If you are visiting Rio de Janeiro or São Paulo and are craving a more laid-back, nature-focused escape from the cities’ lively, but sometimes chaotic, atmospheres, look no further than the sleepy coastal town of Paraty, Brazil.
Only a few hours from Rio or São Paulo, Paraty feels like a world apart with its charm, slower pace, and coastal beauty.
Here, you will be welcomed by the serene natural beauty of the Atlantic Rainforest, cobblestone streets lined with quaint colonial architecture that are rich in history, tropical-hued waters perfect for boating or snorkeling, and delicious local cuisine paired with artisanal cachaça.
After a couple of visits to Paraty, I’ve crafted the perfect 3-day itinerary for those seeking history, adventure, relaxation, and good food and drink!
Your 3-Day Itinerary in Paraty, Brazil
A note about this itinerary: It leans on having a rental car in Paraty. However, it is still totally doable without a car; you will need to arrange transportation, though, to many of the activities outside of the historic city center.
If you are traveling with a group, I highly recommend renting a car. For solo travelers, this makes less sense, and I personally would opt for the organized tours I mention in the Itinerary below.
The 3 days are packed with activities that will take you all over the greater Paraty region. You could easily extend this itinerary to 4 or 5 days if you want to travel at a slower pace and soak in the tranquility of Paraty.
Spending a few days in Rio de Janeiro before Paraty? Definitely read my blog post – Rio de Janeiro: How to Plan the Ideal 5 Day Itinerary – before you go!
Day 0 – Arrival in Paraty
I consider this day 0 of the itinerary, as you will most likely arrive in Paraty around midday or late afternoon.
I recommend spending your first afternoon and evening checking into your amazing pousada and wandering Paraty’s historic city center streets.
Paraty’s “city center” really comes alive in the evening. Boutiques and art galleries stay open late, and the restaurants and bars overflow into the cobblestone streets. There are also street vendors and performers. Unlike a lot of historic city centers in Brazil, it is safe to get lost in the maze of colonial buildings in Paraty.
On your first night in Paraty, check out Banana da Terra for flavors from the Paraty region or Boteco Damião for traditional boteco or “bar” food in Brazil.
Suppose you’ve been traveling in Brazil for a while now and would like a break from the flavors. In that case, Thai Brasil is delicious, and there are a handful of Italian restaurants like Restaurante e Pizzaria Punto Divino or La Dolce Vita.
Otherwise, just explore and pop into whatever spot looks good to you!
Paraty Itinerary – Day 1
Highlights
- Paraty Free Walking Tour
- Lunch Quintal Verde
- Cachaça Tasting at Paraty’s Alambiques
- Swim in the Atlantic Rainforest Waterfalls
- Dinner at Quintal das Letras
Paraty Free Walking Tour
I love starting my trips with a walking tour! In my opinion, they often provide a nice foundation for understanding the city I am about to tackle.
The insights from the guides allow me to make sense of things I see later in the trip, whether it’s historical landmarks, the best restaurants, tours, or gimmicks to avoid, or simply the little details that define local life.
The guides at Paraty Free Walking Tour are incredibly knowledgeable, packing a lot into just a couple of hours.
During the tour, you will visit several different churches, learn about the cobblestone streets and colonial architecture, see the town jail, which was surprisingly in use until not so long ago, and understand how Paraty rose to importance beginning in the 17th century and what keeps the town going today.
The Paraty Free Walking Tour is offered daily in English. Check their website for the latest meet-up times.
If you can’t commit to the full tour length, simply let the guide know you’ll be departing early. Also, although tipping is not part of Brazilian culture, these tours are free, and the guides depend on tips for their work.
So don’t forget to bring reais with you to give at the end of the tour!
Quick Lunch at Quintal Verde
Following the tour, head over to Quintal Verde for fresh, homemade Brazilian dishes served in a garden setting.
Favorite dishes here include moqueca de camarão (flavorful stew with shrimp and white fish), bolinho de siri (crab fritters), berinjela à parmegiana (eggplant), and fresh fruit juices like pineapple or passionfruit.
Cachaça Tasting at Paraty’s Alambiques
In the afternoon, it’s time to try some Brazilian cachaça (if you haven’t already)!
Paraty is a leading producer of artisanal cachaça in Brazil. It has grown and distilled sugar cane to produce cachaça since the 17th century.
Touring, tasting, and learning about the history of cachaça production in Paraty is a must-do while in town. There are several producers of cachaça (locally referred to as Alambiques) in Paraty that you can visit.
Think of this activity like visiting a bourbon or gin distillery in the US.
If you’ve never heard of cachaça before, it is a liquor made by fermenting and distilling raw sugarcane juice. Brazil is the largest producer of sugarcane in the world. So it is only fitting that the country’s national cocktail, the caipirinha, uses cachaça.
