Discover Paraty, Brazil! A coastal gem blending colonial charm with natural beauty. Stroll cobblestone streets, sip local cachaça, and hike to stunning views and beaches. Continue reading to learn about the top 10 things to do while in town.
1.Visit Paraty’s Iconic Alambiques and Savor Artisan Cachaça
Paraty is a leading producer of artisanal cachaça in Brazil. Residents have been producing cachaça from sugar cane 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.
In Paraty, the word “alambique” refers to the distillation method and the production site or the cachaçaria itself.
An alambique is a traditional distillation apparatus made of copper or stainless steel vessels, used to distill fermented cane sugar into cachaça. Using an alambique is considered an artisanal and slower method of distilling cachaça.
The 5 best alambiques to visit in Paraty today include:
- Alambique Maria Izabel: Open daily 10:30-5 pm, with the last tour at 4 pm. R$10 for the tour and tasting.
- Alambique Pedra Branca: Open daily 9:30-5 pm. Free tours.
- Alambique Paratiana: Open daily 9:30-5 pm. Free tours.
- Cachaça Coqueiro: Open daily, 9-6 pm except on Wednesdays.
- Engenho D’Ouro: Open daily, 8:30-6 pm.
If you’d like an English-language tour of an Alambique, send them a WhatsApp message before your visit to request this accommodation.
For more information on planning a visit to Paraty’s Alambiques, read my blog post – Must-See Attractions in Paraty: Check Out the Famous Cachaça Alambiques
2. Cool Off in Paraty’s Scenic Waterfalls and Hidden Pools
Just a short distance from the alambiques in Paraty, you’ll find lush tropical rainforests, waterfalls, and natural pools ready to be explored. Two of the most accessible waterfalls—Tobogã and Pedra Branca—are less than a 30-minute drive from the historic city center and require only a brief, easy hike from the road.
Tobogã Waterfall is known for its natural “waterslide,” and just up the road from Tobogã Waterfall is the Tarzan Natural Pool. The Pedra Branca Waterfall is easily paired with the Usina natural pool and the Ingleses Waterfall.
A 4×4 vehicle may be necessary to reach the waterfalls and natural pools. If you don’t have a car while staying in Paraty, Jeep tours visit the waterfalls daily.
I suggest combining visits to alambiques such as Engenho D’Ouro, Pedra Branca, and Paratiana with nearby waterfalls, as they are all located close to one another. Don’t forget to pack bug spray and a snack!
3. Climb Pico do Pão de Açúcar for Epic Views Over Brazil’s Tropical Fjord
One of my favorite things to do in Paraty is to hike to Pico do Pão de Açúcar for incredible views of Brazil’s “tropical fjord” – Saco do Mamanguá.
While not technically a fjord, Saco do Mamanguá 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.
With 33 beautiful beaches, Saco do Mamanguá may feel like a remote paradise, but around 150 families call its quiet villages home.
Praia do Cruzeiro, or Cruzeiro Beach, is considered one of the more frequented beaches in the Saco do Mamanguá.
This is also where the trailhead to the popular Pico do Pão de Açúcar hike begins. From the beach, hikers will climb 425 meters or nearly 1,400 feet to reach some of the most spectacular views on the Brazilian coast.
For everything you need to know about hiking Pico do Pão de Açúcar, read my easy guide to exploring Saco do Mamanguá & hiking Pico do Pão de Açúcar in Paraty.
4. Explore Paraty’s dazzling coastline, islands, coves, and beaches by boat
Planning a boat day while in Paraty is an absolute must!
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.
There are three types of boats to consider when planning your tour:
- Speedboats called Lancha Rapida
- Traditional wooden boats of Paraty, called Traineirinha de Madeira
- Large “Schooner” boats called Escunas (best for solo travelers or groups looking to save money)
Speed boat and traditional boat tours are best for couples or small groups who want the privacy of their own boat, want to customize the day’s itinerary, and are willing to spend at least R$1,000 or ~$175 for a 6-hour rental.
The Escunas, or “Schooner” boats, are very large, and some can accommodate 200 people. These boat tours have predetermined stops, and you are just along for the ride. Prices for Escunas start around R$110 or $20 pp for 5-6 hours.
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.
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.
Looking for something a little more unique? Spend the night on a sailboat in Paraty with Vela e Aventura.
5. Browse the art galleries, clothing boutiques, and cheesy tourist shops along Paraty’s cobblestone streets
There are so many fun shops in Paraty to check out. I love that they all stay open late, making it easy to pop in and out while heading to dinner, a bar, or an event.
You will want to save room in your suitcase for a new bathing suit or linen beach cover-up, handcrafted ceramics, a canvas painting from a local artist, or a bottle of cachaça from one of the Alambique’s shops in town.
A few shops to check out in Paraty:
6. Day trip from Paraty to the old fishing village of Trindade
40 minutes from Paraty is Trindade. The 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.
I suggest arriving early and hungry, and grabbing a table at Hymbé Restaurante Praia or any beachfront restaurants serving up flame-grilled fish and ice-cold beer.
If you’re looking to be active, Trindade offers more surfing opportunities than the beaches closer to Paraty.
There are also trails leading from Praia do Cachadaço to protected natural pools.
7. Embrace your inner tourist and go on a FREE walking tour of the historic city center
Paraty is a special place with tons of history and character.
The best way to learn more about this sleepy waterfront town is by participating in a free walking tour. The Paraty Free Walking Tour is offered in English daily. Check their website for the latest meet-up times.
If you can’t commit to the full tour length, just let the guide know you’ll be dipping out 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!
I always try to schedule walking tours at the start of my trips so I can pick the guide’s brain for the best restaurants and shops to visit during my stay.
8. Go to a festival while you’re in Paraty
Paraty hosts several annual festivals that are well worth planning your trip around.
Some of the most popular include:
- May – Annual craft beer festival
- June – Annual Bourbon Festival Paraty
- July – Annual International Literary Festival (the most famous)
- August – Annual Cachaça Festival (the 2nd most famous)
Here is a complete list of 2025 festivals in Paraty. Be aware that visiting during the same weekends as these events may mean higher prices and more crowds.
9. Spend time at Fazenda Bananal learning about Paraty’s natural environment and cultural heritage
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.
Fazenda Bananal also features a farm-to-table restaurant, “Ninho,” which serves locally inspired dishes made with ingredients grown on-site or sourced from nearby farmers.
Learn how to schedule your visit to Fazenda Bananal here.
10. Climb up the hill to the Museum and Fort of the Perpetual Defender (Forte Defensor Perpétuo)
Nestled on a hill between Pontal and Jabaquara Beaches is a small fort that dates back to 1822.
The Fort of the Perpetual Defender and the adjacent 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, as it sits atop a hill, but the climb is rewarded with beautiful views of Paraty Bay.
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