Latin America's largest seaport and gateway to São Paulo, Santos delivers its own rewards: a palatial Coffee Museum, the world's longest beachfront garden, and streets steeped in football legend.
Ships dock at the Concais Passenger Terminal — but you cannot walk out of the port; Uber or taxi is required to reach the city.
💡 Pro move: The port is a busy industrial zone; pedestrian access to the city through the docks is not permitted.
All cruise ships dock at the privately operated Concais terminal in the heart of Santos' commercial port.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| MSC, Costa, Princess, Oceania, Regent, Crystal and others | Concais Passenger Terminal, Santos📍 | Docked |
| Expedition / small ships (occasional) | Concais or adjacent berths📍 | Docked |
From coffee tasting in a gilded exchange hall to funicular rides over the port, Santos rewards those who stay in town — just give São Paulo a full day if you go.
The star of Santos. The former Coffee Stock Exchange is a Beaux-Arts palace with soaring stained glass, marble floors, and exhibits on how Santos once set the world coffee price. End with espresso in the museum café.
Book Santos city tours →A 1920s funicular climbs Monte Serrat to a hilltop chapel and casino ruins with sweeping 360° views over the port, estuaries, and Serra do Mar mountains.
Find Santos panorama tours →A sleek modern museum in the Valongo district dedicated to Pelé, who spent most of his career at Santos FC. Trophies, memorabilia, and immersive video — essential for football fans.
Find Santos football tours →The Jardins da Orla stretches 7 km along Santos' beach — Guinness-certified as the world's longest beachfront garden. Stroll the landscaped promenade and settle into a beach chair at Gonzaga.
Find Santos beach tours →Cross the channel by ferry to Guarujá for cleaner, more sheltered beaches like Praia das Pitangueiras and Praia da Enseada — a favourite of Santos locals on weekends.
Find Guarujá beach excursions →Restored vintage trams (some dating to the early 1900s, imported from Portugal and Scotland) run an audio-guided loop past colonial churches, the Valongo neighbourhood, and key monuments.
Find Santos city tours →The Historic Centre and beachfront promenade are both flat and walkable — just get there by Uber first.
Walk from the Coffee Museum through the Valongo neighbourhood past the Igreja do Valongo (17th-century Baroque church with azulejo tiles) to Museu Pelé and the tram stops on Rua XV de Novembro.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →Stroll the Jardins da Orla beachfront gardens between Canal 2 and Canal 4, then grab a pastel and caldo de cana from a street vendor. Look inland for the famously tilting high-rise buildings (Prédios Tortos).
🗺️ See full route in Maps →Climate normals for Santos, São Paulo, Brazil (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 85°F / 29°C | 75°F / 24°C | 22 | 5:31 AM | 6:57 PM |
| Feb | 84°F / 29°C | 74°F / 23°C | 19 | 5:53 AM | 6:45 PM |
| Mar | 83°F / 28°C | 74°F / 23°C | 21 | 6:07 AM | 6:20 PM |
| Apr | 80°F / 27°C | 70°F / 21°C | 16 | 6:19 AM | 5:50 PM |
| May | 76°F / 24°C | 66°F / 19°C | 13 | 6:33 AM | 5:30 PM |
| Jun | 75°F / 24°C | 63°F / 17°C | 11 | 6:46 AM | 5:25 PM |
| Jul | 74°F / 23°C | 62°F / 17°C | 8 | 6:47 AM | 5:35 PM |
| Aug | 74°F / 23°C | 63°F / 17°C | 11 | 6:31 AM | 5:48 PM |
| Sep | 76°F / 24°C | 66°F / 19°C | 13 | 6:02 AM | 5:59 PM |
| Oct | 77°F / 25°C | 68°F / 20°C | 19 | 5:32 AM | 6:10 PM |
| Nov | 78°F / 26°C | 69°F / 21°C | 19 | 5:11 AM | 6:28 PM |
| Dec | 82°F / 28°C | 72°F / 22°C | 20 | 5:12 AM | 6:48 PM |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Transport options from the pier — taxis, shuttles, transit passes, and whether ride-share apps work here.
Metered taxis are plentiful at the port. The cruise terminal is roughly 3 km from downtown Santos — expect a short, inexpensive ride.
Uber and 99 (DiDi) both operate in Santos with 24/7 availability. Upfront pricing makes budgeting easy; pickup spot may be just outside the port gate.
Santos's vintage streetcar loops through 40 historic and cultural points in the city center. Extremely cheap and a charming way to see the old town.
Guided panoramic bus tours depart directly from the port, covering the Coffee Museum, Pelé Museum, beaches, and historic center — typically 4–7 hours.
Pre-booked private cars cover the ~75 km to central São Paulo or GRU airport. Worth arranging in advance for reliability and fixed pricing.
Upcoming cruises that call at Santos, São Paulo, Brazil. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.