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Voykit pocket guide · Brazil
Paranaguá
Spend 1–2 days in Paranaguá: see the colonial street‑museum trail and catch a boat to Ilha do Mel; longer only for extra island trips.
Paranaguá is a historic port city in Paraná with a compact colonial centre and a ferry hub for Ilha do Mel and nearby coastal towns. Its sights fit into a half‑day walk, so a single day covers the basics; add a second day for boat trips or a relaxed pace.
- Country
- Brazil
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- Avoid
- Jan–Feb (cool, rainier), Dec (holiday crowds)
- Stay
- 1–2 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- BRL
- Money
- Currency is the Brazilian real (BRL, R$). About R$5–5.8 per US dollar in 2026 — check. Cards and tap-to-pay are accepted almost everywhere, even at beach kiosks.
- Daily spend
- Budget R$ 120–180 excl. bed · Mid R$ 200–300 excl. bed · High R$ 350–500 excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Vivo, Claro and TIM cover the country; buying a prepaid SIM needs a passport and sometimes a CPF — an eSIM before you fly is easier.
- Emergency
- Police 190 · Ambulance 192 · Fire 193
- Plugs
- Types N, C · 127 V (Rio, São Paulo) or 220 V (Brasília, much of the Northeast) · Check the voltage on the socket; most chargers are dual-voltage.
- Tipping
- Restaurant: 10% service (serviço) usually on the bill; optional but normal.; Beach kiosk / bar: Often included; round up.; Taxi / Uber: Not expected; round up.; Guide: US$5–15 per person per day.; Hotel staff: Small tip for porters.
- Water
- Do not drink tap water; filtered water is provided in most homes and hotels.
- Toilets
- Put toilet paper in the bin, not the toilet, in most places.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee at a café | R$ 5–8 |
| Seafood plate (fresh catch) | R$ 30–55 |
| Barreado (local stew) at Casa do Barreado | R$ 25–40 |
| Taxi (5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi (3.1 mi (5 km)) | R$ 20–30 |
| Ferry ticket to Ilha do Mel (one way) | R$ 35–45 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- CWB · Afonso Pena International Airport (Curitiba)
- About 100 km (62 mi) north, 1½ h by car or bus to ParanaguáAbout 62 mi (100 km) north, 1½ h by car or bus to Paranaguá
Typical fares
- Paranaguá → Ilha do Mel ferry
- about R$ 40 round‑trip, 30 min each way (check schedule)
- Taxi downtown 2 km
- ≈ R$ 15–20
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
The historic centre is walkable; use local taxis or rideshares for farther points. Ferries depart from the waterfront to Guaraqueçaba, Ilha do Mel and Superagüi.
See and do
Known for
- Colonial street‑museum trail (Elfrida Lobo House, Cecy House, etc.)
- Church of Nossa Senhora do Rosário (1578)
- Museum of the Historical and Geographic Institute
- Padroeira do Paraná Sanctuary
- Ferry gateway to Ilha do Mel
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Ilha do Mel | Ferry from Paranaguá waterfront, about 30 min | ≈ 1 h total |
| Guaraqueçaba | Passenger launch from Paranaguá, 45 min | ≈ 1.5 h total |
| Morretes | Bus from Paranaguá station, ~ 1 h | ≈ 2 h total |
| Pontal do Paraná | Bus or taxi, ~ 45 min | ≈ 1 h |
Sleep
- Hostel on the waterfront
- Close to the passenger boat office, good for early ferries.
- Hotel Camboa
- Central, near market and colonial sights.
- Ibis Hotel
- Av. Cel. José Lobo, modern amenities, 10‑min walk to beach road.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Com licençakoh-mee LEE-zah |
| Thank you | Obrigadooh-bree-GAH-doo |
| How much is it? | Quanto custa?KWAHN-too KOOS-tah |
| Where is the ferry? | Onde fica a balsa?OHN-deh FEE-kah ah BAHL-sah |
| Can I pay by card? | Posso pagar com cartão?POH-soh pah-GAR kohm kar-TAO |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake, hug or cheek kiss (one in São Paulo, two in Rio); avoid: Being stiff with new acquaintances
- Gestures: Use thumbs-up freely; avoid: The OK hand sign (it is rude)
- Language: Try Portuguese; say obrigado/obrigada; avoid: Defaulting to Spanish
- Time: Expect relaxed social punctuality; avoid: Being late for tours and flights
- Beach: Bring only a towel, cash and a copy of your ID; avoid: Leaving things unattended
Scams and watch-outs
- Ferry schedules vary seasonally; check times in advance (check official site).
- Some colonial houses have limited opening hours; verify before visiting.
Paranaguá is generally safe for tourists; petty theft can occur in crowded markets—keep valuables close and use registered taxis.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Paranaguá yet. Suggested stay: 1–2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Colonial street‑museum trail (Elfrida Lobo House, Cecy House, etc.)
- Church of Nossa Senhora do Rosário (1578)
- Museum of the Historical and Geographic Institute
- Padroeira do Paraná Sanctuary
- Ferry gateway to Ilha do Mel
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikidata – Paranaguá: www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12345
- Wikivoyage: Paranaguá, revision 5125756 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5125756
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/paranagua). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.