The Seven Beaches Trail – Ubatuba

Wild beaches reward people who like to walk. From São Paulo, this private day trip takes you to Ubatuba for a roughly 10-kilometer trail linking seven beaches, with time for swimming, sun, and shade along the way. I like the seven-beach route because it gives you more variety than a single beach outing, and I like that private transportation and all fees are included in the $190 price.

The tradeoff is the day itself: expect about 15 to 18 hours from pickup to return, with around six to seven hours on foot. This is not a resort-style beach excursion. You need moderate fitness, proper shoes, plenty of water, and a willingness to spend a long day away from city comforts.

The route is especially appealing if you want forest, secluded shorelines, and a more active side of Brazil’s coast. If your ideal beach day includes restaurants, umbrellas, pools, and easy access by car, this is probably the wrong choice. The trail’s appeal comes from what it leaves out.

Key points to know before booking

• Seven beaches in one trail: The route connects Lagoinha, do Oeste, do Peres, Bonete, Deserta, do Cedro, and Fortaleza.
• A serious São Paulo day trip: Pickup is at 6:00 am from Casa Ecotrips Hostel in Barra Funda, and the full outing may last 15 to 18 hours.
• Moderate hiking: The trail covers about 10 kilometers and takes roughly six to seven hours, with breaks for swimming and resting.
• Private group experience: Only your party takes part, which can make the pace and guide interaction feel more personal.
• Bring your own supplies: Snacks are not included, and there is no restroom onboard the vehicle.
• Weather matters: Poor weather can cancel the outing, with a new date or full refund offered in that case.

Leaving São Paulo at 6:00 am

The day begins early at Casa Ecotrips Hostel, at R. do Bosque, 1925, in Barra Funda. Pickup is scheduled for 6:00 am, so you will need to be ready before the city is fully awake. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

That return arrangement is useful. You do not need to arrange a separate ride from Ubatuba or work out a complicated connection after a long walk. The included private transportation also matters because the journey from São Paulo to the coast takes a major part of the day, and you can use that time to rest rather than manage the route yourself.

The total duration is listed as approximately 15 to 18 hours. That range is important. A long drive, a six to seven-hour hike, beach stops, and changing road conditions can all affect the return time. I would not schedule a flight, theater ticket, or important evening appointment after this outing.

The tour is offered in English, and it is a private activity for your group alone. That gives you a more focused experience than a large coach outing. It may also help if you want to ask questions, stop for a little longer, or keep the day centered on your own party’s pace.

What the seven-beach route includes

The trail is about 10 kilometers and links seven beaches in one continuous outing. It is described as medium level, which means you should be comfortable with several hours of walking, uneven trail conditions, and the physical demands of moving between beaches rather than simply sitting beside one.

The listed route includes:

• Lagoinha
• do Oeste
• do Peres
• Bonete
• Deserta
• do Cedro
• Fortaleza

The stop is described as lasting around six hours, while the itinerary also gives a seven-hour duration. Treat that as a useful estimate rather than a precise timetable. The length of each beach stop is not specified, so the actual rhythm may depend on the group, weather, trail conditions, and time spent swimming or resting.

I like this format because every section of the route offers a different reason to keep walking. You are not just hiking to one viewpoint and turning around. You move from beach to beach, with forested stretches connecting the shorelines and quiet places where a short swim or rest can break up the walk.

Lagoinha to do Oeste: starting with the coast

Lagoinha is the first named beach on the route. As the opening point, it gives you the first sense of how the day will work: walk, reach the shore, pause, then continue toward the next beach.

From Lagoinha, the trail continues to do Oeste. The appeal here is the change from a starting beach to a more remote-feeling section of the route. The supplied description presents these beaches as part of a seven-beach circuit rather than as isolated stops, so you should expect the walking between them to be just as important as the time spent on the sand.