I have an entire blog post dedicated to cachaça and the Alamabiques in Paraty if you want to know more about the specifics of the history, process of distilling, and types of cachaça.
There are five main Alambiques in Paraty.
Conveniently, three are located very close together and not far from the historic city center. Following the walking tour and lunch, aim to visit at least one of these Alambiques:
If you only have time for one Alambique visit and would like to do a tour and tasting, I recommend Alambique Paratiana. Closely followed by Engenho D’Ouro and then Alambique Pedra Branca.
If doing the tour and tasting, plan to spend around an hour at the Alambique. Following the tour, you will definitely want to browse the bottle shop for souvenirs.
For more information about arranging transportation to the Alambiques or how to organize your visits, check out Must-See Attractions in Paraty: Check Out the Famous Cachaça Alambiques.
Atlantic Rainforest Waterfalls
If it’s not too late in the day and you want to squeeze one more “must-do” on the Paraty Day 1 Itinerary, after checking out the Alambiques, head to the nearby waterfalls and natural pools.
Not far from the Alambiques, you’ll find lush tropical rainforests, waterfalls, and natural pools ready to be explored.
The Tobogã Waterfall (Cachoeira do Tobogã) is located just a 1-minute drive or 5-minute walk from Engenho D’Ouro Alambique. A little further up the road, just 5 minutes by car or a 20-minute walk, is the Tarzan Natural Pool (Poço do Tarzan).
Closer to Alambique Pedra Branca and Alambique Paratiana is the Pedra Branca Waterfall (Cachoeira da Pedra Branca), which can be coupled with the Usina Natural Pool and the Ingleses Waterfall (Poço dos Ingleses).
Dinner at Quintal das Letras
There is no shortage of places to try for dinner in Paraty.
However, if you’re celebrating a special occasion in Paraty, Quintal das Letras is a beautiful restaurant in the Pousada Literária de Paraty. It is one of the more expensive restaurants in Paraty, but so worth it.
Quintal das Letras describes itself as a farm-to-table restaurant specializing in contemporary “Caiçara Cuisine.”
Caiçaras are people from southeastern Brazil whose backgrounds may be a mix of Indigenous, Portuguese, and African. Their culinary traditions rely heavily on seafood and locally grown plants, fruit, and vegetables.
I suggest making a reservation for Quintal das Letras since there are only about 20 tables in the restaurant.
Paraty Itinerary – Day 2
Highlights
- Saco do Mamanguá boat ride
- Morro do Pão de Açúcar hike
- Lunch in Trindade Beach
- Explore the secret beaches of Trindade
- Quick stop at Alambique Coqueiros
- Casual dinner in Paraty
If your first full day in Paraty was all about the history and culture of the town, Day 2 is going to be a bit more adventurous. It is an opportunity to connect with the natural beauty of Brazil’s Costa Verde, or Green Coast and explore a different side of the region.
Saco do Mamanguá boat ride to hike Morro do Pão de Açúcar
Who doesn’t love a hike that requires a boat ride through a “tropical Fjord” to a secluded beach just to get to the trailhead?
Sign me up any day! This is exactly how the hike to Morro do Pão de Açúcar begins.
Often referred to as a “tropical fjord”, Saco do Mamanguá or Mamanguá Bay is a “submerged coastal valley” at the mouth of the Grande River. The Saco do Mamanguá can only be reached on foot or by boat. Along the bay, there are over 33 remote beaches.
Praia do Cruzeiro, or Cruzeiro Beach, is considered one of the more frequented beaches here. Mostly because this is where the trailhead to the popular Pico do Pão de Açúcar hike begins.
Hikers climb 425 meters or nearly 1,400 feet to reach some of the most spectacular views on the Brazilian coast. The hike is 2 miles out and back, but takes around 2 hours to complete, depending on how much time you spend at the top.
For details on how to catch the boat at Paraty-Mirim to Saco do Mamanguá and what to expect on the trail to the top of Morro do Pão do Açúcar, read my Easy guide to exploring Saco do Mamanguá & hiking Pico do Pão de Açúcar in Paraty.
Lunch in Trindade and nearby secret beaches
Get an early start on Day 2 to have time in the afternoon for a short road trip to Trindade Beach.
35 minutes south of Paraty-Mirim, where you will catch the boat to Saco do Mamanguá, is the old fishing village of Trindade.
The small town is known for its sandy public (and secret) beaches, lively restaurant and bar scene, and the Serra da Bocaina National Park. Trindade’s most popular beaches to visit are Praia do Rancho, Praia do Meio, and Praia do Cachadaço.
