The Costa Verde is worthy of its name. A natural wonder located between Rio and São Paulo, the mountainsides plunge down into the blue-green waters of the ocean. Bays and islands starting close to the mainland follow one after the other, with the landscape becoming wilder the further you get from Rio. Among the must-see spots are the Ilha Grande and Paraty, a city with superbly preserved colonial architecture. Not far from there you will come across authentic little fishing villages.