5 / 5 - 2 reviews
How to get there
Three hours by car from Rio or São Paulo
When to go
All year round
Minimum stay
3 to 5 days
Costa verde (Brazil)
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Henrique Ferreira
Practical information about Costa verde
Reviews of Costa verde
A stretch of coastland that runs from the south of Rio de Janeiro State and the north of São Paulo State (but not the cities themselves!). It's here, in the region of Costa Verde, that you'll find some great beaches and isles.
My suggestion:
Give Angra dos Reis et Mangaratiba a miss. The best areas of the Costa Verde are Ilha Grande, Paraty and Ilhabela.
Summary:
During your trip to Brazil, you'll soon realize that the best beaches are to the north of the country. But even so, the shoreline between the states of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, known as the Costa Verde, has its fair share of sand and aquatic activities.
Even if São Paulo is not famous for its beaches, Ilha Bela is worth a visit if you find yourself in the area.
However, Rio de Janeiro State has better ones. When I was there, I particularly enjoyed my time at Paraty (and the Trindade Beach) and Ilha Grande, with its breathtaking Lopes Mendes Beach.
You can easily travel from beach to beach along the Costa Verde by bus. At the same time, some of the more isolated ones are difficult to access by public transport, so hiring a car is the best option.
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flickr cc Dario Sanches
There are superb views over the sea and the Mata Atlântica and of islands and beaches surrounded by crystal-clear water practically everywhere along the Costa Verde, which lies between Rio de Janeiro and the northern part of the state of São Paulo.
My suggestion:
To enjoy what this region has to offer to the maximum, it is best to avoid the Christmas and New Year party period, the month of January and the carnival. There are dense crowds of people at these times and prices rise dramatically.
Summary:
It's difficult not to be impressed by the beauty of the Costa Verde. Its steep roads dropping straight down to the sea and the lushness of the Atlantic Forest, a protected area, make you want to make frequent stops to get the camera out and take photos of the simply breathtaking views. Unfortunately, it isn't easy to stop along the road.
There are two essential places to see in particular when visiting the Costa Verde: Paraty and Ilha Grande. Ilha Grande is a veritable little paradise on earth, offering opportunities for diving and with hundreds of beaches to explore. Lopes Mendes, in particular, is one of the most beautiful beaches I got to see in Brazil. One of the good ways of exploring the island, in my opinion, is to go walking along a few of its hiking trails. As for Paraty, it's a very touristy little town, but a magnificent place all the same. Its historical center has been very well preserved and the colonial houses, with their wrought iron balconies, have been beautifully restored. It's also an excellent place from which to take a boat tour: there are many for you to choose from at port!
You should always bear in mind that traveling a hundred kilometers or so on the BR101 highway between Rio and Santos can involve a journey of more than two hours. So don't spend too long at each place if you want to see and get the most out of all the beauty the region has to offer.
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Henrique Ferreira
148 travellers' photos
