Making the most of Parati
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
As cruise ships are not able to dock here you will be tendered ashore. The tender will take about 30 minutes.
Printable map to take along.
The tender dock is full of fishing boats and tour schooners painted in vibrant colors. The walk into the old town, past the old church, is a 5 minute stroll. The cobble stone streets are very pretty with restored colonial homes turned into small shops, restaurants, and artists studios. Apparently the streets are designed so that at high tide the water comes into the street and cleans them.
Parati or Paraty is a delightful colonial town between Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro whose town center has been declared a national historic monument and car free. There is also a small fort called Forte do Defensor Perpetuo (1822) and a couple of excellent beaches nearby.
Getting around
Just wander the town and enjoy it. Cars are not allowed.
Nearby places
Buses to the beautiful village and beaches at Trindade and outlying beaches leave from the Bus Station. Buy tickets onboard approximately R$3 to Trindade.
Food and shopping
Cachaça, a kind of rum, Paraty is one of the famous producers in Brazil, as in fact a century ago cachaça was known as parati.
Paraty is crowded and lively throughout the summer holidays, brimming with Brazilian and European vacationers and good music. The town’s cosmopolitan flavor is further enhanced by the large number of artists, writers and chefs, both Brazilian and foreign, who have settled here and opened shops, galleries and restaurants in recent years.
Money
Brazilian Real
Staying connected
Portuguese spoken.
Cafes which offer free WiFi for customers are sparse.
Opening Hours and
Basic hours for most stores and businesses are from 9am to 6pm, with an extended lunch hour from around noon to 2pm.
Many museums are closed on monday.
The Festas Juninas, throughout June, showcase local dances, music and street theater, ending in late June with a maritime procession to Ilha do Araújo.