THE BEST TIPS OF PARATY

BOAT TOURS

There are two boat tour options: In a schooner with other people or you can rent a boat only for yourself (speedboat, sailboat or motor dinghy).

We recommend: Pick your boat directly at the pier instead of booking a tour in advance from agencies. Schooners are usually very crowded and noisy – we do not recommend.

Tour suggestions: Start with a stop at Praia Vermelha (there is simple bar serving food) and/or at Praia da Lula (much more beautiful, but no kiosks). Then, go to Lagoa Azul in Saco da Velha (where you can find lunch options at “Hiltinho”, nicer with a splendid view, or at “Paixão do Vivinho”, at the beach).

Photos and more tips: www.paraty.tur.br

PUPPET THEATER

Puppet show for adults in a lovely theater in the historic center. Performances every Wednesday, Saturday and holidays. Address: Rua D. Geralda, 327, Historic center. Phone number: (24) 3371-1161

Website: www.ecparaty.org.br

WATERFALLS

We recommend: Pedra Branca and Poço dos Ingleses are easier to access and you can stop by Alambique da Pedra Branca on the way. The road to Poço dos Ingleses is paved, that is why it gets more visits than Pedra Branca. The latter is about two kilometers after Poço dos Ingleses, continuing on the same road. However, part of it is not paved and we do not recommend going there after rainy days.

How to get there: From the interchange in Paraty, on Rio-Santos highway, take Paraty-Cunha for about 3.5km. Turn right after the bridge. Drive for another 1.8km and park the car. Poço dos Ingleses is on the right side, at the end of a 150 meters creek. To reach Pedra Branca, continue for another 2.2km after Poço dos Ingleses, always going left.

Photos and more tips: www.paraty.tur.br

GOLD PATH

It is a stone road. The gold coming from Minas Gerais came through this road. This trail starts at Penha, by the Tobogã waterfall (Paraty-Cunha highway). You can walk it by yourself, going up and down the same path. Approximate walking time: from one to three hours (depending on how far you want to go).

How to get there: From the interchange in Paraty, on Rio-Santos, take Paraty-Cunha for about 7.8km. Tobogã waterfall and the Gold Path are beside Penha’s Church, where there is parking.

BEACHES ACCESSED BY CAR: (1) TRINDADE

Small village 25km from Paraty. Six of the most beautiful beaches in the area are here, open ocean and clear water. It is part of Cairuçu Environmental Protection area. The road is narrow, winding and surrounded with green. Be careful and drive slowly.

We recommend: At the end of the last beach, there is a natural swimming pool sheltered by rocks – Piscina do Cachadaço.–You can walk there following a trail through the vegetation, or take a boat at Praia do Meio. For this second option you have to pay. In Trindade, enjoy kiosks with meals and crafts. Cepilho beach is good for surfing.

How to get there: From the interchange in Paraty, on Rio-Santos highway (BR-101), head to São Paulo and drive for 17km to Patrimônio. There is a paved road on the left to go up the hill. Take the right at the bifurcation until the end. The total route on this secondary road is 8km.

Photos and more tips: www.paraty.tur.br

BEACHES ACCESSED BY CAR: (2) SÃO GONÇALO

Extensive beach (2.650 meters) with calm waters and uncrowded. Parking is available at different spots throughout the beach. Where São Gonçalo river flows, on the north corner, there are two bars with boats departing to Ilha dos Pelados – right across from it – where you will find great beaches and kiosks. (These kiosks were recently closed by the Brazilian Institute of Environment)

How to get there: From the interchange in Paraty, on the Rio-Santos highway, take BR 101 (Rio/Santos) to Rio de Janeiro for about 30km (exit km 545 onBR-101).

Photos and more tips: : www.paraty.tur.br

BEACHES ACCESSED BY CAR: (3) PARATY-MIRIM

Large (760 meters) with calm waters and divided by the Paraty-Mirim river. There are two or three kiosks. Both the beach and the village are named Paraty-Mirim. In the colonial period the port was used to disembark slaves. The small and beautiful church, Nossa Senhora da Conceição, built in 1746, and ruins of several houses are reminders of this period. The dirt road to Paraty-Mirim beach goes through an indian reservation and around some natural pools.

We recommend: The part after the river is nicer and quieter.

