Located near the border with the state of Paraná, Cananeia preserves one of the oldest connections between Portuguese colonization and Brazil’s coastal landscape. Amid waterways, boats, colonial streets, and swathes of preserved Atlantic Forest, the city brings together historical heritage and nature, offering settings with remarkable visual variety for audiovisual productions.

Known to its original Indigenous inhabitants as Maratayama, Cananeia grew around a network of rivers, channels, and tidal waterways that connected the settlements along the southern coast of São Paulo. The first European figure associated with the region is the enigmatic Bacharel of Cananeia, believed to have been Cosme Fernandes Pessoa. Although little is known about him, he is thought to have been the leader of a settlement in the region before the arrival of the Portuguese. In 1531, Martim Afonso de Sousa’s expedition reached Cananeia, which would soon become part of the first stage of Portuguese colonization.

Often cited as one of the oldest Portuguese settlements in Brazil, Cananeia has long figured in debates over the origins of colonial occupation. Some historians contend that it may be older than São Vicente, traditionally regarded as the country’s first official town.

Protected by CONDEPHAAT and IPHAN, Cananeia’s historic center remains remarkably intact. Narrow streets, colonial houses, and canals running alongside the urban fabric offer a glimpse of the town’s earliest days. The municipality is also part of the UNESCO-designated Atlantic Forest Biosphere Reserve, a recognition of the region’s ecological significance and its well-preserved coastal ecosystems.

In the heart of the historic center, the Igreja de São João Batista is one of the most recognizable landmarks on the São Paulo coast. Built during the colonial period, with records dating to the late 16th century, the church was expanded over the centuries, though it retained much of its original character. Its blue-and-white façade, thick masonry walls, and arrow slits reflect a time when churches also served a defensive function in Brazil’s earliest settlements.

Also located in the historic center, the Museu Municipal Victor Sadowski brings together archaeology and maritime history under one roof. Its collection ranges from artifacts linked to traditional construction techniques—including the use of whale oil in mortar production—to a taxidermied great white shark caught in 1992, one of the largest specimens ever to be displayed.

In contrast to this dense historical backdrop, Ilha do Cardoso presents a very different landscape. Long beaches and preserved Atlantic Forest stretch across the island, where traditional caiçara (coastal, or beach-dwelling) communities continue to live from artisanal fishing, guided by the rhythm of the tides. In the surrounding channels, dolphins often swim alongside passing boats.

Shaped by centuries of historical development and a landscape defined by the constant presence of water, Cananeia has established itself as a territory of rare settings on the Brazilian coast. The variety of natural and cultural environments expands the possibilities for filming, bringing together coastal landscapes, conservation areas, historic centers, and references to caiçara culture in a single destination.

Nearest international airport: Guarulhos (GRU)

Distance to nearest airport: 288 km

Distance to São Paulo: 253 km