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Major city · Brazil

Ubatuba

Give Ubatuba 3–4 nights with a car: 80+ beaches spread over 100 km, and buses reach only a few of them.

Weather
see forecast
Currency
BRL
Best months
Apr–Jun, Aug–Nov (dry-ish, quiet, cheaper)
avoid Jan–Feb (crowded, rainy, peak prices); Dec–Mar is the rainy season
Airports
UBT · GRU · SJK
Nights
3–4
Not field-verifiedbasic guide
Print / PDF guide
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
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.

Ubatuba is a beach-and-rainforest municipality on São Paulo's north coast, roughly midway between São Paulo and Rio. It has more than 80 beaches along about 100 km of coast, most of them separated by hills and reached by the Rio-Santos highway (BR-101). It is a holiday destination rather than a weekend one: January and February fill up, while weekdays in the low season can be almost empty. A car changes what you can do here more than in almost any other Brazilian beach town.

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Ubatuba, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • CoffeeR$8–15 (≈ US$2–3)
  • Beerdraught at a kiosk / can from a supermarketR$12–20 (≈ US$3–4)R$5–9 (≈ US$1–2)
  • Metro or bus rideBus ride in town (Verdebus)R$5–10 (≈ US$1–2)
  • Museum or sight ticketAquarium or Projeto Tamar entryR$30–70 (≈ US$6–13)
  • Budget bedHostel bed, a night, per personR$70 (≈ US$13)
  • Mid-range bedPousada double room, a night, per roomR$350 (≈ US$65)
  • High-end bedPousada double room, a night, per roomR$700 (≈ US$130)

A day, not counting the bed: Budget R$200 (≈ US$40) · Mid R$400 (≈ US$75) · High R$800 (≈ US$150)

Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

80+ beaches along 100 km of coastItamambuca and Félix surf breaksProjeto Tamar sea-turtle projectAtlantic rainforest and waterfallsMussels and seafood
Airports
UBT Ubatuba Airport (Gastão Madeira) (Short runway near the centre; only helicopters and small single- or twin-engine aircraft. No scheduled airline service.) · GRU São Paulo–Guarulhos (The practical gateway. Bus to Caraguatatuba (about 3 h), then onward to Ubatuba; or hire a car and drive.) · SJK São José dos Campos (Closest airport with scheduled flights to the region; about 2.5–3 h by road via Tamoios (SP-099).)

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Ubatuba: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

30°C

23°C

17 rd

Feb

31°C

23°C

15 rd

Mar

30°C

22°C

14 rd

Apr

28°C

20°C

11 rd

May

26°C

18°C

9 rd

Jun

25°C

16°C

7 rd

Jul

24°C

15°C

7 rd

Aug

25°C

16°C

7 rd

Sep

26°C

17°C

10 rd

Oct

27°C

19°C

12 rd

Nov

28°C

20°C

14 rd

Dec

29°C

22°C

17 rd

High / low °C · rd = rain days

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

A car is the single biggest decision here: the beaches are not contiguous, and BR-101 is the only link between them. Verdebus runs public buses to some outlying beaches, but they are infrequent and often stop in a nearby village rather than at the sand, so check times before you rely on them. Cycling works in the flat centre, but riding the shoulder of BR-101 between beaches is not safe. Taxis and app cars exist in town; agree the fare first.

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Picinguaba and Serra do Mar National Park

go

Door to door: 1–1.5 h each way

Drive BR-101 about 40 km east; no useful bus

Caiçara village and rainforest; contiguous with Serra da Bocaina National Park. A full day.

Paraty

go

Door to door: 1.5–2 h

Bus from the Ubatuba rodoviária, or drive BR-101 south

Colonial port town; buses run at set times, so check the return.

Ilhabela

overnight

Door to door: 3 h+

Drive or bus to São Sebastião, then the ferry

Too far for a comfortable return day; sleep on the island.

Caraguatatuba

caution

Door to door: 1–1.5 h

Bus or drive BR-101 southwest, about 50 km

Largest town on the north coast; useful for services and the Serra do Mar park, not a beach day.

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Centro / Itaguá

The town core: restaurants, shops, the aquarium and Projeto Tamar, and the bus station. Itaguá beach itself is not good for swimming. Best if you have no car.

Praia Grande

About 4 km south of the centre; the busiest beach in town, with kiosks and a younger crowd. Walkable to Toninhas by a short trail.

Itamambuca / Félix

North of town, inside condominium areas, near the surf breaks. Quiet, green, and you need a car for everything.

