2-Day Itinerary in Maresias: What to Do on a Weekend
By MaresiasTur · · 6 min read
Quick answer
A good 2-day itinerary in Maresias combines sea and forest: on Saturday, a hike to the Cachoeira das 7 Quedas (7 Quedas Waterfall) in the morning and a boat tour to Ilha das Couves, Ilha dos Gatos, and As Ilhas in the afternoon; on Sunday, a BikeTour through the village or an EcoTour at Calhetas Beach.
A 2-day itinerary in Maresias fits into a weekend and shows both sides of the destination: the sea, with the South Coast islands of São Sebastião, and the Atlantic Forest (Mata Atlântica), with a hike and a waterfall. The suggestion below uses guided MaresiasTur tours with fixed times, and still leaves time for the beach and for rest.
The plan is built around arriving Friday night or early Saturday and heading back Sunday afternoon. After the day-by-day schedule come the adaptations for families, couples, and friends, the partner guesthouses with a discount coupon, and how much the tours cost.
What does the 2-day itinerary in Maresias look like?
| Day | Morning | Afternoon | Evening |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday | Cachoeira das 7 Quedas hike (9 AM) | Shared Boat Tour The 3 Islands (3 PM) | Dinner in the village |
| Sunday | BikeTour 360º or EcoTour at Calhetas (9 AM) | Maresias Beach and return | Sunset on the beach, for those staying longer |
Each tour lasts about 3 hours, which leaves room for an unhurried lunch between one and the other. Those who prefer the sea first thing can swap the Saturday order, as explained below.
Saturday: waterfall in the morning, islands in the afternoon
- Morning: eco-hike to the Cachoeira de Maresias, the 7 Quedas (7 Waterfalls), departing at 9 AM. It's 2 km round trip, easy level, through preserved Atlantic Forest, with a certified ecotourism guide and passing through a protected conservation area. At the end, a swim under the waterfall.
- Afternoon: lunch and the Shared Boat Tour – The 3 Islands of the South Coast, on the 3 PM departure. The tour lasts about 3 hours, visits Ilha das Couves, Ilha dos Gatos, and As Ilhas, and makes two stops for swimming and snorkeling. A licensed boat captain, safety gear, and pool noodles are included. Boarding is at Boiçucanga Beach, a few minutes from Maresias; the exact meeting point is sent via WhatsApp after payment confirmation.
- Evening: dinner in the village or at Restaurante Ravenala, at Pousada Porto Mare, which is open to the public.
You can swap the order: the boat also departs at 9 AM and 12 PM, and the hike has a 2 PM departure. The shared boat tour depends on a minimum quorum of 8 people per departure; if it isn't reached, or if the tide is unfavorable, MaresiasTur offers rescheduling or a full refund. Details are in the post about the shared boat tour.
Sunday: bike through the village or Calhetas Beach
- Morning: two options departing at 9 AM from the agency, at Av. Francisco Loup, 500:
- BikeTour 360º: about 3 hours of easy cycling through the village, passing the Beco da Mulher Maravilha (Wonder Woman Alley), an open-air mural, and a swim at the natural pool of Poço do Caetano, on the Rio Maresias. Bicycle and certified guide are included. Only for those 11 or older.
- EcoTour at Calhetas Beach: about 3 hours, with round-trip transport departing from the agency and a certified local guide, to a nearly deserted beach with white sand and natural rock formations. Good for couples and for families with small children.
- Afternoon: lunch, last hours at Maresias Beach or the guesthouse pool, and the trip home.
- Evening: those staying through Monday can watch the sunset on the beach and have dinner in the village.
How to adapt the itinerary for family, couples, or friends?
- Family with small children: on Sunday, stick with the EcoTour at Calhetas, because the BikeTour 360º doesn't accept babies or children up to age 10. The easy hike and the boat with pool noodles work well for little ones, always with an adult nearby, and anyone under 18 books together with an adult. See the Maresias with the family itinerary.
- Couple: swap the shared boat for the private boat, which departs in the morning, afternoon, or for sunset, priced per boat. More ideas at couple's trip to Maresias.
- Friends: for those wanting adrenaline, Sunday can include the Lookout Rappelling (10 meters) or the Calhetas Rappelling (96 meters), both with 9 AM and 2 PM departures. With a large group, splitting the private boat among everyone can work out affordably. See trip with friends to Maresias.
