The historical center of Paraty is full of surprises every corner you turn. Once you have visited the main sights and historical churches, you are ready to explore the real Paraty. It's very easy to find your way around, even without a map. Use the bay, river and churches as your references.

It won't take you long to notice the irregular cobblestone pavement of streets in Paraty. It's typical to the Brazilian Colonial period, and a hopeless challenge to women in high heels. A curiosity is that streets here were built at sea level on purpose. Residents would empty their bedpans out the window in the streets a couple of hours before the high tide. Once the tide went low, streets would be nice and clean again!

Since walking too fast may result in a twisted ankle anyway, take your time. Stop at shops and browse, interact with the natives. Casa da Cultura has permanent and temporary displays, and it has just been renovated. Whenever you get hot, choose one of the stools shaded by trees at the main square, or along the bay. They are great to enjoy an ice-cream or cold drink, watch people pass by, and relax into the mellow pace of the town.

Rua do Comércio lives up to its name if you're looking for shops. Cachaça is the most famous product of Paraty, and you can choose from hundreds of labels. Maré Alta is the name of the cachaça made by the Orleans e Bragança distillery. It's glamorous, yet quite expensive. Premium cachaça is not supposed to be used as a mixer for Caipirinha. You drink it plain and at room temperature, in small shot glasses. Hand-loomed hammocks and throws are colorful, and easy to find.

There are two Indian communities near Paraty, and they offer typical musical instruments in the streets during the day. A favorite with international visitors and kids is the Indian rattler, a wooden tube filled with seashells. It makes a relaxing sound of rain when tilted gently, but it can get very annoying when it falls into the wrong hands. Handcrafted boats, gnomes and witches, jewelry, and other small items are for sale at the fair next to Igreja da Matriz on Saturday nights.