This peaceful hideaway is swiftly becoming the most culturally rich destination in Costa Verde, the 325-mile coastline between Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo.
Set amid jutting peninsulas and secluded beaches, with a backdrop of steep, jungled mountains plunging into an island-studded bay, Paraty is one of Brazil’s most appealing and exquisitely preserved historical gems.
Paraty’s colonial center is remarkable not only for its centuries-old architecture, but also for its lack of automobile traffic. The irregular cobblestone streets are closed to motor vehicles, making it a delightful place to stroll about. Elegant white buildings adorned with fanciful multi-hued borders and latticed windows blend harmoniously with the natural beauty that envelops the town.
The Brazilian government has recognized Paraty as a National Historic Site since 1966, and the town is currently petitioning Unesco for World Heritage status.
Paraty is crowded and lively throughout the summer holidays, brimming with Brazilian and European vacationers and good music. The town’s cosmopolitan flavor is further enhanced by the large number of artists, writers and chefs, both Brazilian and foreign, who have settled here and opened shops, galleries and restaurants in recent years.
Casa Turquesa
Located by the pier in the historic centre of Paraty, one of the picture postcards of the town, Casa Turquesa was inaugurated in May 2008 and welcomes its guests with a combination of charm, coziness and modernity.
Casa Turquesa boasts nine rooms designed with great attention to detail, and with tranquillity and harmony in mind, with views of the Paraty scenery from its windows and terraces. The bay, the renowned rooftops, the mountains and the dome of Santa Rita Church – the oldest religious building in our town – combine to make up the scenery surrounding the Inn.
As a result of Renato Tavolaro´s architectural project, Casa Turquesa recreates the façade of an old XVIIIth century town house, which had been destroyed in a fire thirty years ago. Restoration was done with the utmost care and consideration for the original colonial architecture, with a view to offering the very best to its guests.
A blend of historical beauty and contemporary comforts.
Pousada Arte Urquijo
The Arte UrquijoPousada is situated at the very heart of Paraty, and just two blocks from the beach. The Pousada stays true to its oriental theme, asking that guests remove their shoes upon entry. Every guest is provided with a pair of flip flops made by a local artisan for use within the hotel. The individually designed suites all feature a TV, air-conditioning, a personal safe, a mini-bar, and a spectacular view of the ocean, the historical city or the mountains. Guests can browse the hotel library which features art literature as well as other genres. The Pousada’s terrace with hammocks offers a space for relaxation and tranquility, where guests can enjoy the breathtaking views after a long day of sightseeing. For their guests’ convenience, the Pousada is equipped with wireless internet.
Piciguaba
Picinguaba overlooks a peaceful bay at the heart of the Natural Park of Serra do Mar, the tropical coastal forest running between Rio and São Paulo, about half an hour’s drive south of Paraty. It is the only charming hotel in a 30km radius. It faces the sea and a 3 km-long protected sandy beach. The hotel offers 10 comfortable rooms all opening onto the natural surroundings and the sea, including a dream honeymoon suite with en-suite jacuzzi and a breathtaking view of the ocean. The local road stops at the beach and one has to walk the last 250m to the hotel, nestled in the forest.
Everything here is attuned to the spirit of the place, with nothing to disturb nature’s magic: no TV or telephone in the rooms, no Internet, no air-conditioning. This place is for you to be in a different world, the only sounds are the wind in the palm trees and the sea gently lapping the shore.
Private Villas
At PousadaPicinguaba Villas, guests can experience staying at charming and spacious private houses, while also enjoying all the hotel’s infrastructure and services.
All villas are renovated ancient village houses, each with their own character. They are all bordering the gardens of the Hotel.
The villa’s guests can attend breakfast and dinners prepared at the Pousada by our chef, and have full access to all the exclusive services of the hotel such as lunch service, airport transfers, private schooner, gardens and pool, sauna, sun deck and pool bar, activities, massages, surf classes etc.
At the same time they benefit from the extra private space of the villas
PousadaPicinguaba was selected in HIP HOTELS as one of the 80 most extraordinary hotels around the world.