Complete Guide to Paraty: From Colonial Center to Hidden Beaches

Want a mix of beaches and a historic atmosphere? Paraty is definitely the place. Located in the state of Rio de Janeiro, it's a city that borders São Paulo state, making it a great destination if you're looking for a super charming colonial city and beautiful beaches.

Paraty is very singular – it has a charming historic center with excellent restaurant options, various shops, and culture everywhere. While it's a great destination for enjoying the beach, I should mention that the city's beaches aren't the best. The coolest thing to do is rent a tour boat and explore the many hidden spots on the islets and deserted small beaches around the city.

Historical center of Paraty

How to Get There?

Paraty is ~250 km from both São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, which translates to a 4 to 4.5-hour drive. Although we always recommend renting a car to get there, it's also possible to go by bus: from São Paulo, buses depart from Tietê Bus Terminal, and from Rio, they leave from Novo Rio Bus Terminal.

*If you are going by car, use Rentcars.com. If you are in São Paulo, there is a good option by bus with Flixbus, which can make your trip a little cheaper. This way you help me maintain this blog alive. :)

What to do in Paraty?

Before talking about the beaches, I want to start with the historic village. This area is listed by the National Institute of Historic and Artistic Heritage (IPHAN) and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It's the heart of the city and perhaps the most special place in town.

Paraty's historic center is arguably one of the best-preserved colonial-era places on the Southeast coast. The small houses have a Portuguese style, mostly white with colorful doors and windows, and the streets are made of stone. At high tide, some of them even flood (but don't worry, the water doesn't get too high and soon goes down)!

Here, it's worth strolling through the handicraft shops, bars with live music, and delicious restaurants. I recommend Banana da Terra, open for over 30 years and serving local culinary delights. For a different experience, I suggest Thai Brasil, a small doorway that leads to a restaurant with a lot of personality, specialized in Thai cuisine.

Church at the center of Paraty

Charming houses at the center

High tide floods the streets

Stone streets

Grilled octupus at Banana da Terra restaurant

Historical buildings at Paraty

And since we're talking about food, here's another tip in Paraty, though outside the center: Fazenda Bananal. About 20 minutes from downtown, this place is great for a different activity, completed with an incredible meal. The dishes are seasonal and made with ingredients from the farm's own garden.

Main building with a museum

Inside the museum - having fun!

Now let's explore: Paraty's beaches!

I'm sorry to say this, but the beaches in the middle of the city aren't that great, and unless you just want to take a quick look, I don't recommend visiting them. However, the region's biggest asset lies in the countless paradisiacal beaches and islands scattered around the bay and its surroundings. The natural beauty here is breathtaking, with crystal-clear waters, lush vegetation, and landscapes that look straight out of a postcard.

The golden tip is to rent a boat, a speedboat, or take a schooner tour. This is the most popular and efficient way to reach the most beautiful and preserved spots, many of them inaccessible by land. Prices can range from US$15-30 per person for shared boat tours and US$300-600 per group for private speedboat tours, depending on the size of boat.

These tours usually last all day and make stops at various isolated islands and small beaches. If you're staying at a hotel, they can easily get you in touch with someone for a tour. Otherwise, just heading to the pier in the center of town, you can easily book a trip.

Some of the beaches that boats usually visit are Praia de Ilha Comprida, known for its natural pools (excellent for snorkeling), and Praia da Lula, a classic on boat tours. It's a small cove embraced by the forest, with a soft white sand strip and calm, greenish waters.

Ilha Comprida

Sailing around Paraty

Praia da Lula

Want an adventure?

If you're up for a bit more adventure and want a quiet, more isolated spot, I recommend Praia do Sono. You can get there via a moderate-level trail (about 1.5 hours) or by boats that depart from Laranjeiras (a small village near Paraty). It's a rustic beach with the charm of a fishing village and stunning views. It's even worth spending a night there, enjoying the beachfront guesthouses (or camping, if you're feeling more wild) and the village's small restaurants. I recommend Restaurante Flor do Mar, which has live music and great drinks.

Trail to Praia do Sono

Sunset at Praia do Sono

What else is there to do around?

Besides beaches and the historic center, Paraty is rich in waterfalls and artisanal cachaça producers. Some famous waterfalls include Cachoeira do Tobogã (where people "slide" down the rocks) and Poço do Tarzan. Along the way, you'll find distilleries like Engenho D'Ouro or Paratiana, which offer cachaça tastings and other local delicacies. If you don't have a car, there are jeep tours you can book right in the historic center and it should cost US$20-30.

Waterfall in Paraty

Enjoying the cold water

Cachaça tasting at Engenho D'Agua distillery

Finally, there's a route called the Estrada Real, which includes sections of the Caminho do Ouro (Gold Path), an ancient trail used to transport gold from Minas Gerais (by the way, that's why Paraty was once very important). If you have a car, this route is definitely worth taking. It's a slightly more challenging road in the mountains, but the views are worth it if you want to feel like you're in the colonial era and appreciate the beautiful nature of the Atlantic Forest on an alternative path. On your way, you can also stop by at Cunha (we've mentioned this place here).

Hope this tips will help you with your Paraty trip. If you have any questions or need any help with your itinerary, send us a message! :)