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Historic municipality in Brazil
Photo: User: (WT-shared) Whatsinaname at wts wikivoyage, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
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.
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First Church of Our Lady of the Remedies
Built from 1787 to 1873. Houses a museum of sacred art. Its square can be considered the town center.
Culture House
Built in 1754 as a jail and reopened in the present state in 1990. According to UNESCO, the most beautiful representative of 18th-century local architecture. Temporary and permanent exhibitions, bookstore, cafe and small theater.
Teatro Espaço
Cultural space. Has a twice weekly presentation of a famous puppet group.
The oldest church of Paraty, inaugurated in 1722, regarded by Lúcio Costa (urban planner of Brasília) as the most beautiful church inside Brazil.
Perpetual Defender Fort
18th-century stronghold built with British cannons to defend the gold against British privateers. Built in 1703, reformed in 1822 (when it received the present name, a homage to D. Pedro I) and restored in 1985. It's not actually a fort but a battery, as its walls don't completely encircle its perimeter. Inside there's a museum of popular arts and crafts, a few remaining cannons and very nice views of the bay.
Beautiful low waterfall ending in a shallow refreshing pool.
Cachoeira da Penha
Beautiful waterfall with a slide if you bring towel and swimsuit. There is also a nice hike from here to Cachoeira da Pedra Branca.
White stone
Low fall with a pool. Along with the waterfall, there are the ruins of the town´s first power plant. A trail from here goes northwest until it hits the road from where you can take a bus back to Paraty.
English's Well
No fall, just a pool. Very relaxing.
Speedboat trip will get you to more uncrowded and remote beaches. As many stops as you want, snorkeling, photos, stop and a restaurant at the end then back to town. English speaking guide.
Very calm sea with almost no waves. Beach kiosks sell snacks and refreshments.
Clear water and calm sea.
A long beach cut in half by a river.
Praia do Engenho
The best beach near Paraty with crystal clear water. There are housing estates, but no issue getting to the beach. In off season it is the best.
Mud Carnaval
Crowds of people go to the end of Jabaquara beach on the Saturday afternoon before Carnaval, cover themselves in mud and chant. Sounds crazy but it's a lot of fun.
Festa Literaria Internacional de Paraty
Held in large tents next to the sea, this literature festival gathers some of the best national writers and guest international authors. There are shows, exhibitions, workshops and film screenings. Hotels can get pretty crowded, book well in advance for this period.
Festival da Cachaça
A town well-known for its sugarcane liquor, it's no surprise that there's a dedicated festival to celebrate pinga. Regional versions of cachaça can be tasted at stands set up in Matriz Square. There's also live music and plenty of food stands.
Homemade food with good service. Mom's seasoning. The restaurant is very cozy. A place of joy and energy.
Cozy place with delicious homemade dishes. Ample, pleasant and familiar environment. Diverse buffet, plenty of salads.
Cozy place, reminiscent of a canteen. The place is very nice and quiet. Wonderful meals.
Good food. Great variety, great service. Nice atmosphere and super friendly staff.
The snacks are super well prepared and delicious. Yummy products and great service. Also a great option for breakfast as it opens early.
Fabulous local fresh foods with a touch from Barcelona.
24 varieties of pizza and over 10 other main dishes, and an excellent wine list. With live music on weekends and helpful and friendly staff.
Bar-restaurant of local brewery. Home of the Caborê draft.
One of the coziest and most charming accommodations in the city. You get your own (to keep) handmade slippers to use inside on the clean floors. A/C, safe.
A restored lord's house from the 17th century. Made with rich materials, this hotel preserved the colonial architecture and style. Has the luxurious apartment with the best view of the harbor and bay.
This hotel is set in a colonial house next to the Matriz church. Many of the air-conditioned rooms are located at the internal patio and garden.
Pousada with rooms around an internal garden.
An excellent pousada at a good location, along the canal, near the bus station.
Bungalows, waterfall, natural swimming pool, gastronomy, massages and body treatments, ofuro bath, sauna beside waterfall, tennis.
Family-run organic farm, only accessible by trail through the rainforest. Experience life on the farm, learn about organic farming, natural medicines and rainforest preservation. Private rooms, dorm accommodations or camping options. Recommended by National Geographic in their South American Staylist, 2011.
Quiet and tranquil B&B in a residential neighborhood, 20-minute walk from the city center and away from loud streets. Owned by Brazilian wife and American husband. The inn is full of artistic touches, the rooms are huge and comfy, and the daily poolside breakfast is fantastic.
Swimming pool and bar inside the hostel. WIFI, public kitchen and breakfast included in the fee.
Hostel is in front of and 10 m from Jabaquara beech and 800 m from town center. The hostel offers an excellent complimentary buffet breakfast, internet access, pool and ping pong tables, along with a wide variety of tours including kayak, jeep and boat excursions. The hostel also has a full bar and an excellent restaurant.
Free pick-up and breakfast, right on the beach with view. Touts its "cool atmosphere".
This hostel in front of the sea has a quiet and relaxed environment where you can enjoy a caipirinha and meet people from all over Brazil and the world.
Guesthouse in front of Jabaquara beach, a good location for Stand Up Paddle boarding (SUP). Discounts for board rentals and tours.
Beautiful and charming villas with 4 and 6 en suite bedrooms with private pool and jacuzzi, right on the beach. Stunning views.
In a quiet environment 50 m from Jabaquara Beach, this small hotel provides charming rooms with balcony and kitchenette. Free Wi-Fi, pool and parking are available. Guests can take a dip in the jacuzzi, chill out on the tropical grounds or enjoy a varied breakfast by the swimming pool. For additional relaxation, there is also a spa unit in the hotel.
Gives out free samples to try before you buy, and also sells plenty of homemade sweets.
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.
By car
Paraty is connected by road to Rio de Janeiro (236 km) or São Paulo (330 km), via highway BR-101 (Rod. Rio-Santos).
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 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.
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São José Dos Campos · Regional · SJK
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