The colorful windows and doors of Paraty’s colonial houses captivate travelers as soon as they arrive. Their vibrant colors blend beautifully with the lush green Atlantic Forest that surrounds the town and frames the sea.
In the mountains, waterfalls add an even more spectacular touch to enchanting Paraty.
The town brings together history, breathtaking natural landscapes, charming guesthouses, excellent gastronomy, and a vibrant cultural scene. It is the perfect destination for those looking to relax while still enjoying plenty of things to see and do.
Let yourself be carried away by this incredible destination on Rio de Janeiro’s Costa Verde. Paraty is a captivating place that travelers easily fall in love with.
Walking along the traditional cobblestone streets, known locally as “pé de moleque,” feels like traveling back in time. It is impossible not to be enchanted by Paraty’s Historic Center.
As night falls, the warm lights illuminate the colorful colonial houses, creating a magical atmosphere. Add the magnificent landscape of the Serra do Mar, and you have one of Brazil’s most charming postcard settings.
And as if all this beauty were not enough, Paraty and Ilha Grande were recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site for their exceptional combination of culture and biodiversity — further recognition of just how special this destination truly is.
What to Do in Paraty?
Paraty combines history with truly breathtaking natural landscapes. Best of all, the town is located on one of Brazil’s most beautiful bays. The region, known as the Costa Verde, offers more than a hundred beaches and islands for travelers looking to enjoy sunny days by the sea.
For those who prefer a closer connection with the Atlantic Forest and the Serra do Mar, Paraty also offers a wide variety of waterfalls waiting to be explored. And if beaches and waterfalls aren’t your thing, there are plenty of cultural attractions to discover as well. Not to mention the many events held throughout the year — there’s sure to be one that will capture your interest.
Paraty’s natural beauty and history are undeniable, but the town offers much more. There is something about Paraty that inspires creativity and cultural expression.
The Historic Center is filled with shops selling local handicrafts, artists’ studios can be found throughout its charming streets, photographs decorate shop windows, and bookstores invite you to spend hours browsing with a good cup of coffee.
This cultural spirit can also be experienced through events such as FLIP – the Paraty International Literary Festival – and Paraty em Foco, which brings together photographers from across Brazil. Music lovers can also enjoy events such as the Bourbon Jazz Festival and the Sesc Jazz Circuit.
And as if its natural beauty, fascinating history, and vibrant cultural scene weren’t enough, Paraty is also a wonderful gastronomic destination.
The town is home to dozens of excellent restaurants, offering everything from traditional local flavors to sophisticated and creative cuisine. Outdoor tables overlooking historic churches and cobblestone streets create an unforgettable atmosphere, while the menus can satisfy even the most demanding food lovers.
When you sit down for dinner, don’t forget to raise a glass with a traditional artisanal cachaça. Paraty’s cachaças are among the best known in Brazil, and every sip carries a little of the town’s history.
One of the most famous is Gabriela, a traditional flavored cachaça from Paraty. It is also the key ingredient in the famous Jorge Amado cocktail, a Brazilian-style caipirinha made with lime, passion fruit, and Gabriela — a cachaça flavored with sugarcane molasses, cloves, and cinnamon.
A must-try while you’re in Paraty!
Pontos turísticos de P
Tourist Attractions in Paraty
Paraty offers much more than beautiful beaches surrounded by the lush Atlantic Forest. The town combines a rich historical heritage with extraordinary natural landscapes.
Officially founded in 1667, Paraty is now part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Paraty and Ilha Grande – Culture and Biodiversity,” recognized for its exceptional cultural and natural heritage. It was the first mixed cultural and natural World Heritage Site in Brazil.
One of the best starting points for visitors is Paraty’s Historic Center, where the former “Villa de Nossa Senhora dos Remédios de Paratii” developed.
The Historic Center can easily be explored on foot in an afternoon, although taking a guided walking tour is a great way to better understand the history behind its streets, churches, buildings, and traditions. These tours are generally affordable and can make your visit even more interesting.
At the foot of Morro do Forte and around the original Igreja de Nossa Senhora dos Remédios, the settlement that would become Paraty began to develop. In 1667, it became independent from Angra dos Reis, marking an important moment in the history of the town.
