History, oysters and boat rides
Cananeia is one of the oldest towns in Brazil, founded by the Portuguese in 1502. This distant past is still present downtown, with several restored historic buildings.
The town is the starting point for boat cruises to Ilha Comprida and Ilha do Cardoso, where there is a state park and a fishermen village, in Marujá. During the boat ride it’s possible to see dolphins and on the islands there are plenty of waterfalls and deserted beaches.
There is intensive oyster farming and it is possible to buy them straight from the producers. Save some time to visit family farms and learn about local caiçara traditions, such as the Fandango, the Reiada and the Festa do Divino.
Main attractions
Historic Center (houses from the colonial times), Waterfall Route (Pitu, Mandira, Encanto and Rio das Minas waterfalls), Schooner Ride to the Ilha do Cardoso State Park, City Museum (where visitors can see the world’s second largest shark).
Main events
Sea Festival (June), City Anniversary and Our Lady of the Sailors Feast (August), Mullet Festival (July), Oyster Festival (November).
Services
City Hall: www.cananeia.sp.gov.br
Tourist Office: (55 + 13) 3851-1931
deptoturismo@cananeia.sp.gov.br / turismo@cananeia.sp.gov.br
Getting there
Car: Rodovia Régis Bittencourt (BR-116) until you reach km 200 and then take SP-226. Cross the town of Pariquera-Açu and 16 km later turn left on the cloverleaf interchange. Stay on this road, cross the Euclides Figueiredo bridge, which links the continent to the island of Cananeia. You can also go ahead to Porto Cubatão and cross the channel by barge. The travel time (non-stop) will be three and a half hours, on average.
Bus: Intersul Transportes - (55+ 11) 3392-7566/6499 - www.intersul-transporte.com.br
Buses depart from Terminal Rodoviário Barra Funda (São Paulo - SP).
Hotels and Restaurants
Accommodation
Hotel Sol a Sol - Av. Luís Wilson Barbosa, 573 – Retiro das Caravelas - (55 + 13) 3851-1907 - www.hotelsolasol.com.br
Hotel Marazul - Av. Luís Wilson Barbosa, 408 – Retiro das Caravelas - (55 +13) 3851-1407 - www.hotelmarazul.com.br
Hotel Golfinho Plaza - Av. Independência, 885, Rocio - (55 + 13) 3851-1655 - www.golfinhoplazahotel.com.br
Costa Azul Club Hotel - Estrada da Ponte, Km 06 – Parque Náutico - (55 + 13) 3851-1489 - www.hotelcostazul.com.br
Dining
Restaurante Bacharel - Av. Independência, 835 - (55 + 13) 3851 1182 - www.cananeiatur.com/bacharel
Restaurante Porto Camarão - Av. Independência, 661 - (55 + 13) 3851- 3994 - (55 + 13) 3851-3694
Restaurante Sambaqui - R. Tales Bernardes, 166 – Centro - (55 + 13) 3851- 0313 - www.restaurantesambaqui.com.br
Restaurante Ponto das Ostras - R. Pero Lopes, 125
Bar Cananoá - Rua Coronel Pedro Arbues, 25 – Centro - www.facebook.com/cananoa.bars
Kurt Kaffee - Av. Beira Mar, 71 – Centro - www.kurtkaffee.com.br
