The road to Paraty
Paraty sits roughly midway between Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo on the BR-101 — the Rio-Santos coastal highway, one of Brazil's great drives. Here's how to reach it, and how to move around once you're here.
From Rio de Janeiro
It's about a four-hour drive from Rio or Galeão airport (GIG): out of the city on the BR-101 south, then along the coast through Angra dos Reis with the bay and islands beside you most of the way. The road is paved and scenic but winding on the final stretch — allow extra time in rain or holiday traffic, and avoid arriving after dark on your first run if you can.
Without a car, Costa Verde line buses run direct from Rio's main terminal (Rodoviária Novo Rio) to Paraty several times a day, taking around four and a half hours. Buy seats a day or two ahead on summer weekends and holidays.
From São Paulo
Around five hours by car: most drivers take the Ayrton Senna/Carvalho Pinto corridor toward Taubaté, then drop over the Serra do Mar on the Paraty-Cunha road, or continue to Ubatuba and follow the BR-101 north along the coast. Direct buses also run from São Paulo's Tietê terminal.
Arriving at the chalet
The chalet is a short drive uphill from town on a mountain road. A car is the comfortable way to stay here — you'll use it for town runs and waterfall days — but taxis and local drivers know the hillsides well, and we send full arrival directions when you book. Questions: stay@chateauportofino.com.
Getting around Paraty
On foot in the center
The historic center is closed to cars and paved with pé-de-moleque cobblestones — big, irregular and beautiful. Flat shoes, not heels. Everything in the old town is within a ten-minute walk.
Taxis and local transport
Taxis and app drivers cover the town and nearby beaches. Local buses run to Trindade and Paraty-Mirim from the small terminal near the center — cheap and frequent in season.
Boats from the pier
For beaches and islands, the pier is your bus stop. Schooners, water taxis and private launches leave from the cais at the edge of the historic center; boat-only beaches like Praia do Sono and the Saco do Mamanguá are reached this way (or by trail). See tours and the beach guide.
Driving the Paraty-Cunha road
The mountain road toward Cunha climbs through the national park past waterfalls and distilleries — partly cobbled, slow and pretty. It's the route for waterfall days and cachaça tastings, by your own car or jeep tour.