Travel Guide for a Few Short Days in Paraty, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Paraty is a sweet little city about 3 hours south of Rio de Janeiro but still located in the state of Rio de Janeiro. Paraty is a perfect spot to stop while transitioning on the voyage before heading north of Brazil. Paraty is on the way to Rio if coming from São Paulo, or just a short trip from Rio de Janeiro, For me, I spent a month in Rio prior, took a trip to Paraty, Ilha grande, and returned to Rio to fly all the way up to North Brazil.

Paraty is known for its surrounding mountains, adorable pedestrian-only cobblestoned streets, charming city that transports you to colonial times, and gorgeous waterfalls in the surrounding area. Paraty offers. a variety of cuisines, while still maintaining its rich heritage dating back to the early 1500's. Below you will find a fantastic travel guide for a few short days to Paraty, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil!

1. Place of stay

2. Things to do

3. Restaurants x Cafes

4. Recommendations

Place of Stay:

• Che Lagarto: As a solo traveler, this was the perfect spot to settle in for a few days. Offering an array of food for breakfast, that only costs 30R (USD ~6), perfectly located despite is being a small town, and warm staff, you can't go wrong here. With a pool and hammocks to relax, the ambiance is clean, welcoming, and fun. Pro tip: As a female, I highly recommend the female-only dorm. It was beyond spacious and comfortable!

Things to Do:

There are a few main activities that call people to Paraty. I recommended getting an idea of the tours from the hostel but going to the main road to find a company to book with. The hostel will upcharge a bit and it's rather expensive for what is being offered.

• Jungle Waterfalls + Cachaça Distillery Jeep Tour: Being picked up in a fun 4x4 Jeep, This was the main tour that called me to Paraty! While there are a few waterfalls you see, there is one in particular with a gigantic rock that is turned into a waterslide for tourists! It's beyond fun, exhilarating, extremely gorgeous, and along the way you are making stops at Cachaça distilleries to try tons of different Cachaça (alcohol)!

• The Island Boat Trip: There are a ton of gorgeous islands near Paraty with crystal-clear blue water! Embarking on a day trip to visit, snorkel, and take lunch is the best way to see the surrounding hidden beaches! Some tours include lunch so if not, make sure to bargain more!

• Paraty's Gold Trail: The Caminho do Ouro walks you through history, Showing you the route led by slaves to transport gold, it is a low-demanding ~3.6 km hike. Can be explored alone but recommended with a guide for the history, insider tips, and hidden gems of this area! Due to its mossy surroundings, it is only good to complete on a sunny day to ensure the grounds are dry!

• Museum of Sacred Art of Paraty: The city's church turned into a museum with well-preserved historic artifacts!

Note: If wanting to complete the waterfalls on your own to save money, make it an exercise, or have a long day out of it, the top waterfalls are:

• Cachoeira Pedra Blanca

• Cachoeira Do Tarzan

Restaurants x Cafes:

Cafe:

If anything like me, it's hard to come across a good iced latte or other variety, but look no further...

• Tenno Cafe: An oriental cafe shop offering not only a variety of coffee but matcha and homemade parties. A double-shot iced latte costs 10R (under 2 USD)! The wifi is reliable for digital nomads, offers a quietness to hone in on your work, and offers space to set up shop.
  

Restaurants:

Paraty offers so much variety; French, Italian, Brazilian, Japanese, Middle Eastern, and more!

• Tokai Sushi: A reliable spot for a variety of sushi combinations and more that won't hurt your wallet!

• Da Cidade Restaurante e Pizzaria: Loved this spot! A mixture of Brazilian and Italian food with stellar prices! With pizza, pasta, Brazilian dishes, and wine from all around South America, you will leave feeling satisfied and ready for a good night's sleep.

• This surrounding area (the heart of the city) is an excellent spot to seek out what kind of food you are in the mood for, as well as keeping your budget in mind!

Recommendations: From here, I would recommend taking a bus to Angra Dos Reis, which leaves every hour from Paraty, to then taking a boat to Ilha Grande for a few days. Ilha Grande is an island known for its iconic and calming beaches, diverse biodiversity, and lovely landscapes! Ilha Grande is a MUST see when in Brazil!

As always, reach out to me with questions or assistance!

Xoxo,

Chelsey