about 150 kilometers from rio de janeiro, located on the atlantic coast in the região dos lagos (region of the lakes),  rio das ostras (oyster river), is a town of just over 100,000 inhabitants known for its beaches and peaceful, cozy atmosphere - even as far back as 1575, this town was attracting the attention of the portuguese navigators who were cruising off its coast.

originally inhabited by the tamoios and goitacazes tribes, rio das ostras was colonized in the 1530's - jesuits began to christianize these native people and built the church of nossa senhora da conceição (our lady of the immaculate conception) with their help - in 1759, however, the jesuits were expelled from the settlement, and later replaced by the benedictine and carmelitas orders. it was at this point that the town grew due to into a thriving fishing community.