São Paulo to Paraty: Scenic Transfer & Local Stops

The Road to Paraty Doesn't Have to Be Just a Drive

You travel from São Paulo to Paraty in an air-conditioned vehicle with a driver who knows the region and can stop at your choice of mountain villages with local producers and a lavender farm, or beaches and waterfalls on the coastal route. Bottled water is included, and once you arrive in Paraty the driver can give you a one-hour orientation walk through the colonial center if you want it. You decide the route and pace before you go.

Step-by-step itinerary

Travel from São Paulo to Paraty

• Choose route: mountains or beaches
• If mountains, visit Aparecida Sanctuary
• Visit craft workshops and lavender plantation
• If beaches, stop at clean beaches and waterfall
• Visit fisherman's village with island
• Arrive in Paraty
• Take optional 1-hour city orientation tour

The experience

So you're heading from São Paulo to Paraty and someone's telling you it's just a three-hour transfer, but why waste that time when you could actually see something on the way? The route between these two cities cuts through some genuinely interesting terrain, and this transfer lets you choose what you want to stop for instead of just sitting in traffic. You pick the itinerary: mountain villages around Cunha with local craftspeople and a lavender farm with views, or the beach route toward Ubatuba with stops at clean swimming spots and a waterfall, or honestly just the straight shot if you're tired and want to arrive. The vehicle is air-conditioned, water's included, and the driver knows the region well enough to point out what's actually worth your time.

If you go the Cunha route, you'll pass through the Paraíba Valley: the same area where the Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora da Conceição Aparecida sits, one of the largest Marian sanctuaries in the world. The driver can take you there if it matters to you, but the real draw for most people is stopping at the small producers: a farm selling local food, a craft brewery making actual good beer, and artisans working in their studios. The lavender plantation has a panoramic spot that's worth the five-minute stop. It's not a tour in the traditional sense (you're not getting out for a scheduled talk), but you're not just passing through either.

The beach option works differently. You stop at actual swimming beaches with clear water on the way down, and if you want there's a waterfall and a fishing village with an island you can see. Again, these aren't scheduled stops with a guide waiting. It's more that the driver knows where they are and you decide if you want to get out. Once you hit Paraty, if you want an hour walking around the colonial center to get your bearings (knowing where the restaurants are, which bars are worth it, where the tour agencies sit), the driver can do that too. Or you just go straight to your hotel. The whole thing is flexible enough that you're not locked into someone else's pace.

One thing to know: this isn't a group tour. It's a transfer that you can shape, which means you're not waiting for other people or following a fixed schedule. If you want to spend an extra 20 minutes at the brewery or skip the waterfall entirely, that's your call. The air-conditioned vehicle and water are standard, and the driver speaks enough English to explain what you're looking at. Book it by telling them which route appeals to you (mountains, beaches, or straight through), and they'll build the day around that.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned vehicle.
• bottled water.
• driver with local knowledge.
• choice of route (mountain villages, beaches, or direct).
• optional one-hour orientation walk in Paraty upon arrival.

Options for this experience

4 options

2 passangersUp to 2 per booking · Guide in 4 languages · No fixed timeCar, includes pickup

3 passangersUp to 3 per booking · Guide in 4 languages · No fixed timeCar or minivan, pickup is included

4 passangersUp to 4 per booking · Guide in 4 languages · No fixed timeMinivan, includes pickup

5 passengersUp to 5 per booking · Guide in 4 languages · No fixed timeMinivan or van, pickup is included

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Italiano em São Paulo

Is this one for you?Book this if you're traveling from São Paulo to Paraty and want to see something on the way without organizing a separate tour: the flexibility to choose your route and stops means you get a transfer that works around what actually interests you, not a fixed schedule.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese.

Can I choose between the mountain route and the beach route?

Yes. You decide before the transfer: the Cunha mountain route with craftspeople, a farm, brewery and lavender plantation, or the Ubatuba beach route with swimming stops and a waterfall. Or you can go direct to Paraty without stops.

How long does the transfer take?

The direct route is around three hours. With stops, it depends on how long you spend at each place. That's up to you.

Is the vehicle air-conditioned?

Yes, and bottled water is included.

Can I get a tour of Paraty when I arrive?

Yes, the driver can give you a one-hour walk through the colonial center to show you where restaurants, bars, shops and tour agencies are located, so you can plan your own time there.

Is this a group transfer or private?

It's a private transfer. You're not sharing with other passengers or following a fixed group schedule.

Can I stay longer at one stop if I want?

Yes, the itinerary is flexible. You decide how long to spend at each place.

Are children and infants allowed?

Yes, infants and small children can travel, and strollers are fine. Service animals are also allowed.

What if I just want a direct transfer without stops?

You can arrange a straight transfer to Paraty with no stops. Let the operator know when you book.