The quiet seaside
town that has attracted international literati on
the scale of Salman Rushdie and Martin Amis has a
distinct rustic quality to the place. Pristine white
buildings, pious churches and hot Brazilian sun- the
lure of Paraty lies in its virtual lack of access- a
road linking it to the capital cities of Rio and Sao
Paolo having been built only in the 1970s. Still,
the more scenic way of reaching Paraty is by boat.
Take a cruise down the Costa Verde, taking in the
islands of Algodao and Sapeca, trace the footsteps
of the explorers who had once transferred gold from
the Minas Gerais to the ocean and take a hike up the
Atlantic rainforest(not as famous as the Amazon
rainforest by any means but with a wide variety of
plants and animals).
Paraty has several first-class inns (called "pousadas"
in Portuguese) and you can take boat trips to its
countless islands and coves, or go explore restored
sugarcane plantations, bathe in waterfalls or walk
in the forest. From nearby Angra dos Reis, a small
train will take you on an unforgettable trip through
the surrounding forest.
Photo on this page courtesy of Fabiano Bueno