8.9· 47 reviews
Paraty Islands Tour
Relax on some of the best beaches in Brazil and take a dip in the crystal-clear waters on this wonderful Paraty Islands Tour. Sit back, relax and enjoy!
5 h
from US$ 24
In brief
Paraty is worth 3 to 4 days: one for the boat trip around the islands and coves, another for the historic center at an easy pace and a cachaça distillery, and another for the waterfalls in the mountains or Trindade Beach. The best window runs from June to August, with highs of 26 °C and 65 to 80 mm of rain; summer is hotter (up to 31 °C in January) and very rainy, with 280 mm over 21 days in January.
The destination
What to expect in Paraty
Paraty has one of the best-preserved colonial historic centers in Brazil, protected as historic heritage. The streets paved with "pé de moleque", those large, uneven stones that twist the ankles of anyone in heels, were designed so that the high tide would flow in and wash the center. The whitewashed houses, with windows and doors painted in bold colors, make the town look frozen in the 18th century, when gold from Minas Gerais came down this way on its journey to Portugal.
Outside the center, the charm is in the water. Paraty Bay is dotted with dozens of islands, calm-water coves and beaches reachable only by boat: schooner or motorboat trips are the must-do activity, with stops for snorkeling in green water. On the mainland, the Serra do Mar sends icy waterfalls tumbling just a few kilometers from the center, and rougher beaches such as Trindade attract anyone who prefers wide sand and surf to the calm of the bay.
Paraty is also cachaça country (cachaça is Brazil's sugarcane spirit). The craft distilleries of the region produce some of the best in the country, and the town takes it seriously: it has its own festival devoted to the drink and to food, and UNESCO recognized it as a Creative City of Gastronomy. Between a boat trip and a dip under a waterfall, it is worth setting aside an afternoon to visit a distillery, taste cachaça aged in barrels and understand why it became a local signature.
Updated on October 19, 2026
What to see
Must-sees in Paraty
1 Historic district
Colonial historic center
One of the best-preserved colonial centers in Brazil, with whitewashed houses and windows and doors in bold colors. Cars are banned on the stone streets, so you explore on foot.
2 Heritage
"Pé de moleque" streets
Large, uneven stones designed so that the high tide would flow in and wash the center. Wear closed, sturdy shoes, and check the tide table if you want to see the streets flooded.
3 Nature
Paraty Bay and boat trip
Dozens of islands, calm-water coves and green water with stops for snorkeling. Schooner or motorboat trips are the activity that defines Paraty; private motorboats let you build your own route.
4 Beach
Beaches of the bay
Beaches and coves reachable only by boat, schooner or water taxi.
5 Nature
Waterfalls of the Serra do Mar
The mountains send icy waterfalls tumbling just a few kilometers from the center. Bring insect repellent and sunscreen.
6 Beach
Trindade Beach
A rougher beach with wide sand and surf, for anyone who prefers that to the calm of the bay.
7 Food and drink
Cachaça distilleries
The craft distilleries of the region produce some of the best cachaças in the country. It is worth setting aside an afternoon to visit one and taste cachaça aged in barrels.
8 Culture
Festivals and food
Paraty has its own cachaça festival (in August) and a literary festival (in November or December), and UNESCO recognized it as a Creative City of Gastronomy.
Tours and tickets
Things to do in Paraty, bookable in English
When to go
Best time to visit Paraty
Brazil is in the Southern Hemisphere, so the seasons are the reverse of those in Europe and North America: summer falls between December and March and winter between June and August. In Paraty, summer is hot, with highs of 30 to 31 °C between December and February, and winter is mild: in June, July and August, the coolest months, the average high is 26 °C and the low is 18 °C.
It rains all year. The driest months are August, with 65 mm over 6 days, July, with 75 mm over 8 days, and June, with 80 mm over 8 days. The wettest are January, with 280 mm over 21 days, December, with 250 mm over 19 days, and March, with 240 mm over 19 days.
