Paraty, Brazil

Paraty, also spelled Parati, is a lovely colonial town, 125 miles from Rio de Janeiro on Ilha Grande Bay, Brazil's southeastern coast. It lies on the border between Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo states. See this interactive map from Expedia.

It's a favorite with Brazilians and visitors who want to get away from it all in an historic town, laze on one of the many beaches, and indulge in a restful vacation.

In the 1700's when the mines of Minas Gerais were pouring out gold, the perfect bay of Paraty was a busy port, the second most important in Brazil during the Ciclo de Ouro, or Golden Century. It was a hard overland trip, though, and when a new road was built to another port in Espiritu Santo state, Paraty was all but forgotten. This stage of oblivion or neglect is what kept so many of the colonial buildings pretty much as they were when the last gold-laden ship sailed for Portugal.

Old town, the historic center is a national historic monument. Closed to vehicles, the streets and buildings are preserved. When the city was founded in 1531, the founders named Nossa Senhora dos Remédios as the patron saint and built this church in her honor. Enlarged and remodeled over the years, the church is now the focal point of the annual Festa de Nossa Senhora dos Remédios on September 8. The festa has been celebrated for over 300 years since a wealthy and reverent benefactor, Maria Jácome de Mello, donated the land to the town for the church, requesting only an annual mass in return. The mass has grown into a procession of the wooden effigy of the Virgen, adorned with gold and silver jewelry, though the town.

Getting There

By Air:

Daily flights from Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. Check flights from your area. You can also browse for hotels and car rentals.

By Land:

There are several roads from Rio de Janeiro and other locales. See this map for routes. Busses to and from Angra dos Reis, São Paulo and other cities maintain a regular schedule.

By Water:

By privately owned boats or by charter. Some cruise lines stop here as a port of call.

Take a tour, such as this Know the best of Parati, RJ that includes transportation.

When to Go

The temperature in Paraty ranges from 18C to 30C, (64F - 80F) making it an all-season destination, though the summer months of high season will be hotter, more crowded and more expensive.

Check today's weather in Paraty.

Visit during the Folkore Festival or the Pinga Festival in August or any one of the other annual events. Things to Do and See

Stroll the pedestrian only areas to see the colonial architecture, many with ornate details as shown in this photo.

Take this flash tour of the Centro Histórico.

Follow the Gold Trail on the route built by slaves to transport gold from the mines to the port.

Enjoy one of the 44 beaches in and around Paraty.

Visit the waterfalls and the parks and reserves.

Take a boat tour around the islands with stops for snorkeling, diving and beach time.

Visit Trindade an old fishing village and pirate hangout, now a popular beach.

Tour the local galleries of artists and artisans.

Practical Information

from the Brazilian Embassy in London.

It's possible, out of season, to ask at the Tourist Office for places to stay. Browse these pousadas or this one.

Restaurant choices range from modest to mid-priced. Try the local favorites, and pinga, or cachaça.

Whenever you visit Paraty, boa viagen!