The Costa Verde constitutes one of Brazil’s the most beautiful coast, indented, wild, mountainous and tropical. The sailboat, catamaran or single-hulled, is one of the best way to discover this splendid region.
After the visit of Rio de Janeiro, of its “un-avoidable” (sugarloaf, Corcovado) and of it’s Bohemian hideaway (Santa Teresa), we reach Angra dos Reis, on the Carioca littoral. Our cruise starts then. A long crossing takes us first to Ilha Grande, the largest island of the area, true ecological sanctuary, far away from everything. There, a short hike in lush nature takes us to its most beautiful island, Lopes Mendes, or lets just say, its most beautiful “accessible” beach because the other ones are only reachable by boat (Praia Aventureiro, Praia Aracetiba, Praia Parnoica). After circumnavigating the big island and having snorkeled in a few spots among hundreds of fish, we navigate towards the South, in the direction of the ecological preserves of Jolting and of Mamangua. As a backdrop, the mountains of the sera ad Cocaine bathing in the evening mist.
In the evening, if we drop the anchor in close proximity of a deserted beach, we will go and share a slice of life with the local fishermen; an opportunity to savor a caïpirinha or a vermelho fish with them around a fire.
And finally, our last stop, the colonial village of Paraty, nestled deep in the Bay.
And if this short description is not enough, close your eyes and let yourself drift and dream to the sweetness of the Costa Verde.

Departure from the hotel for Angra dos Reis with our local driver, at 12:00.
It is a 2½-hour drive on a paved road along the Green Coast, lush corridor between ocean and mountains. We embark, on the boat making the crossing to Ilha Grande, at 15:30 (1½-hour crossing – not accompanied by guide – ticket included).
Pick up at Abraão and transfer to the pousada (luggage is transferred for us). Afternoon open.
Meals included. Nights in a pousada.

Note: weekends and holidays, departure from Rio at 10:30, departure of the boat at 13:30.

In the morning, we leave (the volunteers anyway) for a short trek towards Lopes Mendes, a long and wild white sand beach fringed by coconut trees. The trail leading there, large and well maintained, crosses through the tropical forest and successively along numerous beaches, offering many swimming options.
Back on the catamaran, a regional lunch prepared by our cook Guta awaits us. Meanwhile, Fausto, the Brazilian captain, retrieves the anchor.
The Bay of Ilha Grande is characterized for its beautiful ocean beds and a varied fauna. It is not unusual to see dolphins and sea turtles in this area.
An important concentration of wrecks, vestiges of the pirates’ presence on the coast, offers also magnificent dive sites. Snorkeling amateurs will not be disappointed; many sites are well suited, especially the lagoa Azul (blue lagoon) and the lagoa Verde (green lagoon). We navigate around the island to reach these two sites.

We continue our navigation to the South point of the island. Passing a string of coves, we reach the village of Aracetiba (1½-hour). The few stops in the most beautiful sites liven the morning. Option of a short trek along trails, in the heart of the tropical vegetation. After lunch, we navigate towards the mainland. Ocean cruise.
To reach the peculiar Bay of Mamangua, dominated by mount Serra da Bocaina, we need to navigate for 20 miles (4 hours). This day offers one of the nicest surprises of the trip: the ecological reserves of Mamangua and Cairuçu, a true gem of greenery.
We enter in the deep cove of Mamangua. The captain of the catamaran throws the anchor nearby, close to a minuscule island. This is the most romantic stop of this trip.
Meals included. Night on board.

We navigate towards the North, towards our last stopover. We pass ilha Comprida, stop at Saco da Velha (ideal for snorkeling in the middle of a myriad of fish), and finally, we enter the Bay of Paraty, and its one thousand islands.
We disembark in the middle of the afternoon at the village pier, from where we discover the church of Santa Rita, the symbol of the village. Transfer to the pousada.
Lunch included. Dinner open. Night in a pousada.
Option: extra cruise days around Joatinga Point.