Summer is coming, and all São Paulo residents want most is a little time off to visit the coast. If you can’t wait to get your feet in the sand, here’s another coastal town to add to your list: Mongaguá, in the Baixada Santista.
This is because the city is the perfect combination of nature, culture, leisure and practicality. After all, you don’t have to travel far to get to know it: it’s about 100km from São Paulo, or just 1.5 hours by car. So if you’re looking for a day trip, you’ve found the perfect destination!
What to do in Mongaguá (SP)?
Beaches
The city’s biggest attraction could only be its beaches! With around 13km of coastline, Mongaguá has urban beaches with plenty of infrastructure for tourists, such as kiosks and restaurants.
Among the most famous is Praia do Centro, whose easy access and calm waters make it perfect for a family outing. Praia da Plataforma is popular with surfers, who take the opportunity to catch a wave there.
Largest fishing platform on the Latin continent
If you love fishing, you can pack your bags right now. After all, Mongaguá has the largest reinforced concrete fishing platform in Latin America, which attracts not only fishermen but also tourists from all over the state. In the shape of a T, it extends 400 meters into the sea, offering an unmissable view of the coastline. It is open 24 hours a day, with toilets and fishing equipment.
Fun fact: the platform not only attracts fishermen, but also many famous people. Neymar, for example, shot commercials there in 2011, according to the local town hall. American trash-metal band Megadeth “hit the spot” on the platform in 2022, when they recorded the music video for their song We’ll Be Back: Chapter I there.
Craft fairs for family gifts!
If you’re one of those who take souvenirs for the whole family, you can’t miss Mongaguá’s craft fairs . There are three in total: the Arts Fair in the Center; the Vera Cruz Arts Fair and the Platform Arts Fair (Agenor De Campos), the last of which, as the name suggests, is on the fishing platform. Get presents for the whole family at affordable prices!
Trails, waterfalls and other Atlantic Forest treasures
Finally, Mongaguá has a number of parks and nature reserves that preserve the native vegetation of the Atlantic Rainforest. So, when you visit the city, you can also take a beautiful walk in the middle of nature.
The Umberto Salomone Tourist Park (Poço das Antas, photo), for example, offers a waterfall that ends in a natural pool, as well as trails and caves. The A Tribuna Ecological Park is home to several native animals, allowing visitors to meet alligators, toucans, jabitus and even snakes.
