Eco-Paraty.com - Ecological Parks

Before setting out on a trip in the Atlantic Forest don't forget to take along someone that knows the area.

For short outings a good insect repellent, food and water are important.


		Don't forget to take all your garbage with you and don't leave signs of your visit or take souvenirs from the forest. Nature thank's you!


		Paraty has a large amount of legislation to protect the environment, the indigenous Indians and the local culture. Unfortunately these laws are not always enforced due to lack of incisive or lax inspection.

Almost two thirds of the 917 square kilometers of the municipal district of Paraty are protected by state, federal and municipal laws and that’s not all, Paraty still possesses a large part of its original vegetation. Protected by the hills of the Serra do Mar (mountain of the sea), the Atlantic forest has stayed intact and today it is still possible to find areas of virgin forest.

Serra da Bocaina national park

...covers an area of 134 thousand hectares (1340 square kilometers) between the states of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. Of these, more than 35 thousand are located in Paraty. The high point of the park is the walks along the old “Caminho do Ouro” (gold trail), the steep trails and the deserted beaches, at which the Atlantic forest meets the sea

The trails can be visited by horse or on foot, but a guide is recommended as well as being in reasonable physical condition. The beaches are only accessible by boats which can be rented on the town pier or with a little luck, you may hitch a ride on a boat to the village of Paraty-Mirim.

Leisure area of Paraty-Mirim

The old ecological reservation of Paraty-Mirim became called of leisure area due to strong presence of tourism in the area attracted by the beauty of the beaches and the ruins from the colonial time. Paraty-Mirim is the site of first church erected by the settlers and it was an important commercial center. Today, there only remains the church Nossa Senhora da Conceição (Our Lady of Conception), surrounded by ruins. A small tourist trade grew recently in the area with small inns, bars and boat trips.

Environmental protection area of Caiçuru:

It is the area that extends from the beginning of the river Matheus Nunes to Trinidad point, the boundary of Ubatuba. It includes 63 islands and a great portion of continental portion that boarders the Bocaina National Park. According to the law, 20% of all the area should be green.

Ecological reserve of Juatinga:

It was created in 1991 with the objective of preserving the caiçaras (natives of the area) communities. The measures of conservation of the area have not been defined as of today. The reservation encompasses: Praia Grande, Itanema, Itaoca, Calhaus, Cajaíba, Juatinga, Martim de Sá, Antigos e Sono, Antiguinhos, Antigos and Sono.