Ilha Comprida is a town on the south coast of São Paulo, about 4 hours from the capital. It’s a popular spot for tourists because of its natural beauty, especially the Juruvaúva Dunes, the last in the state of São Paulo. In other words, if you’ve been dreaming of that expensive trip to Lençóis Maranhenses, you can do something just as impressive and much closer to the capital!
The municipality is Brazil’s largest sea island in linear extension. The region is crossed by the Mar Pequeno Canal, which connects it to the city of Iguape. There, you’ll also find the second largest beach in Brazil, on a trip that impresses from start to finish!
What to do in Ilha Comprida?
The famous Juruvaúva Dunes
Considered the highest in the municipality, some of the dunes reach an impressive 10 meters in height and together cover around 196 square kilometers! As such, the tourist attraction offers an excellent viewpoint of the sea on the south coast of São Paulo, the Cordeirinho River and the typical flora of the region.
In addition to Juruvaúva, Ilha Comprida is also home to the Araçá Dunes, which are 6 kilometers from Boqueirão Norte. They are smaller and don’t offer as many tourist facilities, but if you like nature and adventure, they are worth a visit.
Second largest beach in Brazil
In addition to the famous dunes, the island offers a variety of plans for tourists. So, as well as the dunes, you can also go hiking in the Ilha Comprida Ecological Reserve, visit the Ecological Safari aboard UTVs, which are off-road vehicles, and enjoy some great beaches.
Boqueirão Norte Beach, for example, is one of the busiest in the city, with surfing waves and good infrastructure. Praia do Itanhaém, on the other hand, receives fewer bathers and appeals to those who prefer a quiet swim, as does Ponta da Praia, which is far from the urban center and suits those who like more deserted shores.
Speaking of the coastline, Ilha Comprida itself is said by many to be the second largest beach in Brazil. After all, there are 74 kilometers of uninterrupted coastline, offering entertainment for bathers of all tastes.
Gastronomy and more attractions
Finally, the city is also home to many caiçara villages, which preserve the natural lifestyle of the region. Many offer boat trips, gastronomic experiences, handicrafts and even accommodation. Among all the fishing villages, the most famous is Vila de Pedrinhas.
In other words, if you’re looking for a destination that combines ecotourism, culture and unique natural landscapes, you can’t miss Ilha Comprida. A complete trip, just a few hours from São Paulo!
