A 17th-century gold-rush port frozen in time, Paraty delivers cobblestoned lanes, schooner-dotted bays, and a UNESCO dual heritage — all starting steps from where your tender drops you.
Paraty is a tender port — ships anchor in the sheltered bay and shuttle passengers to the Cais de Paraty pier by tender boat.
💡 Pro move: During full and new moon tides, sea water intentionally floods the cobblestone streets of the historic center — a centuries-old self-cleaning design. It's magical, but plan to wade ankle-deep or walk raised planks.
Paraty has no deep-water cruise berth; all ships anchor in the bay and tender passengers to the town pier.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Most cruise lines | Anchor in Baía de Paraty; tender to Cais de Paraty📍 | Tendered |
| Small expedition ships | May anchor closer inshore; shorter tender📍 | Tendered |
From the pier you can book everything on the spot — schooner trips, distillery tours, Gold Trail hikes, and jeep excursions into the Serra da Bocaina.
Wooden schooners depart from the pier daily for 4–5-hour tours of Paraty's islands and secluded beaches. Stops include Ilha Comprida, Praia Vermelha, and Praia da Lula for swimming in crystal-clear water.
Find Paraty schooner tours →Wander the pedestrian lanes of Brazil's best-preserved 18th-century colonial town. Visit Igreja de Santa Rita (1722), Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Rosário (1725), and the Forte Defensor Perpétuo for panoramic bay views.
Find Paraty walking tours →Paraty produces some of Brazil's finest artisanal cachaça. Take a taxi or guided tour to nearby alambiques (distilleries) like Engenho D'Ouro or Maria Izabel for tastings and a look at the traditional production process.
Find Paraty distillery tours →Hike a preserved section of the original 18th-century stone road used to carry gold from Minas Gerais to Portugal. Winds through dense Atlantic Forest with a licensed guide.
Find Gold Trail guided hikes →Jeep excursions head into Serra da Bocaina National Park to natural rock slides and waterfalls including Cachoeira do Tobogã. Refreshing swim stops in the forest.
Find Paraty waterfall tours →For longer port days, a 40-minute taxi ride reaches the village of Trindade with wild beaches and the famous Caixa d'Aço natural pools — a calm rocky basin full of colorful fish, perfect for snorkeling.
Find Trindade day trips →The entire historic center is walkable in an afternoon — start at the pier and meander outward to the fort for views.
From the Cais de Paraty pier, head into the pedestrian zone. Visit Igreja de Santa Rita on the waterfront, continue to Largo da Matriz and Igreja de Nossa Senhora dos Remédios, then wind back through the atmospheric lanes to the pier.
Walk north from the historic center uphill 15 minutes to the Forte Defensor Perpétuo (built 1822). The fort has historic cannons and sweeping views over the bay and your anchored cruise ship — best photo op of the day.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →Climate normals for Paraty, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 85°F / 29°C | 74°F / 23°C | 23 | 5:26 AM | 6:50 PM |
| Feb | 85°F / 29°C | 74°F / 23°C | 22 | 5:47 AM | 6:38 PM |
| Mar | 84°F / 29°C | 73°F / 23°C | 23 | 6:00 AM | 6:14 PM |
| Apr | 80°F / 27°C | 70°F / 21°C | 18 | 6:12 AM | 5:45 PM |
| May | 77°F / 25°C | 66°F / 19°C | 14 | 6:25 AM | 5:24 PM |
| Jun | 76°F / 24°C | 64°F / 18°C | 12 | 6:38 AM | 5:20 PM |
| Jul | 75°F / 24°C | 63°F / 17°C | 8 | 6:40 AM | 5:29 PM |
| Aug | 76°F / 24°C | 63°F / 17°C | 12 | 6:24 AM | 5:42 PM |
| Sep | 78°F / 26°C | 66°F / 19°C | 14 | 5:56 AM | 5:52 PM |
| Oct | 79°F / 26°C | 68°F / 20°C | 20 | 5:26 AM | 6:03 PM |
| Nov | 80°F / 27°C | 69°F / 21°C | 21 | 5:06 AM | 6:20 PM |
| Dec | 83°F / 28°C | 72°F / 22°C | 22 | 5:07 AM | 6:40 PM |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Upcoming cruises that call at Paraty, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.