Overlooking an island-dotted bay, Paraty is a beautifully preserved Portuguese colonial town at the southern tip of Rio de Janeiro state. It was once a bustling gold port and is now designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with enchanting architecture and easy access to blissful beaches and wildlife-filled national parks.
Things to do in Paraty
Spend an afternoon exploring the historic centre of Paraty, which is clustered with whitewashed colonial houses featuring colourful doors and window frames. Stroll along the cobblestone streets and relax in Matriz Square, home to Paraty’s main church, Our Lady of Remedies. The oldest church in town is Santa Rita’s, which was founded in 1722 by freed African slaves.
For a day at the beach, head north to Barra do Corumbê, which offers picturesque views across the Baia Carioca. Rent a stand-up paddleboard to explore the calm, shallow waters at your leisure or dine on seafood at the waterfront Cheiro de Camarão. Further north is stunning Praia do Cão Morto, which is backed by the dense forests of Bocaina Mountain Range National Park.
Paraty serves as a gateway to Ilha Grande, which is ringed by beautiful beaches and blanketed in Atlantic forest. You can go scuba diving with sea turtles or snorkelling at Lagoa Azul before hiking to the impressive waterfall of Feiticeira. For sweeping views across Ilha Grande, climb to the top of parrot-shaped Pico do Papagaio while keeping your eyes peeled for toucans and capuchin monkeys.
Getting around Paraty
Paraty is around five hours’ drive from Rio de Janeiro and 4.5 hours from Tom Jobim International Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. Regular buses connect from Rio de Janeiro to Paraty while ferries travel from Paraty to Abraao on Ilha Grande.