Brazil / About the city
Introducing Paraty
UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy since 2017, Mixed World Heritage Site since 2019, Paraty is a historic town where the sea, forests, and mountains converge with its outstanding cultural and natural value.
A reference in cultural and natural tourism, Paraty blends centuries-old architecture, living traditions of caiçara, indigenous, and quilombola communities, with the rich biodiversity of the Atlantic Forest. A former gold route trading port, it offers authentic experiences through its beaches, islands, waterfalls, trekking sites and community-based tourism.
Famous since the 18th century for its cachaça, seafood, and traditional dishes such as manuê cake, fish & banana stew and drinks like caipirinha, the city also hosts major cross-segment, international events like the Literature Festival, the Bourbon Blues & Jazz, the Photography Festival, among many sports, cultural, religious and regional festivities.
/ Climate & gastronomy
Challenges and actions
Paraty faces critical climate risks, primarily sea-level rise, coastal flooding, and extreme rainfall events that cause landslides and threaten traditional agricultural and fishing communities. In response, the city integrates gastronomy with climate resilience and circular economy principles through local policy and community initiatives.
Key measures include supporting short food supply chains through agroforestry and artisanal fishing, which reduces carbon transport emissions while protecting local biodiversity. Projects like the Maricultura Sustentável (sustainable aquaculture) and traditional Caiçara agriculture promote low-carbon food production, turning organic waste into valuable resources. Additionally, Paraty promotes gastronomy-driven educational programs focused on waste reduction, eco-composting, and the preservation of traditional foodways to build long-term climate resilience.
