However the arrival of other, more accessible ports, led to the decline of the town and it remained virtually cut off until the middle of the 20th century and, in a sense, became frozen in time.
The historic town has rightly been designated a National Historic Monument; the narrow streets paved with giant cobblestones were designed to protect the town from pirate raids.
The beauty of Paraty is that it has something for everyone: immaculately renovated colonial architecture, fabulous shopping for ceramics and other local handicrafts, and a fantastic coastline and islands for beach life – and in the evenings some fabulous restaurants and bars with a lively buzzing atmosphere.
