Guarujá, Coastal municipality in São Paulo, Brazil
Guarujá is a coastal city on Santo Amaro Island in São Paulo state that stretches along the South Atlantic and includes 27 beaches. Pitangueiras and Enseada are among the largest and most recognized beaches, while smaller coves sit along the rockier sections of the island coastline.
The area was initially a small district of Santos and became an independent municipality in 1934. This change came with the growing number of residents and the development of beach resorts along the island.
The name comes from the Tupi language and means narrow path, a reminder of the terms indigenous peoples gave to the coastal landscapes of Brazil. This origin appears in other geographical names across the region that remain in use today.
Travelers from São Paulo reach the island via the Imigrantes highway in under an hour, and regular bus lines connect both locations daily. Most beaches sit close to one another, so you can walk or take short rides between them.
The Santos Air Force Base sits within city limits and was the training ground for the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team during the 2014 FIFA World Cup. This military facility shares space with civilian residential areas and beaches along the coast.
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