2 Best Sights in Paraty, Side Trips from Rio

Drive 15 minutes inland from Paraty to this immaculately restored colonial fazenda (farm), where you can feast on delicious farm-to-table food in the light-filled restaurant before exploring the museum, tropical gardens, and working farm. Simple yet evocative, it gives striking insight into the area's history and future potential. The farm welcomes thousands of local children every year to learn about sustainability and agricultural conservation. Any surplus organic food produced on-site is given to employees, the church, and the elderly in the region.

About 30 km (20 miles) from Paraty, Trindade was once a hippie hangout. Today Trindade's several gorgeous beaches attract everybody from backpackers to Cariocas on vacation, and the natural pools are perfect for children. Regular buses run from the bus station in Paraty. If you're looking to stay overnight, you'll find simple lodgings and campsites near the beaches.