Paraty, Brazil
Paraty is a UNESCO designated fishing village located in the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest. The architecture of this village is a well preserved example of the colonial Portuguese period. Paraty is a very popular tourist destination because of its historic qualities, excellent restaurants and pousadas, and access to many pristine islands off its coast.
The cultural attractions in Paraty also include a cultural center with nice historic exhibitions, museums, a theatre, as well as a myriad of annual cultural and party events and festivals in Paraty.
Seaside charm. The colonial buildings of Paraty blend harmoniously with the sea, islands, mountains and jungles that surround the town. The Bay of Ilha Grande, along which the town is located, is dotted with small tropical islands and some 300 beaches, most of which you can reach by boat. Boat trips, kayaking, surfing and sailing are popular here, and diving and snorkeling are also good in the bay, for example around Ilha dos Meros. The surrounding mountains host many nature reserves, as well as the old Gold Trail that offer nice trekking in Paraty. The nearby waterfalls of Pedra Branca and Andorinhas are also worth visiting.
The climate in Paraty is tropical with constantly warm temperatures. The winter from June to September is cooler and drier, while the summer from November to April is hotter and wetter, but sea breezes temper the heat effectively. Afternoon rains are common especially from October to January.
How to get there. As the town is located roughly halfway between Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, traveling to Paraty is convenient via both of these cities, having large international airports. Paraty has a small airstrip that is only good for small charter planes or helicopters, but there are frequent buses to Paraty from both Rio and São Paulo. You can also travel to Paraty by a cruise ship or your own yacht.
Local transport. The Paraty town itself is small and can be toured by foot. Private cars are not allowed in the historic center of Paraty. Taxis and tourist shuttle vans are available for longer distances. Horse carts are also used for transportation. Car rental in Paraty is also available for touring the region more comprehensively.
Good services. A large number of hotels in Paraty are available for most price ranges, located mainly in the historic town center, but also some beach resort hotels are available. Restaurants in Paraty include some of the finest restaurants in Brazil, serving a large variety of cuisines. Some nightlife is available in the town in form of bars and a dance club boat. English is not commonly spoken in Paraty, so learning a few phrases of Portuguese will be helpful.
Safety. Being a small town, Paraty is rather safe destination, especially compared to the big cities of Brazil. However, some petty crime exists also here, so take care of your belongings and do not venture out of the town center by yourself in areas you do not know.
