Summer In Paraná
I find it funny when we from Paraná insist on only going to the beaches of Santa Catarina for our holidays. I have done it a few times myself. There is nothing wrong with it if, beforehand, we know the value of the many surprising things we have on our doorstep. It is true we do not have crystal-clear seawater, nor are we a natural breeding ground for Southern Right Whales, as is the neighbouring state. We are not even close to having their aggressive marketing. However, our little strip of coastline has beautiful landscapes composed of the gracious municipalities of Antonina, Guaraqueçaba, Guaratuba, Matinhos, Morretes, Paranaguá and Pontal do Paraná. Nearly all of which are only an hour from Curitiba.
The coast of Paraná boasts a rich cuisine, history, culture, enchanting bays and mountains covered by the Atlantic Forest. The region shelters conservation areas that protect uncountable species of fauna and flora. It is in the hottest season of the year that the abundance of water reveals exuberant places in the state for tourists of all ages to visit. They include adventure activities and breathtaking natural landscapes.
In Paranaguá, the boat trip around the Bay that bears the same name as the town takes an hour and gives you a privileged view of the Cutinga, Cobra and Peças Islands and also Ilha do Mel, the latter being the proud owner of paradisiacal beaches such as the deserted Praia da Fortaleza, the bustling Encantadas and the exquisite Nova Brasilia. Still on Ilha do Mel – which is impossible to get to by car –tourists can spend the day surfing, trekking or diving. As night falls, pause to hear the intriguing stories told by the natives, as you savour the excellent coastal cuisine. At bedtime, campsite tents or hotels and rustic guesthouses are available.
Adventure activities are not exclusive to Paranaguá and Ilha do Mel. Just up the hill, in Morretes, the practice of cycle-tourism, rafting, inner tube rafting, off-road tourism in 4×4 vehicles, waterfall abseiling and long-distance hiking also make the town an eco- and adventure-tourism centre. All these destinations are promoted by ABETA’s (Brazilian Association of Eco- and Adventure-tourism Companies) National Advertising and Marketing Programme – which works to strengthen the sector and reinforce Brazil’s potential for the safe and responsible offering of Eco- and Adventure-tourism activities.
Small and historic Morretes is also famous for its 23 restaurants – all of which offer the traditional Barreado – as well as the relatively well-preserved colonial architecture and tree-lined streets. The natives who sell local produce – such as banana sweets, sugar cane rum and flour – set up their market stalls every Saturday, Sunday and Holiday. They can be found in the central square, around the Nhundiaquara River, which cuts the city in two and was once the only connection between the plateau and coast in the 16th century.
Antonina, on the other hand, – 14 kilometres from Morretes – lived its golden age in the 19th century, during the Mate Cycle. The ruins of an old mate warehouse offer a charming view of Antonina Bay. With cobblestone streets, Antonina is a protected town in an attempt to preserve – as well as the history – the town’s memory. The small town of 20,000 inhabitants is also the cradle of various popular and folkloric manifestations, such as the Fandango.
The famous municipalities of Matinhos and Guaratuba boast several bathing beaches with an infrastructure of restaurants, supermarkets, hotels, guesthouses and houses for rent. Caiobá is the largest and the most refined of the bathing resorts and is divided into Praia Brava and Praia Mansa. The former is located in a cove with shallow waters that can be a little rough, where the surf championships are held. The latter is located on the Guaratuba Bay road, with very calm and not-so-deep waters. Praia Bela or Prainha do Farol da Ilha das Tartarugas can be reached from there.
If your choice this summer is water, but not necessarily the beach, in the extreme west of the state, we have Foz do Iguaçú, where you can walk through the canopy of the National Park while practicing “tree sports”. Meanwhile, in the background, the fierce sound of some of the approximately 275 waterfalls of the Cataracts provides the ideal soundtrack for this nature moment. Another way to enjoy the gorgeous sight of Foz’s waters is to go abseiling in Iguaçú Canyon, where the tourist descends 55 metres contemplating one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World.
Paraná also has many structured routes, such as Rota do Pinhão, Rota do Vinho, Rota dos Tropeiros, among others. Discover which best fits your profile and take advantage of one of the most inventive states in Brazil. If you need help putting your itinerary together, consult a travel agent. There are many suggestions for all tastes and wallets.
By Silvia Oliveira
Photos by Raul Mattar
