If you are in São Paulo on a business trip and don’t know what to do during the weekend, why not go to Santos as I did? In Santos there is plenty to see, do and explore this coastal city famous for its beaches, tropical climate and interesting places to see.
Santos is about 50 km from São Paolo, and the easiest way to get there is, in my opinion, by bus. The city of Santos, is mostly located on the island of São Vicente, which, overlooks the Bay of Santos. It may not be the most beautiful of the Brazilian cities, but in addition to being known for its history related to coffee exports, its beaches, and being home to the largest commercial port in Latin America, Santos has also become famous for being the birthplace of the legendary Edson Arantes do Nascimento, better known as Pelé “O’ Rei do futebol.”
Santos residents take great pride of their beach where you can enjoy true Brazilian-style beach life, including ball shooting, drink guarana and lots and lots of sunshine.
Are you a beach lover and enjoy the sweetness of doing nothing!!
The Santos waterfront is really amazing and has the most beautiful world-famous beach garden; it’s actually in the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest beachfront garden in the world. Its beach is wide and well-maintained but, the real special feature of this waterfront, are the manicured, green and always flowering gardens.
Its beach of light-colored sand, a hundred meters deep, stretches out for about eight kilometers. Six channels divide it and, at the same time, serve as a reference for figuring out which neighborhood of the coastal zone you are in. The beach facilities are good, and it is easy to sit by the waterfront, or under a palm tree in the shade, to observe ships entering the harbor or cruise passengers disembarking to explore the city. Unfortunately, being near the port, the sea is not the most beautiful and, of the 6 beaches in Santos, I would avoid the one at Ponta da Praia which is known as the most polluted.
Not very far from Santos (all you have to do is cross a bridge) there is Guarujà Island, a very popular destination for Brazilians, whose coastline, bathed by the Atlantic Ocean, attracts many bathers all year round. Here you’ll find beaches to suit everyones taste, such as the worldly and urban Praia da Enseada and Praia das Pitangueiras, or smaller ones, but with a very strong personality, such as Praia das Asturias and Praia do Tombo. If you are looking for something really original then you have Praia do Perequê, while, if you are looking for privacy and secluded coves, Praia Branca which can only be reached via a path is what you are looking for. To locate the beach that suits you best, you will be spoiled for choice !!!!!
A curiosity
Are you aware that some of the waterfront buildings have a strange slope ??? Yep, this is due to a characteristic of the soil underneath the buildings. In fact, after 7 meters of sand, there are about 30 to 40 meters of slippery clay that does not allow to manage of the weight of the structures in the best way.
Because of the building rules and regulations, until 1968, the foundations of many of Santos’ buildings were only built a few meters deep, atop a layer of comparatively soft clay that was not able to handle the immense weight of the buildings, creating the leaning effect.
Of course, when they realized that the buildings were leaning, they introduced regulations to build buildings with proper foundations. The curiosity is that those built without the proper regulations are still standing just like the Tower of Pisain Italy!!!
Do you practice sports!!
If you really are not able to stay on a lounger sunbathing and admiring the sea all day, do not worry you will be able to practice any type of sport in Santos.
You can try your hand at a variety of sports: paragliding, beach soccer, beach volley, jogging, and cycling on a 5 km cycle track.
On the other hand, if you just enjoy strolling around in peace and quiet, there is nothing better than the beautiful waterfront garden full of paths adorned with fountains, monuments and flower beds. You will be able to see various species of trees and plants that will make your promenade colorful and shady. Once in a while, you will find small kiosks where you will be able to enjoy a juice, a caïpirinhas or have a snack. The promenade is quite safe as it is manned by police; however, I advise you not to bring jewellery or leave backpacks or bags unattended.
If trekking is your thing then a trip to Mount Serrat is a must: it is a beautiful park where you will find many points of recreation. A cable car give you access to the summit and admire the exotic vegetation and views of the city. You also find a few historical sites such as an old casino and a small miniature church.
Santos is also culture!
I suggest you visit the historic district of Valongo. Although it is in need of restoration, strolling around its narrow streets is a very pleasing experience as you are still able to find houses covered with Azulejos, a typical ornament of the Portuguese and Spanish architecture consisting of a fairly thin ceramic tile whose surface is glazed and decorated.
A must is a visit to the historic Coffee Exchange. Here, coffee was once weighed and traded before being shipped from the Port of Santos to foreign countries.
