Guide
Things to Do in Paraty: The Complete Guide to Beaches, Trails & Boat Tours
From an island-strewn bay to Atlantic-forest waterfalls and a cobblestone colonial center — everything worth doing in Paraty, and how to fit it into a short trip.
Paraty sits where two rare landscapes meet: the Bay of Ilha Grande, scattered with more than 60 islands, and the Serra da Bocaina, blanketed in Atlantic rainforest and cut through with waterfalls. Between them is a colonial center of cobblestone streets that has barely changed since the 1700s. It's this combination — sea, forest and history all within minutes of each other — that makes Paraty one of Brazil's best short-trip destinations.
Get on the water: boat tours
A boat tour is the heart of any visit. The traditional schooner is the most relaxed option — a full day aboard stopping at four or five islands and beaches to swim and snorkel, with a bar and restaurant on deck. If you'd rather go further and faster, a speedboat (shared or private) reaches beaches like Lagoa Azul, Saco do Mamanguá and corners the schooner can't.
Atlantic forest: waterfalls and trails
A few kilometers from the center, the road climbs into the mountains. The jeep waterfall circuit takes in the famous Cachoeira do Tobogã — a smooth rock that doubles as a natural waterslide — and an artisanal cachaça distillery. If you'd rather walk, the Pão de Açúcar trail and the hike to Praia do Sono both end at near-empty beaches.
The historic center
Save at least one afternoon for the center: uneven cobblestone streets (the famous "pé de moleque"), 18th-century churches, and a tide that, at full moon, floods some streets and turns the town into a mirror of water. Come evening, it's the best place to eat, hear live music and taste the cachaça that made the town famous.
How many days do you need?
- 2 days: one boat tour + an afternoon in the historic center.
- 3 days: add the jeep waterfall circuit or a beach trail.
- 4+ days: fold in diving, a private speedboat to the islands, and a slow beach day.
The best way to enjoy it is to alternate your days: a day at sea, a day in the mountains, an afternoon in the historic center. Browse all the tours we run and choose the ones that fit your dates.
