Listen to the tour introductionA short audio preview of this tour
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Angra dos Reis to Paraty Driving Tour: Costa Verde, Ilha Grande Bay & Colonial Paraty
Get ready for one of the most beautiful drives in Brazil: the Costa Verde, the Green Coast, where the rainforest tumbles straight into the sea.
Over the next 60 miles, about 97 kilometers, we'll ride the legendary Rio-Santos highway from downtown Angra dos Reis to the colonial gold port of Paraty.
And what a ride it is.
You'll meet a feared cannibal chief and the German prisoner who almost became his dinner.
You'll hear how a brutal prison island turned into a paradise, why a slave ship was set on fire, and how Brazil's only nuclear plant earned the nickname "the firefly."
Then we'll follow the old Gold Road, which once carried the treasure of the mountains down to the sea.
Keep your eyes open. The ocean plays hide-and-seek here, flashing between forested hills and quiet fishing villages.
Between the stories, you'll pick up some Portuguese, a little bossa nova and a famous local recipe.
Short spoken cues will guide you just before each turn, so you can relax and enjoy the road.
We'll finish beside the river at Pontal, steps from Paraty's historic center.
So buckle up, drive safely, and let the Green Coast tell its stories.
Top landmarks and attractions included in this English self-guided 2h:29m driving tour in Angra dos Reis
For the best experience, begin at the tour's recommended starting point and follow the stops in order.
Want to start somewhere else? Simply use Start At on the tour screen, before tapping Start Tour, to begin from any stop.
Need to detour or skip a stop along the way? Tap Tour Assistant () to use Force Play, Skip, and Back, for full flexibility.
Route Preview
Places (POIs) visited during this tour
Place 1
Angra dos Reis: The Bay of the Kings Recommended starting point
Distance: 0.00 mi
Rua Coronel Carvalho (próximo a Igreja Universal) - Centro, Angra dos Reis - RJ, 23934-695, Brazil
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Here we go! Our road trip down Brazil's Costa Verde, the Green Coast, begins right here, in the old heart of Angra dos Reis.
The bay is just behind these buildings, to our right. A block back, facing the water, stands the Carmelite convent. The friars arrived around 1593, and began building it in the 1610s.
The name of this town is a date. On January 6, 1502, Portuguese navigators sailed into this bay. It was the Feast of the Three Kings, Dia de Reis. So they called it Angra dos Reis, the Cove of the Kings.
But this coast already had owners.
The Tamoio peoples lived here, and their most feared war leader was Cunhambebe. His main village stood up the Ariró River, inside today's Angra dos Reis.
In the 1550s he led the Tamoio Confederation against the Portuguese, and for a time he allied with the French, who were trying to build a colony in Rio's bay.
Hold on to his name. A German prisoner will meet him later in our story.
Follow this street straight ahead. It becomes Rua Prefeito João Gregório Galindo and climbs out of town.
Place 2
Obrigado or Obrigada? Your First Portuguese Word
Distance: 0.05 mi
R. Pref. João Gregório Galindo, 1220 - Balneário, Angra dos Reis - RJ, 23934-695, Brazil
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Before we hit the highway, here's the most useful Portuguese word you'll learn today. And it comes in two versions.
When a man says thank you, he says obrigado. When a woman says it, she says obrigada.
The word means "obliged." So it agrees with the person speaking, not with the person you're thanking. A man thanking a woman still says obrigado.
That's why, at the end of this tour, you'll hear me say obrigada.
A few more to keep in your pocket. Bom dia is good morning. Boa tarde, good afternoon. Tudo bem? means "All good?" The answer is usually tudo bem, or tudo bom.
And if someone hands you your change and says valeu, that's the casual thanks, a bit like "cheers."
Brazil is the largest Portuguese-speaking country on earth, with more than 200 million people. Portugal has about ten million.
Brazilians love it when visitors try. Even a slightly wrong obrigado gets a smile.
Tour itinerary stops | Additional places you'll see on this self-guided tour
Place 1 Angra dos Reis: The Bay of the Kings
Place 2 Obrigado or Obrigada? Your First Portuguese Word
Place 3 The Rio-Santos: A Road Through Forest and Sea
Place 4 The Tree That Named a Country
Place 5 Ilha Grande: From Prison Island to Paradise
Place 6 The Dolphins of Ilha Grande Bay
Place 7 Bracuí: The Slave Ship That Was Set on Fire
Place 8 At the Other End of This Road: Pelé's Santos
Place 9 Saudade, and the Birth of Bossa Nova
Place 10 Itaorna: Brazil's Nuclear Firefly
Place 11 Hans Staden: "Here I Come, Your Food"
Place 12 Mambucaba: A Forgotten Coffee Port
Place 13 Serra da Bocaina: The Forest Wall
Place 14 Tarituba: A Caiçara Village
Place 15 Azul-Marinho: The Fish Stew That Turns Blue
Place 16 Anchieta's Poem in the Sand
Place 17 Road Portuguese: Spring-Breakers and Fireflies of the Highway
Taking a UCPlaces tour is fun and easy.
Download the app (Android or iOS), purchase the tour (either here on the website, or from within the app).
That's it, you're ready to go!
When you want to start the tour, find the tour in the app (via a quick in-app search or by clicking the tour link received in your confirmation email) and click "Start Tour" (headphones recommended for best experience.)
