Party in Paraty! Our First Carnaval Experience in Brazil! 🎭🇧🇷

Paraty was never meant to be an overnight stay, but the universe had other plans! 🌍⏳ Our tender ride from the ship 🚢 to port took over an hour, so on a whim—just one hour before leaving—we booked a hotel for the night. And let me tell you, it was the best decision ever! 🙌🏽 🎨 Arriving in Paraty: A Port Like No Other As we approached the port, we were greeted by a sight we’d never seen before—schooner boats, each uniquely decorated and ready to party! 🚢🎉 Some looked like pirate ships 🏴‍☠️, others were themed after M&Ms, Pink Panther, Popeye, SpongeBob, and more! 🤩 It was like stepping into a floating carnival. The tender ride itself was mesmerizing. 🌊 The water was calm, and as we passed through the bay, we saw stunning islands—some so secluded they looked like private paradises 🏝️. 🎭 Carnaval & Paraty’s 358th Anniversary Paraty is a charming colonial town known for its colorful buildings, cobblestone streets, and rich history. But we had no idea that when we arrived, the town would be in full Carnaval mode! 🎊🎶 Not only that, but it was also Paraty’s 358th anniversary—so the celebrations were even bigger! 🥳 Even with the festivities, our hotel still had plenty of vacancies (surprisingly). It was about 1.5 miles from town, but we didn’t mind—we were here for the experience! 🍻 First Stop: Food & Beers Johan was starving (he skipped breakfast 😆), so our first mission was food! As we wandered through town, we saw that high tide had flooded the streets—making for the most breathtaking reflections of the colorful buildings in the water. 🌊🏘️ We found a quaint little restaurant tucked away on a side street, perfect for people-watching while enjoying a meal. The cobblestone streets added to the charm, and we watched as workers rolled in kegs and ice 🧊 to prep for the night ahead. 🍺 Cold beers + a beef dish = happy travelers! 😋 🚤 Booking an Excursion & Diving Into Carnaval After lunch, we booked a boat tour for the next day, using 5,289 points for both of us. 🎟️ We stopped by the office to grab our tickets, then headed back to the hotel to drop our bags before jumping straight into the Carnaval fun. 🎭💃🏽 Our first official Carnaval experience did not disappoint! 🥳🎶 The energy in the streets was unreal. Different groups formed in various areas, marching through town while singing, dancing, and celebrating together. We felt completely safe the entire time, soaking in the electric atmosphere. ⚡ While making our way through the crowds, we ran into our friends Jim & Kelly (small world! 🌎), grabbed some drinks 🍹, and headed to the main square—where the biggest party was happening. 💥 Since Uber was scarce late at night, we opted for a cheap taxi ride ($2-$5!) back to the hotel. 🚖 🏝️ Boat Tour: Swimming, Snorkeling & Island-Hopping The next morning, we were ready for adventure! 🚤🌞 When we arrived at the dock, some of our fellow passengers were stuck on a tender because there was no place to dock near our boat. The captain sent a dinghy to bring them over so they wouldn’t miss the tour—how cool is that?! 👏🏽 The weather was absolutely perfect—blue skies, sunshine, and warm waters. 🌊☀️ We made four stops for swimming, with the last one designated for snorkeling 🤿. While the visibility wasn’t the best, the water was warm and crystal clear. We also got lunch included with our points! 🍤🍚 Both of us had shrimp with rice, followed by dessert and fresh watermelon 🍉. It was the perfect mid-day meal before heading back. 🌠 A Magical Return to the Ship When we arrived back at the tender station, we hit a snag—the tender was having mechanical issues. 😬 Instead of leaving us stranded, Villa Vie chartered a schooner to take us back to the ship. 🚢 And honestly? It turned out to be the best experience of the trip. 🌊✨ The sea was calm, the sky was full of stars, and we even saw bioluminescence glowing in the water. 💙🌟 Johan and I even shared a falling star moment together. 🌠 It was absolutely magical. Just as we were nearing the ship, the tender got repaired and passed us on the way back. But at that point, we didn’t care—our unexpected schooner ride turned what could have been a stressful situation into a once-in-a-lifetime experience. 💖 Paraty welcomed us with adventure, spontaneity, and the magic of Carnaval—and we couldn’t have asked for a better trip. 🥰 We’d definitely return to Paraty in a heartbeat! 💙 Have you ever been? Let us know your favorite Carnaval experience! 🎭🥳 #Paraty #BrazilTravel #VisitParaty #ParatyCarnaval #Carnaval2025 #BrazilCarnaval #TravelCouple #VillaVieOdyssey #NeverEndingCruise #LivingLifeonaCruise #IslandHopping #SchoonerBoat #SouthAmericaTravel #BeachLife #TravelAddict #SeaAdventure #TravelBrazil #TravelBloggers #Globetrotters #BucketListAdventures #DigitalNomadLife #ExploreBrazil #CruiseLife #CruiseAddicts #SailingTheWorld #FullTimeTravel #SnorkelingAdventure #CaribbeanVibes #BoatLife #CarnavalCelebration