Paraty

Paraty (also spelled Parati) is a coastal historic town in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It was first settled by the Portuguese in 1667. Its old churches, cobbled streets and nearby forests, waterfalls, islands and emerald-green sea attract lots of tourists interested in mixing cultural tourism and more natural settings. The culture and nature of the region are, together with Ilha Grande, listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Understand
Paraty grew in the 18th century as a strategically important port for exporting the gold mined in Minas Gerais. When shipments in nearby Rio began to attract the attention and ambition of pirates and privateers from rival European powers, the Crown began using Paraty as their safe port for getting their gold to Lisbon. Together with Ouro Preto, the town was part of the Estrada Real (Caminho Real or Caminho do Ouro, Gold Road), a route used to export gold in colonial times. It was also an obligatory sleep-over stop for travelers between Rio and São Paulo until the late 1800s, when the inner road was opened. This caused Paraty to be forgotten, stalled in time, away from "progress" and disfiguration and helped it preserve its old city as it was in the past. In the 1970s, it was rediscovered as a popular tourist destination.

It is home to about 37,000 people.

By plane
Paraty can be reached by air from Rio de Janeiro or São Paulo only by chartered helicopter or small commercial and private aircraft due to its small airstrip.

With a scheduled flight, it's most convenient to arrive in Rio. There are further flight connections to São Paulo. From both cities, you can take an intercity bus or shared ride with Blablacar to Paraty.

As of May 2021, there are not yet commercial flights to the nearby airport of Angra dos Reis.

By boat
Another possibility of transport is to arrive by sea by way of a sailboat or cruise ship from Rio de Janeiro, Angra dos Reis and Ilha Grande. Fast boat transfers from Safari Transfers from Angra dos Reis are also available.

By car
Paraty is connected by road to Rio de Janeiro (236 km) or São Paulo (330 km), via road BR-101.

By bus
Air-conditioned buses go back and forth from Rio to Paraty and Paraty to Rio. Buses to and from Rio depart about nine times a day. The trip takes about four hours. The trip to and from São Paulo takes about six hours. From São Paulo try Reunidas Paulista; from Rio de Janeiro, Costa Verde Transportes.



Get around
The historic town is compact and can be covered on foot; cars, save for taxis picking up or dropping passengers, are not allowed into the historic city center. The rough boulders of the old city streets would quickly destroy the shocks of most cars anyway.

Buses to the beautiful village and beaches at Trindade (30 km south of Paraty) and outlying beaches leave from the Bus Station. Buy tickets onboard approximately R$3 to Trindade.

Historic Center
Something of a time capsule, the historic center looks much as it did back in the 1800s. Once a month, at high tide when the moon is full, seawater rises from its normal levels and comes in through special openings in the seawalls that separate the city from the bay, to wash the Historic Center streets — a marvel of ancient city planning. The streets are only flooded for a short time, until the tide recedes. The water is usually only 15-25 cm (6-10 in) deep and a few merchants near the seawall put out small bridges to span the flooded streets for the benefit of pedestrians.



Waterfalls
Around the waterfall, many trails for shorter or longer hikes can be found, checkout OpenStreetMap.

Do

 * A boat trip through the bay. You can even find your own private beach on one of more than 300 islands. Small boats are available for charter near the river mouth. Negotiate a price before leaving.
 * Diving
 * Snorkeling in the bay. When you rent a small boat (and hire the driver for the afternoon) you can ask about getting a mask and snorkel. They'll also supply you with fish food. You just jump off in the middle of the bay and float around feeding fish.
 * Kayaking and Stand Up Paddle (SUP) boarding in the bay to islands, beaches and mangrove.
 * Trekking the Caminho do Ouro/ Gold Trail. Access from the Paraty-Cunha road. Lots of trails through the Atlantic Rainforest to tropical beaches, like Praia do Sono.
 * There is the distillery Alambique Engenho D'Ouro. Provided is a great deal of knowledge in the art of producing and savoring excellent cachaças and liqueurs. Just go by bus for 30 minutes to Penha. From there you can walk to the distillery.
 * There is the distillery Alambique Engenho D'Ouro. Provided is a great deal of knowledge in the art of producing and savoring excellent cachaças and liqueurs. Just go by bus for 30 minutes to Penha. From there you can walk to the distillery.

Beaches




Buy
Paraty is one of the famous producers of cachaça, a strong spirit distilled from sugarcane juice. In fact, in the early 20th century, cachaça was known as parati. Dozens of excellent brands are available, and there are shops with shelves of cachaça filled from top to bottom. The town is also home to many artists inspired by the scenic surroundings, and there are quite a few gallery and handicraft shops. Miniatures of the colorful boats that dot Paraty's harbor are commonly found souvenirs.



Budget
All these are in the city center:



Drink
Dance with the locals at bar/clubs in the main square, Lado B da Praça or Dinho's Bar, or in Paraty 33.

Sleep
The Historic Center suits visitors wanting to be where the action is, and it has plenty of charming hotels and pousadas. It can however be busy and noisy particularly at night so its worth considering staying outside and walking or cycling in. Cheaper options can be found at the newer neighborhoods, outside the tourist area. There are over 200 pousadas in the area. Watch out for the busy periods of FLIP (see Do above) in July, Carnaval and New Year's.

Outside the historical center




On the beach


If you need additional options of budget accommodations (Bed and Breakfast): http://www.pousada.com.br

Connect
There are plenty of internet cafes just outside the historical center. You can't avoid seeing one while walking a few blocks along the main street.

Go next
Hostels and private rooms are available ...:

in the south(-west):

 * Paraty Mirim – 18 km. You find idyllic beaches, waterfalls and an indigenous village. Surrounded by forest, it's like living in the nature. There is a direct bus from Paraty.
 * Trindade – 25 km. Popular beach in an old village. You can do surfing, hiking, swimming in natural pools, visiting waterfalls or just relaxing on one of the many beaches. Buses depart once per hour at around 45 after the hour.
 * Ubatuba – 70 km. Beautiful beaches are the main attraction of this place, as well as its well-preserved nature. You can do mountain biking and trekking. One of the best places in Brazil to practice surf, nautical sports, diving and birdwatching.


 * Ilhabela – 155 km. The island is considered one of the natural paradises of the São Paulo coast. (Ilhabela means literally "beautiful island" in Portuguese). It is known for its forest-covered mountains, its amazing beaches and its savage trails.

in the east:

 * Ilha Grande – 120 km. It's noted for its scenic beauty, unspoilt tropical beaches, luxuriant vegetation and rugged landscape. You will enjoy hiking. Lopes Mendes beach in Ilha Grande was once voted one of the top 10 most beautiful in the world by Vogue Magazine.


 * Angra dos Reis – 100 km. It is comprised by many islands and beaches filled with natural beauty, legends and social events. You can rent a boat to see the mansions of the rich and famous, erected on private islands.

in the north-west:

 * Cunha – 50 km. The city is visited for ceramics, a pleasant climate and gastronomy. People come to enjoy the local state park (Parque Estadual da Serra do Mar)
 * Aparecida - 100 km. It's the most popular religious pilgrimage site in Latin America. Pilgrims come to visit the Basilica containing the statue of Our Lady of Aparecida. Other attractions are a theme park, aquarium and museums. From Aparecida to Santo Antônio do Pinhal.