Welcome to Paraty
Backed by steep, jungled mountains plunging into an island-studded bay, Paraty enjoys one of Brazil’s most spectacular settings and an exquisitely preserved colonial center, recognized as a National Historic Site since 1966. The town's pedestrianized streets are lined with elegant white buildings adorned with fanciful multihued borders and latticed windows that blend harmoniously with the natural beauty that envelops the town – it's a joy to explore (despite the ankle-twisting irregular cobblestones!)
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Paraty activities
Paraty City Sightseeing Tour
After your guide picks you up at your hotel in Paraty, embark on a 2-hour sightseeing tour of the colonial city with your small group. Your guide will point out the town's preserved 18th-century architecture, which together forms a National Historic Monument in Brazil. Be sure to keep your camera at the ready for fantastic photo opportunities while you stroll along the cobblestone in the historic city center, which provides pedestrian-only access. Head to the Casa da Cultura (House of Culture), a colonial mansion housing a permanent exhibit that documents the local culture through photos and video. You’ll have great views of the town from this museum, which also holds replica displays of Paraty’s past. Hear legends of the gold and coffee trade as your guide explains Paraty’s history during the last few centuries. Discover the city's unique position in exporting gold to Rio de Janeiro and beyond along the 750-mile (1,200-km) Gold Trail.Visit Baroque churches such as the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary, built by and for slaves in 1725, and admire the gilded wooden altars dedicated to St Benedict and St John. Depending on which churches are open, you may also step foot inside the First Church of Our Lady of the Remedies, named after the town's patron saint. Originally built in the late 1700s, the building now houses art from both past and contemporary local artists.When your sightseeing tour ends, your guide will drop you off at your hotel.
Kayaking Adventure in Paraty
Meet your guide early in the morning in Jabaquara beach and get ready for this adventure!After safety instruction on the beach from 9am, you will paddle with your guide to islands and beaches in the bay of Paraty in double kayaks. You'll have a 30 minute break at our first stop at Sapeca Island with time for snorkeling and swimming in the warm waters of the bay. After another 10 minutes paddling, past more islands you arrive at Rosa Beach for more swimming. Here you will also eat some fruits and snacks (included).We paddle back to the starting point on a different route, tide permitting, passing through a Mangrove full of wildlife. You arrive back to the starting point at about 1pm.
Waterfall Jungle Jeep Adventure and Cachaca Tour from Paraty
After you’re picked up from your hotel, hop aboard a fully loaded Jeep for an exciting ride down the rugged roads outside Paraty! You’ll drive with a local guide along a scenic route through the Atlantic Forest of Bocaino Mountains National Park (Serra da Bocaina). Among the beautiful flora you’ll find jequitibá, one of the largest trees in the region, as well as Brazilian bamboo, bromeliads and more!The first stop on your 6-hour tour is the Gold Trail Exposition, where you can learn about the history of Brazil’s famous export. This road, paved in steep areas with large stones, connected Paraty by mule train to some of the world’s richest gold mines until the 18th century.Next, pass Toboga Falls — where swimmers coast down a natural 60-foot (18-meter) rock slide into the water — and Tarzan Falls, whose deep pools are accessible via a high-flying rope swing! When you reach the cachaça distillery called Engenho D’Ouro, discover how this popular Brazilian liquor is produced from sugarcane. You’ll taste several varieties of delicious cachaça, which is distilled onsite and aged in wooden casks.Then hop back in the Jeep for a short ride to a great local restaurant, Villa Verde. Enjoy specialty pastas and broiled dishes for lunch (own expense) while relaxing beside another beautiful waterfall. After your meal, take a refreshing dip to cool off in the pristine waters.At the Murycana Farm, another cachaça distillery, you’ll get a glimpse into farm life through a short tour. Your final stop is the Bromeliad Exhibition, where more than 300 species of beautiful plants are on display — an excellent photo op! Complete your tour by driving back to Paraty with drop-off at your hotel.
