National park · Brazil
Serra do Mar State ParkParque Estadual da Serra do Mar
Enter the park for a day hike: pay the entry fee (check), drive 30 min from Caraguatatuba, and follow the Núcleo Caraguatatuba trail to the waterfall before 12:00.Enter the park for a day hike: pay the entry fee (check), drive 30 min from Caraguatatuba, and follow the Núcleo Caraguatatuba trail to the waterfall before 12:00 PM.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
315 km² (122 sq mi)122 sq mi (315 km²)
approximate
Established
1978
Best months
Apr–May, Oct–Nov
UNESCO
Biosphere
Rules in force · 7Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…
- South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
- South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
- South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
- Brazil ↗US, Canadian and Australian citizens need an e-visa (about US$81 — check) applied for online at the official VFS portal before travel; EU and UK citizens do not. Check your passport with Brazil's Ministry of Foreign Affairs before booking.
- Brazil ↗Yellow fever vaccination is recommended for many areas, including the Amazon and Pantanal; check with a travel clinic at least 10 days before travel.
- Brazil ↗Keep your phone out of sight in the street and on beaches; phone theft is the most common crime against visitors in big cities.
- Brazil ↗Carnival 2027 runs about 5–10 February (Tuesday 9 February; Salvador from 4 February): book Rio, Salvador and Recife/Olinda months ahead or avoid those dates.
At a glance
- Country
- Brazil
- Area
- 315 km² (122 sq mi)122 sq mi (315 km²)
- Official area is 315 km²; some maps show slight variations (check).
- Established
- 1978
- Best months
- Apr–May, Oct–Nov
- Permits
- For some areas
Serra do Mar State Park protects a large stretch of Atlantic Forest along the São Paulo coast, offering challenging treks to waterfalls, coastal viewpoints and dense rainforest, with limited infrastructure and strict conservation rules.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO Biosphere Reserve · 1994Part of the Atlantic Forest South-East Reserves World Heritage site.
Size and age
315 km² (122 sq mi)122 sq mi (315 km²) · national park since 1978
Official area is 315 km²; some maps show slight variations (check).
Why go
- Serious trekking through dense Atlantic forest with waterfalls and coastal views.
- Access to remote trails that are rarely visited by casual beach‑goers.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecGo
- JanMild winter, dry trails.
- FebCool, occasional rain.
- MarEnd of dry season.
- AprWarm, clear days.
- MayDry, good for waterfalls.
- JunStart of rainy season.
- JulRainy, trail mud.
- AugFrequent showers.
- SepRain tapering.
- OctDry, cooler.
- NovDry, pleasant.
- DecMild winter.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic forest birds (e.g., toucans, tanagers)Oct–Mar · Common on higher trails. | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Caraguatatuba
Drive north on SP‑055, follow signs to Núcleo Caraguatatuba (approx. 30 km (19 mi)).Drive north on SP‑055, follow signs to Núcleo Caraguatatuba (approx. 19 mi (30 km)).
30–45 min
Open the page →
From São Paulo city
Take the BR‑101 south to Caraguatatuba, then follow above route.
2–2.5 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Núcleo Caraguatatuba | Gate, visitor desk, trailheads to waterfalls and viewpoints. | Open with entry permit. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate centre of the park in the coastal hills, based on state maps (check).
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (Núcleo Caraguatatuba gate) | BRL 15–20 (≈ US$3–4) | person | Fee covers trail use; exact price varies by season (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit permit or guide
Park rules
- Pets
- Leashed dogs allowed only on designated paths.
- Camping
- Only in authorized campgrounds; wild camping prohibited.
- Fire
- Open fires not allowed; use portable stoves only.
Where to stay
Near the park
Caraguatatuba hotels
Mid‑range hotels and pousadas 10 km (6.2 mi) from the gate.Mid‑range hotels and pousadas 6.2 mi (10 km) from the gate.
Safety
Trail slips medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Gate area reachable by car; short walks are uneven.
Visiting lightly
- Stay in local lodgings and buy food from Caraguatatuba vendors to support the community.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Serra do Mar State Park?
Entry is around R$15–20 per person at the Núcleo Caraguatatuba gate; exact price may vary by season.
What are the best hikes in Serra do Mar State Park?
Popular hikes include the short waterfall loop to Cachoeira da Pedra Branca, the Mirante da Pedra Grande viewpoint walk, and the longer cross‑park trail that needs a guide.
When is the best time to visit Serra do Mar State Park?
April to May and October to November offer dry, cooler conditions ideal for trekking.
Do I need a guide for any trail?
A guide is required for the long cross‑park trek beyond the Núcleo Caraguatatuba area.
Are pets allowed in the park?
Leashed dogs are permitted only on marked paths; they are not allowed in sensitive wildlife zones.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Serra do Mar State Park
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