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Which is better: Paraty or São Sebastião?

Short answer

Paraty is in Rio de Janeiro and its surroundings (RJ), while São Sebastião is on the North Coast of São Paulo (SP): different regions of Brazil. Paraty: a colonial historic center and a bay of islands; São Sebastião: the town that gives its name to the north coast of São Paulo state. For this month's weather, São Sebastião 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 →
Most reviewed activity in São SebastiãoSão Sebastião Whale Watching★ 8 · 1 review · from US$ 102 · via CivitatisSee dates and price →
Paraty São Sebastião
Best time to visit Jun → Aug May → Aug
Weather this month 28° · 14 days of rain 26° · 15 days of rain
By car R$ 155 + tolls · from São Paulo R$ 107 + tolls · from São Paulo
Ideal stay 3–4 days 4–5 days
Best for Romantic, Food, Adventure, Relax Adventure, Relax, Family, Romantic
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
Choose São Sebastião if

you want a trip for adventure seekers and relaxation: almost 100 km of coastline, from the surf of Maresias to family beaches and a 17th-century historic center that almost nobody visits.

See guide
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Where to stay

Where to stay: Paraty or São Sebastião

The average nightly rate is around R$ 507 in Paraty and R$ 412 in São Sebastião; what changes in practice is each place's season. Check current prices for your dates before deciding.

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

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

Amora Hotel Maresias in São Sebastião 9.3 ★★★★ · 65 reviews Amora Hotel Maresias See on Booking → Suítes Las Flores Maresias in São Sebastião 9 ★★★ · 118 reviews Suítes Las Flores Maresias See on Booking →
See all hotels in São Sebastião

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

Frequently asked questions

Paraty or São Sebastião: which is better?
Paraty is in Rio de Janeiro and its surroundings (RJ), while São Sebastião is on the North Coast of São Paulo (SP): different regions of Brazil. Paraty: a colonial historic center and a bay of islands; São Sebastião: the town that gives its name to the north coast of São Paulo state. For this month's weather, São Sebastião has the edge.
What is the best time to visit Paraty and São Sebastião?
The best time to visit Paraty is from June to August; for São Sebastião, it is from May 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, Paraty is 280 km (174 mi) and costs about R$ 155 each way (fuel only, tolls not included); leaving from São Paulo, São Sebastião is 196 km (122 mi) and costs about R$ 107 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, Paraty or São Sebastião?
Averaged over the year, Paraty has 14 rainy days a month and São Sebastião has 13. São Sebastião is the drier of the two over the year as a whole, but what decides the trip is the month: the rainiest month in Paraty is January and in São Sebastião, January. For temperature, Paraty is the warmer one (average high of 28° versus 27°).
How many days should you spend in Paraty and in São Sebastião?
To see the main sights without rushing, Paraty calls for 3–4 days and São Sebastião, 4–5 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.
Paraty or São Sebastião with kids?
São Sebastião (dozens of beaches, surf, and ferry to Ilhabela) 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: São Sebastião has fewer rainy days over the year.
What should you not miss in each?
In Paraty: Colonial historic center, "Pé de moleque" streets, Paraty Bay and boat trip. In São Sebastião: Praia de Maresias, Praia de Camburi, Praia de Boiçucanga. These are the sights that show up most in first-trip itineraries for each destination; the full guide to each has the whole list.