Angra Dos Reis, state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

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Paradise is very close! Angra dos Reis means Ensenada de los Reyes, and its name is due to the fact that it was discovered on Three Kings Day (January 6), 1502 by the Portuguese Gaspar de Lemos, when he and his fleet ran aground on Isla Grande during their mapping mission. the Brazilian coast. Initially populated by the Tamoios Indians, it was born with the name of Vila dos Santos Reis Magos (Villa de los Santos Reyes Magos) and little by little, estates of settlers dedicated to the production of sugar cane and brandy were established in the area. they benefited from the labor of slaves from Africa. Over the years, the cultivation of coffee also gained importance and with the discovery of gold in Minas Gerais, Angra dos Reis became one of the most important ports in the Rio de Janeiro region, where ships from all over the world arrived and departed from. the world, loaded with gold, coffee, sugar and slaves, giving rise to a golden age during the 19th century. With the construction of the D. Pedro II railway in 1884 and the subsequent abolition of slavery, Angra dos Reis fell into a period of decline, where there was only survival agriculture and a population that was significantly reduced. Decades later, in the middle of the 20th century, the city regained its momentum thanks to the installation of the Verolme shipyard and in the 1970s with the installation of two nuclear power plants and the Petrobras oil station. At present, the main source of wealth in Angra dos Reis is its great tourist activity, which was favored by the construction of the Río-Santos highway, which facilitated the arrival of visitors. Walking through the streets of the city center, many of them curved following the direction of the winds, is a real pleasure. Unfortunately most of the colonial constructions have not withstood the passing of the years, but the churches that have been preserved are a sample of the history of the city and its transformations. As for the 365 islands that make up the bay, many of them lack any type of building and have restricted the maximum number of visitors allowed per day, which results in landscapes that remain intact, equal to those seen by the first Portuguese colonizers more than five centuries ago.

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About the places where we are going to swim:

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Ilha do Maia is an island (among the many and small ones) that is located in the waters of Angra dos Reis, in the State of Rio de Janeiro. It is characterized by its crystal blue waters. It is a place that does not have a permanent population, so it offers a unique natural beauty. It was, in colonial times, a military settlement where you can still see watchtowers, some cannons and a small construction from the Portuguese era. It is located just 10 minutes from the city of Angra dos Reis and 160 km from Rio de Janeiro. It is also possible to get to Ilha do Maia by boat, since this island is the arrival point for cruise ships.

The second largest island of Angra dos Reis has beaches for all Tastes. Gipoia Island is 35 minutes (by boat or schooner) from the central region of Angra dos Reis , in Rio de Janeiro . Once there, there are beaches that attract all types of public, those who enjoy sports such as surfing or swimming. Trindade is located in the municipality of Paraty in the south of the state of Rio de Janeiro. It is a very quiet village surrounded by lush nature and beautiful beaches. The “wave” of the place is mostly Hippie, where people do not go in search of luxuries, on the contrary the simplicity and the rustic and relaxed atmosphere is what they will see in Trindade. Entering the town is Praia do Cepilho, where the sea is more rough than the other beaches, which is why it is frequented mainly by jet-setters. In the place there is a restaurant with good options of dishes and drinks. Next is Praia de Fora or Dos Ranchos as it is called, it is the main beach, it has a good infrastructure for tourism with several inns, camping, bars and restaurants. At night, mainly in high season, the beach bars offer music (a lot of reggae, samba and forró). The sea is not as rough as that of Praia do Cepilho.