Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
1
Museu de Artes e Tradições Populares
Morro de Vilha Velha (north of the old town, across the Rio Perequé-Açu) • Wed-Sun 9am-noon & 2-5pm • R$3
he
Forte Defensor Perpétuo
was built in 1703 to defend Paraty from pirates preying
on gold ships leaving the port. It underwent restoration in 1822, and today houses the
Museu de Artes e
Tradições Populares
, which has a permanent display of fishing tools
and basketware, as well as handicrafts for sale.
ARRIVAL AND INFORMATION
PARATY
By bus
The rodoviária is about 500m west of the old town
on Rua Jango Pádua, two blocks south of Av Roberto
Silveira.
Destinations
Angra dos Reis (roughly hourly; 2hr); Paraty-
Mirim (11 daily; 45min); Rio (13 daily; 4hr 30min); São
Paulo (5 daily; 5hr); São Sebastião (2 daily; 3hr); Trindade
(roughly hourly; 45min); Ubatuba (5 daily; 1hr 15min).
Tourist of
ce
2km west of the historic centre, at the
entrance to town, Portal de Paraty (daily 8am-8pm;
T
24 3371 1897), with a more convenient branch o
ce on
the corner of Rua Costa and Rua do Comércio opposite the
Igreja do Rosário (daily 8am-7pm;
T
24 3371 1222).
TOURS AND ACTIVITIES
Tours/bicycle rental
Excursions to outlying beaches and
the surrounding countryside are offered by Paraty Tours, Av
Roberto Silveira 11 (
T
24 3371 1327,
W
paratytours.com
.br), who also rent out mountain bikes for R$50 a day, and
have maps showing suggested routes.
Boat trips
Schooners leave from the Praia do Pontal north
of Paraty, and from the port quay, for the beaches of
Paraty-Mirim, Jurumirim, Lula and Picinguaba. There are
65 islands and about two hundred beaches to choose from
in the vicinity. Tickets for trips out to the islands, typically
costing R$50 per person, leave Paraty at noon, stop at three
or four islands for swimming opportunities and return at
6pm. These trips can be pretty rowdy affairs, with the larger
boats capable of carrying several dozen people and usually
blaring out loud music. Alternatively, for around R$250 (or
R$150 in the low season) you can easily charter a small
fishing boat suitable for three to five passengers.
ACCOMMODATION
For most of the year, it's easy to find accommodation, but from late December to after Carnaval and for special events, the
area is packed and hotel space becomes hard to find. At other times, you're likely to be offered
discounts
of up to fifty
percent from the high-season prices given below. Paraty can also be visited on a
day-trip
from Ubatuba or Angra dos Reis.
Arte Colonial
Rua da Matriz 292
T
24 3371 7347,
W
pousadaartecolonial.com.br.
All rooms are furnished
with antiques and most have lovely views, but it's worth
spending a little more for one of the two at the front of the
building. There's a small courtyard garden with a
plunge
pool, and a communal area where breakfast is served.
R$280
★
Casa do Rio Hostel
Rua Antônio Vidal 120
T
24 3371
2223,
W
paratyhostel.com.
Somewhat cramped, but
otherwise excellent, this o
cial youth hostel is located
alongside the river, just a few minutes' walk from Paraty's
historic centre, and even has a small pool. Helpful st
aff can
organiz
e a rang
e of beach and inland tours. Dorms
R$50
;
doubles
R$120
Casa Turquesa
Rua Dr Pereira 50
T
24 3371 1037,
W
casaturquesa.com.br.
A boutique
pousada
that has
established itself as
the
place for wealthy
paulistas
to stay
in Paraty. The nine suites spring straight from a design
magazine mixing modern furniture and fabrics with the
overall rustic-chic look, although the courtyard (with a
plunge
pool) and lounge with bar are rather compact.
R$1265
Cigarros Pouso Familiar
Largo do Rosário 7
T
24
3371 1497.
A lovely old house with just four simply
furnished rooms. All have private bathrooms and one has a
kitchenette. The atmosphere is relaxed and there are
attractive vi
ews fr
om the shared terrace. Breakfast costs
R$30 extra.
R$100
Guaraná
Rua Cinco 13
T
24 3371 6362,
W
pousadaguarana.com.br.
The 20min walk to the
Bambu Bamboo
Rua Glauber Rocha 9
T
24 3371
8629,
W
bambubamboo.com.
In a peaceful riverside
location a 20min walk from the historic centre, this is one of
Paraty's most pleasant
pousadas
. The guest rooms are more
spacious than most in the centre, and there's a large pool in
the attractive garden. The British and Brazilian owners
provide loc
al tips a
nd can arrange spa treatments and boat
excursions.
R$250
Caminho do Ouro
Estrada Paraty-Cunha Km 4
T
24 3371 6548,
W
pousadacaminhodoouro.com.br.
Set amid unspoilt forest, by a small river and near
waterfalls, this simple
pousada
is a perfect place to
escape the crowds that sometimes impinge on Paraty's
charms. The owners are extremely hospitable, great
sources of local advice and offer delicious Franco-
Brazilian meals. Although s
ome 8k
m from the centre of
Paraty, there's a bus service.
R$300
