But then, nothing is comparable with the stunning scenery that waits for the traveler who drives along the Rio - Santos. The stretch between Bertioga and Paraty offers a collar of beautiful beaches and astounding views. The road begins in Santos. Bertioga (km48), a little more than 100kms away from São Paulo,and marks the beginning of the Caiçara Coast. Its first part, the SP-55/BR101 (state and federal denominations) has long and straight passages with extensive beaches, passing by the Boracéia, Juréia and Juquehy beaches (km 90). Through all its course there are gas stations and repair shops at regular intervals.

From Juquehy onwards, already in the county of São Sebastião, small ranges and hills are cut by the road that follows the curves of the slopes providing highpointed belvederes and small stretches of lowlands near the beaches of Camburi, Barra do Saí and Baleia. Boiçucanga (km 102) grew to become a small town. Between traditional caiçara refuges and modern shopping facilities the old fishing village became an obligatory stopover offering lodging and quality food.

From "Boiçu", as the locals call it, one passes by Maresias (km 112), a beach with good waves and flabbergasting weekend cottages. The invasion of the "paulistas" created luxury condos the size of small towns. It opened the way for hotels, restaurants and shops. The always preserved scenery mixes a well done rustical architecture with the natural surroundings, protected by severe environmental restrictions. The council of São Sebastião is in charge of protecting and avoiding the destruction of the Mata Atlântica.

Paúba, Santiago, Toque-Toque (km 118), Guaecá and Barequeçaba are only a few of those good beaches before one arrives in São Sebastião. Between curves and waterfalls the road demands attention from the driver when fog rolls down the slopes at dusk and in the early morning hours.

In the port of São Sebastião (km 148) one finds the Almirante Barroso crude oil terminal of Petrobrás, Brazils state owned oil conglomerate, where half of all the oil consumed in Brazil arrives in megatankers. The town preserves its colonial center right on the waterfront between bars of the moment and restaurants. The ferry leaves from São Sebastião and takes the tourist to a tropical paradise called Ilhabela. The center of sailing sports of the State due to its favourable wind conditions and privileged race courses.

Between São Sebastião and Caraguatatuba the Rio-Santos cuts through boroughs like Indaiá, Pan Brasil, Lagoa and commercial centers. The local traffic is intense on the 28 kms that separate the two towns. In Caraguatatuba (km 176) one can hit the Tamoios highway (SP-99), passing through Paraibuna and arrive at Brazils most important road, the Dutra turnpike near the town of São José dos Campos, with an almost obligatory stop at the "Fazendão" ("Big Ranch") restaurant.

At the Tabatinga beach(km 194), already on the way to Ubatuba, there's a police station. On that spot one finds the most luxurious condo of the region, the Costa Verde Tabatinga. The pattern of the road, straight stretches at the seaside and winding curves on the hills , remains the same. The area is densely populated on the beaches and at the roadsides, getting more rustical and wild in the direction of the Serra do Mar. The beach of Maranduba (km 200) also has turned into a small town with a good service infrastructure.

After several accesses to crowded or lonely beaches , with calm or fierce waves, such as Pulso, Praia Brava, Fortaleza, Vermelha do Sul, Domingas Dias and Lázaro, one arrives at the Saco da Ribeira inlet, an important harbour for sport and pleasure boats, where schooners start their trips to the Anchieta Island and its old and now abandoned correctional institution. Santa Rita, Enseada and Toninhas, between others, connect themselves till one arrives at Cruzeiro beach, in the town of Ubatuba, on km 227.

At the Praia Grande beach in Ubatuba, the road gets wider and is now called federal highway BR-101. 3,5 kilometers more and one arrives at the crossover with the SP-125. There starts the Oswaldo Cruz highway that passes by the charming town of São Luiz do Paraitinga and connects with the Dutra turnpike in the town of Taubaté.

Upwards to the town of Paraty, pristine beaches and islands (that stretch of road was opened in the 70's) set one of the most impressive scenes of that area. Itamambuca beach hosts international surf contests. Félix beach (belvedere and police station on km 244), Promirim, Ubatumirim (only gas station around) Puruba and Picinguaba stand out for their beauty. In Picinguaba (km 268), the traditional caiçara lifestyle is still alive within the preserved center, the only place where the Serra do Mar National Park reaches the shore. Right over the stateline between São Paulo and Rio, near Camburi, lies the county of Paraty.