Paraty for a change from the big city

Located halfway between the two major cities of Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, the colonial town of Paraty immediately made us feel at home. The beautiful streets lined with colorful adorned houses form the historic center. Restaurants, cafes, boutiques, studios, and churches line the streets with their antique facades. The entire center is protected as a historical site and creates an impressive and calming atmosphere. As we stroll through the streets, we must always concentrate on the uneven ground. Those who wander too much may quickly stumble over the large cobblestones.

There are many large, secluded, and beautiful beaches around Paraty. The adjacent national park offers great opportunities for day trips. We formed a hiking group with two Dutch, one Chilean, one Australian, and one Spanish from our hostel and set off. Up and down the mountains, through forests and past waterfalls. Along the way, we catch a breathtaking view of the endless long beaches. Even though we have seen many beaches and lots of nature in Brazil over the past two months, it was completely different here. The mountains directly on the ocean, reaching into the sea - beautiful!