Santos Cruise Port
Santos, Brazil · South America
Cruise ships dock at Cais de Outeirinhos — Cruise Berths (Concais), Santos.
Plan my port daysBrazil's main cruise turnaround port, a 10-minute ride from Santos' historic centre and beaches, and about 75 km from São Paulo.
At a glance
Port summary
Most ships at Santos are turning around, so many passengers only pass through on the way to or from São Paulo. If you do have a day here, it is an easy one. The Concais terminal (Terminal Marítimo de Passageiros Giusfredo Santini) sits inside the working port at Outeirinhos, about 2.5 km from the historic centre and 3 km from Gonzaga beach. Walking out through the port district is not practical, so take a taxi or an Uber: it is about 10 minutes to the Museu do Café, the Valongo tram station or the beach. The historic centre is compact and best seen Tuesday to Sunday, when the museums and the tourist tram run; Monday closures are the main trap here. São Paulo is possible as a full day, but allow at least 90 minutes each way on the Anchieta/Imigrantes highways and more on weekends.
Cruise dock
🚢 Cais de Outeirinhos — Cruise Berths (Concais)
The cruise berths at Outeirinhos on the Santos estuary, directly in front of the Concais passenger terminal on Avenida Cândido Gaffrée. Ships lie alongside; there is no tendering. The quay is inside the working port, about 2.5 km from the historic centre, so passengers leave by taxi, Uber or coach.
📍 Latitude: -23.952318, Longitude: -46.310168
See dock on port map →Getting to Santos
From the cruise terminal to the city centre
The easiest way out of the port. About 10 minutes to the historic centre and 12 minutes to Gonzaga beach; most taxis are metered and many take cards, but ask first.
📍 Taxi rank at the terminal exit, on the Avenida Cândido Gaffrée side.
Uber and 99 both work well in Santos and are usually cheaper than taxis; surge pricing is common when a big ship disembarks.
📍 Request a pickup at the terminal forecourt and follow any signs for app pickups.
There is no confirmed public shuttle for transit passengers. Some cruise lines run their own transfer, and turnaround passengers can book coaches to São Paulo and its airports.
📍 Ask at your ship's shore excursion desk; any shuttle leaves from the terminal forecourt.
The VLT light rail runs from Terminal Porto towards Gonzaga and São Vicente, and Line 2 links Conselheiro Nébias to the Mercado and Valongo in the historic centre. Handy for the beaches, but check the walk out of the port area on the day.
📍 VLT Terminal Porto station, about 600 m from the cruise terminal on the port side of Macuco.
City buses reach the centre and the beaches for a flat R$5.25 and accept contactless cards, but routes are hard to read for visitors. Taxi or Uber is simpler for a port day.
📍 City bus stops on the avenues outside the port area.
The Santos–Guarujá ferry is the way to Guarujá's beaches. Foot passengers board separately from the car queue; the pedestrian fare is due to be dropped under the new concession, so it may already be free.
📍 Balsa ferry terminal on Praça Almirante Gago Coutinho at Ponta da Praia.
The terminal sits inside a busy working port with heavy truck traffic. Walking to the centre takes about 40 minutes along port avenues and is not recommended.
📍 There is no signed pedestrian route from the terminal into town.
Map & things to do
Money & payments
A contactless card covers almost everything; carry R$50–100 in small notes for beach kiosks, the catraia boat and tips.
Things to do
Museu do Café
Short stop⭐ Highlight
The 1922 coffee exchange, with its trading hall, stained glass and a café serving Brazilian speciality coffee.
🕐 Tue–Sat 9am–6pm, Sun 10am–6pm; free on Saturdays
Jardim da Orla and Gonzaga Beach
Short stop🏖️ Beach
Walk the world's longest beachfront garden and spot the famous leaning apartment blocks along Gonzaga beach.
🕐 Morning, before the midday heat
Praia das Pitangueiras (Guarujá)
🏖️ Beach
Guarujá's lively central beach, with clearer water than Santos and kiosks along the sand.
🕐 Weekday mornings; weekends and holidays mean long ferry queues for cars
Mercado Municipal de São Paulo (Mercadão)
🛒 Market
São Paulo's grand 1933 market hall, famous for its stained glass, fruit stalls and giant mortadella sandwiches.
🕐 Weekday mornings; allow 90 minutes or more each way from Santos
Mercado Municipal de Santos
Short stop🛒 Market
The 1902 market hall, reopened in 2026 after renovation as a food and culture hub.
