Paraty Info and Miniguide
The most charming colonial town on the Brazilian coast, Paraty has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1958. Originally settled in 1660’s by the Portuguese, Paraty is a colonial city which has maintained over 250 years of original architecture history and culture virtually unchanged. The city served as an exportation site of gold to Rio de Janeiro and Portugal. Paraty is know for its whitewashed churches, the cobblestoned streets - where cars are not alloweed, the exquisite restaurants and the placid bay whose emerald waters lap at the town's quay. Visitors to the area have the opportunity to enjoy the various cultural and musical festivals typical of the city, the vast and interesting colonial history, as well as the nearby beaches and forests.
Read More about Paraty
125 miles south of Rio de Janeiro on the Costa Verde or Green Coast lies Paraty, a historic town that is now a popular tourist resort. The town was well preserved by the Portuguese colonial rulers from 1500 – 1822 and the Brazilian Imperial from 1822 – 1889. The unique thing about the town is that is still remains the same as it was since the 17th century. Automobiles are forbidden in the city. However, vacationers would not mind since strolling around the place is the best way to explore the city. Some of the beaches in Paraty are free from development while some have a few colonial houses that add to the beauty of the coastline. The entire Green Coast is known for its pristine beaches, hilly forests and palm trees along the coastline.
Early settlers in Paraty were the Guiána Indians who traversed the dense forest opening up trails right into the interior of Brazil. In the early 1600s European settlers moved in with the Indians being pushed aside. Paraty became an official township in 1667. Steady economic progress continued in the 1700s. The beginning of the Gold Trail or Caminho do Ouro boosted the economy of Paraty significantly. By the early 1800s the gold and diamonds found in Minas Gerais made Paraty the second most important port in Brazil. Once Brazil gained independence in 1822, the shipment of gold and diamonds stopped. However, coffee exports kept the economy of the city in good health alongside the production of cachaça, liquor made from sugarcane. It was only in 1975 when a roadway from Rio de Janeiro was built that the city became a popular tourist destination. It is now well protected as a UNESCO World Heritage site, free from pollution of any kind.
By Road
Paraty is accessible by road from Rio, which is a two and a half hour drive via highway BR-101. Paraty tours and Alcance Paraty are two transport companies that ply vans from Rio to Paraty. Buses ply to and from other cities like Angra dos Reis and São Paulo.
By Air
Chartered helicopters and small commercial and private aircraft are allowed onto Paraty’s small airstrip. Most of these flights come in from Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo.
By Water:
Some cruise liners have Paraty as a port of call, mainly coming in from Rio, Ilha Grande and Angra dos Reis. Privately owned boats and chartered boats also come into the city and dock at the pier.
Paraty is blessed with hundreds of beaches. The natural beauty of the area makes it a haven for tourists. The town is bustling with activity during the night, with beach parties, live music and plenty of food and drink at restaurants around the town. Paraty is also home to many churches that were built by the Portuguese
Antigos and Sono are two of the best beaches that are well protected due to the difficult hike it takes to get there. The spectacular Conceicao Waterfall in the area has potable water. Both beaches are located between Trindade, a fishing village and the Bay of Paraty. Cepilho Beach is the perfect place for surfing. Help keep your skin healthy with a trip to Jabaquera beach that is well known for its mud that in rich in sulfur. Praia do Meio is a beach with an impressive rock formation in the center. It’s cool and calm waters is enough to tempt you to hang around the area longer.
A steep winding road takes you to Trindade. This old fishing village is now a popular beach resort situated between the ocean and Serra do Mar. There are plenty of bars and restaurants. Accommodation is affordable with many campsites, pousadas and summer cottages that welcome tourists. The Waterfall of Codós in the village is a great place to relax and enjoy some time alone.
Close to Paraty are some of the most splendid waterfalls along the rugged terrain include Poco das Andorinhas, Waterfall of Toboga, Waterfall of Pedra Branca and Poco do Ingles. Some are more difficult to access but the effort is well worth it.
Boat/Schooner Tours in Paraty
Fishing boats depart on a daily basis from Praia do Pontal to the beach islands of Picinguaba, Lula, Mirim and Jurumirim. You can take a tour of these beach islands to enjoy the natural wonders of the region. You may even find your very own private beach out of the hundreds in the area.
