a cobblestone street lined with tables and chairs

Paraty

Paraty is a colonial port on Brazil's Costa Verde, known for cobbled streets, boat trips to nearby islands and waterfalls, and a slow pace between Rio and São Paulo.

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Paraty is a colonial town on the Costa Verde, the green coast of Rio de Janeiro state in southeastern Brazil, about halfway between Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. Its historic center grew in the 1600s and 1700s, when gold and goods moved from the interior to the sea. Many streets are still paved with irregular stones, and at high tide seawater can rise into the lower parts of the old center.

Visitors come for the historic streets, for boat trips to the bays and islands along the coast, and for the Atlantic Forest that runs down to the water. The town suits travelers who want a slow pace and time on the water. Paraty is also known for its cachaça distilleries. The drier months, roughly May to October, are the most comfortable for walking and boating. Plan at least two nights, or three if you want a full day on the water.

Paraty in five

Take a bus from Rio or São Paulo, then walk inFly into Rio or São Paulo, then take a bus. The bus from Rio takes roughly four hours. Cars are limited in the old town, so leave yours at the edge and walk the stone streets.Getting around
Check the tide before you walk the waterfrontHigh tide pushes water into the streets of the historic center, and the old stone paving is slick when wet. Look up the tide table for the day and wear shoes with grip.
Carry reais in cash for boats and small stallsBeach boat operators and small kiosks may not take cards, so keep small notes in reais. Check your card's foreign transaction fees with your bank before you use it.Money and costs
Set up an eSIM before you reach the coastSignal can drop on the coast road and around the beaches and islands. Get a Brazilian eSIM or local SIM before you arrive so maps and boat bookings work.Phones and eSIM
Agree the price and return time before a boat tripBeach boats are not metered, so the fare is whatever you agree with the boatman. Settle the fare, the stops and the time of the last return before you step on board.

Things to do in Paraty

See all attractions in Paraty

a crowded beach with lots of people and umbrellas

Forest · ParatyPraia do CepilhoBring water and food because there are no kiosks or bars.

Landmark · ParatyPraia Paraty Mirim

A church stands above the town's rooftops

Church · ParatyParish Church of Our Lady of RemediesThe church is in Paraty’s Historic Center, close to other sights.

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to ParatyPut the places you like in Paraty on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Currency: Real (BRL)
Entry: Visa or visa-free entry depends on your passport; check the Brazilian consulate
Emergency: 190 police, 192 ambulance, 193 fire
Tipping: A 10% service charge is often added; otherwise not expected
Time: UTC-3, no daylight saving

Weather by month

Rainy days
Days with storms

Best
Good
Mixed

JanuaryRain24 rainy daysHigh26°Low18°Hot, rainy, busy
FebruaryRain18 rainy daysHigh27°Low18°Carnival, humid
MarchRain18 rainy daysHigh26°Low17°Rain easing
AprilPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh24°Low15°Warm, drier
MayPartly cloudy6 rainy daysHigh23°Low13°Mild, drier
JuneClear5 rainy daysHigh22°Low12°Mild, quieter
JulyClear2 rainy daysHigh22°Low11°Holiday crowds
AugustClear6 rainy daysHigh23°Low13°Cool, windy
SeptemberClear7 rainy daysHigh26°Low15°Dry, mild
OctoberRain16 rainy daysHigh25°Low16°Warm, calm
NovemberRain17 rainy daysHigh25°Low16°Warming, rain
DecemberRain20 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh26°Low17°Holiday peak

Average daily high and low in Paraty, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Paraty

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 23°
Humidity: 85%
Wind: 5 km/h
Chance of rain: 98%

Paraty

05:43 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT-3

Today31°22°98%Monday: Thunderstorms. High 31°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 98%.
Tue31°23°100%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 100%.
Wed30°22°39%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 39%.
Thu36°23°64%Thursday: Thunderstorms. High 36°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 64%.
Fri27°21°77%Friday: Drizzle. High 27°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 77%.
Sat33°21°49%Saturday: Rain. High 33°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 49%.
Sun24°15°73%Sunday: Rain. High 24°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 73%.

Updated 02:27 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 5.437 BRL

Amount

Converted to

BRL · Brazilian Real

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Rio de Janeiroabout 4 hours by busBeaches, museums and the city's big sights, for a long day or a stop on the way.Read the guide
São Pauloa long day by roadMuseums, food and business-city culture, for travelers who fly in or out of the southeast.Read the guide
Trindadeby boat from ParatyA beach reached by boat from Paraty, a good choice for a calm half day on the water.

Before you go to Paraty

Stays in the old townOld town rooms, stone streets, noiseRead the guide

Boat trips to nearby beachesPrice and return time agreed firstRead the guide

eSIM for ParatyCoverage on the coast road and beachesRead the guide

Insurance for ParatyCover for road, boat and delay claimsRead the guide

Rules for Paraty, checked

Visa rules depend on your passport. Check the Brazilian consulate and the official gov.br site before you fly.Source
Declare fresh fruit, plants and food on arrival in Brazil; the customs rules are set by the federal government.Source

Plan around Paraty

Where to stay in Paraty

Old town and beach stays compared

Read the guide Getting to Paraty

Bus, car and boat options from Rio and São Paulo

Read the guide Money in Paraty

Cash, cards and what small shops accept

Read the guide Visas and entry

Visa or visa-free entry and the papers to carry

Read the guide Phones and eSIM

Signal on the coast and at the beaches

Read the guide All of Brazil

Cities, coast and entry rules

Read the guide

Paraty FAQ

Is Paraty worth visiting?

Yes for a few nights if you want a colonial old town with stone streets and a bay of beaches and islands reached by boat. It is a weak choice if you want big-city nightlife or a long stay with many sights.

Can you visit Paraty as a day trip from Rio?

It is possible, but the bus takes roughly four hours each way, so most of the day goes on the road. Stay at least one night to walk the old town after the day visitors leave.

Does Paraty flood?

The historic center takes in seawater at high tide, when water comes up through the streets. Check the tide table before you plan walks along the waterfront.

Do you need a car in Paraty?

Not for the old town, which you walk, and boats reach the beaches. A car helps if you want to reach trails or beaches along the road out of town.

When is the best time to visit Paraty?

May, June, September and October have mild weather and are the best months to visit. December to March is hot, humid and busy, and rain is common in summer.