The latter two beaches are only accessible via a short footpath through the Serra da Bocaina National Park entrance at the south end of Trindade. At Praia do Cachadaço, there is a natural pool that is formed by rocks.
Praia do Rancho is a busy stretch of sand with tons of restaurants. My lunch suggestion is Hymbé Restaurante Praia. If you’re lucky, get a seat on the deck overlooking Rancho Beach and order the freshly grilled fish and an ice-cold Brazilian beer.
Quick detour to Alambique Coqueiros
On the drive back from Trindade to Paraty, stop at my favorite Alambique in Paraty.
Cachaça Coqueiros has been distilling cachaça since the early 1800s. I find its branding and cachaças are a perfect representation of the Paraty vibe. You can drop in for a tour or just to browse the bottle shop.
Casual Dinner in Paraty
After a long day that takes you from Paraty to Paraty-Mirim, up to the top of Morro do Pão de Açúcar, then to Trindade Beach and back, you’ll want something quick and satisfying.
Grab a bite at Pupu’s Peixe PANC for creative Asian fusion, Hamburgueria Burguers Paraty for a tasty burger, Fritz Cervejaria Artesanal for craft beer and bar food, or Boteco Damião if you didn’t go on your first night.
Paraty Itinerary – Day 3
Highlights
- Half-day boat excursion
- Visit Bananal Fazenda OR
- Visit Forte Defensor Perpétuo (fort and museum)
- Happy hour at Cervejaria Caborê
- Final night dinner at Peró Restaurante
Explore Paraty’s islands and coast by boat
Paraty’s emerald-green waters, secluded islands, and tranquil beaches are best experienced by boat. There are boat rental and tour options for all budgets, group sizes, and preferences for how you want to spend your day on the water.
For this itinerary, I highly recommend renting a Traineirinha de Madeira (unless traveling alone, opt for an Escuna tour).
The Traineirinha de Madeiras are wooden boats that historically were trollers in Paraty. Today, boat captains have transformed the trollers into chic and colorful boats with comfy rooftop lounges.
To plan your boat tour, contact companies via WhatsApp for the quickest response. I recommend starting your research with the following Paraty boat companies:
- Barco Pestana
- Palombeta (Advertise English-speaking captains)
- Cherry Boat
- Tradição Boat Trips Paraty (Advertise English-speaking captains)
We used Barco Pestana and spent 6 hours enjoying their beautiful traineirinha de madeira boat. Our tour visited the following spots:
- Ilha da Pescaria (island)
- Praia da Lula (Beach)
- Praia Vermelha (Beach)
- Ilha do Mantimento (Island)
- Praia do Jurumirim (Beach)
We stopped for lunch at Recanto Caiçara, a little restaurant nestled into a cove with amazing views and delicious fresh fish.
Tours are half a day or full day, and the captains will provide a menu of different routes, islands, and stops for the tour.
If you are also planning to visit Saco Mamanguá on Day 2 of the Itinerary, I don’t recommend choosing this same location for your boat day since you will have already seen the highlights.
If you don’t want to book your boat day in advance, head down to the pier in the morning and look for signs advertising “passeios de barco” or boat tours.
Forte Defensor Perpétuo
Depending on how much time (and energy) you have left after the boat day, there are two more options to close out the third day in Paraty.
The most convenient option is a short (but steep) walk from the boat dock to Morro da Vila Velha, or ‘Old City Hill,’ where you’ll find the historic fort: Forte Defensor Perpétuo.
Forte Defensor Perpétuo dates back to 1822. The fort and the nearby battery were built to protect the first settlement in Paraty from invaders like the French and Dutch.
Today, the fort houses a worthwhile museum with English translations, offering deeper insight into Paraty’s history and culture. Reaching the fort requires some physical effort, but the climb is rewarded with beautiful views of Paraty Bay.
The second option, Fazenda Bananal, is just a short drive away.
Fazenda Bananal is a 17th-century farmhouse located on 444 acres of conserved Atlantic Rainforest or Mata Atlantica.
Guests at the property can enjoy a variety of experiences unique to this region of Brazil, such as art and nature workshops, birdwatching, gardening, scenic walking trails, and indoor exhibits within the historic farmhouse.
I’d only recommend visiting if your boat tour ends before noon, and you have extra time in the afternoon, as the farm closes at 4 p.m.
Learn how to schedule your visit to Fazenda Bananal here.
Happy hour at Cervejaria Caborê & dinner at Peró Restaurante
As the sun starts to set on the final night of this itinerary, walk along the scenic canal to Cervejaria Caborê for some pre-dinner drinks. Cervejaria Caborê is Paraty’s original craft brewery and one of the first in Brazil, having opened in 2006.
