Quick Paraty travel guide: Less than four hours from Rio de Janeiro along the beautiful Costa Verde, and one of the most beautiful old towns in Brazil, Paraty is a wonder of Brazil you must visit.
Paraty was dedicated a UNESCO world heritage city as long ago as 1958 – a symbol of how wonderful this old town really is. The streets are paved with large boulder cobbles and lined with old colonial white buildings with brightly painted doors and windows. While the town itself is pretty, the beaches and surrounding Mata Atlantica (Atlantic Rainforest) is much more spectacular.
Everything for the tourist is in Paraty including boat trips and jeep trips into the forest by day, and live music in the many good quality and good value restaurants by night. (Take care to enquire about a cover charge at the door however – you may find your bill inflated at the end of the meal to pay the band).
Transport to and from Paraty
Rio to Paraty
The best way to get from Rio to Paraty is by bus along the beautiful scenic road the Costa Verde. Currently, buses leave every 2 hours from the main Rio Novo Rodoviaria at 10am, 12pm, 2pm, 4pm, 6pm and 9pm. They take 4 hours and cost R$52. The buses from Rio to Paraty are very comfortable, with reclinabe seats, air conditioning and little foot rests.
Paraty to Ilha Grande
The Rodoviaria (Bus station) is in the centre of Paraty, and buses from Paraty to Ilha grande are operated by a company called Viação Colitur. Because you need to connect with the ferry in Angra dos Reis which is at 15.30, you are best getting the 12 noon bus from Paraty to Angra dos Reis. There are plenty of other buses – at least 1 an hour (schedule here and you can always take a private boat across to Abraão on Ilha Grande.