Paranaguá

Paranaguá means "big round sea" in the Tupi-Guarani language, a reference to the wide bay that affords the city optimal conditions to function as an important port. The city was founded somewhere around 1550 on the island of Cotinga, and later expanded onto the mainland. The city preserves many of the oldest colonial remnants in Paraná. It also serves as a convenient departure point for Ilha do Mel.

By car

By train

• Serra Verde Express, . On most days the scenic train from Curitiba stops only at Morretes but on Sundays it comes all the way to Paranaguá. The trains departs from Curitiba at 8:15AM and arrives in Paranaguá at 1:15PM. R$39.

By boat

Paranagua is linked by passenger launch to Guaraqueçaba, Ilha do Mel, and Ilha do Superagui.

• Beach roadThe road along the beach downtown holds the highest concentration of colonial remnants, including the Elfrida Lobo House, the Cecy House, the Monsenhor Celso House, and the former Customs House.

• Church of Nossa Senhora das MercêsIt was built in 1677 and then demolished 22 years later, this hilltop church was reconstructed in 1955. 365 steps leading up to the church offer a charming view of the city and the sea.

• Church of Nossa Senhora do Rosário

  address: Largo Monsenhor Celso - Centro
  Built by slaves in 1578, it was the first church in the state.

• Church of São Benedito

  address: Rua Conselheiro Sinimbú - Centro
  Built by slaves between 1600 and 1650.

• Elfrida Lobo House

• Mathias Böhn PalaceBuilt in the late 18th century and renovated in the late 19th.

• Museum of the Historical and Geographic Institute of Paranaguá

  address: Rua XV de Novembro - Centro
  Houses a collection of weapons, instruments, furniture, and other items dating from the 17th and 18th century.

• Old FountainBuilt in the 17th century to furnish water to the people, this fountain is the among the oldest constructions in the city.

• Padroeira do Paraná Sanctuary

  address: Praça Padre Tomás - Rocio
  Finished in 1813.

• Paranaguá Archeological and Ethnological MuseumInstalled in a former Jesuit college completed in 1755, this museum has a collection of archeological finds and items from indigenous peoples of the area.

• Visconde de Nácar PalaceFormer governor's palace, constructed around 1840.

Popular items to pick up here include handicrafts and black pottery casserole dishes made as in colonial times for slow cooking the local stews.

• Armazém do Artesanato

  phone: +55 41 3422-6278
  address: Rua João Estevã 580
  Local handicrafts.

• Brasilian Souvenirs

  phone: +55 41 3423-2532
  address: Rua Faria Sobrinho 1488

• Mercado do Artesanato

  phone: +55 41 3423-2155
  address: Rua General Carneiro, no number

• Mercado Municipal Basílio Abud

  phone: +55 41 3420-2924
  address: Rua João Estevão 18
  A typical Brazilian municipal market with food items, handicrafts, household items, and a whole range of other items.

Sea food can be had fresh daily. As in much of Brasil the best/economical places to eat are the "por quilo" or all you can eat restaurants; these are sprinkled throughout the downtown area.

• Casa do Barreado

  phone: +55 41 3423-1830
  Specializes in the local version of barreado.

For the interested, there are many artesanal cachacas (sugar cane liquor) coming to market in Paranaguá.

Several reasonable places downtown including a hostel right on the waterfront next to the passenger boat ticket office.

• Hotel Camboa - Rua João Estevão, S/N. - Centro.
• Hotel San Rafael - Rua Julia da Costa - Centro.
• Hotel Palácio- Rua Correia de Freitas- Centro. Tel: +55 41 3422-5655
• Hotel Lider - Rua Julia da Costa - Centro.
• Hotel Monte Líbano - Rua Julia da Costa - Centro.

• Guaraqueçaba is home to a recently created reserve for the Atlantic Forest which has been destroyed along most of the southern half of Brasil's coast. It is easier to get to Guaraquecaba from Paranaguá by boat than to drive there from Curitiba.
• Ilha do Mel
• Marumbi
• Morretes
• Pontal do Paraná - This town, on the coast opposite Ilha do Mel, has modern beach resort facilities.