2 Best Sights in Ubatuba, Side Trips from São Paulo

Surrounded by rain forest and lined with summer holiday mansions, Prumirim is a small beach of coarse sands and turquoise calm waters. Despite its exuberant natural beauty, Prumirim is not very busy. There's good surfing, but the waves are generally smaller than those at Praia Grande. About a kilometer out to sea, Prumirim Island also has magnificent scenery and is a great place for diving. To reach the island you can pay one of the local fishermen to ferry you out there or, if you're particularly fit, you could even swim. The access to Praia do Prumirim is near Km 29 of SP 055, past the entrance to a private condominium. A beautiful waterfall with a natural pool can also be accessed nearby off the highway. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: snorkeling; solitude; sunrise; walking.

For those seeking a party atmosphere, Praia Grande is a great option. It has bars and restaurants by the sea, with local samba and country music playing all day. Chairs and parasols can be hired from beach vendors. The waters here are clean and green, and the hard sands are ideal for football, volleyball, and racquetball; it's also a great place for hiking. Praia Grande is a major surf spot in Ubatuba, with consistent, perfect waves. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (fee). Best for: partiers; surfing; walking.