Xuxa Water Park: The Ambitious $250 Million Plan That Would Transform São Paulo's Coast With Xuxa's Castle, Jobs, and Family Tourism, But Was Blocked by Ibama's Final Ban in the Atlantic Forest

Xuxa Water Park: The Ambitious $250 Million Plan That Would Transform São Paulo’s Coast With Xuxa’s Castle, Jobs, and Family Tourism, But Was Blocked by Ibama’s Final Ban in the Atlantic Forest

Written by Romário Pereira de Carvalho

Published on 25/12/2025 at 16:00

Updated on 25/12/2025 at 16:11

Imagem: Divulgação / Xuxa Water Park

26 pessoas reagiram a isso.

The Ambitious Plan to Transform the Paulista Coast with the Castle of Xuxa and Thrilling Attractions That Promised Thousands of Jobs, but Ended Up Being Stopped by the Definitive Embargo of Ibama in the Atlantic Forest

In 1998, Xuxa Water Park planned to invest an estimated amount of US$ 250 million in Itanhaém to create a family tourist hub. The project aimed to boost the local economy, but the definitive environmental embargo prevented construction due to its impact on sensitive areas of the Atlantic Forest. The data in this article comes from the Vipzinho portal and other sources.

The park would occupy the area of Chácara Cibratel located on the southern Paulista coast. The companies Embraparque and NBGS formed a partnership to facilitate the investment of US$ 250 million.

The structure would include a wave pool, water roller coaster, and lazy river. Other planned attractions were the surf track and the iconic Castle of Xuxa.

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Shops, restaurants, and a large event square would complete the planned leisure complex. The project aimed to make Itanhaém a national reference in children’s and family tourism.

Expectation and Job Creation

The local expectation revolved around the creation of thousands of direct jobs. The official opening of the enterprise was initially scheduled for July 1999.

High-cost media campaigns ensured intense publicity for the interested public. Passes valid for 25 years were sold even before construction began.

Daily tickets were also sold in advance to residents, investors, and fans of the host.

The initial capital movement excited merchants who hoped for profits with the new flow.

Obstacles and Environmental Intervention

The progress of the project faced a decisive obstacle related to the necessary environmental licenses. The park depended on state and federal authorizations due to its location in a forested area.

Environmental technicians warned about serious risks to the local ecosystem and wildlife. The restinga areas and the base of the Serra do Mar would be impacted.

Ibama decided to suspend the environmental license after analyzing the risks to the regional ecosystem. A preliminary decision determined the definitive embargo of the works still in 1998.

Local Conflict of Interest

Environmentalists advocated for the preservation of continuous areas of Atlantic Forest in the state of São Paulo. On the other hand, residents saw the park as a real opportunity for economic growth.

The strengthening of tourism throughout the year was the main goal of merchants. The impasse divided opinions about the priority between economic development and nature preservation.

History and Definitive Closure of Xuxa Water Park

Subsequent attempts to revive the brand in São Paulo failed after serious structural problems. A fire that occurred in 2001 hindered the continuity of new expansion plans.

In 2002, the old Parque do Gugu closed its activities, marking the end of this phase of theme parks. Xuxa Water Park became the symbol of a major unfinished project.

Currently, the case serves as a warning about the balance between tourism and the environment. The project never materialized despite the advance sale of many tickets.

The data in this article comes from a piece on the Vipzinho portal.

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Moacyr Cardoso

#214953

26/12/2025 07:25

Seria um empreendimento interessante. Porém a preservação da já redusidicima cobertura de mata atlântica tem que estar em primeiro lugar., o por isso dos recordes de temperatura hoje no mundo e em São Paulo media de 38 graus.

Última edição em 3 meses atrás por Moacyr Cardoso

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Vili

#214907

26/12/2025 00:58

Os moradores mais antigos de itanhaém diziam que foi pedido uma grana para liberarem o empreendimento.

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Xuxa Water Park: The Ambitious $250 Million Plan That Would Transform São Paulo’s Coast With Xuxa’s Castle, Jobs, and Family Tourism, But Was Blocked by Ibama’s Final Ban in the Atlantic Forest

The Ambitious Plan to Transform the Paulista Coast with the Castle of Xuxa and Thrilling Attractions That Promised Thousands of Jobs, but Ended Up Being Stopped by the Definitive Embargo of Ibama in the Atlantic Forest

Major Oil, Gas, and Energy Event Will Take Place in Brazil: Macaé Energy Will Gather Petrobras, Equinor, Prio, Among Other Suppliers and Energy Executives for Business, Networking, and Employment Opportunities

Expectation and Job Creation

Obstacles and Environmental Intervention

Local Conflict of Interest

History and Definitive Closure of Xuxa Water Park

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Xuxa Water Park: The Ambitious $250 Million Plan That Would Transform São Paulo’s Coast With Xuxa’s Castle, Jobs, and Family Tourism, But Was Blocked by Ibama’s Final Ban in the Atlantic Forest

The Ambitious Plan to Transform the Paulista Coast with the Castle of Xuxa and Thrilling Attractions That Promised Thousands of Jobs, but Ended Up Being Stopped by the Definitive Embargo of Ibama in the Atlantic Forest

Major Oil, Gas, and Energy Event Will Take Place in Brazil: Macaé Energy Will Gather Petrobras, Equinor, Prio, Among Other Suppliers and Energy Executives for Business, Networking, and Employment Opportunities

Expectation and Job Creation

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