How to Spend 1 Day in Paraty

Set between jungle-covered mountains and a scenic bay, Paraty is one of Brazil’s best-preserved colonial centers. With 24 hours to spend in town, you’ll have time to walk the cobbled streets and enjoy some outdoor adventure. Here are some tips for how to best spend your time.

Morning: Colonial Paraty

Start your day in Paraty with a guided walk through the pedestrianized city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Learn about the town’s Portuguese history as a point along the Gold Trail (Caminho do Ouro) as you visit colonial homes, churches, and museums. If you’d rather explore at your own pace, be sure to check out the Cultural Center (Casa da Cultura) and Santa Rita Church, built by freed slaves in 1722.

Afternoon: Great Outdoors

Paraty is a popular base for outdoor adventures of all sorts, so dedicate this afternoon to exploring the great outdoors. Grab a paddle for a kayaking tour past uninhabited islands and through mangrove swamps; learn how to stand-up paddleboard; or go for a snorkel in Caixa d’Aço. If you’d rather stay on dry land, you can opt for a horseback ride through the rugged Brazilian countryside or a Jeep safari into the jungles of Bocaina Mountains National Park in search of waterfalls.

Night: Out on the Town

While Paraty isn’t a party town, you will find a few local venues for live Brazilian music and dancing. This evening, follow the music into the old town for a Brazilian dinner, followed by an evening out with the locals. Be sure to sample some cachaça, the local spirit of choice in Brazil, made from sugarcane.