Located on the Costa Verde, a coastal area in the state of Rio de Janeiro known for its greenery, Paraty is one of the oldest colonial towns in Brazil. Founded in 1667 by the Portuguese, its colourful centre is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is fully pedestrianised – a further bid to preserve the town’s already immaculate historic buildings. Much of the town’s architecture, including the cobbled streets, hasn’t changed much for 250 years or more, leaving an impression you’ve travelled to a different era entirely.
