Visitors looking to escape the sun and instead, soak up a bit of Paraty culture will enjoy exploring the cobbled streets of the town’s compact Historic Center(Centro Historico Paraty). Small enough to cover entirely on foot, the area if filled with a number of attractions unique to Paraty.

Spend an afternoon people watching in the grassy lawns of quaint Martiz Square or wandering through streets lined with old colonial architecture. A handful of churches are worth a visit, including Ingera Marriz Nossa Senhora do Rosario, the largest church in Paraty, and Capela de Nossa Senhora das Dores, religious home to Paraty’s well-heeled. After church-hopping, head to Rua do Comercio, where local merchants hawk handicrafts and Brazilian cuisine. Then unwind with incredible bay views at the Shambhala Asian Day Spa, just a 10-minute walk from the Historic Center.