edge of the beach. It is a quiet beach with many families and young people who are frequenters of the region. In the Yacht Club of Barra do Una, the largest number of boats on the South Coast of São Sebastião is concentrated, with excellent infrastructure, including water sports.
It is possible to rent boats and Jet Skis, as well as book boat trips through the islands of the region: Wheat Heap, Cabbage, Cats, Islands and Alcatrazes. Great for relaxing and snorkeling. Take snacks for the boat rides, get off at some of the Islands and enjoy.
From São Paulo to "Una", as it is called by the regulars, is 147km. Within Barra do Una there is access to Praia do Engenho. Smaller and almost deserted, access by the beach is made only by those who have or rent houses in the condominium.
JUQUEHY Juquehy has a family and relaxed atmosphere, 3.5 miles of fine white sand, calm sea in the right side of the beach (staring at the sea) and good waves at the other - ideal for surfing - clear waters and one of the best infra-structures of the north coast of São Paulo, with great hotels and beach service.
Apart from relax and dive, there are several tents by the beach that offer surfing lessons, stand up paddle and excursions to Trigo and Cambaquara islands. The program can last all day long and is very much disputed, but it is worth checking the conditions of the winds and tides before leaving.
For lunch or to spend the day:
Chapéu de Sol Ask for the shrimp moqueca with banana from the earth or the shrimp in the moranga, the best, no doubt. If you want a drink, go for natural cashew caipirinha! Hours: every day, from 11am Address: Avenida Mãe Bernarda, 2001 Phone: (12) 3863-3028
To eat a delicious pizza at night: Varandão Address: Av. Mãe Bernarda 856 - Juquehy Phone: (12) 3863-2907 or (12) 3863-2939
Freijó Address: Rua Benedito Izidoro de Moraes 30 Phone: (12) 3863-2900
HOTELS
Juquehy Praia Hotel Address: Av. Mãe Bernarda, 3221 Phone: (12) 3891-1000 E-mail: contatosite@juquehypraiahotel.com.br
Juquehy La Plage Address: Av. Mãe Bernarda, 2020 Phone: (12) 3863-3434
Chez Louise et Louis Address: Av. Mãe Bernarda, 1563 Phone: (12) 3863-1103
PRAIA PRETA
Praia Preta is located between the beaches of Juquehy and Barra do Sahy. It is small, has very few houses and no infrastructure, but clear and calm waters are worth at least a visit. Banana's, hip night club where the (very) young people usually go in the summer evenings is located right there at the entrance of the beach. A good option is to watch the sunset next door at As Ilhas restaurant, which has incredible views.
SAHY Barra do Sahy is a horseshoe-shaped beach, very cozy, with calm sea, clear water and white sand. At the southern corner of the beach, you will find the cliffs of Canto Bravo. Very high, they form an amazing natural swimming pool and exuberant, enjoy to give an unforgettable dive.
On the other side of the beach is the Sahy River, which bathes the Chapel of Vila Caiçara, built at the beginning of the century by caiçaras. It is a very familiar beach full of nice places to eat like the restaurant Tiê Sahy, inside the hotel of the same name. If you want to listen to live music and have a drink, go to the "Lá no Pôio" bar, run by the owner himself, one of the most charismatic figures of the piece. Super nice atmosphere and full of beautiful people.
Lá No Pôio Address: Av. Adelino Tavares, 47 - Barra do Sahy
Tiê Sahy Address: Av. Adelino Tavares, 160 - Barra do Sahy Phone: (12) 3863-6369
BALEIA
Praia da Baleia is located between the beaches of Barra do Sahy and Camburi, and can only be accessed by one of the two, since there is no direct entrance on the road. The name comes from the small island in front of the beach, whose shape resembles a whale. Extensive and hard sand it is ideal for walking and running tennis or bike rides, and also concentrates many surfers. Like Juquehy, there are several kiosks on the beach where you can schedule surfing lessons, boat rides, banana boats and more. The beach is very family friendly, has no center or commerce, and the regulars are mostly those who have or rent a house there and many, if known, for a long time. Great beach to rent a house for the whole family!
