Learn about Paraty, one of Brazils top travel destinations. Paraty offers historic architecture, white sand beaches, and excellent outdoor recreation.
Paraty, on the coast of Brazil midway between So Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, is a historic town that has only recently emerged as one of Brazil's top travel destinations. The town is in Ihla Grande Bay, boasts miles of white sand coast, abundant nearby tropical islands, and tropical forests traversed by waterfalls. Verdant green mountains rise up above the town to up to 1,300 meters.
The area was originally populated by Guaians Indians, who gave the area its name. In the Tupi language, paraty means "river of fish." Portuguese settlers adopted name when they founded the town in 1667.
Gold was discovered in Minas Gerais in 1696, and Paraty became an export town that handled the precious metal, which passed through here before continuing on to Rio de Janeiro and then Portugal. The "gold Trail," a 1200 kilometer road, connected Paraty to the central mines in Diamantina, passing through Ouro Preto and Tiradentes along the way. Gold, supplies, miners, and slaves traveled by foot and by mule. Today, visitors to the region can hike on some of the restored trails.
Paraty's decline began when pirates began to target the port. To circumvent the raiders, the crown established a new, overland route from Minas Gerais directly to Rio. In the late 19th century, the gold mine began to dry out, and Paraty fell into further decline. The coffee trade in the early 1800s and the cachaa trade in the late 1800s temporarily revived Paraty's fortunes, but the town remained on the periphery of Brazil's modern development.
In 1970, the road from Rio de Janeiro to Santos, near Sao Paulo, was completed, bringing Paraty back onto the radar screen as a tourist destination. Today, the streets around the historic center remained covered with cobblestones and no motor traffic is permitted. The center's well-preserved historic buildings, some of which are over 250 years old, are a key attraction for visitors to Paraty.
Paraty's churches in particular are some of the best examples of baroque architecture; these include the Chapel of Saint Rita, Church of Our Lady of the Rosary and Saint Benedict, Chapel of Our Lady of Sorrows, and Church of Our Lady of Remedies. All date from the 18th century.
In addition to the historic center, travelers visit Paraty to enjoy its many tropical islands, verdant shorelines, and warm, crystalline beaches, perfect for all kinds of water sports. On shore, active travelers can enjoy biking and hiking through natural reserves.
The small Paraty airport receives chartered flights from Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo. Cruise ships and sailboats also arrive at Paraty's small port from Rio, Angra dos Reis, and Ihla Grande. Another alternative is travel by car or bus. Annual temperatures range from 16C to 37C, with February being the wettest month.
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