* After purchasing a tour you will receive a purchase confirmation email including the tour link and instructions on how to take the tour, so you don't have to remember anything now.
How does the tour work?
UCPlaces acts as your personal tour guide, providing self-guided audio tours fully navigated within our app using GPS-based navigation. You won't need to switch between external navigation apps.
Whenever you approach a point of interest (POI) on the tour, our app will automatically play the relevant audio story at the right time and place.
If you start the tour before reaching the first POI, the app will navigate you to the starting point and then begin the tour.
How is this more convenient than a traditional tour?
UCPlaces offers an innovative and flexible way to explore exciting destinations on your terms. Here are some key advantages over traditional tours:
No need to commit upfront or purchase in advance; buy a tour only when you're ready to go.
Walk at your own pace.
No waiting for groups; go on your schedule.
Take the tour in your preferred language.
Start, stop and continue the tour whenever you want.
Returning to the same destination? Take the tour again, and again, and again... And bring a friend!
Enjoy preferred prices.
What's included?
A self-guided audio tour taken via the UCPlaces app [iOS (iPhone) / Apple CarPlay / Android / Android Auto].
Tour route map and in-app GPS navigation (via the UCPlaces app).
Audio stories for places visited during the tour.
Apple CarPlay connection (iOS users) and Android Auto connection (Android users); for a seamless driving tour experience.
What's NOT included?
Earphones (highly recommended).
Smartphone.
Any kind of transportation (including tickets and passes).
Tickets to the attractions on your tour.
Food and drinks
Physical tour guide.
Have any questions about this tour? Or a general travel / self-guided tours question? That's completely natural
How long does this tour take?
Most travelers complete this tour in approximately 2 to 3 hours, depending on pace, time spent at each stop, and optional detours. Having said that, please remember that self-guided tours are extremly flexible (you can start, pause, continue anytime) and everyone has their own pace.
What does this tour include?
This self-guided driving tour includes 21 stops, covering top attractions such as Angra dos Reis: The Bay of the Kings, Obrigado or Obrigada? Your First Portuguese Word, The Rio-Santos: A Road Through Forest and Sea, The Tree That Named a Country, Ilha Grande: From Prison Island to Paradise.
Where does the tour start?
The tour starts at Angra dos Reis: The Bay of the Kings (Address: Rua Coronel Carvalho (próximo a Igreja Universal) - Centro, Angra dos Reis - RJ, 23934-695, Brazil). You can begin the tour there or join from any stop along the route.
What type of tour is this?
This is a self-guided driving tour designed to be completed by car, covering scenic routes, city highlights and optional key stops.
Can I do this tour at my own pace?
Yes, this is a self-guided driving tour, so you can start anytime and explore at your own pace. You can pause, skip stops, or spend more time at places that interest you. You can even split it into multiple days. Explore however feels right for you. The only vaiables that might affect your pace are speed limits and traffic congestion.
Do I need a car for this tour?
Yes, this is a driving tour, designed to be completed by car, with stops spread across different locations connected by a driving route.
Do I need anything in order to take the tour?
There are two things that you need - 1. A mobile phone (with the UCPlaces app installed and active location services, and a cellular data plan with a decent signal for downloading the tour). 2. A car. Here are some recommendations for a great experience: 1. Make sure your phone is fully charged and bring a charging cable for your car. 2. Connect your phone to the car speaker system via bluetooth or use our CarPlay/Android Auto option for the best experience.
How will I navigate from point to point during the tour?
The tour uses GPS-based navigation through the UCPlaces app, with automatic audio playback and step-by-step directions between stops. This works great either directly from your phone, or while connected to your car's multimedia system and using our CarPlay or Android Auto options. Just follow the route and listen to the audio guide. Use the resume feature to continue from where you recently stopped (or closed the app). Easily skip or go back to stops.
What known landmarks and main sites does this tour have?
The top landmarks and main sites on this tour include Paraty, and the End of the Road, Ilha Grande, Angra dos Reis, The Rio-Santos, FLIP and Serra da Bocaina. In total, the tour has 21 points of interest along the route.
Is this tour suitable for families or groups?
Yes, self-guided tours are ideal for families and small groups, allowing everyone to explore comfortably without being tied to a fixed schedule.
What makes a self-guided tour better than a guided tour?
Self-guided tours are more flexible, affordable, and personalized. You can avoid crowds, choose your pace, and focus on the stops that interest you most.
I installed the app and it's now asking for GPS and media access permissions, why?
The app is your tour-guide, it needs to know where you are located on the map to be able to trigger the points of interest. It also needs access to audio and media files to provide you with this experience.
What happens if there are unexpected roadblocks or navigation issues?
We have been working hard to deliver a great experience. Though you may run into unexpected obstacles (the world is constantly changing), our app has multiple features and mechanisms in place to help you overcome them, including: AI assistance, force play an audio if you can't reach the stop, skip or return to stops, automatic rerouting and more.
Can I take the tour in my language?
Though all of our tours are primarily in English, many tours are multilingual (including: Spanish, German, Portuguese, French, Japanese, Hebrew, French, Arabic and more...). The tour language options depend on the specific tour - You can easily check which languages are available in the tour screen!
Driving tour
) to use Force Play, Skip, and Back, for full flexibility.
