“There exist places you could call sanctuaries, where we can forget who we are for some hours like the world is excluding us from her own revolutions. For us Vila de Trindade is one of these places. Located at the border between Rio and São Paulo states, the small village comprises of 7 beaches, probably the most beautiful of the Brazilian coast………”
“.......... Assim foi nosso passeio, um encontro com praias e matas quase intocadas, com paisagens exuberantes. Pena que durou pouco.”
Cited and translated from www.guiadobrasil.com.br
The whole area of Trindade is environmentally protected and is either part of the National Park Parque Nacional da Serra da Bocaina or the area of environmental protection APA Cairuçu , the only place where the park meets the sea. Being protected by the steep slopes of the “ Serra do Mar ”, the “ Mata Atlântica ”, the Atlantic rain forest, remained intact and even today the rich primary vegetation could be found in some areas.
History
In colonial times Trindade was a refuge for pirates that attacked the ships, leaving Paraty, sailing for Portugal, full of gold from Minas Gerais state. Stories of the local people are still told of lost treasures and chests full of gold on the seabed or in hidden and inaccessible places, particularly on the treasure island Ilha do Tesouro . During the 1960s, the place was first visited by hippies, and shortly thereafter the reputation spread. During the nineties the tourists discovered the beauty of the region. Nowadays, what was once just an old fishermen's village is a place with good tourist infrastructure, but still with nature in abundance and a lot of fascination.
This tropical paradise at the open bluish-green Atlantic Ocean, framed by the deep green Atlantic rain forest, comprises of 7 marvelous beaches that satisfy every possible demand. On the seaside there is a natural pool, Piscina natural do Caixadaço, with colorful marine life. In the forests around the village, there are many walking paths to visit streams and waterfalls for a refreshing bath. All this is within walking distance from the hotel and can be reached in less than one hour.
Praia Brava:A beautiful, wild and deserted beach. Access is by a path that starts from the road to Paraty. It has fresh water springs and a waterfall and is surrounded by the exuberance of the Atlantic Forest, Mata Atlântica . Arriving by car the first beach of Trindade bay is Praia do Cepilho . Here surfers meet to take advantage of waves of 13 feet or more. There is also a restaurant with a car park.
Continuing on, the road to the village passes through a small stream called Pedra d'Água and continues past Praia de Fora, a vast beach with fine yellow sand, that fronts all of Vila de Trindade. The southernmost part of the beach is called Praia dos Ranchos. The name Ranchos comes from the formerly small shanty bars and restaurants. They now offer portions of fish, other seafood and typical local food, as well as fresh juices and long drinks like the famous Caipirinha. During holidays and high season this beach is always full, concentrating all of the nightlife of the region. From this beach, boats leave for the natural pool Caxadaço.
Praia do Meio:Here the quiet waters attract families with small children. There are a few bars and restaurants serving good food. A rock formation juts into the sea near the middle of the beach. From the its peak, there is a spectacular view of the surrounding beaches, islands and the open sea. This is a place to watch the waves breaking and philosophize about life… At the end of the beach, a lovely stream reaches the sea. Boats leave from here for the natural pool, Caxadaço.
Praia do Caxadaço:For those who want to get away from the crowds of Trindade, this long beach can be reached only by trail or boat. The pristine white sand beach is located within the National Park and has no infrastructure or bars. Note that despite the clear, calm waters, there can be whirlpools and hidden currents. There are two campgrounds and a just a few inhabitants living without electricity. From one of the campgrounds you enter the path to the hidden waterfall Galeta .
Praia da Figueira (dos Pelados): This small beach with calm waters permits nudism, giving it the nickname pelado (naked). The access trail is the same as that used for the natural pool of Caxadaço, just veer off a few meters earlier.
Piscina do Caxadaço:Here an enormous rock of volcanic origin forms a large pool and encloses calm, crystalline sea water. It's worthwhile to carry a diving mask to watch the schools of colored fish and to explore the marine world. Without a mask you can still enjoy a swim among the colored fish. Access is by trail or boat. This is one of the most beautiful places of the entire region.
From Caxadaço there is a marvelous view to Pico do Cairuçu , which at 3242ft, is the highest peak in the region. Local guides can lead tourists from Ponta Negra up to the peak on jungle-covered trails in a 2-day expedition.
Upstream, the rapids of the river Codós disappears below a large rock, Pedra que Engole ( the stone that gulps down) and form a natural pool when exiting on the other side.
Fishermen of the village offer boat trips from Praia dos Ranchos and Praia do Meio to visit other famous beaches of the region like Praia do Sono , dos Antigos and Praia da Ponta Negra.
Our expert Vanessa recommends: “Don't forget when walking the marvelous beaches of our region, always be bare- footed. This is better for your body and your soul.”
