Caraguatatuba is located on the north coast of the state of São Paulo.
It is considered that the formal foundation of Caraguatatuba occurred in the 17th century, through the granting of tiegras (the sesmarias).
In the year 1665 the small church of San Antonio was built.
The town was recently elevated to the category of villa in the year 1770.
In 1947 it was declared a Tourist Spa.
The name comes from the Tupi and means "place of many caraguatás", or "caraguatal".
Caraguatá is the common name given to several species of epiphytic and terrestrial plants, of the bromeliaceae family.
See more about the history of Caraguatatuba
See also information on São Paulo.
