Quick Facts: Ubatuba, São Paulo State, Brazil | Pier do Saco da Ribeira (main tender/small vessel pier) | Predominantly tender port | ~6 km from Ubatuba city center | UTC-3 (Brasília Time)
Ubatuba sits at the northern edge of São Paulo State where the Atlantic Forest tumbles straight into the sea, backing over 100 beaches with dense, UNESCO-protected greenery. It’s a tender port in most cases, so factor an extra 20–30 minutes each way into your planning, and always check your ship’s all-aboard time carefully before heading far afield.
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Port & Terminal Information
The main landing point for cruise passengers is Pier do Saco da Ribeira, located in the Saco da Ribeira marina district, roughly 6 km south of Ubatuba’s city center. Some smaller vessels may dock at the Porto de Ubatuba town pier closer to downtown. Check your ship’s daily programme the night before — the distinction matters for timing.
Terminal facilities are modest: expect a small tourist information kiosk (staffed irregularly), basic restrooms, and a few taxi/van operators outside. There are no ATMs at the pier itself — get cash before you go ashore or head directly into town. Wi-Fi is not available dockside; your first café in town will sort that.
Check the terminal location on Google Maps before you leave the ship so you have it loaded offline.
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Getting to the City
- On Foot — Not practical from Saco da Ribeira pier. The road into town is a narrow state highway with no pavement. Skip it.
- Taxi — The most reliable option. Licensed taxis and private vans wait outside the pier. Expect R$30–50 (USD 6–10) to Ubatuba center, 10–15 minutes. Agree the fare before you get in, and use the meter or a fixed rate — don’t accept vague “we’ll see” answers.
- Bus — Local buses run along Avenida Iperoig connecting the Saco da Ribeira area to the city. Fare is around R$4–5 (under USD 1). Frequency is every 30–45 minutes and the journey takes 20–25 minutes. Useful for the budget-conscious, less useful if you’re short on time.
- Hop-On Hop-Off — No HOHO service operates in Ubatuba. Don’t count on it.
- Rental Car/Scooter — A handful of local agencies operate in town (not at the pier). Practical only if you have a full day and want to reach remote northern beaches like Praia da Fazenda. International licence required.
- Ship Shore Excursion — Worth considering specifically for the Seven Beaches Trail or any activity requiring guides and transport coordination. Going independent is easy for the town and main beaches, but for the wilder spots, a pre-organised tour saves real headaches. 🎟 Book: The Seven Beaches Trail – Ubatuba
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Top Things to Do in Ubatuba, Brazil
Ubatuba rewards spontaneous wandering, but knowing what’s here first means you won’t waste your day on the wrong beach. Here are the best ways to spend your hours ashore.
Must-See
1. Historic Center & Praça 13 de Maio (free) — The compact downtown around this main square is where Ubatuba’s colonial character survives: the 18th-century Igreja Nossa Senhora d’Ajuda church, painted-tile shopfronts, and a lively market atmosphere. Walk it in 30–45 minutes.
2. Projeto TAMAR Sea Turtle Station (R$20–25 / ~USD 4–5) — One of Brazil’s most respected marine conservation projects has a base right in Ubatuba. You can watch sea turtle feeding, learn about nesting programs, and see juvenile turtles up close. Find guided tours on Viator. Allow 1–1.5 hours.
3. Aquário de Ubatuba (R$50 / ~USD 10) — A solid aquarium featuring native Atlantic species including sharks, rays, and seahorses. Great for context before you hit the water. 1–1.5 hours; check options on GetYourGuide.
Beaches & Nature
4. Praia do Tenório (free) — 4 km from the city center, calm water, and enough beach infrastructure (sun loungers, food kiosks) to make a half-day comfortable without being overdeveloped. 20-minute taxi from pier.
5. Praia da Enseada (free) — The largest and most accessible beach near town, calm surf ideal for swimming, with lifeguards on weekends. Family-friendly and easy to reach by local bus. Allow 2–3 hours minimum.
