A trip to Paraty on Brazil’s Verde Coast is simply incomplete without a boat ride through the mesmerizing waters of Saco do Mamanguá and a steep but short hike to the top of Pico do Pão de Açúcar.
At the end of the hike, you are rewarded with the most incredible views of Brazil’s “tropical fjord”, surrounding mountains, and Atlantic rainforest.
This post will guide you through everything you need to know about spending a day exploring Saco do Mamanguá and hiking Pico do Pão de Açúcar in Paraty, Brazil!
Saco do Mamanguá (Tropical Fjord)
Tucked away in the Juatinga Ecological Reserve, not far from Paraty’s Centro Historico, is a unique geographic feature called the Saco do Mamanguá.
Often referred to as a “tropical fjord”, Saco do Mamanguá is actually a “submerged coastal valley” at the mouth of the Grande River. The Saco do Mamanguá can only be reached on foot or by boat.
Saco do Mamanguá is a Tupi word that means “cove of shrubs” and refers to native shrubs in this region. Baía do Mamanguá or Mamanguá Bay is also used to refer to the Saco do Mamanguá.
There are 33 beaches along the Saco do Mamanguá, and its waters stretch 8 km (4.9 mi) long and 2 km (1.2 mi) wide. Despite being a very remote area, around 150 families live along the Saco do Mamanguá.
Pico do Pão de Açúcar (Sugarloaf Peak)
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. More on this below!
Hiking to the top of Pico do Pão de Açúcar is one of the best outdoor activities in Paraty. However, it is a challenging hike.
Hikers will climb 425 meters or nearly 1,400 feet to reach some of the most spectacular views on the Brazilian coast.
If you are capable, the hike to Pico do Pão de Açúcar is a must while visiting Paraty, Brazil.
Where is Saco do Mamanguá & Pico do Pão de Açúcar
How to get to Saco do Mamanguá and the Pico do Pão de Açúcar trailhead
The waters of Saco do Mamanguá are best reached by boat from Paraty or Paraty-Mirim. Once you’ve entered the Saco do Mamanguá, head to Cruzeiro Beach to find the trailhead.
Leaving from Paraty
Boats leaving from Paraty’s Historic Center will be more expensive and have longer journeys (40 minutes). However, if you don’t have a car and prefer not to take a taxi, Uber, or bus to Paraty-Mirim Beach, leaving from the historic center is a great option.
There are two places in Paraty’s Historic Centro where you can contract a boat to take you to Cruzeiro Beach. The first is the canal near the Pontal Bridge, and the second is the pier.
Leaving from Paraty-Mirim
If you have a car, I recommend leaving from Paraty-Mirim. It is a 30-minute drive from the historic center of Paraty.
There are secure parking lots along the Estrada de Paraty-Mirim road that dead-ends at the Paraty-Mirim Beach. Expect to pay around $30 reais or $5-6 for parking in cash.
After you park, walk towards the Paraty- Mirim beach, where several boat taxis will be waiting to take tourists to Cruzeiro Beach. The boat ride price is negotiable. We paid around $100 reais ($17) each way per person.
If you don’t have a car and still prefer to leave from Paraty-Mirim, check out the bus departure times at the Terminal Rodoviário de Paraty (main bus station) near the historic city center. Public buses depart several times a day from Paraty to Paraty-Mirim.
The boat ride from Paraty-Mirim Beach to Cruzeiro Beach is 15 minutes long. The views from the boat are lovely the entire way. On your approach to Cruzeiro Beach, look for the exposed rock at the top of Pico do Pão de Açúcar.
Arrival to Cruzeiro Beach
At Cruzeiro Beach, there are a couple of restaurants and public restrooms. There are signs marking the start of the trail. The trailhead is in the left corner of the beach.
Looking for more fun things to do in Paraty, Brazil? Plan a visit to one of Paraty’s famous Cachaça Alambiques! Read more here: Must-See Attractions in Paraty: Check Out the Famous Cachaça Alambiques
Hiking Pico do Pão de Açúcar
On the trail
The Pico do Pão de Açúcar trail is considered a moderately strenuous hike.
Though the hike is short, just under 1 mile each way, it’s essentially a nonstop uphill climb the whole time. There’s little reprieve from the ascent, except for brief pauses along the trail.
Luckily, the dense Atlantic Rainforest provides ample shade, offering hikers mild relief from the sun.
Experienced hikers will have no problem reaching the summit in less than 40 minutes. If you aren’t an avid hiker, this trail is still possible with many breaks.
The trail is clearly marked, so you don’t have to worry about getting lost. No aspects of the hike require any technical climbing.
At the summit
The views from the top of Pico do Pão de Açúcar make the treacherous climb worth it! Some light scrambling is required to reach the highest viewpoint at the summit.
At the top, there is tons of space to relax and take in the views. There is no shade at the top, so be sure to have sunscreen or a sunshirt and hat available if you plan on hanging out for a while.
What to bring on the hike to Pico do Pão de Açúcar
- Lots of water
- A Snack or lunch to enjoy at the top
- Sun protection, like sunscreen, a hat, and a sunshirt, to use at the summit
- Sturdy sneakers with good ankle support for the big steps on the trail
- Cash to pay for parking, boat ride, and snacks or lunch at Cruzeiro Beach
Do you need a guide for Saco do Mamanguá & Pico do Pão de Açúcar?
In my opinion, getting to Saco do Mamanguá, Cruzeiro Beach, and to the top of Pico do Pão de Açúcar doesn’t require any special tour guide. You will save a lot of money going without a guide, too.
If you follow the steps in this blog post, you should have no issues!
However, if you are traveling alone or prefer group tours, there are many options for this boat ride and hike:
- Paraty Tours: Tours offered in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, leaving from Paraty Pier and starting at $90 per person.
Things to do after Saco do Mamanguá & Pico do Pão de Açúcar
- Lunch at Cruzeiro Beach: There is nothing better than a delicious, fresh meal and a cold beverage following a challenging hike. Grab a table by the water at Restaurante do Cruzeiro.
- Cruzeiro Beach: Enjoy the beach and bask in the waters of Saco do Mamanguá.
- Taste cachaça at Cachaça Coquiero: If you drove to Paraty-Mirim, stop by Cachaça Coquiero on your way back to Paraty to try their artisanal cachaças.
- Visit the Village of Trinidade: A little further south of Saco do Mamanguá is the beach town of Trinidade. Popular beaches here include Ranchos Beach and Cachadaço Beach.
Looking for more fun things to do in Paraty, Brazil? Plan a visit to one of Paraty’s famous Cachaça Alambiques! Read more here: Must-See Attractions in Paraty: Check Out the Famous Cachaça Alambiques
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