Weather in Paraty

Paraty's cobbled streets and whitewashed colonial buildings have barely changed since it was a key gold-shipping port in the 18th century, and the town now sits beautifully preserved between forested mountains and the Costa Verde coastline. Its historic centre floods gently at high tide, boats bob in the harbour against a backdrop of green hills, and nearby waterfalls, islands, and beaches make it one of the most charming bases between Rio and São Paulo.

Best areas to stay in Paraty

Centro Histórico

The preserved colonial core, with cobbled streets, churches, galleries, and restaurants, partly car-free.

Praia do Pontal

A beach across the bridge from the historic centre, popular for an easy swim close to town.

Ilha Grande Bay islands

Numerous small islands and beaches reachable by boat tours from Paraty's harbour.

Trindade

A laid-back beach village south of Paraty, known for its natural rock pools and surf beaches.

Getting to Paraty

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Flights

Fly into Rio de Janeiro (GIG) or São Paulo (GRU), then bus along the Rio-Santos coastal highway (4-6 hours).

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From London

~13-16 hours from London including connections, plus a 4-6 hour bus journey from Rio or São Paulo.

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Getting around

The historic centre is walkable; boats cover the bay's islands and beaches, and buses reach nearby villages like Trindade.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit Paraty?

April to September (dry season) for exploring the historic centre and waterfalls; the wet season (October-March) is warmer but brings heavier rain and occasional flooding of the old town's streets at high tide.

What is there to do in Paraty besides the old town?

Boat trips around the bay's islands and beaches, waterfall visits inland, and the historic Gold Trail (Caminho do Ouro) hiking route through the forest.

How do I get to Paraty?

Buses run from both Rio de Janeiro (around 4-5 hours) and São Paulo (around 5-6 hours) along the scenic Rio-Santos coastal highway.

Is Paraty's historic centre walkable?

Yes, the centre is small, car-free in parts, and easily explored on foot, with its cobbled streets famously becoming canals during high tides.

What food is Paraty known for?

Fresh seafood, the local cachaça (Paraty is a historic cachaça-producing region with distillery visits available), and Brazilian staples like moqueca.

Traveler reviews

★★★★★

Paraty's old town is stunning, like stepping back a couple of centuries. Took a boat trip around the bay which stopped at some gorgeous little beaches.

Larissa C. · June 2024

★★★★☆

A really relaxing stop between Rio and São Paulo. The cachaça distillery tour was a fun afternoon and the seafood in town was excellent.

Will P. · September 2023

★★★★☆

Visited in the wet season and the streets did flood at high tide as warned, but it added to the charm honestly. Trindade beach nearby was a great day trip.

Yara M. · March 2024