The Coffee Exchange was closed in the 1960s, soon becoming crumbled, but after decades of restoration works, the beautiful colonial building reopened and became the Coffee Museum in 2005.
The building’s architecture is worth a visit: high ceilings with stained glass skylights dominate the richly designed marble floors of the main hall reserved for trading. The museum’s various rooms with photographs, paintings and coffee processing tools explain the historical and cultural significance of coffee in Brazil and around the world.
Before leaving the museum have a seat and enjoy a delicious cappuccino made with excellent Brazilian coffee and taste a typical dessert.
Santos is well known for being the birthplace of Pelé “O’ Rei do futebol” and, not far from the Historic Coffee Exchange, you find the Pelé Museum, opened in 2014 and dedicated to the Rei’s career.
Right in front of the museum you can take the old green streetcar “Linha Turística de Bonde,” which is a symbol of the city. The sightseeing tour takes about 40 minutes and gives you the possibility, should you not have much time, to get an rough idea of what this city has to offer. The streetcar runs through the city and stops at the highlights and points of historical interest. I must say that I really enjoyed the ride.
Old Streetcar No. 32 was built in 1922 and is the oldest electric streetcar in the country. This streetcar, whose interior is decorated with advertisements from the 1950s, comes from Scotland and is equipped with a double platform that, in the last century, facilitating access for women wearing long skirts and dresses. Nine benches and the steps are original while the driver’s seat was restored after thorough research through old photos. The vehicle can carry 45 people and joined the Tourist Tram fleet on August 14, 2012.
In Santos you will also find a beautiful aquarium with exotic fish, predators of the sea and inhabitants of the deep.
Where to stay in and around Santos
Whether you want to sleep in the city or near a beach in Santos you will be spoiled for choice.
- Sheraton Santos Hotel: for me the Sheraton chain is always a good choice, with a first class service. The one in Santos, just two blocks from the beach and the PraiaMar Shopping Center, has a very good location. The Sheraton Santos has an indoor pool and free WIFI. The rooms are spacious and elegantly furnished, flat-screen TVs, comfortable beds, tea and coffee making facilities as well as a minibar. Breakfast buffet is varied and plentiful. Excellent 5* whether for business or a weekend getaway. The port of Santos is about 11 km from the hotel while the ferry to Santos-Guarujá and the Parque Balneário Shopping Center are both about 2.6 km away. The aquarium is only 900 m from the hotel while Congonhas Airport is 76.5 km away.
- Sofitel Guarujá Jequitimar: Another chain that I particularly love and also a very good choice. This excellent 5* star hotel is located in front of Guarujá beach and surrounded by the Atlantic Forest. It is an excellent complex with impeccable service and the tastefully decorated rooms have magnificent views of the ocean or a glimpse of the Atlantic Forest. The Sofitel Guarujá Jequitimar is about 11 km from Pico da Praia do Porto, 3.7 km from Pereque Beach, and 61 km from São Paulo Congonhas Airport.
- Novotel Santos: Excellent 4* located 900 mt from Gonzaga beach it has an outdoor pool, restaurant, gym and bar. Rooms have a desk, comfortable bed, free WIFI and flat-screen TV. Next to the hotel you’ll find the Shopping Patio Iporanga and points of interest, the beaches of Jose Menino, Embare and the Miramar shopping center are not very far from the hotel. São Paulo Congonhas airport is about 72 km away.
- Delphin hotel: 3* stars located right in front of Guarujá’s Praia Enseada beach. Here you will find an outdoor pool, modern rooms with cable TV and free WIFI. The breakfast buffet is varied and plentiful. The hotel is conveniently located just 1 km from downtown Guarujá, 600 meters from the aquarium and across the street from beach restaurants and bars.
Your safety
Although Brazil is described as very dangerous if you take proper precautions and use common sense you will not have any problems.
- you have to be careful of pickpockets especially in the downtown neighborhoods. It is better if you do not to carry a purse, but if you really cannot do without, it is wise to keep it tightly in front of you.
- Avoid using your phone while on the street. Keep in mind that if you are walking around alone, if you are a woman or an elderly person, you are a prime target. Be very careful when waiting for the bus or subway, and when walking on the sidewalk stay on the inside towards the buildings.
- In the evenings, avoid walking outside except for short trips, and before turning onto a street make sure there are other people there.
- Santos is considered one of the most dangerous cities in the world so taking precautions is a must. If you are careful and look around almost certainly nothing will happen. So banish fear and enjoy this beautiful city!!!!
