Filipo Tardim, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Paraty

Colonial Charm and Tropical Beauty

Paraty is a coastal town in southeastern Brazil where cobblestone streets meet whitewashed colonial buildings along the Bay of Paraty. The area features stone steps leading up to historic churches and local markets selling fresh produce, fish and handmade crafts. Visitors can explore nearby beaches like Praia do Sono or take boat trips to see waterfalls in the surrounding Atlantic Forest. Local cuisine emphasizes seafood with tropical flavors, while colonial-era architecture reflects its past as a major port during Brazil’s gold rush period.

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Town in Brazil

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 6.8

General Safety:	7
Health & medical:	7
Accessibility:	5
Tap water:	7

Read details

3/5

English is moderately spoken, especially in hotels, tour agencies, and some restaurants. Learning a few Portuguese phrases can make your experience even better.

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Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Paraty Summary

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Great for colonial charm and coastal nature. Walk colorful historic streets, take boat trips to tropical islands and explore nearby rainforest trails.

Place score

6.9

Best at:

Cosy towns

Walkable

Local cuisine

Street food

Architecture

Personal score

Suited for

👶 8

Families

🧓 7

Seniors

💻 9

Digital Nomads

🛡️ 8

Travel Beginners

Brazil – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	127 V, 60 Hz Plug: Type C , Type N Type C: Type N: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Brazilian Real (BRL) £1 ≈ R$7.11
Cashless info:	Rating 4/5 Cashless payment is widely accepted in urban areas but less so in remote regions. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is not customary in Brazil. Restaurants often include a 10% service charge. Additional tips are optional.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is generally allowed in Brazil, and it is common in social settings.
Public smoking:	Smoking is banned in enclosed public spaces, with designated outdoor areas.

Carnival (February/March)	Expect parades and heavy crowds.
Independence Day (September)	National celebrations occur.
Christmas (December)	Family gatherings and public celebrations are common.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Numbers: 190 (Police), 192 (Ambulance), 193 (Fire)
Taxi apps:	99, Uber, Cabify
Other:	Brazil is known for its natural beauty, vibrant culture, and Carnival celebrations. Avoid travelling alone in remote areas for safety.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Paraty, Brazil

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Jan

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Feb

⛈️

Mar

🌦️

Apr

🌤️

May

🌤️

Jun

🌤️

Jul

🌤️

Aug

🌥️

Sep

🌦️

Oct

⛈️

Nov

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Dec

High season:	Jan. - Feb., July, Dec.
Shoulder season:	March - June, Aug. - Oct.
Crowdedness:	7 (Many tourists)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Christmas to Carnival (late December to February): hotels book out and prices peak, book far ahead

Streets of the historic centre flood at high spring tides around full and new moon

Don't miss

🏘️ Explore Paraty’s charming colonial historic center
🚤 Cruise the serene Saco do Mamanguá fjord
💦 Hike to Cachoeira Toboga natural waterslide waterfall
🏖️ Relax on pristine Trindade beaches surrounded by nature
🎨 Visit the vibrant Casa da Cultura and art galleries
🥃 Tour local cachaça distilleries and taste regional spirits

You've been here?

Why travel to Paraty?

Paraty offers an irresistible blend of history, nature and culture. You can wander its charming historic center, explore the emerald-green waters by kayak or relax on secluded beaches. The town is also famous for its festivals, like the Paraty International Literary Festival (FLIP), adding a vibrant touch to this laid-back destination. The only caution: streets can flood during high tide, so bring waterproof footwear and be mindful of slippery cobblestones.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Casa da Cultura de Paraty
2 Forte Defensor Perpétuo
3 Igreja Santa Rita de Cassia
4 Baía Paraty
5 Saco do Mamanguá

🎡Places for activities

1 Paraty Mirim

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Cachoeira do Tobogã - Cachoeira da Penha
2 Ilha Grande Bay
3 Praia do Sono

🛍️Shopping

1 Armazem da Cachaça

🎈Events

Paraty International Literary Festival (FLIP)
Bourbon Festival Paraty
Cachaça Festival
Cultural Festival of Paraty
Holy Week Celebrations

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Explore the historic center on foot for colonial charm.
Visit waterfalls and natural pools for refreshing jungle adventures.
Take a boat tour to Saco do Mamangua fjord for scenic views.
Try local cachaça at a distillery for authentic Brazilian flavor.

How to travel to Paraty

Paraty is accessible by bus from Rio de Janeiro (4 hours) or São Paulo (6 hours). The nearest airports are Rio de Janeiro's Galeão (GIG) and Santos Dumont (SDU), followed by a bus or private transfer to Paraty.

Access summary

From Rio de Janeiro (GIG/SDU): Direct bus or shuttle, around 4–5 hours.
From São Paulo (GRU/Tietê): Long-distance buses or shuttles, typically 5–7 hours.
Coastal route is very scenic; allow extra time for photo stops.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Paraty

Paraty offers a range of accommodations, from charming pousadas (guesthouses) in the historic center to beachfront lodges. Many places emphasize rustic charm and hospitality, often surrounded by lush greenery.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Pousada do Ouro

9.3

Pousada Pontal Gardens

9.6

POUSO DE ICARO - POUSADA NO CENTRO de PARATY

8.4

SDesign Paraty Hotel

7.6

Pousada cachoeira de Paraty

Pousada Estalagem Paraty

6.0

Geko Pousada Paraty

4.4

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Paraty

Paraty is best explored on foot, especially in the historic center. Buses and taxis are available for longer trips and boat taxis are great for reaching nearby beaches and islands.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-64 %

Daily expenses in the region are around 64% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-6 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to BRL) is 6% better than in recent years. That means travelling now is cheaper compared to the past.

Travel costs (Data for Ubatuba, Brazil - 43 km away)

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£34	£81	£218
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£19	£53	£135
🍝 Food per day	£12	£25	£71
🚕 Transportation per day	£3	£4	£12

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£10
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£4.50
🍟 Fast food combo	£4.10
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£4.10
☕ Cappuccino	£1.15
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£1.50

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£0.70
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£7
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£0.80

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£4.90
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£34
🤧 Cold medication	£3.20
💇 Basic haircut	£2.20

Safety information overview

General safety

Paraty is generally safe for tourists. Petty crime can occur, especially in crowded areas or during festivals. Keep your belongings secure and avoid isolated places at night.

Health & Medical

Basic medical facilities are available. For serious health issues, transfers to Rio de Janeiro or São Paulo may be necessary. Mosquito repellent is recommended to prevent bites.

Accessibility

The historic center's cobblestone streets can be challenging for those with mobility issues. Accessible accommodations and transport are available, but check ahead for specific needs.

Tap water

Tap water in Paraty is generally not recommended for drinking. Bottled water is widely available and it's advisable to carry some during day trips and activities.