The most favorable window runs from June to August, and August comes out as the best month of the year. These are the least rainy and coolest months, good for boat trips. Summer is lovely, but it is also high season, with occupancy at its peak. Even though winter is drier, it can still rain: always bring a raincoat or an umbrella.
Best window: June to August More rain / less comfortable Comfort index · INMET (updated 2026)
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Rainy days | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 31 °C | 24 °C | 280 mm | 21 | Not recommended |
| February | 31 °C | 24 °C | 230 mm | 18 | Not recommended |
| March | 30 °C | 23 °C | 240 mm | 19 | Not recommended |
| April | 29 °C | 21 °C | 150 mm | 14 | Fair |
| May | 27 °C | 19 °C | 110 mm | 11 | Fair |
| June | 26 °C | 18 °C | 80 mm | 8 | Good |
| July | 26 °C | 18 °C | 75 mm | 8 | Good |
| August | 26 °C | 18 °C | 65 mm | 6 | Good |
| September | 27 °C | 19 °C | 110 mm | 11 | Fair |
| October | 28 °C | 20 °C | 150 mm | 14 | Fair |
| November | 29 °C | 21 °C | 200 mm | 16 | Fair |
| December | 30 °C | 23 °C | 250 mm | 19 | Not recommended |
Monthly averages for 1991-2020 from INMET (Brazil's National Institute of Meteorology). The rating combines rainfall, temperature and humidity.
The weather in Paraty, season by season
Summer
In summer (December to February), Paraty has highs of around 31 °C (88 °F) and lows of 24 °C (75 °F), and it is the wetter season, with about 253 mm of rain spread over about 19 days a month. The days are hot and call for beach time and shade.
Fall
In fall (March to May), Paraty has highs of around 29 °C (84 °F) and lows of 21 °C (70 °F), and it is the wetter season, with about 167 mm of rain spread over about 15 days a month. The days are hot and call for beach time and shade.
Winter
In winter (June to August), Paraty has highs of around 26 °C (79 °F) and lows of 18 °C (64 °F), and it is the wetter season, with about 73 mm of rain spread over about 7 days a month. Temperatures are pleasant for sightseeing all day.
Spring
In spring (September to November), Paraty has highs of around 28 °C (82 °F) and lows of 20 °C (68 °F), and it is the wetter season, with about 153 mm of rain spread over about 14 days a month. The days are hot and call for beach time and shade.
Month by month
Paraty in every month of the year
Weather, crowds, prices and what is happening at the destination in each period. Tap a month to open its full page; the colored dot shows how good the time is for a visit.
Calendar
Recurring events in Paraty
February/March
Carnival in Paraty
Famous for the Bloco da Lama, where revelers cover themselves in mangrove mud, along with giant puppets in the center.
May
Feast of the Divine Holy Spirit (Festa do Divino Espírito Santo)
A centuries-old religious tradition, with the banner of the Divine Holy Spirit, folias (traveling singers and musicians) and the crowning of the boy emperor of the festival.
May
Bourbon Festival Paraty
A jazz, blues and soul festival with free concerts and a roving band parading through the historic center.
July
FLIP: Paraty International Literary Festival (Festa Literária Internacional de Paraty)
One of the country's biggest literary gatherings, with guest authors, panel discussions and a historic center full of readers.
August
Cachaça, Culture and Flavors Festival (Festival da Cachaça, Cultura e Sabores)
A celebration of Paraty's craft cachaça (sugarcane spirit), with tastings, local food and concerts on the cobblestone streets.
Recurring annual events: exact dates change every year, so confirm them before you plan your trip.
Getting there
Getting to Paraty from abroad
Paraty has no commercial airport. The gateway from abroad is Tom Jobim International Airport, known as Galeão (GIG), in Rio de Janeiro, about 250 km away by road. Routes and airlines change often, so it is safest to check them when you plan your trip.
Paraty sits on the BR-101, the Rio-Santos highway: it is 250 km (about 4 h) from Rio de Janeiro and 280 km (about 5 h) from São Paulo. There is a bus station with direct services from both cities. The road is part of the trip, with the sea on one side and the rainforest on the other.
