Once again, like New Yorkers, Paulistanos like to get away on weekends and holidays. Following the oft touted theory that the best tourist attractions for foreigners are ones also enjoyed by locals, São Paulo state offers some of Brazil’s best tourism infrastructure and services.
Except skiing and snowboarding, São Paulo state pretty much has it all. At the annual Adventure Sports Fair that takes place in the city, local operators stand ready to send you somewhere nearby to practice your favorite outdoor activity: canoeing, canyoning, horseback riding, caving, rock climbing, scuba diving, mountain biking, rafting, rappel, trekking, hang-gliding, paragliding, photography safaris, surfing, bird watching, cross-country bicycling, rowing, golf, swimming and fishing.
The most popular escape, especially during the summer, is the beach, where a coastline of over 600 kilometers awaits. Favorite beaches along the northern coast include Bertioga, Caraguatatuba, Maresias, São Sebastião, and Ubatuba; also popular are islands like Ilhabela, considered a paradise by surfers and sailing buffs. Some of São Paulo’s most popular dance clubs have opened beachside affiliates that operate during the summer months. A bit further north, just across the border in Rio de Janeiro state, is Paraty – a coastal colonial town overlooking a calm bay dotted with islands. Paraty hosts the increasingly popular annual FLIP literary festival.
Skirting the coast is a mountain range. Its rough terrain has helped preserve a chunk of the Atlantic Rainforest. Once covering an area as large as the Amazon, the tropical forest has been reduced to about 7% of what existed when the Portuguese first landed over 500 years ago. Dotting the region are lodges that cater to ecotourists. Farther from the big city, the southern coast features nature preserves like the Juréia-Itatins Ecological Station, Ilha do Cardoso, and the Lagunar Estuary Complex. One option is the community tourism project in the town of Guapiruvú near Intervales State Park.
To the north and west, the interior offers a smattering of cities known for their thermal spas (like Águas de Lindóia), ranch-hotels (São Pedro) and colonial architecture (like Itu). Brotas boasts some of Brazil’s best white water rafting and other outdoor activities. Other cities offer a glimpse into the pioneer and immigrant experiences. Old coffee plantations have been converted into “ranch hotels.” Hot springs attract visitors to a half-dozen rural towns. Some 67 municipalities have received designation as “estâncias” in recognition of their special leisure attractions.
The Tietê River runs the length of the state. An open air sewer inside São Paulo city limits, it offers recreational options both near the source and further downstream.
A Few Top Destinations in São Paulo State
Brotas - About 150 miles outside of town, Brotas appears as an oasis for ecotourists. A reputable firm called Eco Açao offers a full range of activities including trekking, horseback riding, canyoning and rafting.
Embu - For a quick day trip, there’s Embu, about 27 kilometers outside of town. On Sunday people flock to the crafts fair that invades the city streets. Folk painters also set up stalls to sell their work.
São Sebastião and the North Coast – About 200 kilometers from the city of São Paulo, on the state’s north coast, São Sebastião offers 100 kilometers of beaches. Different stretches tend to appeal to different groups (families, surfers, etc.). For instance, Maresias beach is known for attracting the rich and famous. For quiet and seclusion, further up the coast there’s the Pousada Picinguaba, an inn set on a calm bay surrounded by the Atlantic Rainforest. You can go hiking or scuba diving or take a boat ride right from the hotel grounds. For a taste of history and civilization, visit nearby Paraty, a colonial town that has preserved its historic downtown, which now houses sundry bars and restaurants.
