Caraguatatuba - Caraguatatuba visitor guide showing a virtual tour of 'Caraguatatuba' linked to an interactive map with local and travel information. 360° panoramas from São Paulo.

Caraguatatuba is a popular city and travel destination in the eastern part of São Paulo state in Brazil. Locally known as 'Caraguá' the area was originally inhabited by Tupi Indians before the arrival of the Portuguese. The European settlement was founded by João Blau, captain of the Nossa Senhora de Itanhaém. The town grew agriculture, but today tourism plays a large part as Caraguatuba is very popular eith the jetsetters of high society of São Paulo, attracting up to 1.5 million tourists annually.

Caraguatatuba - Beaches

Caraguatatuba has 17 fine beaches, plenty of hotels, water sports, marinas, yachting and fishing to attract tourists. The main beaches along the coast (north to south) are:

• Tabatinga Beach, next to Rio Tabatinga
• Praia da Mococa, next to Rio Mococa
• Praia da Cocanha (Cockaigne Beach), next to Rio Cocanha with Island Tamanduá (Anteater Island) just offshore.
• Praia do Massaguaçu (Massaguaçu beach), separated from the Cockaigne Beach by the Gracuí river (Rio Gracuí )
• Praia do Capricórnio (Capricorn Beach), located on the Blue Lagoon (Lagoa Azul) which drains into Rio Massaguaçu
• Praia Brava (Brava Beach)
• Praia do Martim de Sá (Martim de Sá Beach), next to the mouth of the rio Guaxinduba

There are also several beaches along Caraguatatuba Inlet:

• Praia do Garcez or Praia da Freira (Garcez Beach or Nun Beach)
• Praia do Camaroeiro (Camaroeiro Beach)
• Praia Grande or Praia do Centro (Praia Grande Beach or Center Beach) found at the mouth of the San Antonio River
• Praia do Indaiá (Indaiá Beach) which is quite quiet but has a number of kiosks on it.
• Praia Pan Brasil (Brazil Beach Pan)
• Praia das Palmeiras (Palmeiras Beach) next to the rio Lagoa (Lagoon River)
• Praia do Romance (Romance Beach)
• Praia das Flecheiras (Flecheiras Beach)
• Praia do Porto Novo (Porto Novo Beach) found next to rio Juqueriquerê

Caraguatatuba - Tourist Attractions

In addition to the beaches, Caraguatatuba has several other tourist attractions and places of interest for the visitor. Among these are:

• Ilha do Tamanduá (Island of the Anteaters) - the largest of the island off Caraguatatuba, it is very popular for diving, with pristine nature and several good beaches. Ilha do Tamanduá is accessible by boat from Mococa , Cockaigne and Tabatinga beaches.
• Caraguatatuba Canoe Race - these races are held regularly around Caraguatatuba.
• Caraguatatuba to Ilhabela Swimming Race - held every July, starting on one of Caraguatatuba's beaches and ending up at Ilhabela on São Sebastião island.
• Festa de São Pedro - religious festival to St Peter held on the 29 June with various colourful procession and parades.
• Matriz Santo Antoni - 18th century church built as the town began to grow.
• Igreja matriz Santo Antonio - one of the churches in the town, standing on Paróquia Matriz Santo Antonio.

Road: Caraguatatuba lies at the junction of the SP-055 (BR101) and SP-099 roads, 50km west of Ubatuba and 187km east of Santos. It is 174km east of São Paulo.