Brazil Eco Adventure Tours
Rainforest - Hiking & Biking - Wildlife

Paraty

 Paraty   Paraty   Paraty 
Colonial Paraty has become a significant ecotourism spot in Rio de Janeiro state and one of the main entrances to several conservation units such as Bocaina National Park, Serra do Mar State Park, Juatinga Ecological Reserve or Cairuçu Environmental Protection Area.

During the 17th century, the port of Paraty was the final destination of many gold / diamond trails coming from the mining centers in Ouro Preto or Diamantina (Minas Gerais). These trails which in portuguese language are popularly called "trilhas de ouro" were originally installed by the local Tamoios - Indians and are nowadays used as hiking and mountain bike trails by ecotourists and outdoor enthusiasts.
 
Most of the colonial churches date from the gold cycle such as the fortress which served as protection against frequent attacks from pirates and foreign ships. Commerce flourished, the farms around Paraty cultivated sugar cane and little distilleries, so - called “Alambiques”, produced the famous “Cachaça” spirit.

With the building of a paved road from the gold fields in Minas Gerais to Rio de Janeiro, Paraty’s importance sharply declined, recovering only in the beginning of the 19th century with increasing coffee export from the Paraíba Valley. The construction of the railway to Rio de Janeiro, Paraty fell into oblivion a second time and only few inhabitants remained in the city. Accordingly there was no need to modernize the buildings and Paraty developed to an open air museum being declared National Monument in 1966.

Paraty is part of tour 1: São Paulo - Rio de Janeiro.
 
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