Destination
Praia do Sono: The Trail to the Wild Beaches South of Paraty
A short forest walk leads to three near-untouched beaches — Sono, Antigos and Antiguinhos. What to expect and how to do it at ease.
At the municipality's southern tip, past the village of Laranjeiras, the road ends and the beaches you can reach only on foot or by boat begin. Praia do Sono is the best known: a wide bay of pale sand, with campsites, kiosks and a caiçara community that lives there year-round.
The trail
From Laranjeiras, the trail takes about 1 to 1.5 hours through the Atlantic forest, with gentle climbs and shaded stretches. It's not hard, but the ground is uneven — bring water, sturdy shoes and sun protection. If you'd rather skip the walk, a water-taxi from Laranjeiras gets you there too.
Antigos and Antiguinhos
For those who want to go further, another short trail leaves Sono and crosses a hill to Praia dos Antigos and, just beyond, Praia dos Antiguinhos — smaller, wilder and almost always empty. They're the reward for another 40 minutes on foot.
Tips for the day
- Start early to enjoy the beach before the midday heat.
- Bring cash — the kiosks don't always have a card machine.
- Respect the caiçara community and carry your trash back out.
- Check the forecast: the trail gets slippery after rain.
