Paraty

Paraty is a tiny hamlet on Brazil's Costa Verde, between Rio de Janeiro and So Paulo, surrounded by mountains. It features a laid-back feel and beautiful colonial residences. Because the town relies heavily on tourism, there are events held throughout the year.

All of the gold obtained from the Minas Gerais State would be brought here to be exported, making Paraty the formal end of the Gold Route (or Gold Path). This is because Paraty has a deeper draft (the depth to which a ship can sail) than Rio. This made it possible to load gold onto larger and heavier ships, making the operation more efficient. Paraty developed in the 1700s as a result of its prominence in the gold cycle, as well as the sugar cane cycle, which allowed it to become one of the most important manufacturers of Cachaça.

The Festival da Cachaça, which sells various kinds of sugar cane fermented liquor, which is the key ingredient in the famous caipirinha, and FLIP, the International Literary Festival, which brings numerous prominent writers and publishers from all over the globe, are two of the most well-known events. There are also culinary, music, and art festivals, some of which last only a weekend and others that span a few weeks. It's worth visiting for a few days to take in the sights of the town, the beautiful beaches and woodlands, and the festivals.

Location: Brazil's Costa Verde, between Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo