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Rio, Ilha Grande & Paraty route inspiration

Rio, Ilha Grande & Paraty

Beaches, rainforest and colonial streets

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9 days through Rio de Janeiro, Ilha Grande, Paraty.

Rio, Ilha Grande & Paraty is a 9-day curated route with 3 destinations and 29 places to eat, see, and do. Preview stops and timing, then plan it in TripsCircle.

  1. 1
    Rio de Janeiro on the Rio, Ilha Grande & Paraty route

    Destination 01

    Rio de Janeiro

    10 places

    Beaches and granite peaks wrapped around a sprawling city. Stay 4 days.

    • Christ the Redeemer near Rio de JaneiroPhoto: Arne Müseler · CC BY-SA 3.0 de

      Christ the Redeemer

      Art Deco statue atop Corcovado, reached by a cog train through Tijuca forest.

      Tip Book the first train of the day for clear views and smaller crowds.

      SeeCosme Velho$$3 hrEarly morning
    • Sugarloaf Mountain near Rio de JaneiroPhoto: Arne Müseler · CC BY-SA 3.0 de

      Sugarloaf Mountain

      Two-stage cable car up Pão de Açúcar for views across Guanabara Bay.

      Tip Ride up an hour before sunset and stay for the city lights.

      SeeUrca$$2.5 hrSunset
    • Selarón Steps near Rio de JaneiroPhoto: Imanol Gallego · Google

      Selarón Steps

      Staircase covered in tiles from around the world by artist Jorge Selarón.

      Tip Go early before tour groups crowd the steps.

      SeeLapaFree45 minMorning
    • Ipanema Beach near Rio de JaneiroPhoto: Sadam Jraibah · Google

      Ipanema Beach

      Famous beach divided by lifeguard posts, with Dois Irmãos peaks at the far end.

      Tip Watch sunset from Arpoador rock; locals clap when the sun drops.

      OutdoorsIpanemaFree3 hrAfternoon
    • Tijuca National Park near Rio de JaneiroPhoto: Halley Pacheco de Oliveira · CC BY-SA 3.0

      Tijuca National Park

      One of the world's largest urban forests, with waterfalls and trails to Pico da Tijuca.

      Tip Hike with a guide or in a group.

      OutdoorsAlto da Boa VistaFree4 hrMorning
    • Jardim Botânico near Rio de JaneiroPhoto: feliven · CC BY 2.0

      Jardim Botânico

      Botanical garden founded in 1808, known for its avenue of imperial palms.

      OutdoorsJardim Botânico$2 hrMorning
    • Museu do Amanhã near Rio de JaneiroPhoto: Lenara Hanisch · Google

      Museu do Amanhã

      Science museum by Santiago Calatrava on the revived Praça Mauá waterfront.

      Tip Closed Mondays.

      SeeCentro$2 hrAfternoon
    • Confeitaria Colombo near Rio de JaneiroPhoto: Confeitaria Colombo · Google

      Confeitaria Colombo

      Belle Époque tea room from 1894 with mirrored walls, pastries and lunch.

      EatCentro$$60 minAfternoon
    • Aprazível near Rio de JaneiroPhoto: Aprazível · Google

      Aprazível

      Treehouse-like terrace restaurant in Santa Teresa serving Brazilian dishes with bay views.

      Tip Book a terrace table for sunset.

      EatSanta Teresa$$$2 hrDinner
    • Bar Urca near Rio de JaneiroPhoto: Bar Urca · Google

      Bar Urca

      Neighborhood bar where locals sit on the seawall with beers and snacks at sunset.

      Tip Order empadas and a cold chopp, then grab a seat on the wall.

      DrinkUrca$1.5 hrSunset
  2. 2
    Ilha Grande on the Rio, Ilha Grande & Paraty route

    Destination 02

    Ilha Grande

    10 places

    Car-free island of Atlantic rainforest and beaches, based in Vila do Abraão. Stay 2 to 3 days.

    • Lopes Mendes near Ilha GrandePhoto: Walter Heinze · Google

      Lopes Mendes

      Long white-sand beach on the ocean side, reached by trail or boat plus a short walk.

      Tip Take the boat to Pouso and walk 15 minutes; bring water and food.

      OutdoorsSoutheast coastFree5 hrFull day
    • Lagoa Azul near Ilha GrandePhoto: Julien Glv · Google

      Lagoa Azul

      Shallow lagoon between islets with clear water for snorkeling, usually on a boat tour.

      Tip Join an early tour to avoid the midday boat crowd.

      OutdoorsNorth coast$$6 hrMorning
    • Lagoa Verde near Ilha GrandePhoto: Mana Teixeira · Google

      Lagoa Verde

      Emerald cove on the west side of the island, good for snorkeling among fish.

      OutdoorsWest coast$$60 minMorning
    • Pico do Papagaio near Ilha GrandePhoto: Evanilda Pereira Santos · Google

      Pico do Papagaio

      982 m peak shaped like a parrot's beak, with a steep forest trail and wide views.

      Tip Hike with a local guide and start before dawn for sunrise.

      DoVila do Abraão$6 hrBefore dawn
    • Cachoeira da Feiticeira near Ilha GrandePhoto: Rafael Enoque · Google

      Cachoeira da Feiticeira

      Waterfall about 1.5 hours' walk from Abraão, with a pool for a cool swim.

