There are some places on earth that offer even more natural adventures and relaxing atmospheres than the rest of the popular landmarks offer. In the same way today we are talking about another most underrated travel destination in Brazil that offers perfect travel things which you can’t believe once you explore it.
Located in the middle of the Serra do mar state park, Sao Paulo, Ubatuba is a place well known for nature centric travel destinations offers breathtaking dense forest, rich biodiversity, around 100 unique beaches, crystal clear waters, laidback and relaxing atmospheres and multiple water activities. Renowned as the “Surfing capital of Sao Paulo” where clear water makes it easy to make family visitors to take coolest surfing activity.
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10 Best Things to Do in Ubatuba, Brazil
There are ample of things which makes every visitor explore such a breathtaking landmark. There are some reasons why you should visit Ubatuba, and let’s discuss what are the reasons and things makes you to pack your backpacker.
1. Explore its Beaches
Ubatauba is a kind of place home to 102 beaches that extend along the Atlantic coast, stretching from Tabatinga border to the state of Rio de Janeiro. Spans over 100 km, allow every visitor to find perfect spot surfing, sun bath, and beach activities along with family friendly relaxing atmospheres and other water activities.
Praia Grande, Praia do Tenório, Praia do Perequê Açu, Praia do Cedro, Praia Vermelha e Vermelho do Norte são os mais populares beaches here in Ubatuba. Each beach is known for different reasons and different sorts such as surfing beaches, family beaches, urban beaches, wild beaches, rough beaches, deserted beaches. Throughout the coast of these beaches hundreds of kiosks and restaurants offering deckchairs, parasols, and fresh drinking for visitors. If you do not have enough time to explore every beach or simply looking for perfect beaches to enjoy, we recommend you to visit Praia Maranduba, Praia Grande, Praia das Toninhas, Itamambuca and Prumirim beach.
2. Discover Tamar Project
Tamar Project is a conservation project primarily focusing on protecting sea turtles and its inhabitants. It is a non-profit project working from the last 40 years to help working on the project to hatch endangered turtle eggs and protect baby turtles in order to safely releasing to sea. Currently the country boasts 22 bases for the Tamar Project and until now the project has released around 8 million turtles to sea. During your Tamar Project you’ll be blessed to learn about turtle conservation efforts and see different species of turtles and involve yourself in educational activities.
Ubatuba TAMAR site is quite special in that they have been involved more exclusively in educating and training people about sea turtles and how to respect and protect marine wildlife. Ubatuba Tamar helps visitors to take guided tours and helps to organise interactive sessions to understand and propose more deeply about this project. It operates daily between 4 PM and 5 PM, when visitors are even allowed to feed these turtles and involve its organised interactive activities. Every year a massive number of 1,00,000 visitors attend to be part of this project to learn and observe various species of marine and turtles (those living in tanks and terrariums).
3. Hike in Serra do Mar State Park
Hiking in Serra do Mar State Park is all about enjoying and spotting vast protected areas of the Ubatuba’s diverse ecosystems and scenic trails. Spanning 3,15,00 acres of land, recognised as the largest protected areas of Atlantic Forest in Brazil, home to many numbers of endemic and endangered species such as jaguar and wooly spider monkey. Visitors have the option which one they choose, either short walk or challenging treks, if you are an adventure backpacker then better to choose challenging one, which leads to the park’s most stunning viewpoints and waterfalls.
Serra do Mar State Park stretches through the state of Sao Paulo to extensive coastlines, amidst this we can see a diverse range of geographies of dense forest and rugged mountain ranges. Since your hiking journey is filled with extraordinary natural and biodiversity, surely you’ll come across multiple places for birdwatching and scenic views. We insist backpackers immerse the history and culture of Brazil in Atlantic Forest biomes along with your hiking and birdwatching.
4. Visit Ubatuba Aquarium
Understanding the region’s most unique aqua species is a crucial task since the place is home to more than 100 beaches. Each beach includes unique aqua species and marine lifes, so what are the different sorts of aquarium available and how to save and protect it is a crucial task to know for a visitors. Nestled in the coastal town of Ubatuba, Ubatuba Aquarium exhibits an impressive array of local marine life and species both in indoor and outdoor experience.
Built in 1996 by the group of oceanographers to teach importance of marine life along with endangered species and coast. Today the aquarium holds around 70 species across various enclosures including Brasilia’s largest saltwater tank, where visitors can touch animals such as sea stars and urchins. The aquarium even hosts beautiful Magellanic Penguin and other aquatic birds, during which visitors can spend time with it and feed them. Marvel at Praca da Baleia, known for its Whale’s skeleton exhibitions and other creatures like crabs, octopuses, sharks.
5. Take a Boat Tour
Taking a boat tour in Ubatuba is generally a unique thing to do, not just its diverse options moreover its experiences. Boats depart several times in a day from Itagua and Enseada or Marranduba beaches. But visitors often choose places like IIha das Couves, just focus on snorkelling, spot dolphins, and great place of Anchieta Island and help to catch perfect seafoods like Praia da Almada during their tours.