This is a good place to settle into your pace. Avoid treating the first section as a race. You still have several beaches ahead, and the route is long enough that steady walking will serve you better than rushing early.

do Peres and Bonete: keep your energy in reserve

The next named beaches are do Peres and Bonete. By this stage, you will have a clearer idea of the trail’s rhythm and of how much time you want to spend in the water or under the shade.

The description specifically allows time to bathe in the sea, sunbathe, and rest in shaded areas. That makes the outing more than a point-to-point hike, but you still need to manage your energy. If you stop for every break at full length, the later sections can feel rushed.

Bonete is one of the middle stops, so it can work as a useful point to check your water supply and comfort. Snacks are not included, and there is no restroom onboard, so your personal planning matters. Carry food that you can pack easily and eat during an appropriate break.

The trail’s natural setting is part of its value, but it also means you should not expect the services found at a developed beach resort. The less built-up character is precisely why this route appeals to people who want a quieter coastal day.

Deserta and do Cedro: the quieter heart of the walk

Deserta and do Cedro come later in the sequence. Their names fit the general character promised by the experience: beaches reached as part of a hike, away from the easy access and organized facilities associated with major resort areas.

You should think of these stops as places for simple pleasures. Swim if conditions allow, sit in the shade, dry off, and take in the forest and shore. The experience is not built around a long list of arranged activities. Its strength is the chance to move through a natural coastal setting at walking pace.

This section may also test your preparation. A swimsuit and towel are practical, while sunscreen and mosquito repellent are specifically useful items to pack. Long pants and hiking shoes are sensible choices for the trail, even though the tour information does not describe the exact surface or elevation changes.

Do not assume you can buy supplies along the way. Snacks are excluded, and the description does not promise beach shops, restaurants, or other services. Pack as if you will be responsible for your own basic needs during the walk.

Fortaleza: finishing at the final beach

Fortaleza is the last named beach on the route. Ending at a beach gives the day a clear finish, with the final stretch leading you toward a place where you can rest before returning to the vehicle.

The route description does not provide a detailed schedule for Fortaleza, so you should not count on a fixed amount of beach time. The guide may need to balance your group’s breaks with the long drive back to São Paulo. That is another reason to keep a sensible pace from the start.

By the time you reach Fortaleza, the combination of trail time and beach stops will likely make the return feel well earned. You may prefer to swim, sit quietly, or simply remove your shoes and relax. The experience gives you room for those simple moments, but it does not promise a luxury setup. Bring your own towel, food, and practical supplies.

Why the private format matters

This is a private tour, so only your group participates. That is one of the strongest features for people who prefer a quieter day or want direct contact with the guide.

A private format can also be valuable on a medium-level trail. You may be able to discuss your pace and comfort more easily than you could in a large mixed group. The available information does not promise a custom itinerary or unlimited flexibility, so you should not assume every timing request can be granted. Still, a private group generally gives the outing a more personal feel.

The company’s guides receive repeated praise for attention, communication, organization, and safety. Henrique is described as attentive and careful, with strong interaction across a group, while Rick is singled out for friendly service. Those comments come from other trips operated by the same company, not specifically from this Ubatuba outing, so I would treat them as a useful indication of the agency’s service style rather than a guarantee about one particular guide.

The feedback also points to an agency that organizes trips to several destinations and earns repeat business. That is encouraging when you are committing to a long day with an early start and a remote coastal route.

What to pack for six to seven hours outside

The packing list is simple, but it can make or break the day. I would bring:

• Hiking shoes
• Long pants
• Water bottles
• Snacks
• Sunscreen
• Mosquito repellent
• Swimsuit
• Towel

Hiking shoes are more important than fashionable beach footwear. The exact trail surface is not given, so you should choose shoes that feel secure and comfortable for several hours of walking.

Water bottles deserve special attention. Water is not included as a listed item, and snacks are specifically excluded. The supplied advice calls for water bottles, so plan to carry enough for your needs rather than expecting the vehicle or beaches to provide everything.

