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As you head west of Rio, the high-rise suburbs give way to mile upon mile of luscious emerald rainforest covering rolling hills and tropical white sand beaches.

This is Rio state’s Costa Verde, or Green Coast.

Visiting Costa Verde

The first place that you will come across will be Angra dos Reis, a weekend playground for the rich and famous of Rio. Dotted among the vegetation are some of the best beach resorts in Brazil, such as the Pestana Angra.

Close by is the jungle covered island of Ilha Grande, a peaceful haven where no motor vehicles are allowed and where the beaches are divine.

Traveling west along the coast from Ilha Grande will take you to the delightful colonial town of Paraty.

Paraty

This peaceful and picturesque town is practically unaltered since it was the principal port for the gold trade in the colonial era, and the cobbled streets and ornate churches are an absolute delight to wander around on foot. A couple of days here is a perfect way to relax, perhaps with a bicycle tours in the nearby hills, or boarding a schooner to take you to one of the multitude of small uninhabited islands that are just off the coast.

Ilha Grande

The jungle covered island of Ilha Grande is a peaceful haven where motor vehicles are forbidden and the beaches are divine. Trekking is excellent here and several trails lead through verdant forest to beaches lapped by gentle waves. To complement these idyllic stretches of coastline, the island is dotted with a number of lovely rustic, but comfortable, pousadas.

Pousadas

There are several charming little pousadas dotted along the coast that we will happily recommend. All are colonial houses that have been tastefully restored to retain plenty of atmospheric period detail. They offer elegant accommodation in a friendly and relaxed environment.