Praia do Santos
The massive, 7-km (4½-mile) strip of sand along Santos's shoreline is made up of a series of lively beaches. The city is crossed by seven channels, which act as borders between districts and separate the beaches. The busiest beaches—José Menino, Gonzaga, and Boqueirão—are between channels 1 and 4, where you'll find the greatest concentration of hotels and restaurants. The sea conditions do not differ greatly from one beach to another, but at José Menino (channels 1 to 2) the waves are a bit stronger and better for surfing. Partiers gather at Gonzaga Beach (channels 2 to 3), where open-air concerts often take place. Boqueirão (channels 3 to 4) has Santos's best infrastructure with ATMs, toilets, and showers, as well as a crafts fair on the weekend. Embaré Beach (channels 4 to 5) has many kiosks and bars and is a magnet for the younger set. Aparecida Beach (channels 5 to 6) is the meeting point for families with children, as well as seniors, and the location of the biggest beachfront garden in the world. The calm, almost flat sea at Ponta da Praia (channels 6 to 7) is suitable for water sports such as sailing, windsurfing, and jet skiing. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; showers; toilets. Best for: partiers; walking.
