Paraty The Southeast, Brazil Travel Guide
The main local public transportation in Paraty is a municipal bus system. These buses connect the historic center with surrounding neighborhoods and some nearby beaches and villages, including Jabaquara, Pontal, Perequê, and Trindade.
Buses are generally reliable and offer an economical way to explore beyond the ancient heart. The main bus station (Rodoviária) serves as a central hub.
The best way to use the bus system is to ask locals or your pousada staff for the proper bus number and stop.
Always confirm the location with the driver prior to boarding to ensure you are on the proper route.
Use Google Maps and download offline maps of Paraty to track your location without data.
Limited in Paraty. More straightforward to rent from Rio or São Paulo airports. DiscoverCars.com for options.
Less common for tourists. Local shops may rent. Proper license/insurance needed. Helmets are mandatory.
Several shops offer Bicycle rentals for hourly/daily rates. Good for flat outskirts/nearby beaches.
Jeep tours access waterfalls and cachaça distilleries on rough roads. These are guided tours, not rental vehicles.
Paraty is a town best explored on foot, especially its charming historic core. The entire historic district is pedestrian-only, making it ideal for exploring colonial architecture, shops, restaurants, and galleries.
No formal hop-on-hop-off services. Tour operators offer organized bus or van tours to specific attractions including waterfalls or Trindade.
Schooners (escunas) offer half-day/full-day tours. Speedboats (lanchas) are more rapid, more expensive for private tours. Kayaks/SUPs for rent on beaches for bay exploration.
Cobblestone streets pose challenges for wheelchairs. Public transport has limited accessibility. Plan movements carefully, focusing on accessible activities and accommodations.
Consider your comfort level, budget, and desired pace of exploration.