If you have more time, the 3-day Maresias itinerary and the 5-day Maresias itinerary add Montão de Trigo, rappelling, Ilhabela, and diving.
Where to stay in Maresias for a weekend?
The guesthouses in this itinerary are MaresiasTur partners. On a short weekend, it's worth staying near the beach and the agency, to spend your time on the tours rather than in traffic.
- Pousada Azul da Cor do Mar: practically on the sand, 20 m from the beach, on Av. Dr. Francisco Loup, 1004, the same avenue as the agency. Features breakfast curated by chef Andrea Mandetta, a pool, a sauna, and a kids' pool area.
- Villa'l Mare Hotel: about 500 m from the beach, with a free daily shuttle van that takes guests to any point in Maresias, including the beach. Has an adult and kids' pool, a hot tub, breakfast included, and the La Trattoria restaurant, serving homemade pasta and sauces from family recipes.
- Pousada Toca da Praia: the choice for those traveling with a dog. It's pet friendly with no size or breed restrictions, and pets can stay in the suite, at the outdoor breakfast tables, and in the common areas. It's about 450 m from the beach, has a solar-heated pool, and lends beach chairs and umbrellas.
- Pousada Porto Mare: about 150 m from the beach, with a heated saltwater pool, an integrated jacuzzi, and the Restaurante Ravenala, serving traditional caiçara (coastal Brazilian) cuisine with contemporary touches.
Special discount coupon: MARESIASTUR. When booking directly with this itinerary's partner guesthouses, mention the coupon MARESIASTUR for a special discount. Conditions, dates, and availability are set by each guesthouse.
How much do the itinerary's tours cost?
| Tour | Price per person |
|---|---|
| Cachoeira das 7 Quedas hike | R$ 70 |
| Shared Boat Tour The 3 Islands | R$ 200 |
| BikeTour 360º | R$ 90 |
| or EcoTour at Calhetas Beach | R$ 150 |
| Total with BikeTour | R$ 360 |
| Total with EcoTour | R$ 420 |
These are September 2026 reference prices; the current price appears on the tour's page. Dates and the price for each age bracket are on the page for the Shared Boat Tour – The 3 Islands of the South Coast and on the other tours' pages. Food, drinks, and transport to boarding are not included. Shared and ecotourism tours are paid 100% at booking, as explained in the cancellation policy.
How to get around, and what to do if it rains?
Uber and 99 don't operate in São Sebastião, so the weekend calls for a car, a local taxi, or a ride. The hike and the boat require getting there on your own; the EcoTour already includes transport from the agency. The recommendation is to arrive 30 minutes before each departure. The guide on how to get to Maresias and get around helps with planning.
Boat tours depend on safe sailing conditions. If a departure is canceled for weather, maritime safety, or operational reasons, the traveler chooses between rescheduling at no cost or getting a full refund. With the forecast in hand, you can request a date change up to 48 hours in advance, subject to availability. For overcast days, see what to do in Maresias when it rains.
Frequently asked questions
- Can you experience Maresias in 2 days?
- You can see the essentials: a hike with a waterfall, a boat tour through the South Coast islands, and a land-based tour like the BikeTour or the EcoTour at Calhetas. With more time, it's worth adding Montão de Trigo, rappelling, and Ilhabela.
- Which boat tour fits a weekend in Maresias?
- The Shared Boat Tour – The 3 Islands visits Ilha das Couves, Ilha dos Gatos, and As Ilhas in about 3 hours, with two stops for swimming and departures at 9 AM, 12 PM, and 3 PM, which makes it easy to fit into Saturday or Sunday.
- Can a small child do this itinerary?
- Yes, by swapping the BikeTour 360º for the EcoTour at Calhetas, because the BikeTour doesn't accept babies or children up to age 10. The hike is easy level and the shared boat tour includes pool noodles.
- Do I need a car to do this itinerary?
- It helps a lot, because Uber and 99 don't operate in São Sebastião and transport to boarding isn't included in the boat tours. The EcoTour at Calhetas already has round-trip transport departing from the agency.
- How do I use the MARESIASTUR coupon at the guesthouses?
- Mention the MARESIASTUR coupon when booking directly with the partner guesthouse. The conditions, dates, and availability of the discount are set by each guesthouse.
- What if it rains during the weekend?
- If MaresiasTur cancels a departure due to weather, you choose between rescheduling at no cost or getting a full refund. Date changes can be requested up to 48 hours in advance, subject to availability.
