An Escuna trip from Centro, the 12-kilometer-long Praia da Enseada and historic sites in the municipality reveal different sides of Bertioga. To plan your trip, you can first decide what to focus on: the coast and water, local history or nature. The places below offer specific ideas for each.

Coast, beach and boat trips

Praia da Enseada is 12 kilometers long. Walking the length of the beach, you pass through Bertioga’s five neighborhoods: Centro, Rio da Praia, Jardim Rafael, Vista Linda and Indaiá. Across the municipality, Bertioga has a total of 33 kilometers of beaches suitable for swimming, with opportunities for leisure and sports.

The Passeio de Escuna departs from Canal de Bertioga in Centro. Passengers can jump into the sea during the trip. The route may change in bad weather, so bear this possibility in mind when planning your day.

Praia do Indaiá lies at the end of Praia da Enseada. Its clean water is suitable for sailing, and its rich marine life attracts divers. Praia de Itaguaré is protected by Parque Estadual da Restinga de Bertioga, has no commercial establishments and attracts surfers with its good waves. The coast therefore offers different activities: sailing and diving at Indaiá, and surfing at Itaguaré.

History in Centro and local cuisine

At Parque dos Tupiniquins in Centro, life-size statues depict figures and scenes from Bertioga’s history: Hans Staden, the Indigenous chief Cunhambebe, and a scene of catechism by José de Anchieta and Manoel da Nóbrega. During the Passeio de Escuna, the crew tells passengers about early Portuguese colonization in what is now Brazil. History is encountered in two forms: as a depiction in the park and as a story told during the trip.

The annual Festa da Tainha puts the focus on local cuisine. Its centerpiece is grilled, split-open tainha, served with rice, vinaigrette, farofa and bread. The festival brings a clearly defined local specialty to the table.

Historic and community destinations in the municipality

Vila de Itatinga is an English-inspired historic settlement established in 1910. Places to visit there include the Igreja Nossa Senhora da Conceição and the Itatinga Atlético Clube playing field. The settlement also preserves historic buildings once used as a school, pharmacy and bakery; the bakery is open on visiting days. Access involves a short boat trip along Rio Itapanhaú, followed by 7.5 kilometers on the tracks of a historic railway.

A municipal report dated May 23, 2024, presented Vila da Mata in the Bairro Guaratuba as a community-based tourism offering. It describes a culturally diverse community of Caiçaras, fishermen and people from northeastern Brazil, who welcome tourists and local residents. The route described in the report begins at Espaço Cultural, continues to the Mirante and then follows a short path to the home of some residents. There, visitors can sample produce from the Horta Comunitária.

At Terras Indígenas Rio Silveiras, visitors can walk along a trail and learn about a river in the Rio Silveira watershed. A visit must be arranged in advance with Cacique Adolfo.

Natural areas and short trails

Parque Estadual da Restinga de Bertioga covers 9,312.32 hectares and lies entirely within the municipality of Bertioga. It protects biodiversity and water resources, as well as a biological corridor connecting marine and coastal environments, restinga and Serra do Mar.

Trilha do Itaguaré in Parque Estadual Restinga de Bertioga is 1 to 2 kilometers long. The surrounding area includes preserved restinga, a mangrove area and geological sites thousands of years old. Along with the beach and boat trips, protected landscapes and their geological traces offer another distinct way to spend time in Bertioga.

Discover more destinations: Sertãozinho, Piedade, Arandu, Morungaba, Olímpia, Icém, Itu, Caconde.

For the broader travel overview: São Paulo.