6. Seven Beaches Trail (Sete Praias) (guided from USD 190) — A stunning coastal hike connecting seven secluded beaches through Atlantic Forest. This is the standout active experience in Ubatuba and deserves a full day. Book the Seven Beaches Trail on Viator. 🎟 Book: The Seven Beaches Trail – Ubatuba Allow 5–7 hours.
7. Parque Estadual Serra do Mar / Núcleo Picinguaba (free–R$15 entry) — Part of the UNESCO Atlantic Forest reserve, this protected zone north of town has short rainforest trails accessible without a guide. Birdwatching here is exceptional. 45-minute drive from the pier; allow 2–3 hours.
8. Praia da Fazenda (free) — One of the most beautiful and least-crowded beaches in São Paulo State, set inside Picinguaba park. Worth the drive if you have a full day and a rental car. Allow 3–4 hours including travel.
Day Trips
9. Paraty (~1.5 hours from Ubatuba, guided from USD 132) — This colonial UNESCO World Heritage town is a spectacular day trip if your ship allows 8+ hours ashore. Cobblestone streets, whitewashed colonial architecture, and excellent cachaça. Book a private transfer from Rio via Paraty on Viator. 🎟 Book: Private Transfer Rio de Janeiro to Paraty Allow a full day.
10. Surfing the Green Coast (from USD 129) — The stretch between Ubatuba and Caraguatatuba has consistent beach breaks for all levels. A dedicated surf trip with local instructors and transport sorted is the most efficient way to do it. 🎟 Book: Surf Trip to the best spots of the Green Coasline Allow 5 hours.
Family Picks
11. Praia do Lázaro & Praia de Domingas Dias (free) — Two sheltered twin coves connected by a short footpath, perfectly calm for children, with natural rock pools. 15-minute taxi from downtown. Allow 2–3 hours.
12. Boat Trip around Ilha Anchieta (R$80–120 / ~USD 16–24) — A 45-minute boat ride to a state park island with crystal-clear snorkelling bays, resident monkeys, and an old federal prison to explore. Browse options on GetYourGuide. Allow 4–5 hours.
Off the Beaten Track
13. Quilombo do Cambury (donation welcome) — A small Afro-Brazilian quilombo (descendant community of freed enslaved people) north of Ubatuba that opens to respectful visitors. Traditional food, music, and history that most cruise passengers never find. Arrange a guide in town; 40-minute drive.
14. Praia do Sono (free, ~2 hours by boat or trail) — Technically just over the border into Rio State, this off-grid beach village has no roads. Arrive by boat from Paraty or hike in. Only realistic with a full day and genuine adventure intent.
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What to Eat & Drink
Ubatuba’s food is coastal São Paulo at its finest: fresh-caught fish, oysters from the bay, and feijão tropeiro (bean and pork dish) from the hillside communities. Don’t leave without eating seafood — the price-to-quality ratio compared to European or US cruise ports is genuinely remarkable.
- Moqueca de peixe — Brazilian fish stew with palm oil, coconut milk, and coriander; order at any sit-down restaurant near the waterfront; R$45–70 (USD 9–14)
- Ostras do Saco da Ribeira — Local oysters served raw at the marina kiosks near the pier; 6 for R$20–30 (USD 4–6)
- Peixe frito com pirão — Fried whole fish with pirão (thick cassava gravy), the local working lunch; R$35–55 (USD 7–11)
- Caipirinha — Brazil’s national cocktail, made with cachaça, lime, and sugar; ask for it with maracujá (passionfruit) in Ubatuba; R$12–18 (USD 2–4)
- Restaurante Lua e Mar — Well-regarded local seafood restaurant on Av. Leovegildo Dias Vieira; mid-range; R$60–100 per person
- Tapioca — Street snack, gluten-free crepes filled with coconut, cheese, or shrimp; from R$8 (USD 1.50) at market stalls in the centre
- Açaí na tigela — Thick frozen açaí berry bowl with granola; the local post-beach ritual; R$15–25 (USD 3–5)
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Shopping
The pedestrian streets around
🎟️ Things to Book in Advance
These highly-rated experiences fill up fast — book before you arrive to avoid missing out.
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📍 Getting to Ubatuba, Brazil
Use the interactive map below to explore the port area and plan your route from the terminal.
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