Paraty and the Gold Trail - Brazil
What is it - The town of Paraty located in a sheltered harbor on the east coast of Brazil between Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo is a World Heritage site because of its well-preserved colonial buildings and history as an important port from the 17th to the 19th century. Once gold was discovered in the interior of the country in 1695 and mines were established throughout the province of Minas Gerais, it was only a matter of time before the Portuguese rulers of the country and gold barons turned the small waterfront village into a center place for processing the gold and then shipping it to Europe.
This was not an easy task since the distant gold fields were separated from the coastline by the Atlantic Forest. Forcing thousands of slaves brought from Africa and other slaves diverted from nearby sugar plantations into the jungle to work for several years, a road about 745 miles in length was carved out of the forest by following Indian trails, blasting rock and ledge, and laying down a cobblestone path. Over the next two centuries, mule trains laden with gold, supplies, miners and later some coffee traveled the route bringing prosperity to some people such as the barons, tradesmen and sailors who exchanged goods in the port, while requiring backbreaking labor by others. Eventually, commercial ports and better roads developed in Brazil that were more suitable for the industrial age and Paraty faded in importance. However, the traditional whitewashed churches, merchant houses and homes remained in place undisturbed by progress which left an architectural legacy that draws cultural and ecotourism.
The Gold Trail remains intact in several places and has been largely restored in a 10 mile stretch in the mountains above Paraty. Weekenders escaping from the cities and cruise ship passengers flock to group hikes or private tours along portions of the route. The tours generally include an introduction to the history of the Gold Trail, views of the wildlife and trees of the forest, and a 2-hour hike along the cobblestone trail and other paths. Some popular stops along the way are a cascading waterfall known as Seven Falls where hikers and locals slide down over the smooth rock face, a rope bridge, and a quiet pool and cafe for cooling off near the end of the hike.
Once you are back from exploring the Gold Trail, there are a variety of country churches, the ruins of a fort and numerous shops and restaurants selling arts and crafts to enjoy in town. There are also some excellent beaches frequented by wealthy travelers and their yachts which provide swimming and snorkeling opportunities close to town.
Interesting facts - Many of the streets of the old Town in Paraty are still laid out with cobblestones and packed dirt, and all of the houses within a few blocks of the shore are built on stone foundations several feet above grade. That is because periodically the high tides slowly wash through the streets. These daily waterings provided an efficient way of maintaining cleanliness from the many people and animals passing through town in colonial times.
When to go - The seasons in Brazil are opposite to the United States so the months from November to April are popular times to travel there. However, the weather around Paraty can be hot and humid during that time and short showers are common. Consequently, a trip from May to October will generally provide somewhat cooler weather with less frequent rain.
How to Get Here - Paraty is a 4-hour drive by car from both Sao Paulo and Rio, and visitors from the United States usually fly into one or the other metropolis. The most popular way to visit the town is by cruise ship. Most of the cruises running from Buenos Aires to Rio, or from Rio to Chile include a stop at Paraty.