Bertioga, Coastal municipality in São Paulo, Brazil
Bertioga is a coastal municipality in São Paulo state, sitting between the Atlantic Ocean and green hill ranges. The long sandy beaches meet river mouths and mangrove forests that narrow waterways run through.
A Portuguese fortress rose here in the 1540s to protect the coast from attacks and secure trade routes. Later the settlement developed as a waypoint for travelers between Santos and the north.
The name comes from the Tupi word "bytyrog," which refers to the abundant shellfish that early inhabitants collected along the shore. Fishing boats still arrive at dawn with fresh catches that local vendors sell at open-air markets near the waterfront.
The beaches sit close to one another, so visitors can explore several in a single day by driving along the coastal road. During the rainy season between December and March, rivers run fuller and the forests look denser.
An old stone tower from the 16th century stands on the beach and once served as a lookout against pirates. Today visitors can tour it and view the coastline from the top.
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