Planning
One Week on the Costa Verde: A Road Trip with Paraty at Its Heart
From Rio to Ubatuba along the coast's most beautiful road, with Paraty as your base. A 7-day Costa Verde road trip.
The Costa Verde — the coast between Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo — is one of Brazil's most beautiful drives, with Atlantic forest on one side and an island-filled bay on the other. Paraty is the heart of this stretch, and the perfect base for a week by car. Here's an itinerary.
Days 1–2: Rio and the coastal drive out
Start in Rio, pick up the car and head down the Rio–Santos. A first stop in Angra dos Reis or Conceição de Jacareí is worth it for a quick crossing to Ilha Grande, if time allows.
Days 3–5: Paraty as your base
- Day 3 — Arrival and the historic center at dusk.
- Day 4 — A boat tour of the bay and its islands.
- Day 5 — The jeep circuit through the hillside waterfalls and distilleries.
Days 6–7: Trindade and Ubatuba
Continue south to Trindade for a day of beach and natural pool, then cross into São Paulo state to Ubatuba, with dozens of beaches for the final leg. From there, the return to São Paulo or Rio closes the loop.
Tips for the road
The Rio–Santos is winding and has roadwork stretches — don't rush and avoid driving at night. Fill up when you can, as there are long gaps between stations, and book lodging ahead on weekends.
