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Paraty
Situated 250km from Rio de Janeiro, this quaint colonial town epitomises what Brazil is all about; surrounded by 65 islands with over 100 beaches and a backdrop of lush mountains, combined with an historical centre containing 18thcentury churches.
Paraty has unusually large cobbled streets, where no vehicles are allowed to pass, are designed to be flooded during high tides; the sea enters just far enough to cover them and wash them, presenting a magical image of a town apparently floating on water.
A small town, 8 streets by 6, was declared a national historic monument by UNESCO in 1966, though its beautifully maintained centre with traditional white walls and brightly coloured doorways makes it feel larger than it is. This is the outside, inside however the pousadas and café’s open up on to delicately landscaped courtyards with ferns, orchids, rosebushes and begonias. All of which make a stunning monument to Brazil’s colonial past. Paraty has a charm which is enough to entice almost anyone, but what lies beyond its borders is a world waiting to be discovered. The 65 islands and numerous beaches are accessible only by private boat, providing seclusion and privacy amongst stretches of sand and clear blue waters. The mountains that form the towns stunning backdrop are part of a national park system and contain walking trails, bike paths and waterfalls. THINGS TO SEE AND DO
Below are some of the attractions that Paraty and surrounding area have to offer.
Boat hire. The town’s harbour has boats for private hire. You will need to haggle to get the right price. Once done, the boat will take to you one of the many beaches in the area. Some have small fish restaurants on whilst others are totally empty. The best beaches to visit are Praia do Forte and Praia do Jabaquara. Schooner. If having your own boat is not for you, or, as an excellent way of finding out where the best spots are, the schooner leaves the harbour twice daily for trips around the bay, stopping off at a selection of beaches. This is also a very good orientation trip. Paraty. This colonial town is well worth exploring with its range of colonial buildings, colourful patio’s and 18thcentury churches.
Fazenda Banal. A different type of excursion. Five minutes outside the town, following the old gold trail is a 17thCentury hacienda (ranch) containing; waterfalls for swimming, bird watching and an ancient cachaca distillery - a sugarcane wine made from different flavours.
Recommended lodges in this area:
Paraty
A charming little Pousada located above the town of Picinguaba. This small hotel (10 rooms) is simple and charming. Rooms are fairly small with no air-conditioning, but all have ocean views.
Angra
This is a lovely little gem of a property where you can escape the hustle and bustle of Rio and somewhere quieter than Buzios if you really want to get away from it all. The decking area overlooking the ocean
Rio de Janeiro
Located in the heart of Copacabana, the Porto Bay Rio Internacional Hotel boasts modern stylish rooms, a beautiful waterfront setting with gorgeous views, and easy access to the world famous Copacabana Beach.
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