Much of the colonial architecture seen today in the Historic Center dates from the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Its traditional stone-paved streets, known as “pé de moleque,” and grid-like layout are among the most distinctive features of the area.
Surrounded by charming colonial buildings with colorful doors and large windows, visitors can discover more about Paraty’s fascinating history simply by walking through its streets.
Among Paraty’s main historical, cultural, and architectural attractions are the Porto de Paraty; Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora dos Remédios; Igreja de Santa Rita and the former jail; Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Rosário; Igreja de Nossa Senhora das Dores; Casa da Cultura; Sobrado dos Bonecos; and, across the river, Forte Defensor Perpétuo and Santa Casa de Misericórdia.
Gold Trail – Estrada Real
Between the 17th and 19th centuries, the route that became known as the Caminho do Ouro (Gold Trail) played an important role in transporting wealth from Minas Gerais to Paraty.
The trail followed ancient routes used by the Guaianás Indigenous people, while sections of its stone paving were designed during the Portuguese colonial period and built using enslaved labor.
The Estrada Real network stretches for approximately 1,200 km, connecting regions of Minas Gerais with the Port of Paraty, from where valuable goods were transported by ship toward Portugal.
Today, the historic trail offers visitors an opportunity to combine history with ecotourism. Parts of the Caminho do Ouro can be explored on foot, while Jeep tours departing from Paraty visit waterfalls and traditional cachaça distilleries located around the Estrada Real region.
Popular attractions include Cachoeira do Tobogã and Cachoeira da Pedra Branca, as well as traditional cachaça distilleries such as Paratiana and Pedra Branca.
araty
Paraty vai muito além de belas praias cercadas pela intensa Mata Atlântica. A cidade oferece aos visitantes um rico turismo histórico, sempre permeado por belezas naturais. Fundada oficialmente em 1667, Paraty hoje é Patrimônio Patrimônio Mundial pela Unesco por sua cultura, fauna e flora excepcionais. É o primeiro reconhecimento como sítio misto no Brasil e na América Latina.e divide a atenção dos visitantes entre prédios coloniais e natureza exuberante.
O ponto de partida para os turistas que chegam a Paraty é o Centro Histórico, onde nasceu a "Villa de Nossa Senhora dos Remédios de Paratii". Ele pode ser tranquilamente percorrido a pé em uma tarde, mas a ajuda de um guia é sempre bem-vinda para entender as questões históricas que envolvem a região. Eles passeios têm baixo custo e tornam a visita muito mais interessante
Aos pés do Morro do Forte e ao redor da construção original da Igreja de Nossa Senhora dos Remédios, estabeleceu-se a vila que foi declarada independente de Angra dos Reis em 1667, dando origem à atual cidade de Paraty. A arquitetura colonial que hoje prevalece no Centro Histórico data principalmente do final do século XVIII e início do século XIX, quando escravos construíram o calçamento de pé de moleque e as ruas foram projetadas em formato xadrez: sete ruas do nascente para o poente e outras seis do norte para o sul. É em meio a essas charmosas construções, repletas de portas e janelões coloridos, que você poderá conhecer mais sobre a história de Paraty. O passeio por si só já é uma delícia, mas vale percorrer os principais pontos de interesse.
Paraty ganhou importância no cenário histórico nacional especialmente devido aos grandes engenhos de cana-de-açúcar e por ser entreposto comercial para escoamento do ouro que vinha das Minas Gerais. Entre as construções com valor histórico, cultural e arquitetônico estão o Porto de Paraty; a Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora dos Remédios; a Igreja de Santa Rita e antiga cadeia; Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Rosário; Igreja de Nossa Senhora das Dores; a Casa da Cultura; o Sobrado dos Bonecos; e do outro lado do rio, o Forte Defensor Perpétuo e a Santa Casa de Misericórdia.
Caminho do Ouro – Estrada Real
Para que toda a riqueza que vinha das Minas Gerais chegasse a Paraty, foi construído, entre os séculos XVII e XIX, o que ficou conhecido como Caminho do Ouro. A trilha seguia antigas rotas dos índios Guaianás e o calçamento, todo em pedra, foi projetado pelos portugueses e executado por escravos. O trecho segue por 1.200 km e liga Diamantina ao Porto de Paraty, de onde as riquezas seguiam de navio para Portugal.
