Paraty
Save32 hand-picked places in 9 lists. Tick the categories you want to see on the map.
Only have a day? See 2 ready-made day plans ↓Show on the map
Tips
6 places on the map
Rainy day
- 1
Cultural center and museum of local history and traditions
3 tips
- Small entry fee
- Check opening hours
- Good for context before walking the town
📷 Photos
- 2
Yellow and white 1722 church that houses the sacred art museum
- Must know: Closed Mondays
2 tips
- Small entry fee
- Iconic photo spot
📷 Photos
- 3
Hilltop fort from 1703 with a small history museum
3 tips
- Short uphill walk from the center
- Wonderful views of the bay
- Closed some Mondays
📷 Photos
- 4
1725 church built for the enslaved and freed Black community
- Tip: Late afternoon
2 tips
- Limited visiting hours
- Respect services
📷 Photos
- 5
Parish church from 1787 with a large square in front
- Tip: At night
3 tips
- Open on specific hours, check locally
- Good point for the town square
- Evening mass is atmospheric
📷 Photos
- 6
Small puppet theater with international fame
- Tip: Book ahead
2 tips
- Check show times
- Intimate venue
📷 Photos
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Before you go: Paraty tips
Transportation
- Take the bus from Rio or Sao Paulo: Long-distance buses connect Paraty with Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo along the scenic coastal highway.
- Explore by boat: Boat trips from the harbour visit nearby islands and beaches, the best way to see the bay.
- Walk the centre: The historic centre is closed to cars, so park outside and explore the cobbled streets on foot.
Security
- Watch your step: The large irregular stones in the old town are uneven and slippery, so wear sturdy shoes and watch each step.
- Stay aware at night: Paraty is generally calm, but keep valuables discreet and avoid deserted areas after dark.
- Choose licensed boat operators: Make sure boats carry life jackets and are run by registered operators, especially in rough weather.
Saving
- Eat por quilo: Pay-by-weight restaurants outside the historic core offer good-value lunches with plenty of variety.
- Take shared boat tours: Group schooner trips are much cheaper than private boats and still visit several beaches.
- Visit outside holidays: Prices rise during Carnival, New Year and festivals, so midweek or off-season visits are cheaper.
Weather/Clothing
- Pack for humid heat: Summers are hot, humid and rainy, so bring light clothing, a rain jacket and swimwear.
- Bring insect repellent: Mosquitoes and tiny biting sand flies are common, especially near the water at dusk.
- Expect cooler winters: Winter months are drier and milder; a light sweater is enough for cooler evenings.
Cultural
- Taste cachaca: The Paraty region is famous for cachaca; visit a local distillery to learn about it and sample the spirit.
- Try caicara cooking: Local caicara cuisine features fresh fish, banana and cassava; look for dishes like fish with banana.
- Join the festivals: Paraty hosts lively events, including the FLIP literary festival, with talks, music and street life.
Local Hacks
- Watch the high tide: At certain high tides seawater floods some old town streets, a unique sight built into the colonial design.
- Day trip to Trindade: The village of Trindade has beautiful beaches and natural pools, reachable by local bus.
- Explore Saco do Mamangua: This fjord-like inlet is best reached by boat and offers calm waters and hiking trails.
1-day itineraries in Paraty
Only have a day? Each one keeps you in one area, from morning to late afternoon, with lunch nearby.
Day 1 of 2
Centro Histórico de Paraty and around
🕘 9:30–16:30📍 5 stops
- 1Centro Histórico de Paraty
- 2Igreja de Santa Rita de Cássia
- 3Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Rosário e São Benedito
- 4Igreja de Nossa Senhora dos Remédios
- 5Cais de Paraty
Day 2 of 2
Praia do Pontal and around
🕘 9:30–12:45📍 3 stops
- 1Baía de Paraty
- 2Praia do Pontal
- 3Forte Defensor Perpétuo
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