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Rio & the Costa Verde: the Day-by-Day Itinerary
Brazil's Emerald Coast starts in Rio and only gets greener. The Sugarloaf cable car sets the tone, schooners drift between Ilha Grande's car-free beaches, and the gold-rush lanes of Paraty end at caipirinha bars. It's the tropics with history attached.
Rio & the Costa Verde is a 250 km one-way journey (self-drive). It works best as 3–6 days; the plan below is the 4-day version for May, built from 163 verified places, with real road-routed transit times, opening hours and daylight checked.
Customize this plan → 3-day plan · 4-day plan · 6-day plan · best time to go
4
days
237 km
distance
4.7 h
driving
25
curated stops
💡 Good to know for this plan
- Post-summer sweet spot: warm sea, thinner crowds, and Paraty's lanes at their most photogenic.
Day 1 Rio de Janeiro → Angra dos Reis
🌡 12.1–30.8°C · 🌧 ~9 rain days · ☀ 10.9h light
09:00
VLTboat trips
Experience seamless city travel with the VLT, a modern transit network.
50 min · Rio de Janeiro · R$4,70
09:50
Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro
Discover vibrant academic life and cultural courses at UFRJ.
50 min · Rio de Janeiro
10:40
Universidade Federal Fluminense
Explore a prestigious university campus in scenic Niterói.
50 min · Rio de Janeiro
14:22
Bica da Carioca Open Air Museummuseums & heritage
50 min · Angra dos Reis
15:12
Yacht charter Angra Dos Reis
Set sail on luxury yachts to explore Angra dos Reis' stunning coast.
90 min · Angra dos Reis
16:42
Porto Angra dos Reis - Technip
50 min · Angra dos Reis
Overnight: Angra dos Reis
e.g. Pousada AngraBella · Hotel Kuxixo
Day 2 Around Angra dos Reis
🌡 12.1–30.8°C · 🌧 ~9 rain days · ☀ 10.9h light
09:00
Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro
Enjoy top-rated Portuguese courses at PUC-Rio's welcoming campus.
50 min · Rio de Janeiro
09:50
Romania
Visit the elegant Romania General Consulate amidst Rio's cityscape.
50 min · Rio de Janeiro
10:40
Mangueira
50 min · Rio de Janeiro
open: Rehearsals every Saturday, 22:00
11:30
Salgueiro
50 min · Rio de Janeiro
open: Rehearsals every Wednesday, 20:00
12:20
Acadêmicos da Rocinha
90 min · Rio de Janeiro
13:50
Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro
50 min · Rio de Janeiro
Overnight: Angra dos Reis
e.g. Pousada AngraBella · Hotel Kuxixo
Day 3 Paraty
🌡 6.1–29.4°C · 🌧 ~9 rain days · ☀ 10.9h light
10:52
Iririswimming & bathshiking
Cool off in a shallow pool beneath a stunning low waterfall.
50 min · Paraty
11:42
Pedra Brancaswimming & bathshiking
Feel the cool splash of a low waterfall and see old power plant ruins.
50 min · Paraty
12:32
Casa da Culturalocal & traditional
Explore a beautifully preserved jail turned cultural hub and cafe.
50 min · Paraty
open: M-Sa 09:00-19:00, Su 09:00-14:00
13:22
Cachoeira do Tobogãhiking
Slide down a waterfall and enjoy a scenic hike to another cascade.
50 min · Paraty
14:12
Igreja Matrizmuseums & heritage
Admire grand architecture and sacred art in the town center.
50 min · Paraty
15:02
Jabaquarabeaches & cliffs
Enjoy the calm, almost wave-less sea and snack from beach kiosks.
90 min · Paraty
16:32
Bom Apetite Restaurantelocal & traditional
Savor mom's seasoned homemade food in a joyful, cozy atmosphere.
60 min · Paraty
See the remaining 1 days of the 4-day plan →
Route map
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