Along  the Costa Verde, where the mountains kiss the sea, there are hundreds of islands, including IIha Grande at the Restinga de Marambaia, which soften the sea for easy swimming and boating. The calm waters, coupled with the natural ports and coves allowed safe passage for Portuguese ships that cattle to Parati to transport sugar cane, and, liter on, gold to Europe. It also protected pirates, who found a safe haven on Ilha Grande.

There are beaches waiting to be explored, where the views are spectacular.  The most famous sports are Angra dos Reis, Parati (a historically preserved town of beautiful baroque architecture), Itacuruçá and Ilha Grande.
Resort hotels scattered along the coast, settle of them only one and a half hour drive from Rio de Janeiro, make it perfect for a relaxing vacation after visiting bustling Rio.