Before heading to Paraty, I had generally heard negative things of Paraty, some people even told me not to bother going. How wrong they were! This place was unexpectedly gorgeous. A quaint colonial town full of history and cachaça.
Getting to Paraty from Ilha Grande was a little convulated as all the buses were booked up, I think this was due to the rain and also high season after carnival. We ended up getting a car from Angra dos Reis to Paraty which took about an hour and a half.
Paraty is one of the best places for restaurants outside Sao Paulo, it is also especially popular with wealthy tourists from Sao Paulo. You must try the famous cocktail: ‘Jorge Amado’, which is a caiprinha with a cinnamon twist, you can find this at most bars in Paraty. Some good eats were ‘cafe Paraty’ and Thai Paraty if you like Thai food!
I would definitely recommend doing the free walking tour (5pm every day from the main square). The guide is excellent and you learn information about the town but also about the whole of Brazil. Another must is to visit the waterfall slide, it is so much fun! It is not at all scary as it is not that high but it is pretty fast. You can visit this waterfall on a tour where you visit 2 waterfalls (including the slide) and a cachaca distillery. If you do not want to do a tour you can also get the public bus to Penha. The beaches are also beautiful in particular Jabaquara which you can access by walking from the town.
I stayed in ‘Che Lagarto Paraty’ which was ok, it advertises itself as a party hostel so you can imagine the clientele that it attracts. The staff are also very slow at checking guests in, which is pretty standard for chain hostels.
I would recommend 2 or 3 nights in Paraty and do not listen to people downplaying the beauty of this place!
Romy's Roamings 