A stroll through the center of the city is the perfect way to soak in the beauty of the area. The cobblestone roads, old colonial houses and magnificent baroque churches are a reminder of Paraty’s rich past. The entire district remains free of pollution since no automobiles are allowed in the area.
Trekking along the Caminho do Ouro/ Gold Trail
A guided tour of the Gold Trail will take you through the Atlantic Rainforest and tropical beaches, giving you the opportunity to explore the region to the fullest. Guides who speak English are available on these tours.
Capela de Nossa Senhora das Dores (Chapel of Our Lady of Sorrows)
The Nossa Senhora das Dores Chapel was built in the 1800s and was mainly frequented by affluent women living in the town. The image of Nossa Senhora da Piedade in the chapel was stolen and only recovered in the 1990s. The chapel is reminiscent of the baroque architecture prevalent in the 1800s.
Capela da Generosa (Chapel of the Generous Woman)
The chapel was built in 1901 with the patronage of a woman in memory of Teodoro who is alleged to have drowned in the Perequê-Açu River while fishing on Good Friday.
The fort was built in 1703 with six cannons offering protection to the city’s commercial warehouses. Following a decline in the economy the fort was neglected until 1822 when it was reconstructed and dedicated to Emperor Dom Pedro I. Much of the old construction has been preserved. Forte Defensor is one of two forts that were built within the city.
Forte Patitiba [Cadeia Antiga]
Patitiba is the only fort apart from Forte Defensor that was constructed within Paraty. It also served as a prison. Today, the fort houses the local Public Library.
Every July a literature festival is held in Paraty, which attracts are number of national and international authors. Make sure you book your accommodation early if you plan to visit Paraty in July.
To experience the rich culture of Paraty, make a trip to Casa da Cultura, in the historic center. The center located at Rua Dona Geralda, 177 Centro Histórico is open to visitors from Wednesday to Monday from 11 am to 19:30 pm. The center gives you the opportunity to experience the dance forms, religious practices and the lives of indigenous tribes in the region.
Paraty is a great place to visit any time of the year. The temperature ranges from 18° C to 30° C although there may be days when it the temperature could rise to 40° C in summer which lasts from December to March. Sunbathers will be happy to know that the sun shines in Paraty all year long. The rains hit the region between February and March. It gets a bit colder and drier between June and August.
• Carry a good pair of walking shoes since automobiles are not allowed in the city’s historic center. The irregular paving could prove difficult to walk on if you don’t have a good pair of tennis shoes.
• Paraty has many good areas for diving.
• There are internet cafes on the outskirts of the historical center. •
Paraty has a number of accommodation options to suit every budget. •
If you are driving to Paraty from Rio, it is advisable to set out early morning in order to ensure safe driving conditions. The long and narrow winding road doesn’t have many road signs and visibility can be poor during the rains.
• If you haven’t made a hotel reservation the custom is to follow a guide who will take you to a number of pousadas until you find one that suits your fancy.
• It is advisable to exchange currency prior to setting out for Paraty.
• Car rentals, taxis and tourist vans are available for touring the region.
Food & Drink
Paraty has a number of excellent places for food and drink. Bartolomeu is a restaurant that offers modern cuisine. If you want to spend time drinking and eating then you ought to try Café Margarita. Sabor do Mar dishes out some excellent sea food, while you can enjoy a nice crepe at Le Castellet. There is a good selection of wines at Porto Entreposto Cultural at Rua do Comercio #14 at the historical center. For some Brazilian and other local delicacies Casa do Fogo bistro on Rua Comendador José Luiz 390 in the historical center is worth trying.
The best thing about Paraty is that there are plenty of small pousadas that are not only affordable, but extend a warm welcome to visitors. Bromelias Inn offers deluxe and standard bungalows and is set in the beautiful surroundings of Parque Nacional da Bocaina in the Atlantic Forest. Along the beaches of Prainha and Sao Goncalo is the Recanto das Aquas Inn. There are beautiful beach villas for rent in Praia do Corumbe. Each villa consists of 4-6 bedrooms and are equipped with a private pool and Jacuzzi and a stunning view of the beachfront. At the historic center are Pousada Arte Urquijo and Pousada do Cais, to name a few, which are among the most charming and coziest inns in the historic center.
Paraty's bay area is ideal for snorkeling. All you need to do is rent a small boat along with a supply of masks and snorkels and head out to the middle of the bay and feed the fish while you snorkel around.
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