Historic centre
Atmosphere, restaurantsThe car-free colonial streets, with guesthouses, bars and restaurants.
Town guide
Things to do in Paraty
A colonial port of whitewashed houses and cobbled streets between the mountains and a bay of islands. Boat trips, waterfalls, cachaça and beaches, halfway between Rio and São Paulo.
26
Hostels in the city
8.2
Average, from 6,140 reviews
3–4
Days to do it properly
The gold road's port
Paraty grew rich in the 18th century as the port where gold from Minas Gerais was shipped to Portugal, and when the trade moved elsewhere, the town was left almost untouched. Its historic centre is one of the best-preserved colonial towns in Brazil, and together with the surrounding Atlantic forest and Ilha Grande it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The old town is car-free, with large, uneven stones that are hard on the ankles and whitewashed houses with brightly painted doors. At the highest tides, the sea floods some of the streets, as the town was designed to let the water in and wash them out.
Around the town, the Costa Verde is full of beaches, islands and waterfalls. Boat trips around the bay, a day in the beach village of Trindade, a waterfall swim and a cachaça tasting at one of the local distilleries fill three or four days easily.
Where to base yourself
Stay in or near the historic centre for atmosphere and restaurants, or in Trindade for a beach-village escape.
Jabaquara
Quiet, beachA residential area with a shallow town beach, a short walk from the centre.
Trindade
Beaches, laid-backA former fishing village around 30km south, with stunning beaches.
Orange labels are neighbourhoods, dots are the 8 top-rated hostels. Map data from OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Things to do in Paraty
Wander the historic centre, ideally early in the morning or at dusk when the light is soft and the day-trippers have gone. The churches, built separately for different social groups in colonial times, and the small museums tell the town's story.
The bay is the main attraction. Schooner trips leave the pier every day for islands and beaches, with stops for swimming and snorkelling, and smaller boats can be hired for private trips. Trindade, around 30km south, is a former fishing village with stunning beaches and a natural pool, the Piscina Natural do Cachadaço, among the rocks.
Inland, the forest is full of waterfalls. The Cachoeira do Tobogã has a natural rock slide, and the Poço do Tarzan is a deep pool for swimming. The area has dozens of cachaça distilleries, many open for tastings, and the old gold road, the Caminho do Ouro, can be walked with a guide.
Free things
And what it costs nothing to do
The historic centre is free to wander, and it is the best thing to do in Paraty. Watch the tide come into the streets, browse the craft shops and galleries, and sit by the water at sunset.
The town beach of Jabaquara is free and shallow, and the beaches of Trindade cost only the bus fare. Some of the waterfalls are free, and others charge a small fee.
Festivals fill Paraty's streets throughout the year, and many of their events are free.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking
Paraty's restaurants are some of the best on the Costa Verde, with seafood and fish at the heart of the menus. Peixe à Paraty, fish with a sauce of herbs and green banana, is a local speciality.
Cachaça is Paraty's other claim to fame: the town was once synonymous with the spirit, and the surrounding distilleries still produce some of Brazil's best. A caipirinha made with local cachaça is a must, and gabriela, a cachaça with cinnamon and clove, is a local favourite.
In the historic centre, prices are higher; walk a few blocks outside for por quilo lunches and simple local restaurants.
Nightlife
Going out
Paraty's nightlife is about bars in the historic centre, where live music, especially MPB and samba, fills the colonial buildings at weekends.
In summer and during festivals, the town gets lively. Hostels run social nights, and Trindade has beach bars with a laid-back crowd.
Wear sensible shoes, as the cobbles are tricky after a caipirinha or two.
Getting around
Getting around
The historic centre is car-free and small enough to walk. Local buses run from the bus station to Trindade and other beaches, and taxis are available for waterfalls.
Buses run from Rio (around four to five hours) and São Paulo (around five to six hours), and combined transfers to Ilha Grande are easy to book. The nearest major airports are in Rio and São Paulo.
Boats leave from the pier for trips around the bay.
Costs
What Paraty costs
Paraty is one of the pricier towns on the coast, especially in the historic centre. Dorm beds run from around €12 to €25, rising at New Year, Carnival and during festivals.
Schooner trips are affordable and the main extra, along with distillery tours and taxis to waterfalls.
Cards and Pix are accepted almost everywhere. Eat outside the historic centre to keep costs down.
Safety
Safety and scams
Paraty is generally safe and relaxed. Take normal care with belongings at busy times and on beaches.
The cobblestones are the most common danger: they are large, uneven and slippery when wet, so wear good shoes and watch your step, especially at night.
At waterfalls, take care on slippery rocks and do not jump into pools without checking the depth. In an emergency, call 190 for police or 192 for an ambulance.
Worth leaving town for
Beaches, islands and the forest are all close.
Trindade
Beaches and the natural pool at Cachadaço.
Bay islands
Islands, beaches and snorkelling spots.
Ilha Grande
The car-free island of jungle and beaches.
What's on
What is on while you are there
Paraty has a festival for almost everything: literature, cachaça, music and religious feasts.
Once a year, dates vary
FLIP, Paraty's literary festival
Historic centre
One of Latin America's most important literary festivals.
August
Festival da Cachaça
Paraty
A festival of cachaça, food and music.
February or March
Carnival
Historic centre
Street parties, including the famous mud bloco.
Hostels
Where to stay
The highest-rated hostels in Paraty, straight from Hostelworld. Prices and availability are live on each property page.
Remo Hostel
Dorms from €9 a night
See dates and book
Geko Pousada Paraty
Rooms from €19 a night
See dates and book
Casa Viva Paraty
Dorms from €17 a night
See dates and book
EcoVille Organic Life
Dorms from €22 a night
See dates and book
Maracujá Hostel
Dorms from €15 a night
See dates and book
Che Lagarto Hostel Paraty
Dorms from €15 a night
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Vibe Hostel
Dorms from €5 a night
See dates and book
Leo's Clan Beach Hostel
Dorms from €9 a night
See dates and book
When to go
Paraty is pleasant most of the year. December to March is hot and rainy; April to November is milder and drier, with festivals spread across the calendar.
Jan
Hot, busy and rainy
Feb
Carnival
Mar
Hot, crowds thinning
Apr
Pleasant
May
Mild and quiet
Jun
Cool, dry
Jul
Winter holidays
Aug
Cachaça festival
Sep
Quiet
Oct
Warming up
Nov
A good month
Dec
Summer and New Year
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs, rounded. Summer brings afternoon storms.
What your trip will cost
Per night, for one person, based on Paraty prices.
Treat these as a guide. Festival weeks and New Year cost more.
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- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Paraty questions
The ones we get asked most.
How do I get to Paraty?
By bus from Rio, around four to five hours, or from São Paulo, around five to six hours. Transfers combining Paraty and Ilha Grande are easy to book.
How many days do you need in Paraty?
Three or four: the historic centre, a schooner trip, Trindade and the waterfalls.
Why do the streets in Paraty flood?
At the highest tides, the sea flows into some streets of the historic centre, as the town was built to let the water in and wash them out.
Is Paraty expensive?
It is pricier than many coastal towns, especially in the historic centre. Eat a few blocks outside for cheaper meals.
What is Trindade like?
A former fishing village around 30km south of Paraty with beautiful beaches and a natural pool among the rocks.
Is Paraty safe?
Yes, generally. The biggest hazard is the uneven cobbled streets, so wear good shoes.
Can I visit cachaça distilleries?
Yes, many distilleries around Paraty open for tastings and tours.
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