How to get there:From the interchange in Paraty, on the Rio-Santos highway, take BR 101 (Rio/Santos) to São Paulo for 9.6km. Turn left on the dirt road (km 593, Rio-Santos).Paraty-Mirim is 17.2km away from Paraty, and only 9.6km are paved (Rio-Santos). The rest (7.6km) is on a dirt road.

Photos and more tips: www.paraty.tur.br

BEACHES ACCESSED BY CAR: (4) Prainha (da Praia Grande)

Small beach with only one kiosk. It is a five-minute walk from Praia Grande`s fishing village. A peninsula separates them.

How to get there: From the interchange in Paraty, on the Rio-Santos highway, take BR 101 (Rio/Santos) to Rio de Janeiro for about 10km until Praia Grande village. Park the car in Praia Grande and walk to Prainha (around 5 minutes).

BEACHES ACCESSED BY CAR + TREKKING: (5) PRAIA DO SONO

Marvelous long white sand beach, almost wild, with several almond trees and little rustic restaurants in fishermen´s houses. The gorgeous beach and the walk make this trip really worth it (no access by car). Laranjeiras, a private luxury condo near Trindade, is the access point.

How to get there: From the interchange in Paraty, on Rio-Santos highway (BR-101), head to São Paulo and drive for 17km to Patrimônio. There is a paved road on the left to go up the hill. Take the left at the bifurcation until the end. The total route on this secondary road is 8km. From Vila do Oratório (beside Laranjeiras condo), follow the trail for about one hour (ask the locals where the trail starts. Once on it, it is very easy). Another option to get there is by water. You can get the phone numbers of boatmen at the condo´s gatehouse.

If you do not wish to walk back, there are small boats departing from Praia do Sono that will take you to Laranjeiras. Once there, a free van will take you to the exit. You will get to see the condo on the way.

Photos and more tips: www.paraty.tur.br

PARATY FOR CHILDREN

Paraty Sport Aventura: It is the biggest arvorism park in Brazil, with circuits for adults and children, zip-line, rappelling, a snack bar, kayaks and picnic area.Book canyoning trips with them.Located by the Rio-Santos highway, one kilometer away from the intersection in Paraty. Phone numbers: (24) 3371 5085 or (24) 98821-9644, website: www.paratysportaventura.com

Sítio Mata Atlântica: it has fishing lakes (they provide the necessary gear), natural pools with slides, a restaurant, and a lots of green area. In Barra Grande, 18km north of Paraty on the Rio-Santos (km 558,5), and another 1.8km on Barra Grande road. Phone numbers: (24) 3371-1387 / 99943-8118 / 99943-7050

Paraty Bowling Alley: Besides automatic lanes, it has a climbing wall, video arcade games, partying area, a bar and a pizzeria. Phone number: (24) 3371-5970. It is on main avenue (Av.Roberto Silveira). Website: www.bolicheparaty.com.br

Flora Paraty: A beautiful bromeliad nursery, also selling ornamental plants. On BR 101, near the intersection. Website: www.bromelias.com.br

Casa da Cultura: “Sábado da Criança” or Saturdays for Children happen every Saturday from 6 to 7 p.m., with shows, storytelling and games. There is a pleasant café and exhibition hall open every day.

Photos and more activities for kids: www.paraty.tur.br

ALEMBIC MARIA IZABEL

This is a great trip for cachaça lovers and the ones curious about it, for the excellence of the cachaça produced here (among the Brazilian top ten according to the Playboy ranking) and the gorgeous alembic by the ocean. It produces 15.000 liters/year. Open for visits and purchases directly from the producer (we recommend booking 24 9999-9908).

How to get there: From the interchange in Paraty, on the Rio-Santos highway, take BR 101 (Rio/Santos) to Rio de Janeiro for 7.3km. Turn right on a small dirt road. The alembic is at the end of this road (after about 2km). Go left on all bifurcations.

Photos and more tips: www.mariaizabel.com.br Others alembics in Paraty: www.paraty.com.br

HISTORIC CENTER

Save at least half a day for the touristic spots in the historic center. The city looks particularly pretty at the end by nightfall. Check out the main touristic points: www.paraty.tur.br

We recommend: Make a stop at Café Pingado (on the corner of Rua Matriz and Samuel Costa). Besides coffee and natural juice, enjoy their delicious pastries. After sightseeing, sit down at a restaurant (recommendations below) or simply relax sipping a cocktail in one of the many cafes

BEST RESTAURANTS IN THE HISTORIC CENTER

BANANA DA TERRA