Weekend in Ubatuba

How to spend 2 days in Ubatuba — a Friday-to-Sunday plan covering the highlights without the tourist-trap detours. Built from real attraction data.

Friday Evening

Arrive and Settle In

Friday evening is for arriving, checking in, and getting oriented. Keep it simple — a short walk to get your bearings, then dinner near the hotel.

Sobrado da Rua do Comércio

Free 100m from centre

A restored 19th-century townhouse on the main street, now a small cultural centre. Exhibits change, often local art or history. The building itself is the draw – blue shutters, ori

Tip: Check if there is a temporary exhibition on the ground floor; the upstairs is mostly empty but offers a good view of the street.

Ilha Anchieta

Free 8.0km from centre

A protected island with trails through Atlantic forest, ruins of a political prison, and clear snorkelling coves. You pay for the boat transfer (about R$80 round trip), but entry t

Tip: Take the 9am boat from Praia do Saco da Ribeira. Bring your own snorkel and lunch – the island kiosk is expensive and limited.

Friday dinner pick

Malibu
Saturday — Full Day

The Main Sights

Saturday is your main sightseeing day. Start early to beat the crowds at the top attractions, then take the afternoon at a slower pace.

1

Praia do Itamambuca

Free Open 24 hours

A long, wild beach with strong waves. Popular with surfers. You walk through sand dunes and a river mouth to get there. No entry fee, but parking costs around R$20.

Tip: Arrive before 9am to secure shade under the cliffside vegetation. The rip currents are dangerous for weak swimmers.

2

Cachoeira do Prumirim

Free Daily 08:00-17:00 (gates close

A short rainforest walk (15 minutes) leads to a wide, 10m waterfall with a deep swimming hole. Entry is free, but the car park costs R$15.

Tip: Bring water shoes – the rocks are slippery and uneven. Go on a weekday to avoid crowds from tour vans.

3

Aquário de Ubatuba

0 Tue-Sun 09:00-18:00, Mon close

A modest but well-kept aquarium with local marine life: sharks, rays, sea turtles. Good for a rainy morning or with kids. Entry is R$30 for adults, free for under 5s.

Tip: Visit at feeding time (11am and 3pm) to see the nurse sharks active. Skip the overpriced souvenir shop.

Saturday dining

Lunch Mango creperia
Dinner 100 Miseria
Sunday Morning

Before You Leave

Sunday morning, before checkout, is for the things you didn't fit in on Saturday — or a slower revisit of the place you liked most.

Sunday brunch

Gaivota

Getting Around Ubatuba

taxi
Taxi or Rideshare from São José dos Campos (SJK)

São José dos Campos Airport (SJK) → Hotel Porto Fino, Ubatuba

From £R$250 120 min
bus
Local Bus from Ubatuba Bus Terminal to Hotel Porto Fino

Terminal Rodoviário de Ubatuba → Hotel Porto Fino, Praia do Itaguá

From £R$4.50 15 min
taxi
Private Transfer from Guarulhos Airport (GRU) to Ubatuba

São Paulo/Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) → Hotel Porto Fino, Ubatuba

From £R$600 240 min
bus
Intercity Bus from São Paulo (Tietê) to Ubatuba

Terminal Rodoviário Tietê, São Paulo → Terminal Rodoviário de Ubatuba

From £R$70 240 min

Where to Stay for a Ubatuba Weekend

For a short break, stay central — walking distance to the main sights saves hours across a 2-day itinerary.

Weekend in Ubatuba — FAQ

Is a weekend enough to see Ubatuba?

A weekend (2 full days) is enough to cover the highlights of Ubatuba. You can see the main attractions, eat at a couple of good restaurants and get a real feel for the city — as long as you prioritise well. This guide is structured to help you do exactly that.

When is the best weekend to visit Ubatuba?

See our full best time to visit Ubatuba guide. For a weekend break, shoulder season (spring and autumn) typically offers the best balance of good weather, manageable crowds and reasonable hotel prices.

Where should I stay for a weekend in Ubatuba?

For a short break, stay as central as possible — walking distance to the main sights saves significant time and lets you head out after dinner without worrying about transport. See the best hotels in Ubatuba for rated options. TripSage's free briefings tell you the specific rooms to request at each property.

How do I get around Ubatuba for a weekend?

The main transport options in Ubatuba include Taxi or Rideshare from São José dos Campos (SJK) and Local Bus from Ubatuba Bus Terminal to Hotel Porto Fino. For a short stay, walking and public transport are usually the most time-efficient combination — parking in most city centres adds cost and delays.

More Ubatuba Guides