Lázaro / Sununga

About 15 km south; calm water, families, guesthouses rather than hotels. Car recommended.

Picinguaba

About 40 km east on BR-101, next to the Serra do Mar park; a small caiçara village. Very quiet, far from town.

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
R$150–250 (≈ US$30–50) excl. bed
Mid
R$300–500 (≈ US$60–95) excl. bed
High
R$600 (≈ US$120)+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Pousada double room1 × 4 nights × R$350R$1,400
Food, local transport, entries2 × 4 days × R$400R$3,200
Rental car, one day, compact1 × R$200 · fuel extraR$200
Bus São Paulo (Tietê) → Ubatuba, one way2 × R$75R$150
eSIM, about a week of data2 × R$60R$120
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurgeR$507
Trip total≈ R$697 per person per day, bed includedR$5,577≈ US$1,100

2026 estimate in reais; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

CoffeeR$8–15 (≈ US$2–3)
Prato feito or a beach kiosk lunchR$30–60 (≈ US$6–12)
Seafood dish for two (Rei do Peixe style)R$120–200 (≈ US$25–40)
Beer: draught at a kiosk / can from a supermarketR$12–20 (≈ US$3–4) / R$5–9 (≈ US$1–2)
Bus ride in town (Verdebus)R$5–10 (≈ US$1–2)
Rental car, one day, compactbook ahead in high seasonR$120–350 (≈ US$25–65)
Aquarium or Projeto Tamar entryR$30–70 (≈ US$6–13)

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Generally safe for visitors; the real risks are BR-101 driving, unlit trails and the sea. Swim near other people, and take a taxi rather than walk far at night.
  • BR-101 (Rio-Santos) jams badly on holidays and summer weekends; build in extra time or travel on a weekday.
  • Many shops, kiosks and restaurants close in the low season, especially outside the centre — check that your area has somewhere to eat before booking.
  • It rains often between December and March; the local nickname for the town is a rain joke.
  • Itaguá beach in the centre is not suitable for bathing.
  • Trails to deserted beaches and to Corcovado peak are poorly signposted; go with a guide from the tourist information office.
  • The Automobile Museum has been closed; confirm before you go.

Emergency numbers

Police
190
Ambulance (SAMU)
192
Fire
193

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

UbatubaUbatuba

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

Para este endereço, por favorTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police190
  • Ambulance (SAMU)192
  • Fire193

Embassy

No embassies in Ubatuba; the US, UK and most others keep embassies in Brasília and consulates in São Paulo or Rio de Janeiro.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Bus São Paulo (Tietê) → Ubatuba: about R$70–80 (≈ US$13–15), roughly 4–5 h
  • Bus Ubatuba → Paraty: about R$15 (≈ US$3), 1.5–2 h
  • Bus GRU airport → Caraguatatuba: about R$35 (≈ US$7), about 3 h; four departures a day

Say or show

  • Com licença / Desculpe — Excuse me / Sorry (kong lee-SEN-sah / des-KUL-pee)
  • Obrigado / Obrigada — Thank you (oh-bree-GAH-doo / oh-bree-GAH-dah)
  • Quanto custa? — How much is it? (KWAN-too KOOS-tah)
  • Posso pagar com cartão? — Can I pay by card? (POH-soo pah-GAR kong kar-TOWNG)
  • Onde fica a praia? — Where is the beach? (ON-jee FEE-kah ah PRY-ah)
  • Não falo português — I don't speak Portuguese (nowng FAH-loo por-too-GAYS)

Tourist information: +55 12 3833-9123 (check hours).

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Ubatuba. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: Apr–Jun, Aug–Nov (dry-ish, quiet, cheaper) · avoid Jan–Feb (crowded, rainy, peak prices); Dec–Mar is the rainy season · month by month →
  2. 3 airports and 5 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 4 day-trips, door to door
  6. 6 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Airport-to-bed contract for GRU and SJK: last bus and shared-ride options, drive times, overnight rung.
  2. Four beach clusters with rescue anchors: Centro/Itaguá, Praia Grande and Toninhas, Itamambuca and Félix, Lázaro and Picinguaba.
  3. Place pages with verified access notes (Itamambuca, Félix, Lázaro, Picinguaba, Prumirim waterfall) and eat pages with last orders.
  4. Low-season closure fixtures so the 'is anything open?' question is answered before booking.

Meanwhile

Back to Brazil

Sources