Beyond Rio
Paraty: a colonial town on the bay
The back story
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © Deni Williams from São Paulo, Brasil · CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia CommonsAbout Paraty: a colonial town on the bay
Paraty is a colonial town on the bay west of Rio, its whitewashed houses and cobbled streets built on the gold route of the 18th century. In 2019 UNESCO inscribed “Paraty and Ilha Grande – Culture and Biodiversity” as a World Heritage site, for the town and the Atlantic Forest around it. Each year the town hosts FLIP, the international literary festival.
Getting there
By bus from the Rodoviária Novo Rio, or by car along the Costa Verde.
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © Deni Williams from São Paulo, Brasil · CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia CommonsThe town
Walk the cobbled historic centre, closed to cars; the stones are uneven, so wear flat shoes. Visitor information on paraty.rj.gov.br.
Paraty is a long drive from Rio: stay a night.
The bay
Schooners leave the quay for the islands and beaches of the bay.
Our advice: stay two nights and give a day to the boats.
Why it's on our list
- Getting there
- The town
- The bay
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Paraty: a colonial town on the bay before you go.