São Paulo shore excursion: Private car tour with guide

A full day in São Paulo: rainforest drive, five neighborhoods, a cathedral and a park

A private shore excursion from Santos cruise terminal to São Paulo with a driver-guide in your choice of English, Spanish, Portuguese or French. The tour includes pickup and drop-off at the port, a 1.5-hour scenic drive through Atlantic Rainforest to the city, stops at Paulista Avenue, Vila Madalena's street art, Ibirapuera Park, Liberdade's Japanese district and Sé Cathedral, plus the return journey to Santos. The itinerary is flexible: you can visit museum interiors if you arrange it in advance, and lunch at local restaurants is optional.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Paulista Avenuepassing by
2. Ibirapuera Park20m
3. Liberdadepassing by
4. Sé Cathedralpassing by
5. Itaú Culturalpassing by

Explore São Paulo from Santos port

• Pick up at Santos port
• Drive to São Paulo via Rodovia Anchieta or Imigrantes
• See the imperial palace-inspired museum building
• Drive through Paulista Avenue
• Visit Batman's Alley street art
• Drive by charming streets to Ibirapuera Park
• See Victor Brecheret's Art Deco sculpture
• Enjoy Ibirapuera Park
• Drive through Liberdade neighborhood
• Drive by Sé Cathedral
• Drive back to Santos port with rainforest views

The experience

You board the private car at Santos cruise terminal and spend the first 1.5 hours driving to São Paulo on either Rodovia Anchieta or Imigrantes highway. The route itself is the draw: the road climbs through Atlantic Rainforest, past mountains and waterfalls, with views of the sea and the escarpment. Your guide narrates the landscape and the city ahead as you approach.

Once in São Paulo, the tour moves through five distinct parts of the city. You start at Independence Park, where the building was inspired by an imperial palace and holds the monument to Brazil's emperors, then drive 20 minutes down Paulista Avenue (the main artery and heart of São Paulo) toward Vila Madalena. The street art district (known locally as Batman's Alley) is a stop for photos among the color and local artists. From there, a 20-minute drive takes you past the fanciest and most charming street in the city to Ibirapuera Park, where you spend time surrounded by nature, art and design. You also see Victor Brecheret's monumental Art Deco sculpture, one of the city's most recognizable and debated landmarks. Liberdade, the traditional Asian neighborhood that hosts the largest Japanese community outside Japan, is next. Finally, you visit Sé Cathedral, one of the world's largest neogothic temples.

The return to Santos takes another 1.5 hours on the same scenic highway, with the same rainforest and mountain views. Your guide is a hand-picked multilingual professional who can speak English, Spanish, Portuguese or French depending on your preference. Lunch at local restaurants is optional and costs roughly BRL 200 per person. The tour does not include meal costs or entry fees to any attraction interiors, though you can arrange museum visits in advance if you want them.

What’s included

• Private car and driver-guide for the full 7.5 hours.
• pickup and drop-off at Santos cruise terminal.
• the 1.5-hour scenic drive through Atlantic Rainforest to São Paulo and back.
• stops at Paulista Avenue, Vila Madalena street art, Ibirapuera Park, Liberdade neighborhood and Sé Cathedral.
• narration and local knowledge from a hand-picked multilingual guide.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00, 09:30 and 10:00

Book up to1d before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Local Guide Sao Paulo

Is this one for you?Book this if your port time spans a full day and you want a private car with a guide who drives while you focus on the landmarks. Choose this over a group tour if you prefer to set your own pace at each stop.

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French 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 does the drive from Santos to São Paulo take?

The drive is 1.5 hours each way on Rodovia Anchieta or Imigrantes highway, passing through Atlantic Rainforest with views of mountains, waterfalls and the sea. The return journey is the same length.

What is Paulista Avenue and why is it a stop on this tour?

Paulista Avenue is the main avenue and heart of São Paulo, running through the city for about 20 minutes of the drive. It is the central business and cultural spine of the city, and the tour passes through it on the way to Vila Madalena.

Can I visit the inside of the museums or attractions on this tour?

Entry to attraction interiors is optional and not included in the tour price. If you want to visit a museum, let your guide know in advance so the itinerary can be adjusted. Lunch at local restaurants is also optional, at roughly BRL 200 per person.

Does the tour include pickup from the cruise ship?

Yes, pickup and drop-off at the Santos cruise terminal are included in the tour price.