Hoje a trilha é um belo roteiro para ser percorrido a pé, especialmente pelos turistas que curtem ecoturismo no passeio Caminho do Ouro. Há passeios de jeep que partem de Paraty e levam a cachoeiras e alambiques à beira da Estrada Real. Algumas das principais atrações próximas à cidade são a Cachoeira do Tobogã e Cachoeira da Pedra Branca, além de alambiques como o Paratiana e Pedra Branca.
Beaches of Paraty
Paraty is home to more than a hundred beaches and islands, offering countless opportunities to enjoy unforgettable days by the sea.
With some of Brazil’s most beautiful beaches, Paraty certainly does not disappoint when it comes to natural beauty. Crystal-clear waters meet the lush green landscape of the Atlantic Forest, creating spectacular scenery throughout the region.
There are two beaches close to the town center, as well as several beaches accessible by road both north and south of Paraty. However, many of the region’s most beautiful beaches can only be reached by boat or require a hike.
So get ready to explore! There are plenty of different tours available in Paraty, including affordable options that make it easier to discover several beaches during your stay.
A visit to the village of Trindade is definitely worthwhile. There you can discover the famous Piscina Natural do Cachadaço, as well as Praia do Cachadaço, Praia do Meio, Praia de Fora, Praia dos Ranchos, Praia do Cepilho, and Praia Brava.
Heading toward Angra dos Reis, don’t miss Praia de São Gonçalo and Praia de São Gonçalinho.
For more adventurous travelers, Paraty also offers beautiful, more remote beaches reached by hiking trails, such as Praia do Sono, Antigos, and Antiguinhos.
There is no shortage of spectacular beaches to discover in Paraty — and these are just some of the highlights!
Make the most of your trip and take the time to discover as many of them as you can.
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A Little About the History of Paraty, Rio de Janeiro
Officially founded in 1667, Paraty began as a small settlement at the foot of Morro do Forte.
Between the 18th and 19th centuries, the town grew into one of Brazil’s most important trading centers. Located along the historic Gold Route (Caminho do Ouro), which was used to transport gold and other valuable goods from Minas Gerais, Paraty also became an important sugarcane-producing region and served as one of the endpoints of the Estrada Real (Royal Road).
When a new route was built to transport gold and precious stones directly to Rio de Janeiro, Paraty gradually lost its economic importance and remained relatively isolated for many years.
Eventually, the town was rediscovered by tourism and became one of the most beautiful destinations in the state of Rio de Janeiro — and in Brazil.
Times have changed greatly since those centuries, but Paraty continues to welcome visitors from all over the world. Its remarkably well-preserved colonial architecture offers travelers a fascinating opportunity to step back in time and experience an important part of Brazil’s history.
Paraty Travel Tips
Paraty has a warm and humid climate, so sunscreen is essential, and staying hydrated is equally important. A hat, insect repellent, and sunglasses are also highly recommended, especially when taking outdoor tours.
Never hike long or isolated trails alone. For longer hikes, we recommend going with a licensed local guide to make your experience safer and more enjoyable.
Paraty has a good variety of local shops, including supermarkets, pharmacies, clothing stores, and shoe stores in the city center. So, there’s no need to bring absolutely everything with you.
The standard voltage in Paraty is 110V.
Credit cards, debit cards, and PIX are widely accepted at local businesses. There is generally no need to carry large amounts of cash, although having some cash can be useful for small purchases, such as the famous traditional sweets sold from carts in the Historic Center.
Mobile phone coverage is not available at every beach or waterfall. However, the main mobile operators provide coverage in central Paraty, mobile internet generally works well in town, and there are many places offering Wi-Fi.
Cars are not allowed inside Paraty’s Historic Center. You will need to leave your vehicle in a paid parking area, as public parking spaces are very limited. This is one of the advantages of staying at Pousada Parque Imperial, conveniently located in central Paraty.
If you prefer not to drive to Paraty, traveling by bus is another option. There are several bus services from São Paulo and other cities. From Rio de Janeiro, there are also regular bus connections to Paraty.
Book your accommodation in advance, purchase your bus tickets if you are traveling by bus, and reserve your tours ahead of time. Paraty can get very busy, especially during the warmer months, holidays, and festivals.
Don’t miss out — plan ahead and enjoy the best of Paraty!
