São Sebastião — Historic Colonial Coastal Town

São Sebastião sits about 195km east of São Paulo city on the Litoral Norte, across the channel from Ilhabela. Buses depart Tietê Bus Terminal (approximately R$70-85 round trip, around 3.5 hours), or visitors can drive via the Rodovia dos Tamoios. The historic centre preserves colonial architecture around the Igreja Matriz de São Sebastião and Rua Sebastião Silvestre Neves, with small museums including the Museu de Arte Sacra housed in a former Jesuit building. Beyond the town, the municipality stretches along beaches such as Maresias, popular with surfers, and the quieter Boiçucanga, both reached most easily by car or local bus. A day trip typically opens with a walk through the colonial centre and waterfront promenade in the morning, when the fishing boats unload their catch near the market, followed by lunch at one of the seafood restaurants along the historic quay. Afternoons suit a drive south to Maresias for surfing or beach time, or a shorter stop at Boiçucanga for calmer swimming. The town also serves as the ferry gateway to Ilhabela, so some visitors combine a morning in São Sebastião with an afternoon island crossing. April through September brings milder, quieter conditions in town, while the surf beaches draw crowds in summer.