How to Get to Maresias and Get Around Without Uber
By MaresiasTur · · Updated on · 5 min read
Quick answer
To get to Maresias, in São Sebastião (SP), the most common way is by car: about 200 km from São Paulo, via the Rodovia dos Tamoios or the Mogi-Bertioga highway, then the SP-055. Uber and 99 don't work in the city; get around by car, local taxi or ride share.
To figure out how to get to Maresias, start with the map: the beach is in São Sebastião, on São Paulo's North Coast, along the SP-055 highway, between Boiçucanga and Paúba, about 200 km from the state capital. Access is by road, and there's one detail that catches many visitors off guard: apps like Uber and 99 don't work in São Sebastião.
This guide covers the routes, ways to get around the region, tour meeting points, and what to know about the ferry to Ilhabela and healthcare on the South Coast.
How do you get to Maresias by car from São Paulo?
The distance is about 200 km, and travel time varies a lot with traffic, especially on holidays and summer weekends. The two most-used routes are:
- Via the Rodovia dos Tamoios: down the mountains to Caraguatatuba and then south on the SP-055 to Maresias.
- Via Bertioga: along the Mogi-Bertioga highway and then north on the SP-055, passing the South Coast beaches.
Check a maps app before leaving to pick the route with less traffic that day. On days with heavy rain, it's also worth checking the INMET weather alerts and the CPTEC/INPE forecast for São Sebastião. São Paulo's Civil Defense sends free SMS alerts to anyone who texts their zip code to 40199, as explained by SP Sempre Alerta.
Can you get there by bus?
There are intercity bus lines connecting the state capital to the North Coast. Check schedules and stops in Maresias directly with the bus companies before traveling, and keep in mind that, without ride-hailing apps, getting from the bus stop to your accommodation needs to be arranged in advance.
Is there Uber in Maresias? How to get around the region
No. Uber, 99 and similar apps don't work in São Sebastião, so it's worth planning each trip before you arrive:
- Own or rented car: the most practical option for combining beaches and tours.
- Local taxi: ask your accommodation for a contact and arrange the return trip in advance.
- Group ride: if someone in the group has a car, agree on who drives everyone to the meeting point.
Some tours already take care of part of the transportation. The Calhetas EcoTour includes the round trip from the agency to the beach, and the scuba diving experience includes boat transport to Ilha das Cabras. On the Biketour 360º and the Adventure Package, the bike is provided and the route through the village is covered by pedaling.
Where are the tour meeting points?
| Meeting point | Tours | Note |
|---|---|---|
| MaresiasTur agency, Av. Francisco Loup, 500, Maresias | Calhetas EcoTour, Calhetas Rappelling, Adventure Package and Biketour 360º | The EcoTour includes transfer to the beach and back |
| Maresias Beach | Shared boat to Montão de Trigo | Departure at 9am |
| Boiçucanga Beach | Shared and private boat tours and the Ilhabela route | Exact location sent by WhatsApp after booking |
| Trilha dos Mirantes, between Paúba and Maresias | Lookout Rappelling | 2 km trail, easy level |
| Rua Benedito Ramos dos Santos, 98, Varadouro, São Sebastião | Try scuba diving | Boat transport to the dive site included |
For those going by boat, the guide to the boat tour in Boiçucanga has more details about boarding.
How do you get from Maresias to Ilhabela?
By car, the crossing is made by ferry between downtown São Sebastião and Ilhabela. The terminal is on Av. Antônio Januário do Nascimento, s/n, in São Sebastião. According to SEMIL, which runs the crossing, the ferry operates 24 hours, with regular departures from 5:30am to 11:30pm depending on demand and fixed overnight schedules. The crossing takes 20 to 30 minutes.
- Fares as of September 2026: pedestrians and cyclists ride free; a car pays R$ 19.00 on weekdays and R$ 28.50 on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays; a motorcycle, R$ 9.50 and R$ 14.20.
- Payment: only when boarding in São Sebastião, valid for the round trip, in cash or with an automatic toll tag. Cards aren't accepted in the regular line.
- Guaranteed time slot: paid scheduling is done through Hora Marcada, by credit card only.
- Ilhabela fee: since 3/31/2026 the city has charged an Environmental Preservation Fee on vehicles entering (R$ 48 for cars and R$ 10 for motorcycles), payable within 30 days. Vehicles registered in São Sebastião and in Ilhabela are exempt.
The crossing is transitioning to a private operator, contracted in May 2026, so check the fares on the official page before you go. SEMIL's live cameras show the line. Without a car, the private boat route to Ilhabela departs from Boiçucanga at 9am. Compare the options in from Maresias to Ilhabela: boat or ferry and see the details of the São Sebastião–Ilhabela ferry.
Where to find healthcare on the South Coast?
The reference hospital for Maresias is the Hospital de Clínicas de São Sebastião – Costa Sul, on Av. Walkir Vergani, in Boiçucanga, with a 24-hour emergency room, according to the São Sebastião city government. In an emergency, call 192 (SAMU ambulance service), 193 (Fire Department), 190 (Military Police), 199 (Civil Defense) or 185 (Navy sea emergencies); the full list is on the city's useful phone numbers page. More guidance in emergencies and healthcare in Maresias.
How much in advance should you arrive for a tour?
Arrive at the meeting point at least 30 minutes early. Under MaresiasTur's policy, a delay that causes you to miss the boarding is treated as a no-show, with no refund, and date changes can be requested up to 48 hours in advance, subject to availability. See the details in the cancellation policy and plan your itinerary with the guide what to do in Maresias.
Frequently asked questions
- Do Uber and 99 work in Maresias?
- No. These apps don't work in São Sebastião; use a car, local taxi or ride share, and arrange the return trip in advance.
- What's the distance from São Paulo to Maresias?
- About 200 km, via routes such as the Rodovia dos Tamoios or the Mogi-Bertioga highway followed by the SP-055.
- How much does the ferry from São Sebastião to Ilhabela cost?
- Pedestrians and cyclists ride free. A car pays R$ 19.00 on weekdays and R$ 28.50 on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, one way only, according to SEMIL as of September 2026.
- What's the closest hospital to Maresias?
- The Hospital de Clínicas de São Sebastião – Costa Sul, in Boiçucanga, which has a 24-hour emergency room. In an emergency, call 192 for SAMU.
- Where do the boat tours depart from?
- Speedboats depart from Boiçucanga Beach, with the exact location sent by WhatsApp after booking. The shared boat to Montão de Trigo departs from Maresias Beach.
- How much in advance should you arrive for a tour?
- The recommendation is to arrive at least 30 minutes before the scheduled time.
