Nature
Visiting the island is like a trip back
in time: only carriages, bicycles and a small train for tourists
are allowed to circulate
» Paquetá
The romantic beauty of Paquetá
Largo dos Amores (Lovers Square), Palco
da Lua (Moon Stage), Praça do Vento (Wind Square), and
Recanto das Constelações (Constellation Corner).
These are just a few of the names for Paquetá’s
romantic spots, a place full of legends and curious true stories,
beautiful landscapes and many attractions for those who love
to stroll outdoors. Visiting the island is like a trip back
in time: on its pebble roads lined with flamboyants, only carriages,
bicycles and a small train for tourists are allowed to circulate.
Cars, motorcycles and buses are not allowed.
The beaches have calm waters that splash upon stones of a great
variety of shapes and sizes. The main beach, Moreninha, has
a viewpoint from a large stone at its far end. Next door is
São Roque hill, with its trails and panoramic view of
Guanabara Bay and Brocoió, another island. On Tamoios
beach, the ramada which extends upon the sea makes the perfect
setting for the Brazilian serenades which take place there.
The majority of restaurants, bars and hotels are on José
Bonifácio beach, which has pedal boats, canoes and kayaks
for rent.
Location and how to get there
The island is on Guanabara Bay in Rio de Janeiro. There is regular
service from Praça XV in downtown Rio de Janeiro. The
trip takes about 20 minutes (catamarans and hydroplanes) or
60 minutes (ferry).
Other attractions
The nearly century old baobab on Tamoios Beach, one of only
twenty specimens of this African tree in Brazil, has a circumference
of nine meters and is nicknamed “Fat Mary” by the
inhabitants in homage to a slave who lived on the island.
D’El Rei Manor House, a historical landmark building protected
by the Institute of National Historical and Artistic Heritage.
It once hosted D. João VI and today it houses the Public
Library.
Darke de Mattos Park, at the end of José Bonifácio
beach, with its remaining Atlantic Forest vegetation and historical
traces of the 18th century. It has many trails and viewpoints.
Morro da Cruz, with its many tunnels, is the main attraction.
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