Planning
Rio + Paraty: How to Combine the City and the Costa Verde in One Trip
Big city and colonial village, in the same trip. How many days to give each, when to go and how to travel between Rio and Paraty.
Many travelers arrive through Rio and want to add a beach-and-colonial-charm escape. Rio and Paraty complement each other perfectly: the energy of the big city and, a few hours away, the calm of the Costa Verde. Here's how to fit both.
How many days each
For a week, a good balance is 3 days in Rio (beaches, Christ, Sugarloaf, neighborhoods) and 3 to 4 in Paraty (sea, waterfalls, historic center), with the travel day included. With ten days, you can add Ilha Grande or a bit more beach time.
Which order?
Either works, but many prefer to start in Rio (international arrival, intense pace) and end in Paraty, to relax before heading home. Others flip it to finish with the city's energy. Both are fine.
How to get from Rio to Paraty
It's about 250 km, 4 to 4.5 hours along the Rio–Santos, by direct bus, transfer or rental car. Leave early to enjoy the drive in daylight and arrive in time for a first afternoon in Paraty's historic center.
