Paraty: Jeep Waterfalls, Tobogã Slide & Cachaça Tasting Tour

Summary

Paraty jeep adventure to waterfalls rock slides cachaça tasting

You’ll ride by jeep from Paraty into lush hills for waterfall swims, try rock surfing at Tobogã with locals cheering you on, enjoy a cozy lunch of regional dishes beneath banana trees, and taste cachaça right at its source—all with a bilingual guide who makes you feel part of the story.

What’s the experience like?

I felt oddly giddy as we bounced out of Paraty in that old 4x4—windows down, air thick with green. Our guide, Ana, kept pointing out trees I’d never heard of (Jequitibá? I had to ask her twice), and honestly, I was just trying to take it all in. When we stopped at the first waterfall—White Stone—I could hear the rush before I saw it. The water was cold enough to make my teeth hurt but so clear you could see every pebble. Some local kids were already sliding down the rocks like they’d done it a hundred times. I tried it too. Not graceful, but nobody cared.

Tobogã waterfall is where things got loud—lots of laughter echoing off wet stone. Ana dared us to “surf” down the flat rocks (I wiped out immediately; she cheered anyway). There’s this smell there—wet leaves and something sweet from the forest floor. After flopping around in the pools, we dried off in patches of sun while Ana told us stories about the Caminho do Ouro and how people used to haul gold through here. It’s wild thinking about that while you’re dripping wet in swim shorts.

Lunch was at this little spot tucked under banana trees—rice, beans, fish with farofa that tasted smoky somehow. The owner smiled when I tried to order in Portuguese (I definitely butchered it). Later, we hit a distillery—a real alambique—with barrels stacked up and that sharp-sweet smell of cachaça everywhere. We tasted a few (the passionfruit one burned going down but in a good way). The whole day felt messy and real—the kind of tour where you actually talk to people instead of just ticking boxes. I still think about that first icy plunge sometimes, especially when it’s hot back home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Jeep tour to waterfalls and distillery

• Travel to Serra da Bocaina Park
• Visit White Stone Waterfall
• Walk Gold Path, observe plants and views
• Stop at Tobogã for rock surfing and swimming
• Have lunch at traditional restaurant
• Visit Cassava Flour House and learn production
• Tour cachaça distillery and taste liqueurs

Top questions

How long does the Paraty jeep waterfalls tour last?

The tour is a full-day experience including multiple stops for swimming, lunch, and cachaça tasting before returning to Paraty.

Is hotel pickup included on this Paraty waterfalls & cachaça tour?

Yes, round-trip transportation by 4x4 jeep is included with pickup from central locations in Paraty.

Can I try rock surfing at Tobogã waterfall?

Yes, Tobogã is famous for its natural rock slide where both locals and visitors can try “rock surfing.”

Is lunch included on the day trip?

The tour includes lunch at a traditional restaurant featuring typical regional dishes.

Do we visit an actual cachaça distillery near Paraty?

Yes, you’ll visit an artisanal alambique where you learn about production and taste different types of cachaça.

Are there English-speaking guides on this jeep tour?

A bilingual guide certified by Cadastur accompanies the group throughout the day.

What should I bring for swimming at Paraty’s waterfalls?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and water shoes if possible for comfort on slippery rocks.

Is this tour suitable for children or older travelers?

The tour requires moderate physical fitness; infants must sit on an adult’s lap and it’s not recommended for those with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.

What’s included

Your day includes round-trip transportation from Paraty by 4x4 jeep with a certified bilingual guide, all entrance fees for waterfalls and distilleries along the way, guided tastings of various cachaças direct from local producers, plus a traditional regional lunch served in a cozy restaurant before heading back to town together.