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Paraty
Paraty remais one of the country's major tourist attraction with its cobblestone streets, antique lamps and 19th century homes. |
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| The City |
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Declared a historical monument by Unesco, Paraty is a small colonial town, surrounded by forested hills.
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| History |
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Paraty was originally inhabited by the Guianas Indians, but in the early part of the 16th century the Portuguese started to settle here. During the years that followed, with the discovery of the gold in Minas Gerais, it gradually became a busy, important port; miners and supplies disembarked for the gold mines and gold was shipped to Europe. As a result, the small town prospered and many of the churches that can still be seen today were built at this time. There was so much wealth in Paraty that in 1711 captain Francisco do Amaral Gurgel sailed from Paraty to save Rio de Janeiro from a threatened French siege by handing over a ransom of 1000 crates of sugar, 200 head of cattle and 610,000 gold cruzados.
However, the town´s glory was short-lived as, in the 1720s, a new road was built from Rio to Minas Gerais and thus cut Paraty off the route. It was only in the 19th century that the local economy revived with the coffee boom and today the tourist industry keeps the economy thriving.
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| General Inf |
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TELEPHONE AREA CODE
024
CLIMATE
The climate here is very similar to Rio. During the summer months (December - March) it can be very hot and the rains are most frequent in November, January and May.
CLOTHING
Casual dress during the day is fine and something casual, but smart, is appropriate for going out in the evening to the many bars or restaurants.
ELECTRICITY
110 V
BUSINESS HOURS
The many small boutiques of Paraty, which have a wide range of souvenirs, usually open from 10am until 10pm.
Banks are open 10am - 4pm.
TAXIS
You probably won't need a taxi in Paraty as, in the colonial part of the town, everywhere is easily accessible on foot. To get to the beaches you are more likely to choose for a boat trip or you can rent one of the small motorboats at the port. However, should you require a taxi, you can ask the reception to call one of the small taxi companies.
MEDICAL
The Santa Casa Hospital in Paraty should provide good medical assistance in case of emergency. Ask at the hotel reception for a list of recommended doctors.
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| How To Get There |
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There is a small airport in Paraty, but most people usually go by bus or car from Rio or Sao Paulo. To get there from Rio, it is about a three and half hour journey along the beautiful coast. The journey from Sao Paulo takes about five and a half hours by car, but for busy executives small charter flights from Sao Paulo can be arranged.
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| Restaurants |
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* Merlin o Mago XXX $$$ - Rua do Comercio, 376 (Historical Centre), tel. 371-2157; 19h/1h; Closed Wed. Variety.
The german Hado Steinbrechter, ex-critics for gastronomy expert in his own country, prepares dishes like fish fillet or squid in sauce and white wine, shrimps in butter, flambeed in cognac.
* Hiltinho XXX $$$ - Rua Mal. Deodoro, 233 (Historical Centre), tel. 371-1432; cc: all; 12h/24h. Seafood.
Fresh seafood and delicious sauces, Fish soup with Banana, shrimps gratines served with melon.
* Le Gite d' Indaiatiba XXX $$$ - 15 km outside Paraty, on route BR101 (km 172); 11h/21h. French.
Located in the Bocaina National Park, access is difficult and badly indicated. But the view and the menus of French Chef Olivier de Corta make it worthwhile: Beef Bourguingnone, Seabass in sweet and sour sauce with mango and ginger, shrimps flambeed in wine, herbs and lime sauce.
* Punto Divino XXX $$ - Rua Mal. Deodoro, 129 (Historical Centre), tel. 371-1348; cc: D, Mc, V, 19h/1h. closed Tue. Italian.
Traditional cuisine where you can feel that the owners and chef are Italians.
* Refugio XXX $$ - Pca da Bandeira - (Historical Centre); cc: D, Mc, V, 11h/23h. Variety.
* Banana da Terra XX $$ - Rua Dr. Samul Costa 198 (Historical Centre), tel. 371-1503; cc: V, 12h/24h. closed wed. Seafood.
* Abel XX $ - Rua do Comercio, 40 (Historical Centre), tel. 371-1420; cc: all; 11h/24h. Seafood.
* Dona Ondina XX $$ - Sea shore; Rua do Comercio, 40 (Historical Centre), tel. 371-1584; 11h/23h. Closed mon. Seafood.
Night Life
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| Night Life |
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In Paraty, Rua do Comercio and Rua da Lapa are popular hangouts. There are a wide variety of atmospheric bars, with bands that play music to suit all tastes. Just wander the streets and you'll hear some music outside the restaurants by the canal or inside one of the many bars in the colonial district.
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Carnival atmosphere: festival at Paraty
As book lovers from around the world descend on Paraty for a star-studded festival, Rory Ross finds out what gives this sleepy, whitewashed Brazilian town its novel appeal
(Rory Ross, The Independent)
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Remarkable Features
Paraty: nature, history and culture living together in harmony. Visiting the Historic Center, which was been put under trust of the National Historic Patrimony since 1999, is a real travel through time....
Paraty: Historic City, National Monument
The city was founded in 1667, around the Church of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios, Patroness of the city. It had a great economic importance due to the sugar cane mills (more than 250), and was considered...
Gastronomy: Camarão Casadinho
A typical dish of the caiçara cuisine, it received this name thanks to its appearance: two large shrimps, like a sandwich, filled with a spicy ground and fried shrimp farofa (toasted manioc flour), tied...
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