Paraty is a colonial town on Ilha Grande Bay, with stone streets, white churches and beaches that are often reachable only by boat. From Rio you get there on a long bus ride, so it doesn't work as a day trip. This guide helps you plan the journey and decide how many nights to stay.
At a glance
- Getting there: Costa Verde Transportes ↗ bus from Rodoviária Novo Rio.
- Duration: in the online booking checked for a weekday, the trip was listed at about 4 h 40.
- Departures: Costa Verde publishes departures throughout the day, from early morning until evening.
- Heritage: Paraty and Ilha Grande have been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2019.
- How many nights: at least one. With two, you can add a boat trip without rushing.
Getting there from Rio
The bus leaves from Rodoviária Novo Rio. According to Costa Verde's timetable ↗, checked on October 27, 2026, the Rio–Paraty line has departures from 4:00 to 21:00, with return services spread throughout the day. On DeÔnibus ↗, nine departures were listed for a Wednesday, each taking about 4 h 40.
The fare varies by sales channel and date: the company website and the online booking showed different amounts. Check it when you buy, and book ahead on weekends and holidays.
If you combine Paraty with Ilha Grande, the same company covers the Costa Verde coast, so you can plan a multi-day route through the region.
What to see in Paraty
- The historic center: according to the state tourism portal ↗, it keeps its 18th-century street layout and much of its colonial architecture. You explore it on foot; the stone streets are uneven, so wear comfortable shoes.
- The bay: the same portal counts about 50 beaches in the bay, many reachable only by boat. Boat trips are booked locally: ask about duration, stops and what's included before paying, and check sea conditions.
- Trindade: a beach village inside Serra da Bocaina National Park, according to the state portal. It requires a separate transfer from Paraty.
UNESCO ↗ inscribed the site "Paraty and Ilha Grande – Culture and Biodiversity," which includes the historic center, Morro da Vila Velha and four protected natural areas.
How many nights to stay
- One night: arrive, explore the center in the afternoon and take a short outing the next morning before heading back.
- Two nights: a full day for the boat trip or Trindade, without depending on the bus schedule.
- As a day trip: possible on paper, but with more than nine hours on the bus round trip you'd have very little time in Paraty. We don't recommend it.
Frequently asked questions
Can I go straight from the airport?
Not directly: you first need to get to Rodoviária Novo Rio. If you land at Galeão, how to get from Galeão to Copacabana and Ipanema covers the bus to Terminal Gentileza; from there, the VLT has a stop at the Rodoviária.
Paraty or Ilha Grande?
Paraty is more urban and colonial; Ilha Grande is more about nature and beaches. If you have time, you can combine them. Compare with how to get to Ilha Grande.
What other day trips are there?
See day trips from Rio and, if you have a week, Rio in 5 or 7 days.
Sources: Costa Verde Transportes: lines and schedules ↗, DeÔnibus ↗, Turismo RJ: Paraty ↗, UNESCO ↗ and Correio Braziliense (July 2019) ↗, accessed October 27, 2026.