Brazil (São Paulo State)

Itanhaém

The coastline between Santos and ITANHAÉM, 61km south, is, in effect, one long beach which – were it not for the holiday complexes that line the entire stretch – would be simply unremarkable rather than unattractive. Founded in the sixteenth century, there are a few remaining facades from Itanhaém’s early years, most notably the Convento de Nossa Senhora da Conceição (daily 9–11am and 1–6pm), a semi-ruined chapel and monastery.
If you do decide to stay over, you’re likely to have problems finding a hotel room in the summer. Most of the people coming on holiday here are lower-middle-class Paulistanos staying in holiday complexes owned by workers’ associations, but there are a few small hotels. Your best bet is the Hotel Atlântico (tel 013/292-3154; $20–35) at Rua Cunha Moreira 68, or failing that, the Hotel da Barra (tel & fax 013/422-3222; $20–35) at Praça 22 de Abril.