Rio de Janeiro, Paraty & Ilha Grande Private Tours

Rio de Janeiro

Although loaded with superlatives and clichés, Rio de Janeiro is certainly one of the most beautiful and fascinating cities in the world. The city, with around 6.2 million inhabitants, nestles between the green hills and mountains of the Atlantic Rainforest and the paradisiacal beaches on the tropical coast of the Atlantic Ocean. Rio de Janeiro essentially shows the lifestyle of a South American metropolis, with a strong touch of tropical “laissez-faire”. A wide range of scenic, cultural and architectural highlights prove that the city does not thrive only on samba and carnival. A visit to Sugarloaf Mountain, Corcovado and a swim at the famous beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema are a must. Visitors should not miss out, however, on a stroll through the historical part of the city. Colorful, loud and busy, the city displays colonial architecture and – in contrast – modern office buildings, banks and business centers. But there are also quiet corners and hidden places, where one can relax and meditate, surrounded by exuberant tropical nature such as the world-famous Botanical Garden, which make Rio de Janeiro so attractive for visitors and locals alike.

The Green Coast (Paraty, Ilha Grande)

The scenic drive along the Green Coast inspires with panoramic views of the rainforest, beaches and bays. Paraty, the colonial gem, and the tropical island of Ilha Grande are the major tourist attractions of the Green Coast. Here, lovers of both nature and culture will get their money's worth – a place to truly unwind. While the car-free Ilha Grande, one of the largest and at the same time most beautiful islands on the Brazilian coast, with no paved roads, impresses with its intact, beautiful nature and beaches, Paraty is considered one of the best-preserved colonial towns in Brazil. Its location, embedded between the Atlantic Mountain Rainforest and the sea, gives the town its special charm.

In the 18th century, Paraty was the main port for shipping gold from Minas Gerais to Portugal. Today the baroque town – with its colonial-era architecture, patrician houses and churches from the late 17th and early 18th centuries – is a UNESCO World Heritage Site together with Ilha Grande (since 2019). On top of that, Paraty is also a natural paradise with islands and secluded beaches offering a wide variety of sea and rainforest activities. The town is internationally known for its cultural life: musical, literary and folkloric events, fine handicrafts, boutiques and excellent gastronomy round off the attractive picture of this enchanting town on the Green Coast.