Parati is located on the coast of the state of Rio de Janeiro, in Brazil. Parati is a preserved Portuguese colonial and Brazilian imperial town. Because of the attractiveness of the town and of the majesty of the coast and mountains in this region, Parati is a popular tourist area. After the discovery of the world's richest gold mines in 1696 in the mountains of Minas Gerais, Parati became an export port for gold to Rio de Janeiro and from there on to Portugal. It was also a port for supplies, miners and African slaves to begin the journey by mule train over the mountains towards the gold mining region. After the gold rush the town went desolate. The city then began a new cycle of activity, which transformed a small almost abandoned town living on very limited economic activity, mainly fishing and agriculture into what is now one of the "must see" tourist attractions in Brazil. The natural site of Parati is one of the most attractive areas in the world.
Parati has a lot of local festivals for your
enjoyment, the most prominent of which is the International Literary Festival of
Parati. The town is also famous for its community festivals on Catholic holy
dates, such as the Feast of the Holy Spirit.
You can also visit one of Parati's over 40 beaches. Like Bom Jardin, Jundiaquara,
Saco da Velha, Cachadaco, or Paraty-Mirim just to name a few.
Another thing you must see is all the waterfalls of Parati. Here are some worth seeing Toboga, Poca da Laje de Pedra. and Cachoeira do Tarza.