The natural pool
Clear water among boulders.
Chostakovis — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Otávio Nogueira from Fortaleza, BR — CC BY 2.0 · Licomotta — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Tomás R M de Paula — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Licomotta — CC BY-SA 3.0
Trindade is a fishing village south of Paraty, between Atlantic forest and ocean, whose restaurants and craft shops are run by the caiçaras, the traditional coastal people, and part of which lies inside the Serra da Bocaina National Park. It became a hippie refuge in the 1970s and has lived from tourism since the 1990s. It has several beaches, each with its own character: Cepilho for waves and surfing, Rancho with calm water and restaurants, and Meio, where the trail to the natural pool starts. Its best-known sight is the Cachadaço natural pool: a basin of shallow, clear water enclosed by huge boulders that shelter it from the waves, like a natural aquarium for snorkelling. It is reached by a forest trail of about 20 minutes from Praia do Meio past Cachadaço beach, or by small boat from Praia do Meio. There are no facilities at the pool, so bring water, sunscreen and food. Local buses run from Paraty bus station to Trindade in about an hour, and the village gets very crowded on summer holidays.
Clear water among boulders.
From Praia do Meio.
Caiçara restaurants.
Trindade village, south of Paraty
By a forest trail of about 20 minutes from Praia do Meio in Trindade, or by small boat from the same beach. There are no facilities, so bring water and food.