      OutdoorsVila do AbraãoFree3 hrMorning
    • Lazareto Ruins & Aqueduct near Ilha GrandePhoto: Jessica Perez Kuschel · Google

      Lazareto Ruins & Aqueduct

      Ruins of a 19th-century quarantine station and a stone aqueduct on a short trail from Abraão.

      SeeVila do AbraãoFree1.5 hrLate afternoon
    • Vila do Abraão near Ilha GrandePhoto: Fulviusbsas · Public domain

      Vila do Abraão

      The island's main village of sand lanes, pousadas, a white church and boat docks.

      SeeVila do AbraãoFree60 minEvening
    • Lua e Mar near Ilha GrandePhoto: Bar e Restaurante Lua e Mar · Google

      Lua e Mar

      Beachfront restaurant on Abraão's sand, known for moqueca and fish with green banana.

      Tip Order moqueca for two and confirm opening days.

      EatVila do Abraão$$1.5 hrDinner
    • Restaurante Dom Mario near Ilha GrandePhoto: Trade Maps Agosto · Google

      Restaurante Dom Mario

      Small, popular restaurant with generous seafood plates at fair prices.

      Tip Book ahead in high season.

      EatVila do Abraão$$1.5 hrDinner
    • Casarão da Ilha near Ilha GrandePhoto: Casarão da Ilha · Google

      Casarão da Ilha

      Long-established spot near the pier for drinks and food as the boats come in.

      DrinkVila do Abraão$$60 minEvening
  3. 3
    Paraty on the Rio, Ilha Grande & Paraty route

    Destination 03

    Paraty

    9 places

    Colonial port town of whitewashed churches between green mountains and a sheltered bay. Stay 3 days.

    • Paraty Historic Center near ParatyPhoto: José Henrique · Google

      Paraty Historic Center

      Car-free grid of 18th-century houses and cobbled streets, part of a UNESCO World Heritage site.

      Tip Walk at dusk when the streets glow and day-trippers leave.

      SeeCentro HistóricoFree2.5 hrEvening
    • Igreja de Santa Rita near ParatyPhoto: Cristina Sorato Neves · Google

      Igreja de Santa Rita

      Whitewashed 1722 church on the waterfront, the town's best-known landmark.

      SeeCentro HistóricoFree30 minLate afternoon
    • Paraty Bay Schooner Tour near ParatyPhoto: De la Mota · Google

      Paraty Bay Schooner Tour

      Day cruise on a wooden schooner stopping at islands and coves for swimming.

      Tip Choose a smaller boat to skip the loud party schooners.

      DoCais$$5 hrFull day
    • Trindade near ParatyPhoto: Nivaldo Júnio · Google

      Trindade

      Fishing village with beaches and the Piscina Natural do Cachadaço, a tidal pool under boulders.

      Tip Go at low tide for the natural pool.

      OutdoorsTrindadeFree6 hrLow tide
    • Cachoeira do Tobogã near ParatyPhoto: José Olavo Cerávolo · Google

      Cachoeira do Tobogã

      Smooth rock slide into a river pool in the village of Penha.

      Tip Watch locals first; the rock is slippery.

      OutdoorsPenhaFree2 hrAfternoon
    • Caminho do Ouro near ParatyPhoto: Kadu Gaiozo · Google

      Caminho do Ouro

      Guided hike on a stretch of the colonial stone road used to carry gold to the coast.

      DoPenha$3 hrMorning
    • Alambique Maria Izabel near ParatyPhoto: Cachaça Maria Izabel · Google

      Alambique Maria Izabel

      Small family cachaça distillery on the bay, with tastings by the sea.

      DrinkCorumbê$60 minAfternoon
    • Banana da Terra near ParatyPhoto: Dalmo Naville · Google

      Banana da Terra

      Chef Ana Bueno's restaurant cooking caiçara coastal recipes with local fish and plantain.

      Tip Book for dinner on weekends.

      EatCentro Histórico$$$2 hrDinner
    • Margarida Café near ParatyPhoto: Cauby Neto · Google

      Margarida Café

      Restaurant in the historic center with live music most nights and a mix of seafood and pasta.

      EatCentro Histórico$$1.5 hrDinner

The moments that shape this trip.

Planning Rio, Ilha Grande & Paraty.

Spend four days in Rio de Janeiro riding up to Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf, climbing the Selarón Steps and swimming at Ipanema. Head down the Costa Verde to Conceição de Jacareí or Angra dos Reis for the ferry to Ilha Grande, a car-free island where trails lead from Vila do Abraão to Lopes Mendes and boats tour Lagoa Azul. Continue to Paraty for its whitewashed colonial center, schooner trips around the bay, cachaça distilleries and the natural pools at Trindade.

Good for Beach lovers and hikers who want a big city plus an island and a colonial town.

When to go

April to June and September to November offer warm weather with fewer crowds and lower prices. December to March is hot, rainy in the afternoons and busy, especially around New Year and Carnival.

Getting around

Transfer vans and buses run from Rio to the Ilha Grande ferry docks (about 2.5 hours) and on to Paraty. Ilha Grande has no cars, so you walk or take water taxis; in Rio, use the metro and ride-hailing apps.

Tips for your crew

  • Carry only what you need on Rio beaches and keep phones out of sight on the street.
  • Bring cash to Ilha Grande; ATMs in Abraão are few and often run dry.
  • Paraty's cobbles are rough and flood at high tide, so wear sturdy sandals.

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