Traveling Solo to Maresias: Itinerary and Tips for Solo Travelers
By MaresiasTur · · 5 min read
Quick answer
Traveling solo to Maresias is easy with guided group tours: BikeTour 360º and the shared boat to Montão de Trigo depart from Maresias itself. Since Uber and 99 don't work in town, choose accommodation close to the beach and the agency.
Traveling solo to Maresias is a great way to get to know the South Coast of São Sebastião at your own pace. MaresiasTur's guided tours work as a meeting point: biking through the village, boating around the islands, hiking to a waterfall, and rappelling bring travelers together in a group, with a guide or boat crew handling the technical side. This guide brings 2, 3 and 5-day itineraries, safety and transportation tips, and where to stay.
The accommodations mentioned in this itinerary are MaresiasTur partners.
Which tours bring solo travelers together?
- BikeTour 360º: 3 hours of biking through the village, past Beco da Mulher Maravilha, and to Poço do Caetano, on the Rio Maresias. Group of up to 10 people, with departures starting at 2 participants and a bike included.
- Shared boat tour to Montão de Trigo: departs at 9 am from Maresias Beach itself, about 4 hours around the South Coast islands.
- Shared Boat Tour The 3 Islands: up to 14 passengers, departures at 9 am, 12 pm and 3 pm from Boiçucanga Beach.
- 7 Quedas Trail, Calhetas EcoTour and Calhetas Rappelling: booking from 1 person, with groups of up to 15, 12 and 10 participants.
Two details for those traveling alone. Shared boat departures need a minimum of 8 people; if the quorum isn't reached, there's a reschedule or full refund. And single Lookout Rappelling bookings require a minimum of 2 people: traveling alone, the way in is the Adventure Package, which includes rappelling, accepts bookings from 1 person, and departs with a group starting at 2.
2-Day Solo Itinerary in Maresias
Day 1: Village and river by bike
- Morning: BikeTour 360º, at 9 am, departing from the agency, at Av. Francisco Loup, 500. On the way back, depending on the group and the sea, you can check out the natural pools at Canto do Moreira.
- Afternoon: Maresias Beach.
- Evening: sunset in the sand and dinner in the village.
Day 2: Islands departing from the beach
- Morning: shared boat to Ilha do Montão de Trigo, Ilha das Couves, Ilha dos Gatos and As Ilhas, at 9 am from Maresias Beach, no car needed to reach boarding. Snorkel mask and floats are not included.
- Afternoon: lunch and the drive home.
3-Day Itinerary: Add the Waterfall
Follow days 1 and 2 and set aside the third for the forest.
Day 3: Hike and nearly deserted beach
- Morning: hike to the 7 Quedas Waterfall, at 9 am: 2 km round trip, easy level, with a certified ecotourism guide and a swim at the waterfall.
- Afternoon: EcoTour at Calhetas Beach, at 2 pm, with round-trip transportation departing from the agency.
- Evening: dinner at Restaurante Ravenala, at Pousada Porto Mare, open to the public.
5-Day Itinerary: Adventure and More Islands
The first three days follow the itinerary above.
Day 4: 96-meter rappelling
- Morning: Calhetas Rappelling, at 9 am, departing from the agency, with certified adventure tourism guides, all equipment and individual insurance. Booking is available from 1 person.
- Afternoon: rest and beach.
- Evening: sunset and dinner in the village.
Day 5: Boat or diving
- Morning: Shared Boat Tour The 3 Islands, in Boiçucanga, or Try Scuba Diving at Ilha das Cabras, departing from Varadouro, in São Sebastião, about 30 km from Maresias.
- Afternoon: the drive home.
Is It Safe to Travel Solo to Maresias?
On tours, safety depends on the agency. MaresiasTur is registered with Cadastur, works with certified guides and instructors on trails and adventure activities, licensed boat crews and safety gear on all boat tours, and includes individual insurance for rappelling, the Adventure Package and diving. The full checklist is in safety in ecotourism.
- Let someone you trust know about the tour and your expected return time.
- Tell the team about any health condition before rappelling or diving.
- Write down the phone numbers: 192 (SAMU/ambulance), 193 (Fire Department), 190 (Military Police) and 185 (maritime emergencies). The nearest 24-hour emergency room is in Boiçucanga, as shown in the guide to emergencies and health in Maresias.
How to Get Around Without Uber?
Uber, 99 and similar apps don't work in São Sebastião. For solo travelers, the way around it is to build the itinerary around tours that depart from Maresias itself: BikeTour, the Adventure Package and Calhetas Rappelling depart from the agency, the EcoTour includes transportation, and the Montão boat boards at Maresias Beach. For Boiçucanga or Varadouro, ask your accommodation for a local taxi contact and arrange the return trip. Arrive 30 minutes early.
Where to Stay Alone in Maresias?
- Pousada Azul da Cor do Mar: practically steps from the sand, 20 m from the beach, on the same avenue as the agency, with a pool, a sauna, and breakfast signed by chef Andrea Mandetta.
- Pousada Toca da Praia: about 450 m from the beach, with a solar-heated pool and chair and umbrella loans; pet friendly, for those traveling with a dog.
- Pousada Villa Blu Maresias: a pool heated to between 26 and 28 °C, a sauna, a lookout point, parking, and full breakfast, about an 11-minute walk from the beach.
- Pousada Porto Mare: about 150 m from the beach, with a heated saltwater pool and Restaurante Ravenala.
Special discount coupon: MARESIASTUR. When booking directly with this itinerary's partner accommodations, mention the coupon MARESIASTUR for a special discount. Terms, dates and availability are set by each property.
How much does it cost? Per person, at reference prices from September 2026 (the updated price appears on each tour's page): BikeTour 360º, R$ 90; Montão de Trigo boat, R$ 250; 7 Quedas hike, R$ 70; Calhetas EcoTour, R$ 150; Calhetas Rappelling, R$ 300; Shared Boat Tour The 3 Islands, R$ 200. The 2-day itinerary adds up to R$ 340; the 3-day one, R$ 560; the 5-day one, R$ 1,060. Traveling with friends? Check out a trip with friends to Maresias, and the 2-day Maresias itinerary works for any traveler.
Frequently asked questions
- Can you do tours alone in Maresias?
- You can. BikeTour 360º, the 7 Quedas hike, Calhetas EcoTour, Calhetas Rappelling and the shared boat tours accept bookings for 1 person, and travelers join a group.
- Can I do Lookout Rappelling alone?
- Single Lookout Rappelling bookings require a minimum of 2 people. Alone, the alternative is the Adventure Package, which includes rappelling, accepts bookings for 1 person, and departs with a group starting at 2.
- Is there Uber in Maresias?
- No. Uber, 99 and similar apps don't work in São Sebastião. Arrange a local taxi through your accommodation or choose tours that depart from Maresias itself.
- Which boat tour departs from Maresias Beach itself?
- The shared boat to Montão de Trigo and the 3 Islands, at 9 am, lasting about 4 hours. The other boats depart from Boiçucanga Beach.
- Where can I stay in Maresias close to the agency?
- Pousada Azul da Cor do Mar is on the same avenue as the MaresiasTur agency, Av. Dr. Francisco Loup, and 20 m from the beach.
