Guarujá is a city in São Paulo state, Brazil, and it is part of the Baixada Santista, the metropolitan area centered in Santos. One of the busiest holidays destinations of the state, only 87 kilometres from the city of S
While Guarujá’s skyline is dominated by apartments that hug the sand, the quieter neighbourhoods between the main avenues reveal a different tempo. In the fishing village of Enseada, early‑morning stalls sell freshly grilled peixe‑espada beside hammocks that sway to the tide. A short walk inland leads to the remnants of the Atlantic Forest, where guided walks reveal endemic bromeliads and the occasional howler. These pockets are less about sunbathing and more about experiencing a neighbourhood that lives by the sea’s natural cycles, offering a contrast to the bustling promenades that draw most tourists.
Weekend swaps: Guarujá and the hinterland
A two‑day stay in Guarujá can be enriched by a brief foray into the surrounding interior. The historic town of São Sebastião, a 30‑minute drive north, hosts a modest colonial church and a market where locals trade cassava flour and artisanal cachaça. Pair this with a late‑afternoon ferry across to the island of Ilhabela, where the road network is sparse and the islands’ waterfalls are best accessed by kayak. By alternating sea‑side relaxation with these short inland jaunts, visitors gain a broader sense of São Paulo’s coastal mosaic.
When the crowds thin: timing your beach time
Guarujá’s summer holidays flood the main beaches with families and party‑goers, but the shoulder months of May and September bring a different atmosphere. The sea remains comfortably warm, while the city’s cultural calendar fills with local festivals celebrating Tupi heritage, featuring dance troupes in traditional feathered costumes. Hotel rates drop, and restaurants shift from tourist menus to plates that highlight freshly caught sururu and regional manioc cakes. For travellers who prefer quieter sands and a taste of authentic local festivity, this window offers a more measured encounter with the “Pearl of the Atlantic.”
Introduction
Municipality in São Paulo, Brazil
For the neighbourhood in Porto Alegre, Brazil, see Guarujá, Rio Grande do Sul.
Municipality in Southeast, BrazilGuarujáMunicipalityMunicipality of Guarujá"Pearl of the Atlantic"
FlagCoat of armsNickname: Pérola do Atlântico (Pearl of the Atlantic)Motto: Pro mare nostrum (Ours by the sea)Location in São PauloGuarujáLocation in BrazilCoordinates: 23°59′37″S 46°15′23″W / 23.99361°S 46.25639°W / -23.99361; -46.25639Country BrazilRegionSoutheastState São PauloMetropolitan RegionBaixada SantistaFounded2 September 1893; 132 years ago (1893-09-02)Anniversary30 June 1934; 91 years ago (1934-06-30)Government • MayorFarid Said Madi (PODEArea • Total143.58 km2 (55.44 sq mi)Elevation4 m (13 ft)Population (2025) • Total294,871 • Density2,053.7/km2 (5,319.1/sq mi)Time zoneUTC−3 (BRT)Postal Code11400-000Area code+55 13HDI (2010)0.751 – highWebsiteOfficial website
Guarujá (/ɡwɑːrʊˈʒɑː/; Portuguese pronunciation: [ɡwaɾuˈʒa]) is a municipality in the São Paulo state of Brazil. It is part of the Metropolitan Region of the Baixada Santista. The population is 311,116 (2022 preliminary census count) in an area of 143.58 km2 (55.44 sq mi). This place name comes from the Tupi language, and means "narrow path". The population is highly urbanized, forms a 2nd urban core and beachfront island across the river from São Vicente Island, the island (Ilha de Santo Amaro) is coterminous with the municipality, with exception of small offshore isles like Ilha dos Arvoredos.
Toponym
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See also: Tupi-Guarani place names in Brazil
As Eduardo Navarro explains in his Dicionário de Tupi Antigo (2013), "Guarujá" is derived from the Tupi term agûarausá, which designates a type of crab, the guaruçá.
Although it is common to use the definite article before the name of the city, this usage is not correct. Therefore, one should say "Tenho casa em Guarujá" and not "Tenho casa no Guarujá".
Geography
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Asturias beach
Guarujá is located on the Santo Amaro Island, situated on the shore of São Paulo. Its main economic sources are seasonal tourism and port related activities.
Guarujá is a popular weekend destination for families from São Paulo, who can get there driving in less than one hour (through the Imigrantes highway). Traffic gets heavy during the evening on the holidays.
Guarujá has a borough called Vicente de Carvalho, in tribute to the Parnasianist poet.
A nickname for the city is "The Pearl of the Atlantic".
In total, Guarujá has 27 beaches, with the most famous including Guaiúba, Tombo, Astúrias, Pitangueiras, Enseada, Pernambuco, Perequê, São Pedro, Tijucopava, Iporanga, Praia Branca and Praia Preta.
Economy
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Guarujá, its history, infrastructure and proximity to the country's most populous city, provides strong attractive real estate and tourism. Much of the region on the coast, the beaches near the center (mainly Asturias Pitangueiras, Enseada, and Tombo) are taken by buildings devoted to the seasonal population, who arrives mostly in summer. Tourism, therefore, is the most important component that moves the economy.
The other part, relevant and non-seasonal, comes from the port (left bank of the Port of Santos) and related activities, such as transportation. Due to its proximity to Cubatão (largest industrial district in the country) and ports, there is also interest in industrial occupation in the region, started in 1976 by Dow Chemical, still the only major industry to occupy the region.
According to the IBGE of 2006 the production of wealth in the service area in the city, added that year, US$1.820 billion, equivalent to 0.14% in participation in the Brazilian GDP.
Twin towns – sister cities
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Guarujá is twinned with:
Cascais, Lisbon District, Portugal (2000)
Brotas, São Paulo, Brazil (2001)
Lobito, Benguela Province, Angola (2013)
Tourist attractions
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Andradas Fort
Acqua Mundo
Teatro Municipal Procópio Ferreira
Media
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In telecommunications, the city was served by the Companhia Telefônica Brasileira until 1973, when it began to be served by the Telecomunicações de São Paulo. In July 1998, this company was acquired by Telefónica, which adopted the Vivo brand in 2012.
The company is currently an operator of cell phones, fixed lines, internet (fiber optics/4G) and television (satellite and cable).
Sports
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The Estádio Municipal Antônio Fernandes is a football (soccer) stadium located in the city. Associação Desportiva Guarujá play their home games at this stadium. The Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team picked Guarujá as their base during the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
Charles Oliveira, the former UFC lightweight champion, was born and raised in Guarujá. He proudly represents Guarujá and is known for his charitable contributions to the community, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Airport and air force base
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The Santos Air Force Base – BAST, a base of the Brazilian Air Force, is located in Guarujá.
The city will be served by the Guarujá Civil Metropolitan Aerodrome, located in the vicinity of the air force base.
Notable people
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Kelvin Hoefler, skater, Olympic medalist
Alexandre Tam, professional soccer player (Santos FC)
Charles Oliveira, mixed martial artist and former UFC Lightweight Champion
Cláudia das Neves, women's basketball player
Diego Gonçalves, professional soccer player (Figueirense FC/Louletano D.C.)
Jean Paulo Fernandes, retired professional soccer player
KondZilla, screenwriter, director, producer and YouTuber
Maria José Dupré, writer and novelist (Eramos Seis)
Mazinho Oliveira, retired professional soccer player