🕐 Late morning for lunch; check opening hours locally
Linha Turística do Bonde (Historic Tram)
Short stop🎯 Activity
A restored early-1900s tram loop through the historic centre, with a guide pointing out the landmarks.
🕐 Tue–Sun, roughly 10:30am–5pm; departures every 20–40 minutes
Aquário Municipal de Santos
Short stop🎯 Activity
A compact, family-friendly aquarium at Ponta da Praia with sea lions, penguins and local marine life.
🕐 Tue–Sun 9am–6pm; weekday mornings are quietest
Cafeteria do Museu do Café
Short stop🍽️ Restaurant
Taste Brazilian speciality coffees and a slice of cake inside the old coffee exchange.
🕐 Late morning, after visiting the museum
Santuário de Santo Antônio do Valongo
Short stop⛪ Church / Cathedral
A 17th-century Franciscan church beside the old railway station, with a gilded chapel.
🕐 Tue–Fri 9am–5:30pm, Sat 9am–4pm, Sun mornings and afternoons
Catedral de Santos
Short stop⛪ Church / Cathedral
The neo-Gothic cathedral on Praça José Bonifácio, with stained glass and a cool, quiet interior.
🕐 Daily 7am–6:30pm; guided visits some weekday afternoons
Museu Pelé
Short stop🏛️ Museum
Pelé's life and career in restored 19th-century mansions in Valongo, free to enter.
🕐 Tue–Sun 10am–5:30pm; closed Mondays
Museu de Arte Sacra (Mosteiro de São Bento)
🏛️ Museum
Colonial religious art in a 17th-century hilltop monastery above the old town.
🕐 Tue–Sun 10am–4:30pm
Memorial das Conquistas (Santos FC)
Short stop🏛️ Museum
Santos FC's trophy museum and stadium tour at Vila Belmiro, the club where Pelé made his name.
🕐 Tue–Sun 9am–5:30pm (daily Dec–Feb); not on match days
Funicular do Monte Serrat
Short stop📸 Viewpoint
A four-minute ride on the 1927 funicular to the best panorama over Santos, the port and the beaches.
🕐 Daily 8am–8pm; clear mornings give the sharpest views
Ilha Porchat and the Monumento dos 500 Anos
Short stop📸 Viewpoint
Oscar Niemeyer's monument on Ilha Porchat, with sweeping views over the São Vicente and Santos bays.
🕐 Late afternoon for the light; reopened in August 2026
Parque Roberto Mário Santini (Emissário Submarino)
Short stop📸 Viewpoint
A seafront park on the old outfall pier with a Tomie Ohtake sculpture and sunset views over São Vicente bay.
🕐 Late afternoon for the sunset over the bay
Orquidário Municipal de Santos
Short stop🌿 Nature
A shady park with thousands of orchids, free-roaming birds and small animals, near José Menino beach.
🕐 Tue–Sun 9am–5pm; mornings are cooler
Ponte Pênsil
other
São Vicente's 1914 suspension bridge, one of the oldest in Brazil, best seen from the waterfront beside it.
🕐 Any time in daylight
Biquinha de Anchieta
other
The little colonial spring linked to Jesuit Father Anchieta, in a square above São Vicente's bay beach.
🕐 Any time in daylight; combine with the São Vicente beachfront
Build your perfect day in Santos
Tell us your cruise line, ship and departure date and we'll give you a complete set of full port information and playbooks of how to spend your day.
Frequently asked questions
- Where does my cruise ship dock in Santos?
- Your ship docks directly at the Santos cruise terminal in Brazil.
- Can I walk from the cruise port into Santos?
- Walking into Santos from the cruise port isn't practical. Plan to use a shuttle, taxi, or public transport.
- How do I get from the cruise port to Santos centre?
- Typical options include Taxi, Ride-hail (Uber/Bolt), Shuttle bus, Tram, Local bus, Ferry, On foot. Durations and costs are listed in the transport section above.
- How much time do I need in Santos?
- Plan for at least 3 hours ashore to see Santos independently and return to the ship with a safe buffer.
- What currency is used in Santos and are cards accepted?
- Santos uses the Brazilian real. Carry some cash for markets, taxis, and smaller vendors — cards aren't accepted everywhere.
- Is there Wi-Fi at the cruise port?
- Free Wi-Fi is available at the Santos cruise terminal.
- When should I be back at the ship?
- Cruise lines usually require all passengers on board about 30 minutes before scheduled departure. Confirm the exact all-aboard time on your daily programme.
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