After a pint or two, walk over to Peró Restaurante. If you didn’t make it to Quintal das Letras for dinner earlier in the trip, then you have to go to Peró Restaurante on your last night.
Peró Restaurante offers a modern take on traditional Indigenous and Brazilian dishes. The restaurant leans on well-known Brazilian ingredients like cassava, tucupi, nuts, banana, fresh seafood, and coconut to create not just delicious but memorable meals.
I recommend ordering the Pato no tucupi (Duck with Tucupi), Moquequinha de frutos do mar (Seafood moquequinha), or Medalhão de mignon com canjiquinha (Mignon medallion with canjiquinha).
Dinner is served in a cozy, indoor-outdoor setting. Reservations can be made online.
More Paraty Itinerary Tips
Below is more information to help you plan your visit to Paraty, Brazil!
If you have more than three days to spend in Paraty, read my blog Discover Paraty: 10 Amazing Things to See and Do for more ideas on how to build your itinerary.
For more details about the Cachaça Alambiques, check out – Must-See Attractions in Paraty: Check Out the Famous Cachaça Alambiques
For more details on Saco do Mamanguá and Morro do Pão de Açúcar, read – Easy guide to exploring Saco do Mamanguá & hiking Pico do Pão de Açúcar in Paraty
The easiest way to get to Paraty
Your two options for getting to Paraty are either by bus or by car. Unless your trip budget is big enough for a helo transfer. Most people pitch Paraty as an add-on trip from Rio de Janeiro. But it is almost just as close to São Paulo as Rio.
Traveling from Rio de Janeiro
By Bus: Use the Costa Verde bus company to buy your ticket to Paraty from Rio de Janeiro. Buses depart Rio every 2-3 hours daily. A one-way ticket starts at R$111 ($20) and the journey takes about 4 hours and 40 minutes.
By Car: To reach Paraty from Rio de Janeiro by car takes 4 hours and 10 minutes. The recommended route does have tolls, so be sure to have some Reals on hand.
If you are looking to rent a car, I always like using Localiza. There are several pickup locations around Zona Sul in Rio de Janeiro.
Traveling from São Paulo
By Bus: Two companies, Reunidas and Primar, offer bus rides from São Paulo to Paraty. Travel time is about 7 hours. Buses depart daily in the morning and at night, and tickets start around R$90.
By Car: To reach Paraty from São Paulo by car takes 4 hours and 30 minutes, depending on the time of day. As with the drive from Rio, be prepared for tolls.
Do you need a car in Paraty?
The short answer is no, you don’t need a car to enjoy Paraty. It’s possible to have an amazing time without one.
That said, I highly recommend having a car if you can. It gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace and saves you from relying on guided tours or public transport.
While places like the alambiques, waterfalls, Saco do Mamanguá, and Trindade are all accessible without a personal car, getting to them will take significantly more time and planning since they aren’t within walking distance of the town center and buses or taxis may be unreliable.
Where to stay in Paraty
There are so many hotels in Paraty. Ranging from hostels to pousadas to larger resort-style accommodations, it’s hard to narrow down the choices. Below are a couple of my favorite options:
High-end // +$350 per night
Sandi Hotel
Pousada Literária de Paraty
Casa Turquesa – Maison D´Hôtes
Pousada do Ouro
Mid-range // $100-250 per night
Pousada Morro do Forte
Pousada Aconchego
Maris Paraty
Boutique Hotel Carpe Diem
Budget // >$100 per night
Com Verso e Prosa RePouso e Café
Pousada Villaggio
Pousada Bartholomeu
Pousada do Cais
Festivals in Paraty
The city of Paraty hosts several noteworthy festivals that attract thousands of Brazilians and foreigners alike every year.
The walkable streets, lined with restaurants, bars, and hotels, set against the gorgeous coastal backdrop, make it a great venue for enjoying the festivals.
Some of the most popular include:
- May – Annual craft beer festival
- June – Annual Bourbon Festival Paraty
- July – Annual International Literary Festival (the most famous also known as FLIP)
- August – Annual Cachaça Festival (the 2nd most famous)
Here is a complete list of annual festivals in Paraty. Be aware that visiting during the same weekends as these events may equate to higher prices and more crowds.
What to pack for Paraty
The most important packing tip: Do not bring heels of any type. Your feet will already be sore from just walking around on the lumpy cobblestone streets in Havaianas or sneakers. Don’t bring heels or wedges into the equation, trust me.
Other things to bring:
- swim wear
- cover ups
- casual cool clothing
- sun dresses
- comfortable walking shoes
- sweater or light jacket for in the evening
- sun hat
- sneakers if planning on hiking
- bug repellent
- sun screen
- beach bag
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