The inlet in the hills
Like a fjord.
Pedrogabrielmaciel — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Deni Williams from São Paulo, Brasil — CC BY 2.0 · Deni Williams from São Paulo, Brasil — CC BY 2.0
Saco do Mamanguá is a long, narrow inlet southeast of Paraty, eight kilometres long and two wide between mountains clad in Atlantic forest, so that it is often called a tropical fjord, though it is not one in the geological sense. It is an environmental protection area, its shores home to small caiçara communities who live from fishing, tourism and carving wooden models of boats and turtles. Its shores hold 33 small beaches; the water is clearest at the mouth of the inlet and grows shallower and murkier towards the mangroves at its end. From Cruzeiro beach a trail climbs the Pão de Açúcar do Mamanguá peak, with a wide view over the whole inlet. The easiest way to visit is a speedboat tour from Paraty, about four hours with stops for swimming and lunch at a local restaurant, or by road to Paraty-Mirim and then a small boat. Meals are not usually included in the tour price.
Like a fjord.
A view over the inlet.
Fishing and woodcraft.
Paraty-Mirim, southeast of Paraty
About four hours by speedboat, with stops for swimming and lunch, for R$260-300 per person on a shared trip.