'''Santos''' is a city in the south of the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil. It's by the seaside, and the most important port in South America.
Understand
Santos is a municipality in the Sao Paulo state of Brazil, founded in 1546. It is partially located on the island of Sao Vicente which harbors both the city of Santos and the city of Sao Vicente, and partially on the mainland. It is the main city in Paulista Coast. As of 2006, its population was estimated at 418,375. Santos has the biggest seaport in Latin America; is a significant tourist center; has large industrial complexes and shipping centers, which handle a large portion of the world's coffee exports; as well as a number of other Brazilian exports including oranges, bananas and cotton. The city also displays the Coffee Museum, where, once, coffee prices were negotiated; and a football memorial, dedicated to the city's greatest players, amongst which is''' Pele'''. Its beach's garden, 5.335 Km length, figures in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest beach front garden.
There is a tourist information on the beach garden in the center of the beach. It is the the building with Mondrian walls at the big "i"-sign, The staff speaks excellent english and are very helpful.
Get in
From Sao Paulo
By air - Arriving the airports in Sao Paulo (Congonhas / CGH) or (Guarulhos / GRU), packtours can arrange convenient TAXI service to Santos, it may take slightly more than one hour to go.
By bus - Take a taxi or the subway to Jabaquara Bus Station. There you can take a bus directly to Santos. Estimated travel time: 1 hour 20 minutes. More information: 11 50113421. The bus stops at the Centro Rodovario and at the very north end of the beach. You can get off at many other stops on the beach, but only if you do not have luggage in the luggage area of the bus.
By car - From Sao Paulo, first it catches the Anchieta Highway (SP-160) until the city of Cubatao. There it has a bifurcation, follow the sign saying '''Santos'''.
Get around
By taxi
A good way to move around to not-so-close places. They are not very expensive and drivers are mostly friendly, although small cheats are not uncommon. To avoid it, after getting into a taxi, check if the taximeter has been started . If not, ask the taxi driver to do so.
By bus
Buses are a cheap and nice way to get around by day although by night they are more scarce. The fare is payed on cash to a controller or the driver only inside the bus, by passing through a roulette. There are no tickets. Keep an eye out for pickpockets when the bus is crowded. Many people get still wet from the sea into the bus, so have a good look if your seat is dry before you sit.
By bicycle
Bicycles are by far the best way to move around the town, but unfortunately there are not many places where you can rent one (but plenty where you can buy). It's not allowed to ride on most of the beaches during the day. There are some "ciclovias" (bikelanes), specially a well-signed one in front of the beach. Better safe than sorry: buy a lock as well.
See
Docks
'''Dock Museum.''' Av. Rodrigues Alves with Rua Joao Alfredo, Phone 3233-6565. This museum tells the story of what was during the 19th century the greatest coffee dock in the world. From Mon to Fry 7:00 to 11:00 and 3:00 to 17:00. No admission fee.
'''Statue of the dock worker.''' Silverio de Souza square. 12 meters high statue in homage to the labor force that endured carrying tons of coffee everyday back in times.
Center
'''Coffee Stock Exchange.''' Rua XV de Novembro, 95, Phone: 3219-5585. From Tue to Sun, 9:00 to 18:00 - Once an active and important institution, nowadays it houses a '''Museum of Coffee''' where it can be seen the history of Coffee in Brazil, some old machineries and different kinds of coffee. The building has renascentist inspiration and was reopen to the public in 1997. R$4,00; R$2,00 (students and over 65 year-olds).
'''Monte Serrat Hill.''' Praca Correia de Melo, 33, Phone: 3221-5665. Right in the center of the city. On the top of the hill (157m) one can have a 360 degrees view of all Santos and adjacent cities (like Guaruja). Full of restaurants and coffee bars. If climbing is not your sport, you can take the tram (R$12,50).
Beach area
'''Beach front garden.''' The longest beach front garden in the world according to the Guinness with 5335 meters long. Just go to the beach and you will find it.
'''Aquarium.''' Av. Bartolomeu de Gusmao, Ponta da Praia, Phone: 3236-9996. The first public aquarium in Brazil featuring hundreds of sea creatures of the Brazilian seas. Tue to Sat, 9:00 to 18:00. R$ 5,00, students pay R$ 2,50 and free for children under 12.
'''Church of Embare.''' Av. Bartolomeu de Gusmao, 32, Phone: 3227-5977. Gothic church built in 1946. Everyday from 8:00 to 20:00. No admission fee.
Northwest area
'''Santos Futebol Club.''' Rua Princesa Isabel, Phone: 3239-4000. The famous club where '''Pele''' played most of his career exhibits some glories and trophies of the past and present. Interesting only for football fanatics. From 9:00 to 11:30 and 13:30 to 18:00. No admission fee.
Do
People from Sao Paulo often go to Santos to lie down under the sun and enjoy the '''beach'''. Santos beaches are not the most beautiful in the Paulista Coast, but they are still popular and a good place for a walk. Once there, you may try some coconuts (R$ 3.00) or buy handicrafts. If you can't find the vendors, don't worry, they will find you.