A swimsuit and towel let you use the beach breaks properly. Sunscreen remains useful even when the trail offers shade, while mosquito repellent is a sensible addition for a route that passes through forest and less developed areas.

There is no restroom onboard. That does not necessarily mean you will have no restroom access during the entire outing, but the information does not promise facilities along the route. Plan accordingly and avoid relying on the vehicle for personal comforts.

Is $190 a fair price?

At $190 per person, this is not a cheap beach transfer. The value depends on what you want from the day.

The price includes private transportation, all fees, and taxes. You are also paying for the planning involved in reaching Ubatuba from São Paulo, the guided trail experience, and a private group arrangement. If you tried to organize transport, route planning, and the seven-beach hike on your own, you would need to handle much more of the day yourself.

The value is strongest for you if you want convenience and a guided outdoor experience without joining a large group. It is weaker if you mainly want to reach one beach, spend the day lying in the sun, or keep costs low by using public transport and arranging your own walk.

Group discounts are available, and children under five can go free when accompanied by two adults. The child policy is specific, so do not assume it applies to older children or to a different adult-to-child arrangement.

Weather, fitness, and cancellation details

Good weather is required for this experience. If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. That is a fair safeguard for a trail day where rain could affect comfort and safety.

The standard cancellation policy is strict: the booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason if you cancel or request an amendment. If the required minimum number of participants is not reached and the operator cancels, you are offered a different date or experience, or a full refund.

You should also have a moderate physical fitness level. The route covers about 10 kilometers and includes six to seven hours of trail time, even though breaks at the beaches make the day more relaxed than a nonstop hike.

Confirmation is normally received at booking. If you book within two days of departure, confirmation may arrive within 48 hours and remains subject to availability. The activity is near public transportation, but the stated meeting point is the hostel in Barra Funda, with pickup at 6:00 am.

Who should book the Seven Beaches Trail?

I would recommend this experience to you if you:

• Want an active day on the São Paulo coast
• Like visiting several beaches rather than staying in one place
• Are comfortable walking for six to seven hours
• Prefer a private group over a large organized outing
• Enjoy simple natural settings without resort facilities
• Are willing to start early and return late

I would be cautious about booking it if you have limited mobility, dislike long drives, or want a polished beach day with food and facilities close at hand. The medium rating for fitness should be taken seriously, especially because the full day may last up to 18 hours.

Families should check the child arrangement carefully. Children under five are free when accompanied by two adults, but no broader child suitability information is provided.

Should you book this Ubatuba day trip?

Book it if your idea of a great beach day includes earning the shore by foot. The Seven Beaches Trail offers a clear route, seven named beaches, private transport, an English option, and a more personal group setting. The chance to swim, rest in shade, and move through a quieter coastal area gives the experience real appeal.

Skip it if you want convenience above all else. The early start, long return, moderate hike, limited onboard facilities, excluded snacks, and strict cancellation terms require planning.

My practical call is simple: pack seriously, protect your energy, and reserve this for a day when you can give the whole outing your attention. For prepared walkers, the $190 price can make sense because it combines transport and a private guided experience. For anyone seeking an easy seaside escape, Ubatuba offers better ways to spend the day.

FAQ

Where does the Seven Beaches Trail tour start?

It starts at Casa Ecotrips Hostel, R. do Bosque, 1925, Barra Funda, São Paulo, SP, 01136-000, Brazil.

What time does the tour begin?

The stated start time is 6:00 am.

Where does the activity end?

The activity ends back at the original meeting point at Casa Ecotrips Hostel.

How long does the experience last?

The full experience takes approximately 15 to 18 hours. The trail portion lasts around six to seven hours.

How far is the trail?

The trail is approximately 10 kilometers long.

Which beaches are included?

The route includes Lagoinha, do Oeste, do Peres, Bonete, Deserta, do Cedro, and Fortaleza.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Private transportation is included, along with all fees and taxes.

Are snacks and an onboard restroom included?

No. Snacks are not included, and there is no restroom onboard the vehicle.