Pousada Azul Maria The inn is very charming and the service excellent! Very attentive staff and impeccable beach service. All suites have Trussardi linens and bath amenities, Natura amenities, king size bed, cable TV, air conditioning, iPOD amplifiers, hair dryer, etc. It has family suites, for up to 4 people. Undoubtedly one of the best on the coast. Address: Av. Deble Luísa Derani, 2156 - Praça da Baleia Phone: (12) 3863-6454
CAMBURI
Divided by a small peninsula, Camburi and Camburizinho are beautiful and even if you do not stay there, well worth the visit. Also great for eating and shopping!
On Rua da Praia and in the sertão de Camburi there are several art stores like woodwork, and the best restaurants on the coast are there. Camburizinho is a small beach frequented mainly by the owners of the condominiums Master I, II, III and IV. The beach has a slightly hippie climate, and is a favorite of surfers in the region and in the middle of the beach, near the net of futbol, there is a group of coolbol, and always has "competition" in the late afternoon. In addition to the beach, the backcountry of Camburi is a separate attraction, and you can take walks along the ecological trails in the hinterlands of Camburi, Cacau and Piavu.
The exuberance of the Atlantic Forest, rivers and old farms, give a magic touch to the sertões. It also has several options for surfing options but a really special tip is the "Rica", who has been a frequenter of the beach for more than 30 years, and although he lives in São Paulo, teaches there in the seasons, holidays and weekends. Rica is also a Chiropractor of the good and attends at home, in São Paulo and the Coast, and has the best tips in the region: (11) 99607-0145.
RESTAURANTS
Acqua Ideal for late afternoon, has a high deck overlooking the sea, the view is beautiful. The cod dumpling is irresistible and the fish are always the best ordered, but vary according to the season, it is always worth asking the freshest. Guava mousse pie with mint cheese syrup and cashew nutmeg is a temptation, if you order dessert, do not hesitate! Hours: Friday and Saturday, from 12pm to 12am. Sunday until 9pm. In the season it’s open daily. Address: Estrada do Camburi, 2000 Phone: (12) 3865-1866
Manacá
Without a doubt the best and most trendy restaurant in the whole North Coast. Mouth watering fish and seafood and flawless service. A good request is the squid stuffed with shrimp and leek with mashed mashed potatoes and so with Acqua it also has a delicious cheese and guava mousse. Hours: Thursday from 6pm to 11pm. Friday and Saturday from 1pm to 12am and Sunday to 9pm. In season and on holidays it is open daily. Address: Rua do Manacá, 102 Phone: (12) 3865-1566
HOTEL Estalagem Camburi Address: Rua Pôr do Sol, 8 - Camburi Phone: (11) 3230-1280
OTHER BEACHES
BOIÇUCANGA Boiçucanga is the largest commercial and service center in the region and the place to run when you need a bank branch and emergency room, but because it is bigger and more urbanized, it does not have much charm there.
MARESIAS Maresias is one of the most famous beaches of the Litoral, frequented by many surfers and young people and a beautiful crowd, since it is the region with more bars and nightclubs there. It is internationally known for the waves, hosting several surfing championships - including world stages. For those who want to enjoy the sport, Canto do Moreira, to the south of the beach, is the place where the best waves are. For those who want to learn, there are no shortage of schools.
Final Tips: Going straight along Rio-Santos you will also have the beaches Paúba, Toque-Toque Pequeno and Grande and Guaecá, and at the end, if you cross the ferry that leaves São Sebastião, you will be in Ilhabela, which can be a walk with the children to have lunch In Marakuthai or watch the boats sail.
Marakuthai Address: Avenida Força Expedicionária Brasileira, 495 - Saco do Imbaiá, Ilhabela Phone: (12) 3896-5874
Ecodynamic organizes walks through all the waterfalls of the north coast, With trained guides, insurance, transportation, etc, plus surfing lessons, paddle stand and more. It is a reliable company for those who like to organize themselves in advance. www.ecodynamic.com.br Phone: (12) 3865-2545
The Juquehy Beach Hotel also offers several tours, mainly during the summer holidays such as kayaking and hiking. It is worth checking.
To check the situation of the roads go to: http://www.litoralnorte.com.br/estradas.asp
