The present study evaluated the total phenolic and flavonoid contents and the antioxidant, photoprotective and cytotoxic properties of Eryngium pristis. Dried and powdered of E. pristis leaves were exhaustively extracted with ethanol by static maceration followed by partition to obtain the hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, and butanol fractions. Phytochemical screening and the total phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by DPPH, reducing power of Fe+3, ABTS and β-carotene/linoleic acid assays. The UV absorption spectra were recorded in the range of 290 to 450 nm and the sun protection factor (SPF) was calculated. The cytotoxic test was performed by brine shrimp lethality bioassay. Tannins, flavonoids, coumarins, terpenoids and steroids, saponins and alkaloids were detected in the ethanol extract and fractions. In these samples, the total phenolic and flavonoid contents ranged from 5.05 to 20.10 g/100 g and 4.00 to 9.37 g/100 g, respectively. The ethanol extract and fractions showed antioxidant effect as free radical scavengers and inhibitors of lipid peroxidation, while the photoprotective capacity was concentration dependent manner. In addition, the tested samples were cytotoxic against brine shrimp. These results suggest that E. pristis is an important and promising source of bioactive compounds with relevant biological properties and can be used as strategy to develop new products for the treatment of several pathological conditions.