2-Hour Walking Tour of Historic Paraty, Brazil
Meet your guide at Chafariz Square at the entrance to the Paraty Historic centre pedestrian zone and then set off on your 2-hour walking tour of the streets of Paraty. On the way to the Main Square the Portuguese Colonial Architecture it feels like you have stepped back in time to the 19th century. As you wander the streets you will see all the main sites including the Churches (First Church Our Lady of the Remedies, Igreja Nossa Senhora das Dores (Capelinha), Chapel of Saint Rita and the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary and Saint Benedict), the Casa de Cultura, the old jail, former cinemas, the stations of the Cross and many of the old colonial buildings. Your expert local guide will point out the architectural and urban design features that make Paraty such a unique example of Portuguese colonial architecture. There´ll be time to stop at a cachaça store where you can try the local rum which is still made the traditional way. At the end of the tour you´ll finish on Rua do Comercio, Paraty´s bustling street of stores, where the past meets the present!
KAYAKING TO THE MANGROVES
Starting at Pontal beach T 8:30 am, previous briefing & instruction we'll leave towards pigeon island from where really starts our adventure, crossing Paraty's bay, solitaire and full of beauty, just 30 minutes paddling away, we'll arrive at strait beach & Itu island where we will visit the mangroves, excellent place for bird watching and discovering a lot about its wild life. After here we arrive at corumbé bay where new surprises are waiting for us & back to Pontal Beach contemplating along the way the great views, local fisher man & the show of the seagulls fishing in the sea . This is an opportunity to take a close look to the endemic Atlantic forest of the islands & one of the last mangroves remaining in Paraty. Together with new friends and well accompanied by a Local guide that will give us all the support we need and tell all about the history of this wander full place.
Paraty 6 - Day
Day 1: Paraty City Tour Originality and definition forming a harmonious architectural scene of the XVIII century. The city of Paraty today is a historical monument and a world historical heritage, and even more, natural heritage for 65% of the area of the municipality within the national park of Serra da Bocaina. Irregular calculations, thick decorated walls, colonized houses with worked iron balconies, Masonic culture, in the years of age. Day 2: Caiçara Tour Ilha de Araújo is the second largest island in the bay of Paraty, its typically caiçara community still live almost exclusively from artisanal fishing and handicrafts. On our tour we will have this beautiful experience visiting your community (churches, school, library, flour house in addition to your local crafts). Departure from Paraty by land transportation. Arrival to Praia Grande and embark to Ilha do Araújo. Conversation Wheel with Almir Tã - fisherman, plastic artist and community leadership - on the history of the community and on the traditions of the caiçara culture. Walk around the island, easy trail to visit the comunade with stop for bath in the beach of Tapera, place of calm and crystalline waters good for bath. Stop for lunch (optional.) And free time to enjoy Pontal Beach and its stunning scenery in the bay of Paraty. Return by boat to Praia Grande and return to Paraty Day 3: Boat Tour in Paraty An unforgettable and recommended tour for all tourists visiting our city lasting 5 hours. Routes through the wonderful bay of Paraty with 4 stops. During the tour you will visit 2 beaches and 2 islands, stopping at these places for around 30 to 40 minutes in each of them, with time to relax, swim, snorkel, or simply enjoy a beach or a delicious lunch (optional) on board Day 4: Jeep Tour Serra da Bocaina Jeep Tours departs from Paraty to the Serra da Bocaina National Park. Visit beautiful waterfalls like the one of Pedra Branca, biodiversity, great opportunity to observe several species of birds of the region and have direct contact with local flora including one of the largest trees in the Jequitibá region. Afterwards we will go to Vila da Penha where we will meet the waterfalls of Tobogã (where the natives practice the surf in the stone) and Poço do Tarzan. During the walk we will observe different types of plants. All the waterfalls have pure and crystalline waters We will also visit the Pedra Branca and Engenho D'Ouro Alembic to know the artisanal method of making the cachaça and tasting with various flavors and also the Manioc Flour House where we will be able to know all the steps for its handmade production. The stop for lunch is the Villa Verde Restaurant, a pleasant environment that is flanked by the Pereque-açu River where tourists can bathe in natural pools and enjoy the nature of the place together with excellent cuisine.