How to Get from Paraty to Praia do Sono and Vice Versa

Getting there by Bus

The easiest and most affordable way to get from Paraty to Praia do Sono is by public bus. Here's an easy-to-follow step-by-step guide on how to get there:

First, make your way to Rodoviária de Paraty, the city's main bus terminal located not too far from the historical center. I highly recommend getting there in the morning so you have the entire day to hike and relax at Praia do Sono. There are a few small cafes where you can grab a quick bite and a coffee while you wait for the bus if you haven't had breakfast yet.

Once you arrive at the bus terminal, turn left and you will see a line of people waiting to board the buses departing from the terminal. The bus you want is #24, which goes to the Praia do Sono trailhead and is labeled Vila Oratório.

The bus usually runs every hour from 4:45 AM to 10:15 PM on weekdays, while on weekends it runs every 2 hours between 4:45 AM and 10:15 PM. The actual bus schedule is shown in the photos above, so be sure to line up at the correct platform. Look at the left column, as that is the schedule for the bus to Praia do Sono. The top section is for weekdays, while the bottom section is for weekends.

Once the bus arrives, simply follow the line and hop on. You can pay the fare directly to the driver when boarding, but YOU MUST PAY WITH CASH! Credit cards are generally not accepted on these local buses. The bus should cost around 5 BRL (~ 1 USD) per person, so make sure you have the exact change.

After paying, the ride to Vila Oratório takes about 45 minutes. I took the 8:30 AM bus and arrived around 9:15 AM. Be sure to get off at the final stop, not before. The bus will drop you off at this location, right next to the trailhead, where you can begin your hike to Praia do Sono.

Hiking to Praia do Sono

Once you arrive at Vila Oratório, make your way toward the trailhead, where you will pass through a small village as the road ascends. There will be signs telling you which way to go, so keep an eye out for "Praia do Sono".

From the village, the hike is about 3.1 km and takes around 1 hour each way through a lush green jungle that remains quite humid most of the year, so be sure to bring enough water for the hike. The path is paved during the first section out of town, after which you will have to climb a few stairs before the trail levels out into a pleasant stroll through the jungle. It will be mostly under the shade, so you should be protected from the sun the entire hike.

Towards the end, you will climb up to a small lookout point where you will be rewarded with stunning views of Praia do Sono, a crescent-shaped beach lined with palm trees, soft sand, and crystal-clear water. I started the hike at 9:30 AM and arrived at the beach by 10:30 AM.

At the beach, you will find a handful of restaurants and bars where you can relax with snacks, drinks, and coffee. Many of them have seating right by the beach, so you can order a drink and spend the rest of your time unwinding by the sea. The prices are a bit on the expensive side, with meals costing around 10 USD, but hey, you are paying for the incredible view, right?

You can also walk up and down the shoreline, as Praia do Sono is incredibly spacious and spread out. If you want to avoid the crowds, simply walk farther along the coast and you will likely find a quiet stretch of beach all to yourself.

You can also spend the night at Praia do Sono if you wish. There are several campsites where you can rent a tent for the night, or if you bring your own, you can simply pitch it yourself and pay only for the camping spot.

There are enough restaurants around the beach to keep you fed throughout the day, so there is no real need to bring your own food. Most of these restaurants also accept credit cards, but it is still a good idea to carry some cash just in case.

Getting back from Praia do Sono to Paraty

I spent around 2–3 hours at the beach before heading back the same way at around 1 PM, hiking another hour back to where the bus dropped me off. I arrived back around 2 PM and only had to wait about 30 minutes before the 2:30 PM bus arrived, and I was on my way back to Paraty, arriving at around 3:30 PM.

The bus from Praia do Sono back to Paraty runs almost every hour from 5:30 AM to 11 PM on weekdays, and every 2 hours between 5:30 AM and 11 PM on weekends. The #24 bus schedule is shown in the photos above. Look at the right column, as that is the schedule for the return bus to Paraty. The top section is for weekdays, while the bottom section is for weekends.

That should be it for getting from Paraty to Praia do Sono and back with public transportation. Also, if you do not wish to hike, you can also take a boat from Laranjeiras Condominium to Praia do Sono beach and back. It costs 40 BRL per way (~8 USD) and takes about 10 minutes. Be sure to get off at the right bus stop if you wish to take the boat!