Santos is a striking city in the São Paulo state of Brazil. It is partially located on the Island of São Vicente, and partially on the mainland. It is located only 40 miles southeast of the city of São Paulo, with which it is linked by rail and by the Via Anchieta highway. Santos is the world's greatest coffee port and the chief shipping point for the rich interior of São Paulo state. It handles the major share of Brazilian exports, including coffee, oranges, bananas, cotton, and industrial products. Along its spacious harbor there are more than 4 miles of modern wharves. Santos also boasts the Coffee Museum, where coffee prices were once negotiated, the world’s longest beach gardens (about 4.3 miles), and a Soccer Memorial dedicated to the city’s greatest player, Pelé.
Santos was founded c.1540 near the settlement of São Vicente. It was sacked by the English in 1591. Santos is a fashionable residential area and resort center with fine beaches.
Activities in Santos
Advisory
Please be advised that you may not be able to participate in certain activities after receiving your medical treatment. Your doctor will be able to advise you on the appropriate activities in which you can participate.
The Beaches
The city of Santos is located along the Atlantic Ocean, approximately 40 miles from São Paulo. Many of the Paulistas vacation in Santos during their holidays and weekends to escape from the hustle of city life of São Paulo and unwind on the peaceful and pristine beaches. The beaches of Santos are aligned with the most beautiful beach frontage gardens known in the world, and they reach for miles.
Longest Beachfront Garden in the World
The Beachfront Garden in Santos is considered to be the largest in the world. It contains 719 flowerbeds and 1,746 trees of 20 different species. The path running through the garden is 17,214 ft long. Here you will find a plethora of statues, including a monument to Christopher Columbus and another remembering the first Europeans to arrive in Brazil. The first part of the garden was completed in 1939 by the Czechoslovakian gardener Carlos Colarquis. In the 1950s, the size of the beachfront avenue was doubled and a decade later the Mayor, Silvio Clemente, commissioned gardeners to develop something even more amazing. The final changes to the garden took place in 1972 and 1976.
Shopping
The Miramar Mall, close to Independency Square is one of the larger malls in Santos. Here you will find a vast array of quality Brazilian fashion items from beachwear to dressy nightwear. There are also plenty souvenir shops, electronic shops, bookstores and a nice food court.
City Tour
A comfortable and convenient way to become acquainted with the city of Santos is to take a city tour via Streetcar. For $1.50, the Streetcare tour will take you to the old English mansion ruins at Valongo, Casa Rosa – Bolsa do Cafe (coffee exchange market), Praca Barao do Rio Branco, Praca Maua, and Praca Rui Barbosa. On weekends, the tour lasts about two hours and is closed on Mondays for scheduled
Fortaleza da Barra Grande is a worthwhile visit for those interested in history and as well as beauty. It offers a very good scenic view of Santos. Admission is free and can be viewed from Avenida Almada Saldanha da Gama at Ponta da Praia. The historical signification of this fort was to provide protection of defense during an epic of invasions mainly of European countries along the coasts of Brazil. It was built in 1584 and also called Fortaleza de Santo Amaro. It is located in Estuario, within the municipality of Guaruja. Excursions depart hourly at Ponte dos Praticos at Ponta da Praia. Take your camera with you.
The Santos Aquarium offers an excellent variety of aquatic life for the entire family. Here you will find an abundance of fresh and saltwater fish, seals, and aquatic vegetation. The Aquarium is open Tuesday to Sundays from 8 am to 6 pm.