South & Central America
Highlights - Essential Info - Itineraries
- Beach Resorts of Brazil
- Buzios
- Chapada Diamantina
- Fernando de Noronha
- Iguazu Falls
- Minas Gerais and the ‘Circuit Of Gold’
- Parati
- Rio de Janeiro
- Salvador
- The Amazon Rainforest
- The Pantanal
- Private Villas & Beach Houses
Parati
First settled in the 16th Century, Parati, a small coastal village located 125 miles southwest of Rio de Janeiro, became a hugely wealthy town in the 18th Century as it was the principal port for the export of gold and other precious minerals from the state of Minas Gerais back to Portugal.
As it prospered, so the town was endowed with a huge number of beautiful churches and private homes and many of these elaborate buildings and pretty cobblestone streets remain today which have turned Parati into a colonial gem and a UNESCO designated monument. When a quicker route was established for the export of this mineral wealth, the town gradually fell into decline, but it remains a fascinating architectural time capsule and exploring the historical centre of Parati on foot gives the feeling of travelling back in time.
There are three main churches which provide enduring evidence of the prosperity of the town and these are Igreja Nossa Senhora do Rosário (Our Lady of Rosary) and São Benedito dos Homens Pretos (St. Benedict of the Black Men) which was built by and for the slaves, Igreja Santa Rita dos Pardos Libertos (St. Rita) which was the church for freed mulattos and finally the Matriz Nossa Senhora dos Remédios (Our Lady of the Medicines).
Built in 1703 to defend the gold against pirate attacks, the Portuguese constructed a large fort called the Forte do Defensor Perpétuo (Fort of Perpetual Defense), which is worth a visit and houses an art centre.
For those seeking the golden beaches of the southern coast, Parati does not have any great beaches itself, but the Costa Verde coastline, including the renowned Angra dos Reis area, with its myriad beaches, uninhabited islands and gin clear waters is a natural paradise for swimming and boating and offer a perfect extension to Parati. Please see our preferred hotels under the 'Beaches of Brazil' highlight.
Our preferred hotels include:
Casa Turquesa
Pousada da Marquesa
Pousada do Ouro
Pousada do Sandi
Pousada Pardieiro
Private villas..please see 'Private Villas & Beach Houses' Highlight
