Mongaguá, Brazil

Welcome to Mongaguá, a beautiful municipality located in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. With a population of 57,648 (2020 est.) in an area of 141.87 km2, Mongaguá is part of the Metropolitan Region of Baixada Santista. The name Mongaguá comes from the Tupi language and its seal carries the national motto of the United States of America, E pluribus unum. The municipality’s street plan is on a planned grid running from SSE to NNW and many of the houses are within sight of the Atlantic Ocean. The populated area of Mongaguá is near the bottom of steep-sloping and densely forested mountains, providing a stunning backdrop to the city.

One of the main attractions in Mongaguá is the Mongaguá Fishing Pier, also known as Plataforma de Pesca Amadora de Mongaguá. This long T-shaped structure provides access to line fishing and is a popular surfing area. Visitors can enjoy the beautiful views of the ocean and the city from the pier.

For those interested in history and culture, Mongaguá has two aboriginal villages: Aldeia Itaóca and Aguapéu, located in the Atlantic Mata reserve. The aboriginal community of Aguapéu conceived of the project Jaguatareí Nhemboé (Walking and Learning), which offers visitors the opportunity to learn about the indigenous culture and way of life.

Mongaguá is easily accessible by car, as the BR-101 superhighway linking Santos and the southern part of the state runs through the city. The freeway to the city of São Paulo is also easily accessible. Housing developments near the beaches were built in the 1970s and the 1990s, and housing development continues to this day. Prior to the construction of the housing developments, the population was mainly rural.

Mongaguá has been home to some notable residents, including Raul Seixas, the Father of Brazilian Rock, who spent large amounts of time in Bairro Pedreira in Mongaguá where he rented a small bungalow as a songwriting studio. Since 2010, the Greek-Californian artist and musician Ithaka Darin Pappas has worked and resided in Mongaguá at his small art ranch called Recanto Akahti (or AkahtiLândia, Brazil). His insect-inspired photo and sculpture works from the project Aliens Of AkahtiLândia were all created in Mongaguá, as well as the recording of his instrumental album, Voiceless Blue Raven, which included a song entitled Monday In Mongaguá.

Come and experience the beauty and culture of Mongaguá, Brazil. With its stunning natural landscapes, rich history, and welcoming community, it’s a destination that should be on every traveler’s bucket list.