Paraty is a Brazilian colonial jewel city, surrounded by beautiful, rugged beaches, numerous islands off the coast, parks with bromeliad plantations and waterfalls. Founded in 1660, its colonial heritage is preserved in the form of elegant colonial Portuguese churches and houses in the relaxed, laid-back atmosphere of a town trapped contentedly in a time warp. Paraty has lots of bars, restaurants, shops and boutiques and is known for it's delicious cuisine as well as being one of the principal Cachaca (sugar cane spirits) distilling regions in Brazil.