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Which is better: Angra dos Reis or Paraty?

Short answer

Angra dos Reis and Paraty are in the same region (Rio de Janeiro and Surroundings). Angra dos Reis: gateway to more than 360 islands in Ilha Grande Bay; Paraty: a colonial historic center and a bay of islands. For this month's weather, Angra dos Reis has the edge. The two are about 96 km (60 mi) apart, 1h36 by car; you can combine them in a single trip.

Sources: INMET (updated 2026) · ANP · OpenStreetMap
Most reviewed activity in Angra dos ReisIlhas Botinas Boat Trip + Angra dos Reis Beaches★ 10 · 6 reviews · from US$ 35 · via CivitatisSee dates and price →
Most reviewed activity in ParatyParaty Islands Tour★ 8.9 · 47 reviews · from US$ 24 · via CivitatisSee dates and price →
Angra dos Reis Paraty
Best time to visit May → Aug Jun → Aug
Weather this month 28° · 13 days of rain 28° · 14 days of rain
By car R$ 293 · from São Paulo R$ 155 + tolls · from São Paulo
Ideal stay 3–4 days 3–4 days
Best for Adventure, Relax, Family, Romantic Romantic, Food, Adventure, Relax
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Where to stay

Where to stay: Angra dos Reis or Paraty

The average nightly rate is around R$ 242 in Angra dos Reis and R$ 507 in Paraty; what changes in practice is each place's season. Check current prices for your dates before deciding.

Compare hotels and places to stay in Angra dos Reis on Booking.com, with up-to-date prices and availability, before you book.

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Compare hotels and places to stay in Paraty on Booking.com, with up-to-date prices and availability, before you book.

Pousada Porto Imperial in Paraty 9.5 ★★★★ · 11 reviews Pousada Porto Imperial See on Booking → Pousada das Pedras in Paraty 8.4 ★★★★ · 412 reviews Pousada das Pedras See on Booking →
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Rates change with the dates: confirm the price on Booking.com.

Frequently asked questions

Angra dos Reis or Paraty: which is better?
Angra dos Reis and Paraty are in the same region (Rio de Janeiro and Surroundings). Angra dos Reis: gateway to more than 360 islands in Ilha Grande Bay; Paraty: a colonial historic center and a bay of islands. For this month's weather, Angra dos Reis has the edge. The two are about 96 km (60 mi) apart, 1h36 by car; you can combine them in a single trip.
What is the best time to visit Angra dos Reis and Paraty?
The best time to visit Angra dos Reis is from May to August; for Paraty, it is from June to August, based on INMET's climate normals (temperature and rainfall for each month). If your trip already has a date, check each destination's page for your month.
Which of the two is cheaper to get to?
By car, leaving from São Paulo, Angra dos Reis is 384 km (239 mi) and costs about R$ 293 each way (fuel plus tolls); leaving from São Paulo, Paraty is 280 km (174 mi) and costs about R$ 155 each way (fuel only, tolls not included). The calculation assumes a car that gets 11 km/L. Lodging and activities vary with each place's season.
Where does it rain less, Angra dos Reis or Paraty?
Averaged over the year, Angra dos Reis has 12 rainy days a month and Paraty has 14. Angra dos Reis is the drier of the two over the year as a whole, but what decides the trip is the month: the rainiest month in Angra dos Reis is January and in Paraty, January. For temperature, Angra dos Reis is the warmer one (average high of 29° versus 28°).
How many days should you spend in Angra dos Reis and in Paraty?
To see the main sights without rushing, Angra dos Reis calls for 3–4 days and Paraty, 3–4 days. Since the two are 96 km (60 mi) from each other, anyone with 6 days or more can combine them in a single trip.
Angra dos Reis or Paraty with kids?
Angra dos Reis (365 islands in the bay; schooner trip; green sea and Atlantic Forest) is the better pick of the two for families. Paraty (colonial historic center, boat trip, and waterfalls in the mountains) is geared more toward adults or couples. With small children, weather matters: Angra dos Reis has fewer rainy days over the year.
Can you visit Angra dos Reis and Paraty on the same trip?
Yes. The two are about 96 km (60 mi) apart, 1h36 by car and in the same region (Rio de Janeiro and Surroundings). Combining them in a single itinerary is common, with a few days in each.
What should you not miss in each?
In Angra dos Reis: Schooner trip around the islands, Ilha Grande (day trip), Lopes Mendes Beach. In Paraty: Colonial historic center, "Pé de moleque" streets, Paraty Bay and boat trip. These are the sights that show up most in first-trip itineraries for each destination; the full guide to each has the whole list.