Not much of a place to go to learn more about cachaça or something like that... Very poor for…read moreinformations and the place looks more like an old farm with a shop at the back. But the cachaça made there is good though.

This tour company is one of the most trusted on the island; I could tell this based on the many…read morerecommendations that came through separate friends. For 4x4 Jeep rides to Castelhanos beach to boat rides and snorkeling, these guys did a great job. We stopped by randomly and spoke to Fabrizio, a native of Castelhanos who spoke pretty good English. He was able to set us up on a boat ride to Castelhanos with a return trip via 4x4 Jeep. This was the best way to do it since you got a taste of the beautiful ocean and the lush rain forest (on the ride back). The experience was unmatched. On our way to Castelhanos, we stopped at 2 beaches and Praia do Fome was my favorite. It was one of the most majestic beaches I've ever seen with colorful fishing boats and crystal clear water. After swimming for a short while, we continued on to Castelhanos beach where we swam and ate at a local spot (cash only). While beautiful, Castelhanos wasn't the highlight - I preferred the petite Fome and the boat ride itself. After lunch, our group of 10 loaded into a 4x4 Jeep and began the hour long journey back through the rain forest. This was super beautiful and at one point, we actually made it all the way into the clouds. The foggy mist that coated the path was incredible. We also did another trip with Caiçara and that was to Bonete beach (I preferred it to Castelhanos). On this one, we boarded a flex boat (a giant dingy with loads of passenger seats and 2 engines). Daniel was the captain and he also spoke English. This ride was similarly unforgettable and once we arrived at Bonete, we found it to be much more isolated and pristine. The coolest part was the short hike crossing through the village of Bonete to the river. We swam in the river, crossed rocks and then made it back to the beach for more swimming. There's also a local restaurant and beach bar where we made ourselves at home. Again, come with cash. Thanks to Fabrizio and Caiçara, we got to experience some of the best of Ilhabela.

From the owner: Agência de turismo receptivo localizada em Ilhabela especializada em Ecoturismo, Turismo de…read moreAventura, Mergulho e Esportes Náuticos com responsabilidade social. Embarque em um de nossos roteiros e explore Ilhabela!

We were here for the day on our cruise port stop. What a beautiful, quaint little town!! So much…read morehistory to review with their well preserved colonial architecture, cobblestone streets and relaxed seaside atmosphere. There is a huge rainforest here, beaches and fairly shallow waters (which is why our ship couldn't get closer). They have many historic churches- all for different classes of people - society women, freed slaves etc. very interesting. Now there are shops, restaurants and galleries to explore I will also say the marina was absolutely HOPPING with party boats- it's a Sunday so appears to be a popular thing to do- party on a double decker for awhile. Rafa from Parity tours was excellent and can highly recommend him for a good overt view of the town.

Paraty is one of the most beautiful places I've ever been to, and I recommend all tourists in…read moreBrazil check it out for at least a day. It's very historic because it was an export port for gold to Rio de Janeiro. The town's center is made of cobblestone streets, and there you can find dozens of unique art and souvenir shops, men riding horse carriages, and carts selling coconut juice and frozen treats. There are plenty of amazing restaurants to choose from. Don't forget to go on a boat tour and explore the islands and lagoons of Paraty.

In the immortal words of T. Pain, "I'm on a boat..."…read more If you too want to be on a boat I can't think of a more beautiful place to do so than in Brazil's charming colonial town of Paraty. There, for a total cost of $13.40 US apiece, my son and I toured the Bay of Ilha Grande for 6 hours aboard the schooner Zephyr, stopped to swim at various island beaches, and were serenaded by a talented guitarist/singer crooning mellow tunes. For an additional $46.60 we also enjoyed several Caipirinha and beer and consumed a fabulous on-board lunch of fresh grilled garlic shrimp and fries. Truly? I could've done this every single day of vacation and not grown tired of it. As you make your way down Paraty's main street before reaching the colonial part of the city there are many opportunities to book yourself on a boat tour. Within the colonial walls, near the harbor are additional opportunities. When you make your way onto the pier you'll first be greeted by the owners of small, colorful boats who will ask for your business. Other people will try to sell you tickets for the schooners as you walk further out the pier. I hardly think you could go wrong with any of these options. That said, I can guarantee you won't go wrong with Escuna Zephyr. I booked a ride on Escuna Zephyr through Banzay Turismo Parati which is located in one of the last shops just before the pier. They also book tours on Escuna Banzay. You might be able to walk out on the pier and hand your money over directly but whichever way you choose, do so early enough to ensure your place on the boat. On a weekday in early December (summer in Brazil) the boats weren't filling up but I understand they get quite full on summer weekends when it starts heating up. I can only imagine what something like this costs in the US. It almost makes the cost of flying to South America worth the investment. Other stuff: * To daydream about the schooner: https://www.facebook.com/escunazephyr/?fref=photo