What do you think about going for a walk in the Atlantic Forest, visit historic houses, islands surrounded by transparent water, take a bath in waterfalls or drink a delightful homemade cachaça.

You can find all these and much more at Paraty.

Located 330 Km from the capital to the south of Rio de Janeiro shores. Since the 70’s right after they opened the Rio-Santos highway, Paraty city started to attract tourists from São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.

There are contradictions about its foundation, some historians declare it was founded in 1540, but others says that it happened in 1600.

What is known for sure is that Vila Velha hill nowadays called Forte hill was occupied by the Guaianás Indians before a group of Portuguese people who came from São Vicente arrived in the place and established a village.

Today, the hill (in Portuguese Morro), is a tourist attraction due the existence of the Forte do Defensor Perpétuo (it’s a military Fort) which was built in 1703 and it was one of the seven forts that defended the bay against the pirates. The fortress has today an Art and Popular Tradition museum and it has other good memories from that time like the gunpowder house (Casa da Pólvora), prisons, soldier shelters and the old cannons pointed to the sea.

Protected by the Fort, the village had its development on the bottom of the hill next to the sea. Paraty streets are very narrow and has irregular pavement, its houses are kept in the colonial style and it turned in Paraty into a trademark. The traffic of buses and trucks are completely prohibited so when the tourists go to Paraty, they feel like they went back to the old times.

It’s very important to mention one of the most important architecture treasure of the city which is the Nossa Senhora dos Remédios church, located in Matriz Square, which is connected with Antonio Marino de Gouveia photo gallery and in there you can find works from authors like Anita Malfatti and Nana Viego.

Another attraction is the Art Sacra Museum located right in front of the wharf. It has existed since 1978. Where the Santa Rita church was, in there you can see the Jesuit architecture, with baroque rococo influence and it was built by free slaves in 1722. Then to complete the religious journey the last stop is Nossa Senhora dos Rosários and São Benedito built in 1725 by slaves and frequented by them.

Something that calls attention is a pineapple that gives support for the crystal chandelier located in the middle of the church and another interesting place is the Golden altar in São Benedito.

The presence of nature

Hiking, Atlantic forest, waterfalls, natural swimming pools….

Paraty is a wonderful place for those whom likes green. The city has the National Park called Parque Nacional do Sacra da Bocaína. Some places in the Park are possible to see a beautiful shore view, including the islands around Paraty.

The Park has also a lot of waterfalls but the access is very difficult. Although if you went to take a cold bath the best option is Penha waterfall also known as tobogã (a slide), due to a huge rock that the tourists slide down and fall in a natural swimming pool. It is located at 9 km from Paraty downtown, next to Penha church.

 Go for a walk at the beach.

In Lula beach you can go for a walk in the thick sand or around a small path where you can see a wonderful sight of the sea.

In the Cocos islands, the tourists drop anchor and have lunch in an aphrodisiac place.

You can stop at Vermelha beach and enjoy awesome diving and swimming in the calm waters of Paraty. Or if you prefer you can taste some fish appetizers in the little huts located on the beach.