the são pedro feast culminates in a procession of boats carrying candles and sacred images, resulting in a unique and touching celebration.

the name guaratiba, name derived from the name given to this area by the tupi, the indigenous inhabitants of the region, meaning 'place of many herons.'

while the beaches of sepetiba bay were popular destinations up until the 1960's, a major increase in water pollution has made all these beaches unsuitable for swimming. 

older residents recall the days when the mud from this beach was used for beauty treatments.