RoadAtlas
Costa Verde — Brazil — Scenic
South America

Costa Verde

Brazil

In short: Costa Verde is a 280 km scenic road trip in Brazil, typically driven over 3–5 days, best in Dec–Mar. Highlights: Rio de Janeiro, Angra dos Reis, Paraty.

Distance
280 km
Duration
3–5 days
Best Season
Dec–Mar
IconicEasyScenicEV-friendly

The Rio–Santos coastal highway (BR-101) threads between the Serra do Mar mountains and the Atlantic, colonial fishing villages, the world's largest urban forest at Tijuca, islands, and Brazil's most spectacular beaches.

Practical notes
BR-101 is paved and straightforward, but traffic thickens hard around Rio, Santos, and the summer beach towns. In Dec–Mar expect holiday congestion, rain, and slow ferry lines for Ilhabela; keep fuel topped up and avoid night driving on the mountain sections after heavy showers.
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Stops along the route

Rio de Janeiro — Departure — Costa Verde — Brazil
Departure
Rio de Janeiro
Start in the Cidade Maravilhosa. Sugarloaf, Copacabana, Tijuca Forest, and Christ the Redeemer before heading southwest along the coast.
Hotels
Angra dos Reis — City — Costa Verde — Brazil
City
Angra dos Reis
A bay scattered with 365 islands. Schooners depart daily for Ilha Grande, one of Brazil's most beautiful and car-free islands.
Hotels
Paraty — City — Costa Verde — Brazil
City
Paraty
A perfectly preserved Portuguese colonial town where cobblestones flood at high tide. One of Brazil's finest and most atmospheric historic centres.
Hotels
Ubatuba — City — Costa Verde — Brazil
City
Ubatuba
Over 100 beaches in a single municipality. Itamambuca and Prumirim rank among the finest stretches of sand on the entire Brazilian coast.
Hotels
São Sebastião — City — Costa Verde — Brazil
City
São Sebastião
Colonial port town facing Ilhabela across a narrow channel. The 18th-century Igreja Matriz anchors a well-preserved historic centre flanked by excellent beaches.
Hotels
Bertioga — City — Costa Verde — Brazil
City
Bertioga
Home to Forte São João, one of the oldest Portuguese fortifications in Brazil, built in 1547 at the mouth of the channel where Hans Staden was once held captive.
Hotels
Guarujá — City — Costa Verde — Brazil
City
Guarujá
The beach resort of São Paulo, an island city of 90 km of coastline reached by ferry from Bertioga. Pitangueiras and Enseada are the most popular stretches.
Hotels
Santos — Arrival — Costa Verde — Brazil
Arrival
Santos
Brazil's largest port city, with the longest urban beach garden in the world stretching along its seafront promenade.
Hotels

Things to Do

Trindade — Nature — Costa Verde — Brazil
Nature
Trindade
A small village just south of Paraty with extraordinary rock formations, clear lagoons, and undeveloped beaches tucked beyond the hillside.
Ilhabela — Nature — Costa Verde — Brazil
Nature
Ilhabela
A mountainous island blanketed in Atlantic rainforest, with over 40 beaches, dozens of waterfalls, and the best offshore sailing in South America. Reached by a short ferry from São Sebastião.
Paraty Historic Center — Historic Site — Costa Verde — Brazil
Historic Site
Paraty Historic Center
Explore cobblestone streets lined with preserved colonial architecture, reflecting Brazil's rich history.
Praia do Bonete — Beach — Costa Verde — Brazil
Beach
Praia do Bonete
Accessible via a scenic hike or boat, this secluded beach in Ilhabela is known for its natural beauty and surfing waves.
Forte de São João — Historic Site — Costa Verde — Brazil
Historic Site
Forte de São João
A 16th-century fortress in Bertioga offering panoramic views and insights into Brazil's colonial past.

Where to Eat

Restaurante Banana da Terra — Brazilian — Costa Verde — Brazil
Brazilian
Restaurante Banana da Terra
Offers contemporary Brazilian cuisine with a focus on seafood, set in a charming colonial house in Paraty's historic center.
Ponto de Encontro — Seafood — Costa Verde — Brazil
Seafood
Ponto de Encontro
Known for its fresh seafood dishes and ocean views, this restaurant in Ubatuba provides a relaxed dining experience.
Manacá Restaurante — Contemporary Brazilian — Costa Verde — Brazil
Contemporary Brazilian
Manacá Restaurante
Set amidst lush gardens in São Sebastião, Manacá offers innovative Brazilian dishes in a serene atmosphere.

Explore related routes

Brazil road trips Iconic Scenic Coastal DrivesMountain PassesEV Road Trips South America routes

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Frequently asked questions

How long is the Costa Verde drive?

The Costa Verde covers 280 km from start to finish.

How long does the Costa Verde take to drive?

Most travellers spend 3–5 days on the Costa Verde, depending on stops and pace.

When is the best time to drive the Costa Verde?

The recommended season for the Costa Verde is Dec–Mar.

Where does the Costa Verde start and end?

The Costa Verde runs from Rio de Janeiro to Santos.

What are the main stops on the Costa Verde?

The Costa Verde passes through Rio de Janeiro, Angra dos Reis, Paraty.

Can I drive the Costa Verde in a regular car?

Yes — the Costa Verde is paved end-to-end and a regular car is fine in normal conditions.

Is the Costa Verde EV friendly?

Yes — the Costa Verde has charger coverage along the route and works as an EV road trip.

Is the Costa Verde safe to drive?

BR-101 is paved and straightforward, but traffic thickens hard around Rio, Santos, and the summer beach towns. In Dec–Mar expect holiday congestion, rain, and slow ferry lines for Ilhabela; keep fuel topped up and avoid night driving on the mountain sections after heavy showers.

What scenic tier is the Costa Verde?

The Costa Verde is a iconic drive — Iconic road trips that anchor a region's reputation — postcard scenery, headline highways, and the routes most travellers want to drive.