Walk on the '''XV de Novembro Street'''. Located in the '''center''' of Santos, the street used to be where the office s of Coffee Lords were located. The interesting colonial architecture and the many bars and Cafes around make it a pleasant walk in the ending afternoon.
Trams in Santos date back to 1861. You can still ride them and take a peek in all main attractions of the center. '''Tours''' costs R$1,00 and leaves from Maua Square (''Praca Maua'').
Buy
The '''handicraft market''' is the place to buy a nice souvenir from Santos. There you can find paintings, earrings, clothes, candies, esoteric stuff, flowers and the like. It's located at the end of Avenida Conselheiro Nebias, every Saturday from 14:00 to around 23:00.
Some tourists like to check the '''Fish Market''', close to the ferry boat, where one can buy fresh fish with a very cheap price. Be aware: when you leave there you will smell like fish.
Eat
Budget
'''Beduino''' - Av. Ana Costa, 466 or Av. Marechal Floriano Peixoto, 44, Phone 32841702 - Brazilian '''burgers''' and other finger foods.
'''Gotisso''' - Av. Saldanha da Gama, 159, Phone: 3261188O - '''Japanese''' cuisine with affordable prices, self-service system.
Mid-range
Cafe Paulista. raca Rui Barbosa 8. n Centro, close to the Coffee Bourse. ''+55 13'' 3219-5550. $15-40 for big portions. Nice old cafe from 1931 where the coffee bosses used to hang out. It has kept some of the former style with white table cloths, attentive servers that fill up your glass, etc. Great salads, meat, and seafood. Very good selection of brazilian and imported wines
'''Vista ao Mar''' - Av. Bartolomeu de Gusmao, 68, Phone: 3273-4411 - This '''seafood''' restaurant serves, among others, a tasty '''paella'''. The portion is huge, so it's better to come with a big group.
'''Mar Del Plata''' - Av. Saldanha da Gama, 137, Phone: 3261-4253 - Traditional '''seafood''' restaurant.
'''Piccola Forneria''' - Av. Almirante Cochrane, 62, Phone: 32736699/32711200 - Charming '''Italian''' restaurant with a great variety of pizzas and pasta. Good selection of wines.
'''Ultimo Gole''' - Rua Carlos Afonseca, 214, Phone: 32840508 - Traditional '''Portuguese''' cuisine. A nice dish of codfish, try the ''bacalhau Ze do Pipo''.
Point 44. Rua Jorge Tibirica , 44 Gonzaga Santos/SP. '+55 13'' 3877.7561. ttp://www.point44.com.br/. $ 40 for mains. One of the better place to eat around the beach
Upscale
'''La Recoleta''' - Av. Washington Luiz, 422, Phone: 3232-2803 - '''Argentinian''' restaurant inspired on '''La Recoleta''' area in Buenos Aires. Mainly meat. There's a ''Tango'' performance on Tuesday nights.
Drink
Bars
Bars in Santos are usually crowded and lively during the weekends. Many bars offer live MPB music (Popular Brazilian Music). Beer, ''caipirinha'' and ''batidas'' are found everywhere.
'''Armazem 29''' - Rua Pindorama, 29, phone: 32894629 - Close to the beach, a very informal bar where people go after a day at the beach. ''Santistas'' say they serve the best ''caipirinha'' in town.
'''Barao do Cafe''' - Av. Ana Costa, 547, Phone: 32861603 - Thematic bar that celebrates the glorious times of the coffee in Brazil. Old photos of the city on the walls. Live music from Wednesday to Sunday at nights.
'''Chop Santista''' - Av. Vicente de Carvalho, 54, Phone: 32845428 - Huge bar with two separated rooms, one with live music, that stays very crowded in the weekends. A lot of flirting.
'''Heinz''' - Rua Lincoln Feliciano, 54, Phone: 32861875 - A more traditional option with a not-so-young crowd. They serve good German food and appetizers to go with the beer.
Sleep
Budget
Mid-range
Atlantico Hotel. v. Presidente Wilson 1. '+55 13'' 3289-4500. oon. $200 for a double room. Very basic with bare walls and tile floor, but has airondition, TV, and affordable minibar. The hotel is an beautiful older building in an excellent location right at the beach. Free wireless internet.
'''Plaza Hotel''', av. Floriano Peixoto, 42, Phone (13) 3208-6400
'''Atlantico Inn''', rua Jorge Tibirica, 4, Phone (13) 3289-4700
'''Panorama''', rua Euclides da Cunha, 15, Phone (13) 3208-6400
'''Avenida Palace''', av. Presidente Wilson, 10, Phone (13) 3289-3555
'''Indaia''', av. Ana Costa, 431, Phone (13) 3289-5559
'''Ritz''', av. Marechal Deodoro, 24, Phone (13) 3284-1171
'''Paulista''', av. Presidente Wilson, 134, Phone (13) 3237-0198
'''Fenicia''', av. Presidente Wilson, 184, Phone (13) 3237-1955
Upscale
'''Parque Balneario''', av. Ana Costa, 555, Phone (13) 3289-5700 - Awesome hotel for those willing to spend a little (lot) more.
Get out