A beautiful coastal strip
The Costa Verde (green coast) is a beautiful coastal strip southwest of Rio de Janeiro with lots of greenery (jungle) and beautiful beaches. The cariocas (residents of Rio) know this all too well and that's why many people from Rio have a second home along the Costa Verde. The mountains of the Serra do Mar descend into the sea here and then, in the form of islands, reappear off the coast. Ilha Grande is one of the most beautiful of these. Along this coast lies one of the most beautiful colonial towns of Brazil, Paraty and the fishing village of Mangaratiba which in the 18th century was the port for the export of gold and later coffee and the import of slaves.
The town of Paraty
Paraty has a beautifully preserved colonial center. It is located in the bay of Ilha Grande and in the hinterland are tropical forests, mountains and waterfalls. From Paraty you can visit part of the Caminho do Ouro (Gold Route), a 1200 km route, on steep sections paved with large stones. The historic centre is car-free, has original cobbled streets and most of the architecture has been unchanged for over 250 years. There are four important historical baroque churches in Paraty, including the Igreja Matriz Nossa Senhora do Remédios from 1873, the largest church in the town. Beyond that, the town has many colourful colonial houses.
Ilha Grande
Ilha Grande (literally: Large island) is an island located off the coast of the Costa Verde, covered with tropical rainforest. It is the largest island of the archipelago Angra dos Reis. The island has many idyllic beaches, mountain peaks, waterfalls and pristine forests. The island has no roads and cars and contains more than 150 km of hiking trails. It is a romantic destination for a honeymoon, a. special hotel is Pousada Asalem.
