Going backpacking is considered by many people to be a true way of traveling. It is also a transformation in the style of traveling, surrendering to all the particularities of a place, which in our case will be on the north coast of São Paulo. Backpackers are those people who decide to leave their comfort zone, taking time to go further.

These backpackers can be single men or women, couples, hitchhikers, groups of friends or anyone who wants to go out with a backpack to discover a destination and really wants to see a place. They usually travel without rushing, to see a city in one day and with a lot of freedom to do so.

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The north coast of São Paulo has beautiful beaches. Some of them are paradisiacal, with calm waters, white sands, some with a lot of fun, in addition to being frequented by surfers or tourists from Brazil and abroad, with many options for all tastes, which is also surrounded by the Atlantic Forest, with a sea of green and blue.

We chose the best beaches on the north coast of São Paulo. We can say that they are places of great beauty, so you can choose them for a backpacking itinerary, which is a philosophy of life that is closely linked to freedom, to discover the best and most beautiful beaches. All of them are for you to start thinking about your next travel itinerary.

The best beaches on the north coast

In São Sebastião, Praia Brava has rough seas and on the right side of the beach, there is a waterfall that is approximately 4 meters high. For backpackers who are in Boiçucanga, there is a wide range of hotels and guesthouses, which is another option for backpackers who want to go on this trip.

At Jureia Beach, you can see the Alcatrazes archipelago, which is open to anyone who wants to visit, with many islands that make up a beautiful landscape and are perfect for taking photos. There is also a lagoon in this area that also serves as a shelter for many birds. There is also a good range of accommodation in this region, including hostels, guesthouses and hotels. 

Praia da Feiticeira, in Ilhabela, measures around 25 meters long. It has a calm, very clear sea, with two waterfalls that flow between the beach. There is a colonial mansion that covers the entire left end of this beach, alongside which Matias Farm was located, which also had a mill. Access is via a trail, which starts from the road, passing by the mansion.

Still in Ilhabela, we also have Jabaquara Beach, which is one of the best preserved beaches on the island. You can get there by car. It is over 500 meters long, with white sands, but it is cut by two streams. On the right side there is a freshwater lagoon, which is great for a nice dip in the water.  

One of the beaches that is considered the most beautiful in the state and that could not be missing from our list is Praia do Bonete, in Ilhabela. Camping on this beach, like a true backpacker, is being part of a true piece of paradise. Start this adventure to get to this beach, via a 12 km trail and through the Ilhabela State Park or go there by boat.

In Ilhabela also, Praia de Castelhanos is more than 1.5 km long, on a small island, which is called Ilha da Lagoa, which is the place where the trails to the beaches that are Mansa and Vermelha begin. From the corner of Ribeirão, you can access a trail that is 2 km from Cachoeira do Gato, which is a fall that measures more than 80 meters in height. It is a good option for camping.  

Praia Brava do Camburi in Ubatuba is accessed by a steep trail that can be taken via BR-101. It is a beach with very rough seas and soft white sand. There is no great infrastructure on this beach for tourism, in addition to being very popular with backpackers and surfers, who love its big waves.

Very close to the border of Paraty, which is in Rio de Janeiro, Camburi das Pedras is considered another paradise in Ubatuba, on the north coast of São Paulo, offering a freshwater bath, at Cachoeira da Escada and being part of the Núcleo of Picinguaba from Serra do Mar State Park, with waterfall and beach in the same place, for a backpacking trip.

Praia do Prumirim is an attraction that is called 3 in 1, being beach, waterfall and paradise island. It is a beach with soft, golden sand, with waters that are clear and greenish, a place that flows into the Prumirim River, which runs down the mountain with many waterfalls that are accessible. There are campsites there for backpackers or chalets are offered for your stay.

Praia da Lagoinha has a wide strip of sand, with waters that are calm and very transparent, very good for swimming and relaxing. It is a beach that, in addition to being frequented by backpackers, is also popular with families and other tourists or residents of a condominium that is right in front of this beach. It is a starting point for the Trail of the 7 beaches on this coast.

Choose one of these beaches that we have selected for you and create your itinerary to enjoy a backpacking adventure on the north coast of São Paulo. It will be a trip to be close to nature and the forests, being able to enjoy beaches or waterfalls, camping or good accommodation. Start your planning with our tips.