Brazil · WALKING TOURS IN PARATY & COSTA VERDE
Good walking tours in Paraty & Costa Verde fill up weeks ahead; the great ones go first. Below: the 7 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.
Explore Paraty’s UNESCO-listed centre, learn its surprising past, and taste local Cachaça Gabriela on a 90-minute guided walk.
“Great tour! We learned a lot about the history of Paraty. Guide was friendly, knowledgeable and took the time to show us all around and answer our questions! Highly recommended!”
Explore Paraty’s colonial center on a private two-hour walk with an English-speaking guide, churches, Freemasonry symbols, and a souvenir map.
“Our historical center guide was Ramon who started the tour by bringing us up to the hill where the Portuguese built their fort to protect Paraty from any invasion and gave the history of this former Portugeuse colonial town We were shown a local beach, details on churches we passed but were closed, description of daily life before, why and how the houses were painted in different colors. We were given tips on where to eat, what other things to do in Paraty, recommendation of museum to visit.”
Hike Paraty’s historic Gold Trail, swim beneath forest waterfalls, and taste cachaça on a private, guide-led adventure.
“Michael is a knowledgeable guide and made the tour fun. We learnt a lot about Brazilian flora and Paraty's history.”
Explore Paraty’s colonial streets, churches, Masonic heritage, art spaces, and cachaça culture on a two-hour small-group walk.
“The tour did not flow - it felt like the guide was just telling us random facts he could remember about random stuff we walked past. He took us to quite a lot of shops, which weren’t related to the tour. He didn’t seem to speak very good English so when we asked questions, he couldn’t answer them. He was a nice guy, but the tour was probably the worst walking tour I’ve been on (I’ve been on loads and only one other tour was bad - normally I’ve found these kinds of tours are excellent).”
Explore Ilha Grande’s church, ruins, aqueduct, black-sand beach, and waterfall on a private 2 to 3-hour history walk.
“This tour was very interesting and a great way to discover the island. The plunge into the cold pool topped off a great tour.”
Explore Paraty’s colonial churches, Portuguese heritage, flooded streets, and cachaça on a small-group evening walking tour.
“We really enjoyed our tour. Michael was very knowledgeable about the history of Paraty and knew many fun facts. We got a good overview of the town, learned the layout and Michael shared some great recommendations.”
Explore Ilha Grande’s past, forest trails, birdlife, ocean views, and a natural pool with a private local guide.
“Our tour with Matheo through Ilha Grande State Park was unforgettable! His passion for the island’s deep history and stunning nature was contagious, giving us a deeper appreciation for this special place. He led us to hidden spots we would never have dared to explore on our own, revealing breathtaking views along the way. The highlight was a swim in the natural pool—so refreshing and like a dream! His knowledge and storytelling made the experience both engaging and eye-opening, covering everything from history to ecology to geology. If you’re lucky enough to get Matheo as your guide, you’re in for a fascinating, well-rounded adventure. Bonus: he speaks English and French…”
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