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Which is better: Caldas Novas or Paraty?

Short answer

Caldas Novas is in the state of Goiás (GO), while Paraty is in Rio de Janeiro and its surroundings (RJ): different regions of Brazil. Caldas Novas: the largest hot springs in the world; Paraty: a colonial historic center and a bay of islands. For this month's weather, Caldas Novas has the edge.

Sources: INMET (updated 2026) · ANP · OpenStreetMap
Most reviewed activity in ParatyParaty Islands Tour★ 8.9 · 47 reviews · from US$ 24 · via CivitatisSee dates and price →
Caldas Novas Paraty
Best time to visit May → Aug Jun → Aug
Weather this month 33° · 11 days of rain 28° · 14 days of rain
By car R$ 113 · from Goiânia R$ 155 + tolls · from São Paulo
Ideal stay 3–4 days 3–4 days
Best for Family, Relax, Romantic Romantic, Food, Adventure, Relax
Choose Caldas Novas if

you want a trip for families and relaxation: naturally hot pools, water parks and the perfect contrast of a dry Cerrado winter.

See guide
Choose Paraty if

you want a trip for couples and food lovers: uneven cobblestones, whitewashed houses and craft cachaça on the Costa Verde.

See guide
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Where to stay

Where to stay: Caldas Novas or Paraty

The average nightly rate is around R$ 298 in Caldas Novas 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 Caldas Novas on Booking.com, with up-to-date prices and availability, before you book.

Best Western Suites Le Jardin Caldas Novas in Caldas Novas 9 · 26 reviews Best Western Suites Le Jardin Caldas Novas See on Booking → Acqua Bella Thermas Hotel in Caldas Novas 8.7 ★★★ · 39 reviews Acqua Bella Thermas Hotel See on Booking →
See all hotels in Caldas Novas

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 →
See all hotels in Paraty

Rates change with the dates: confirm the price on Booking.com.

Frequently asked questions

Caldas Novas or Paraty: which is better?
Caldas Novas is in the state of Goiás (GO), while Paraty is in Rio de Janeiro and its surroundings (RJ): different regions of Brazil. Caldas Novas: the largest hot springs in the world; Paraty: a colonial historic center and a bay of islands. For this month's weather, Caldas Novas has the edge.
What is the best time to visit Caldas Novas and Paraty?
The best time to visit Caldas Novas 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 Goiânia, Caldas Novas is 170 km (106 mi) and costs about R$ 113 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, Caldas Novas or Paraty?
Averaged over the year, Caldas Novas has 9 rainy days a month and Paraty has 14. Caldas Novas is the drier of the two over the year as a whole, but what decides the trip is the month: the rainiest month in Caldas Novas is December and in Paraty, January. For temperature, Caldas Novas is the warmer one (average high of 31° versus 28°).
How many days should you spend in Caldas Novas and in Paraty?
To see the main sights without rushing, Caldas Novas calls for 3–4 days and Paraty, 3–4 days. These are distant regions: with a week or less, it is usually better to pick one of the two and make the most of it.
Caldas Novas or Paraty with kids?
Caldas Novas (hot springs, hot pools, and water parks) 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: Caldas Novas has fewer rainy days over the year.
What should you not miss in each?
In Caldas Novas: Hot Park, diRoma Acqua Park, Lagoa Termas Parque. 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.