10 Best Beaches in Paraty, Brazil

Looking for the best beaches in Paraty, Brazil? You are in the right place

As a Brazilian, I have to say that my favorite place in Brazil is Paraty, and I have personally visited every single beach in Paraty. Now I am here to share with you my top beaches, and how you can also visit them.

Paraty truly is a piece of paradise. Located in Rio de Janeiro, it’s the last coastal town in the state, bordering São Paulo. A UNESCO Cultural and Natural Heritage site, Paraty boasts incredible beauty. In this article, I’ll share practical tips to help you discover the top 10 beaches in Paraty.

The way is describe Paraty, is that this is the perfect place. It is a mix of a historic city, full of nature and culture. It not only boasts 60 beaches and 65 islands, but also waterfalls, incredible trails, a beautiful historic center, great bars and restaurants, and areas inhabited by indigenous, quilombola, and caiçara communities. There are many things to explore on a trip to Paraty. So, let’s start with the top 10 beaches in Paraty. You can thank me later 😉

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Before we jump into the best beaches in Paraty, it is important to know that Paraty features parks, environmental protection zones, and ecological reserves, as well as traditional communities with protected areas.

This means that even though some of the best beaches in Paraty are on the mainland, there are no roads to all of them; some must be accessed by boat or hiking.

The good news is that the boat trips are beautiful and fun. I recommend taking at least one trip on the traditional schooners that depart from the town pier, but there are other options, which I will explain below.

To make your trip easier, I’ve organized these tips based on how to reach each beach. Here are the best beaches in Paraty to visit by boat, hiking, bus, and car:

The boat tours take you past countless beautiful beaches, and if you choose a schooner, you’ll need to adapt to their schedule. You can plan a different route each day to visit the main beaches or just relax and enjoy, as all of them are stunning.

1. Praia Vermelha

This is a beautiful beach with a snack bar. It’s one of the best beaches in Paraty. The water is calm and clear, and the beach has a wide stretch of sand. It’s perfect for relaxing and grabbing a bite to eat—after all, sun and sea make you hungry!

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2. Ilha do Coco

One of the most beautiful islands, with deep waters teeming with fish. If you’re lucky, you might even spot a turtle. It used to be less crowded, but the last time I visited, there were many boats, which was a bit disruptive since the island is small.

Still, it’s definitely worth adding to your Paraty itinerary. If you’re a good swimmer, explore the marine life around the rocks.

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3. Ilha da Cotia

This is a small island, but it’s beautiful and unique compared to other islands in the area. It has many rocks, stunning colors, and the water even gets warm in the summer. The view is amazing, as it faces Paraty Mirim.

To visit, you can take a schooner tour, or get to Paraty Mirim and take a small boat or kayak across.

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4. Ilha da Cedro

Ilha do Cedro is located towards Angra dos Reis. To get there, you can drive or take a bus to the beaches of Cão Morto, Iriri, or São Gonçalo. From these beaches, you need to take a taxi-boat, a small boat that makes the crossing.

This beach is beautiful, with a snack bar and a small trail leading to a more secluded part of the island. There, I found shells, huge starfish, and abundant marine life!

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5. Praia do Sono

Near Trindade, this beach is completely different from the calm-water islands of Paraty. Here, the sea opens up, so you’ll find a beach with waves and deeper waters. Praia do Sono offers camping spots, snack bars, and plenty of luaus and parties.

To reach Praia do Sono, you can drive or take a bus to the entrance of the Laranjeiras condominium if you want to go by boat. From there, you can catch a small boat. If you prefer hiking, continue on the bus to the final stop.

The hike to Praia do Sono takes about 1 to 1.5 hours. I found it quite easy. Despite a few tiring climbs, the trail is beautiful, with plenty of trees providing cool shade, freshwater streams, and many birds to delight your journey.

You can visit and return on the same day, but you might want to extend your stay to explore nearby beaches like Antigo, Antiguinhos, and Ponta Negra, or the beautiful waterfalls, such as the famous Saco Bravo.

🚌 How to take the bus to Praia do Sono: Vila do Oratório (get off at the final stop for the hike, or at Laranjeiras Condominium for the boat).

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6. Saco do Manguagua

Saco do Mamanguá is the only fjord in Brazil. It is a stunning secluded inlet of Paraty with small beaches. The area is more isolated with limited amenities, but depending on the beach, you might find camping spots and a snack bar.