GIG · Tom Jobim International Airport (Galeão), about 250 km (155 mi) from Paraty
Where to stay
Hotels in Paraty
The historic center is the heart of Paraty, but cars cannot enter its stone streets: you leave the vehicle in the parking lots at the entrance and get around on foot. The pousadas (small inns) in the historic center are more expensive mostly in summer and on public holidays. If you want to save money, stay a little way from the center or travel outside high season, which means outside summer. In high season it is best to book the boat trip the day before.
Rates change with the dates: confirm the price on Booking.com.
Before you go
Practical information for visitors from abroad
Entry to the country
Passport and visa requirements depend on your nationality and can change. Confirm them on the website of Brazil's Ministry of Foreign Affairs before you buy your flight.
Currency and payments
The currency is the real (BRL). Most inns, restaurants and shops in the center accept cards. Carry some cash for beach stands, tips on the schooner and small purchases at the distilleries, and ask your bank how payments abroad work.
Language and time
Portuguese is spoken. Paraty uses Brasília time, UTC−3, all year round.
Getting there
Paraty is on the BR-101 (Rio-Santos), about 250 km from Rio (4 h) and 280 km from São Paulo (5 h). There is a bus station with direct services from both cities. Paraty has no commercial airport; the most practical one is Rio's.
Getting around
The historic center can only be explored on foot: cars are banned on the stone streets. For the beaches and the waterfalls in the mountains, use a car, a taxi or the local vans. For the islands and beaches of the bay, the only way is by boat, schooner or water taxi.
Boat trip
This is the activity that defines Paraty. Schooners leave the pier several times a day, with stops for swimming; private motorboats let you tailor the route. Book the day before in high season.
When to avoid
Carnival, New Year's and the festivals (the literary one, in November or December, and the cachaça one, in August) fill the town. The high tide also floods the historic center on purpose: check the tide table if you want photos.
What to pack
Closed, sturdy shoes for the uneven stones, a raincoat or umbrella at any time of year (it rains all year), sunscreen and insect repellent for the waterfalls.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions about Paraty
What is the best time to visit Paraty?
June to August is the best window: these are the least rainy and coolest months, with highs of about 26 °C and calm seas for boat trips. Summer, from December to March, is hot and lovely, but it is the rainy season (280 mm over 21 days in January) and also high season, with occupancy at its peak.
How many days do you need in Paraty?
Three to four days give a good balance: a full day for the boat trip around the islands and coves, another to see the historic center at an easy pace and visit a cachaça distillery, and another for the waterfalls in the mountains or Trindade Beach. With four days you can fit in more beaches of the bay without rushing.
How do you get to Paraty?
Paraty is on the BR-101, the Rio-Santos highway. From Rio de Janeiro it is about 250 km (about 4 h by car); from São Paulo, about 280 km (about 5 h). There are direct buses from both cities. The town has no commercial airport: the most used one is Rio de Janeiro's.
When should you book ahead in Paraty?
Mostly in summer and on public holidays, when inns in the historic center are more expensive and the town is full. It is best to book the boat trip the day before in high season. Traveling outside high season and staying a little way from the center helps you save money.
Does it rain a lot in Paraty?
Yes, quite a lot. Paraty is among the rainiest cities in Brazil, wedged between the Serra do Mar and the ocean, which bring humidity all year. Summer is the peak: January has 280 mm over 21 days and December 250 mm over 19 days. Even in winter, the driest period, it can still rain: always bring a raincoat or an umbrella.
Can you drive to Paraty?
Yes, and the road is part of the trip. From Rio it is about 250 km along the scenic Rio-Santos highway, with the sea on one side and the rainforest on the other. From São Paulo, about 280 km. In the historic center, however, cars are banned: leave the vehicle in the parking lots at the entrance and get around on foot.
Other destinations in Brazil
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Sources
The weather and population data in this guide come from official agencies and open databases. Entry requirements and health recommendations change: always check the official source linked.