Pontal do Paraná
CITY OF WHITE SANDS
AND INVITING WATERS
As is common among the coastal cities, Pontal do Paraná had the natives as the first inhabitants. Only a long time later, in 1995, the place was dismembered from Paranaguá and became a municipality, with a current average population of just over 26 thousand inhabitants.
The natural beauties and history of the coastal past are the great local attractions. With 23 km of seafront subdivided into more than 40 beaches, Pontal do Paraná has become one of the main tourist destinations of the State. The city is also notable for artisanal and sport fishing and ecotourism.
WHAT TO DO
WALKING ON ALONG THE BEACH
After the sea bath, a great option is to meet friends and have fun on the boardwalks of the different beach balnearies, such as Praia Leste, Ipanema and Santa Terezinha. With good infrastructure, they offer snack bars and local commerce.
ECOLOGICAL TRACKS
The International Walk in Nature breaks up into different circuits scattered around Pontal do Paraná. In each of them, the physical effort of the practitioners is compensated by the natural beauties that make up the route.
SPORT
It is not only the beaches that invite tourists to visit Pontal do Paraná. The city is also very attractive for those who enjoy sports. The Guraguaçu river is ideal for sport fishing because it offers an abundance of fish of different species. Those who want to dive have the MarBrasil Association, which promotes diving focused on marine diversity and offers training in scientific diving. It also has free paramotor flights and nautical modalities.
DICAS
FEIRA DA LUA
Held from Wednesday to Friday, in Shangri-la, Santa Terezinha and Ipanema, respectively, the fair offers gastronomic and cultural options, as well as the sale of handicrafts.
GOLFINHOS OBSERVATION
In the Pontal do Sul balneary, it is possible to observe about 40 adult dolphins which use the region to feed and care for the young. They can get approximately 2.2 meters and can be seen on some beaches in Ponta do Poço.
CITIZEN LIBRARY
Those who enjoy cultural programs can count on a planned space. The Citizen Library offers a literary collection, a reading room, a movie theater and a telecentre.
CAIÇARA CAFÉ
On the trip to Pontal do Paraná, you can try a delicious coffee prepared with local products by the Guaraguaçu Community. The menu has delicacies such as fish pie, geleia de pinga, cassava cake, and natural juices. But attention: the dishes are prepared only if you order!
PARTIES WITH SEA FRUITS
Two festivities stand out in the local calendar: the Camacho (Shrimp and draft beer Festival) is a gastronomic event midst to music, sport, motorcycling and even bingo! The Crab Festival mixes crab and Brazilian music, especially samba de raiz, chorinho and MPB.
MOST VISITED PLACES
Balneário Santa Terezinha
Calçadão de Praia do Leste
Calçadão de Ipanema
Canto das Pedras – Pontal do Sul
Rio Guaraguaçu
TOURS
Beaches
The 23 km of coastline of Pontal do Paraná shelter 48 balnearies with good conditions for bathing. Among them, we can stand out: Santa Terezinha beach balneary, the most visited by young people for having hectic nightlife, great surfing spots and the best carnival in the city; balneario Ipanema, known for its intense commerce; and the balneario de Pontal do Sul, with beautiful scenery, good waves for surfing, natural pools of calm waters and crossing to Ilha do Mel. The beaches of Praia do Leste and Shangri-la are also quite famous and visited.
Parque Nacional Marinho das Ilhas dos Currais
The first marine national park of Paraná has the mission of protecting the ecosystems and natural environments of the surroundings. The place, formed by three islands that are in front of the balneary of Praia do Leste, is one of the few points of diving of the State. Considered one of the main nurseries of birds in Brazil and in the South Atlantic, the Park also houses the Sea Studies Center of the Federal University of Paraná.
Estrada Ecológica do Guaraguaçu
The road, which in the past connected the then town of Pontal do Sul to Paranaguá, today gives access to private properties. The 26 km of road are paved with shells found in the sambaquis, which are all the way. This is where the International Walk in Nature takes place, an ecotourism event promoted annually by the city hall. The visits must be scheduled at the City's Tourism Department or Funai.
Comunidade do Maciel (Ilha do Maciel)
The picturesque village where 46 families of artisanal fishermen live, the place has a natural beauty adorned by colorful houses, canoes and fishing nets that seem to have been born with the village. The hospitable population, which tells stories about the coastal traditions and prepares delicious recipes based on seafood, is a special reason to visit the place, where every year there is also a stage of the International Walk in Nature - Maciel.
HOW TO ARRIVE
To get to Pontal do Paraná, you can choose between two routes: BR-277, followed by PR-407, or BR-376, followed by PR-412. In addition to car, you can get there by bus, Via Graciosa. The city is 97 km from Curitiba.
WHERE TO STAY
The city offers diversified lodging options, such as hotels, inns and hostels.
GASTRONOMY
The municipality has a typical dish that goes back to the past of the pioneers of the coast. It is the cambira, made from dried and smoked dogfish fillet, banana and seasonings. To accompany, rice, pirão and salads. Those who prefer more conventional recipes can choose from several options of restaurants, pizzerias and snack bars.