To get to Saco do Mamanguá, you can:

• Take a boat tour from downtown Paraty.
• Drive or take a bus to Paraty Mirim and catch a taxi-boat from there.
• Hike from Paraty Mirim.

If you choose the hike, you’ll visit different beaches than those accessible by boat. It’s possible to explore the entire Saco do Mamanguá on foot, but this would take several days.

While you’re there, hike up to Pedra do Pão de Açúcar. The trail takes 1.5 to 2 hours, mostly shaded by trees, which helps on hot days. The view from the top is spectacular. For the Pedra do Pão de Açúcar hike, remember to bring a hat and something to sit on. The summit is exposed to the sun and can get very hot.

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7. Iriri

Praia do Iriri is a one of the most unique beaches in Paraty, located within a Pataxó indigenous reserve. Here you find a nice infrastructure, including parking, a craft shop, a snack bar, and showers. On one side of the highway is the beach, and on the other side are the homes and a delightful waterfall worth visiting.

Since it’s a mangrove area, you’ll find mud mixed with the sand. On the left side of Praia do Iriri is the mouth of a river; on the right side, which is quieter, there are beautiful rocks and less mud in the water.

🚌 Bus to Iriri Bech: São Gonçalo

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8. Praia Grande

Praia Grande is located 10 km from downtown Paraty and is one of the best beaches in Paraty due to its accessibility. Getting there is easy: you can drive (though parking can be tricky) or take a bus.

If you’re taking the bus, watch for the sign indicating the stop and ask to get off there. Then, just walk up a small cobblestone hill.

On this side, you’ll find restaurants for all tastes, but if you take a short trail to the left of the beach, you’ll reach a quiet spot with beautiful waters; the difference between the two beaches is remarkable! You can also opt to cross over to Ilha do Araújo.

For swimming, you’ll need to take this short trail since the main beach has a lot of mud and small fishing boats docked.

If you’re looking for a special lunch, I recommend Quiosque São Francisco, which has a great setup, complete with hammocks for resting, and delicious food.

🚌 Buses to Praia Grande: Graúna, Taquari, São Gonçalo.

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9. Paraty- Mirim

Paraty-Mirim features a beautiful convergence of mangroves, river, and sea. You can reach this village by car or take a bus that stops directly there. You can spend days exploring its natural beauty.

Besides enjoying the beach, I recommend taking a kayak or stand-up paddleboard to explore the mangroves, visit Ilha da Cotia, or even reach Saco do Mamanguá.

It’s fascinating to see that in just one stretch of beach, you can experience four distinct characteristics:

• In the center, where you arrive, it’s a calm beach with few waves.
• On the left side, there’s a large river to cross. Depending on the tide, you might need to swim.
• Crossing the river, you’ll have the mangrove behind you and rougher seas on windy days.
• On the right side of the central beach, where there’s a pier, you’ll find clearer water with rocks and fish.

🚌 Bus to Paraty-Mirim: Paraty-Mirim.

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10. Trindade

Last, but not least on my top beaches in Paraty, it is my personal favorite beach, Trindade!

Trindade is a well-known caiçara village famous for its hippie and alternative community. As one of the most popular spots in the region, it’s also one of Paraty’s busiest beaches.

You can easily reach Trindade by car, bus, or van. If you are driving, there are several options for parking here.

Here, you’ll find several beaches, and I highly recommend Praia do Meio, Praia do Cachadaço, and especially the Cachadaço Natural Pool. To reach Cachadaço and its natural pool, you can either take a boat or hike along the cliffside trail, which I highly recommend to do!

At the pool, I suggest moving away from the crowded entrance and, if the sea is calm, venturing to swim among the rocks and corals. Bring goggles or a snorkel—you’ll need them.

Besides the beaches, Trindade has waterfalls and the fun Pedra que Engole. To get there, simply follow the river from Praia do Meio and hike upstream. If you take your time, you’ll find several fantastic spots to swim.

The village also offers several options for restaurants, bars and local shops. It is also a fun place to spend the night, so you can enjoy the alive night life.

🚌 Bus to Trindade: Trindade.

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In conclusion, Paraty offers a diverse array of stunning beaches, each with its own unique charm and attractions. From the tranquil waters of Praia do Sono and the secluded beauty of Ilha do Cedro, to the vibrant and lively Trindade, there’s something for every traveler.

Whether you’re looking to relax, explore, or indulge in delicious local cuisine, Paraty’s beaches provide the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable adventure.

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