Santo Amaro Island Beaches Hiking: Paradise Route from São Paulo
Three beaches, a waterfall, and 10 kilometers of trail through the rainforest
A 10-to-12-hour hiking tour from São Paulo to Santo Amaro Island covers three beaches and a waterfall along the Paradise Route, with a bilingual guide, ferry crossing and hotel pickup included. You hike 10 kilometers across the Hans Staden trail, swim at two deserted beaches surrounded by Atlantic Forest, and bathe in a natural pool at Camburi Waterfall before returning to the first beach for free time.
Step-by-step itinerary
Hiking and beach exploration on Santo Amaro Island
- Arrive in Bertioga city
- Take ferry to Santo Amaro Island
- Receive safety and conduct briefing
- Hike Hans Staden trail to first beach
- Visit ruins of old church
- Stop for photos at Prainha Branca beach
- Hike to Prainha Preta beach
- Swim and relax at Prainha Preta beach
- Hike to Praia do Camburizinho beach
- Swim in natural pool at Camburizinho beach
- Hike to Camburi Waterfall
- Take waterfall bath and swim in natural pool
- Return hike to first beach
- Free time at first beach
What’s included
- Bilingual tour guide in English, Spanish or Portuguese.
- hotel pickup and drop-off within 6 kilometers of Sé Square.
- air-conditioned vehicle transport.
- ferry crossing to Santo Amaro Island.
- transport insurance.
Times
- Thursday and Saturday 07:30
Before you book
Operated by VIDA & ENERGIA
Prices and times updated today
Traveler reviews
The experience
The tour starts with pickup from your hotel (within 6 kilometers of Sé Square) and a drive to Bertioga, where you board a ferry to Santo Amaro Island's northern shore. Your guide briefs you on safety before the hike begins on the Hans Staden stretch, a 2-kilometer trail that passes the ruins of an old church swallowed by rainforest before reaching Prainha Branca. You stop to swim and photograph the rocky coast, then continue across the beach to the second leg of the route.
The second hike runs 1.5 kilometers through rainforest or along the rocky coast to Prainha Preta, a deserted beach where you swim again in water surrounded by forest. From there, another 1.5 kilometers takes you to Praia do Camburizinho, where a natural freshwater pool sits alongside the turquoise sea. The final 1.5-kilometer push leads uphill to Camburi Waterfall, where you bathe in the natural pool at the top before hiking 2 kilometers back to Prainha Branca for free time before the return journey to São Paulo.
The hike is rated medium to hard, with 5 hours of actual hiking time spread across the day's stops and swimming breaks. A bilingual guide leads the group in English, Spanish or Portuguese, and transport insurance covers the journey. You'll need moderate fitness and should bring water and sun protection. Food and drinks are not included.
Is this one for you?Hotel pickup within 6 kilometers of Sé Square means you don't need a car or arrange separate transport to reach the ferry. The tour handles the drive from São Paulo and the crossing to the island. The medium-to-hard rating and 10-kilometer distance suit hikers with moderate fitness who want a full day in the rainforest and water rather than a short coastal walk.
Compare the 7 alternatives
Top questions
What languages is the tour guided in?
Live guide in English, Spanish and Portuguese.
What happens if it rains?
It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.
How long is the actual hiking on Santo Amaro Island?
The total hiking distance is 10 kilometers across five sections, with 5 hours of walking time between the three beaches and the waterfall. The longest single stretch is 2 kilometers on the Hans Staden trail to the first beach.
What are the three beaches on the Paradise Route?
Prainha Branca is the first beach, reached after 2 kilometers through rainforest and past church ruins; Prainha Preta is the second, a deserted beach 1.5 kilometers further along the rocky coast; and Praia do Camburizinho is the third, a 1.5-kilometer hike inland with a natural freshwater pool beside the sea.
Can I swim at each beach?
Yes, you swim at both Prainha Branca and Prainha Preta, and you bathe in the natural freshwater pool at Praia do Camburizinho and again at Camburi Waterfall at the top of the hill.
What's included in the tour price?
The tour includes a bilingual guide, pickup and drop-off from hotels within 6 kilometers of Sé Square, transport in an air-conditioned vehicle, the ferry crossing to Santo Amaro Island, and transport insurance. Food and drinks are not included.
Is this hike suitable for someone visiting São Paulo without a car?
Yes, hotel pickup is included for any hotel within 6 kilometers of Sé Square, and the ferry crossing to the island is part of the tour, so you don't need your own transport.
Santo Amaro Island Beaches Hiking: Paradise Route from São Paulo
10h–12h · EN · ES · PT
from US$ 123.29 per person
Next, you choose your date and number of travelers and see the final price.