We recommend you to take a boat tour to IIha Anchieta, a natural reserve state park where we can see the most panoramic views of the sea coast and a great place to spot fish and birds in their natural habitat with great hiking trails. An interesting part of your Ubatuba boat tour is, here visitors can choose Schooners, Speedboats and Private Tours according to budget, flexibility and conveniences. Make sure that it is very important to bring stuff like Sunglasses/sunscreens, hat, quick drying attairs, water shoes/sandals, snorkel gear and camera (not necessary only if you are a photographer).
6. Take a Walk to Guarani Street
Taking a leisurely stroll amidst Guarani streets could be more value-added things in your Ubatuba journey. Guarani street is filled with colorful stores where we can buy the best beachwear stuff and surf kits. Located just close to the Ubatuba Aquarium, the street is even friendlier for food lovers, since it offers us vibrant restaurants, ice cream parlours and delicious cafes serves morning and evening dishes as well as help to take a rest.
A perfect family friendly landmark, Guarani street is home to some of the top restaurants like Curta a Roda Giante, lively bars, Ubatuba Mall, and enchanting galleries. During the rainy season taking a short stroll to Ubatuba Aquarium is a perfect idea with your family members. Besides that, Itagua Beach seaside promenade is the perfect place to enjoy a more breathtaking view of the major attraction. Do not miss out to explore the small square, and taste Madallena Cafe with special coffee delicacies.
7. Visit Historic Centres
Exploring the city’s historic centre is a vital point in your Ubataba tour, since most colonial things are open to the general public. The historic center features charming colonial architecture, historical buildings and local artisan shops. There are a number of historic buildings such as Ruinas da Lagoinha and former prison of IIha Anchieta, good examples to the historic evidence of the city.
VIW Residence another renowned example to the modern architectures which perfectly blend local design, and caicara cultures. Casa de Farinha is the most popular choice to visitors where visitors can explore ancient ruins along with learning about ancient food processing structures. For more insights about historic centres, just stroll through streets, where you’ll be able to spot famous Exaltacao da Santa Cruz and other cultural attractions that showcase the city’s rich culture and heritages. Visit traditional wooden houses of caucus (local coastal peoples), exhibit local lifestyles and living cultures of the people.
8. Attend Festivals and Cultural Events
Ubatuba hosts various cultural events and festivals throughout the year, celebrating food, music and local traditions festivals. If you have been visiting during summer or holidays, surely we can witness multiple musical shows and local traditions events. Traditional Carnival is more popular here in Ubatuba, which happens between the months of February and March, when many ideal characters from Brazilian folklore, the couple of Joao Pualino and Maria Angu, are demonstrated on the way to Ubatuba with music and dancing. The major reason to demonstrate these popular arts is to understand importance’s of popular arts of the Ubatuba culture.
Besides that, Folia do Divino Espirito Santo– an old pilgrim festival held during May-June with traditional feasts and music. Festival Junia, Festival de Inverno and Festival do Camararo, (June, Winter and Shrimp festivals respectively) are held in the mentioned seasons, and each season tries to exhibit Brazilian cultures, folk music, local artists, music and traditions. Festival da Cultura Guarani is a unique cultural event showcasing unique indigenous culture of the land through craftsmanship and local village dances. Make sure that, visit only during festival season start or else you’ll miss out things or choose year round one.
9. Spend Your Time under Handcraft Boutiques and Fair
If you are looking to purchase local handcrafted things like boutiques, local crafts or souvenirs, Handcraft Boutiques and Fair is the perfect choice for you. Often called Feirinha, located in the heart of the town, where visitors observe craftsmen put up their tent every morning creating covered pathways to its customers. These shops allow us to buy and help to understand the craftsmanship of jewellery, clothes, ornaments, decorations and other souvenirs items.
Apart from the Feirinha shop, the center is home to plenty of artisan’s shops and boutiques where visitors simply stroll along the shops and choose local crafts and find the best boutiques for their home decorations. The center boasts some of the best and renowned shops such as Kasarao 66 Artesanato, Apui Artesanato and Art Sea Lellis. These shops serve major boutiques under different styles for every choice ranging from budget friendly to costlier.
10. Enjoy Vibrant Nightlife
Even though Ubatuba is one of the underrated travel destinations, the city never disappoint with bustling nightlife to hang over with vibrant nights. Since the city is home to many restaurants, bars and beach clubs, surely visitors are going to spot a perfect night life environment to enjoy with friends or partners.
The majority of nightlife held in clubs and bars/restaurants are located between Itagua and Cruzeiro beach, and some nightlife is perfectly made for family members. Most seafood restaurants and beachfront kiosks include live music venues and pizzerias. During your night time give some time to marvel at handicraft and souvenir stores in the hippie market. Visit Ubtuba’s urban centre for more tasty meals and cocktails, accompanied by music and festive atmospheres.