Superagui & Guaraqueçaba's exuberant nature is the main draw card for this amazing part of Brazil. The region is one of the world's five most significant ecosystems and is dotted with untamed beaches and Atlantic forestland rich with rare and exotic species of birds and animals. You can get close to nature staying in one of the unique Superagui & Guaraqueçaba hotels, peacefully listening to the soothing sounds of your remote surroundings.
Leave the luxuries of the modern world behind for a few days, becoming one with nature and experiencing the magic of Superagui & Guaraqueçaba!
Before Portuguese colonists arrived in Brazil, 16% of the country was covered by Atlantic forestland. Today only 7% of it is still preserved, most of it in the region of Guaraqueçaba and southern São Paulo´s coast.
Superagui National Park is formed by the Islands Superagui, Peças, a part of the continent called Vale do Rio dos Patos and several smaller islands like Pinheiro und Pinheirinho. It was created in 1989 and has almost 34,000 ha. It is very rich in mangroves which are the birthplace for the rich sea fauna found here. Some of the species in the Superagui National Park are very rare and were almost extinct in other places around the world. Some of these species include the ‘papagaio chauá' or ‘papagaio da cara roxa'- purple faced parrot, 'mico-leão da cara preta'- black-faced lion tamarin and ‘jacaré do papo amarelo' - broad snouted caiman. All these species must be strictly protected to avoid extinction and several nature organisations have purchased areas in the region to preserve fauna and flora. Taking a Superagui tour is a great way to explore the region.
Locals live mostly on Superagui Island in a village with 1200 inhabitants. Superagui locals make a living as fishermen or by providing services to the travellers who visit the Island throughout the year. Only locals are allowed to have inns or build houses. Some of the locals have opened simple accommodation in Superagui providing a place to rest your head and delight in a great home-style meal. From December to March everything is fully booked, so it is a good idea to book your Superagui accommodation in advance. During the low season several accommodation and restaurant options may be closed so it is best to contact us in advance to book your Superagui hotel to ensure you are expected!
The island is a single nature reserve and not a single car will be seen here. Transport in the area includes bicycles and maybe some horses.
Among the main highlights in Superagui is the Desert Beach, a 38 km stretch of undeveloped beach where you can enjoy the site of Dolphins playing in the waters. If you would like explore the forest there is a trail (‘trilha') that leads from the village to the beach. The trail winds its way across a river several times throughout your hour long walk. It is an easy and relaxing walk suitable for all levels of fitness.
A boat tour is also a must-do when you are here. Such tours take you to several channels and islands where you will see mangroves and the rich fauna and flora of the region. In the late afternoon a good option is to stop in front of the Pinheiro and Pinheirinho islands to see the parrots ‘papagaio chauá' returning back home. They arrive alone or in small groups. According to an environmental organisation, more than 2,000 parrots live on the island. They leave the islands early every morning in search of food and return at the end of the day to nest.
On Ilha das Peças the biggest attraction is ‘baía dos golfinhos' - Dolphins´ bay, just in front of the pier. From the community restaurant, where women have organised themselves in an association to prepare home-style food, you can appreciate dolphins swimming around. The village has about 500 inhabitants and many deluxe houses, where wealthy people from Paranaguá and Curitiba have summer residences. During weekends many boat owners stop here to enjoy a meal or a chilled beer in one of the beach bars and restaurants. Everything is simple, but natives are well organised and have even college lessons, taught by satellite. On the other side of Ilha das Peças there is a small community called Bertioga, where only about 30 families live. In the single restaurant/inn Baia Bela, many boats with hobby-fishers stop by for a drink, a fresh meal or to spend the night. If you are looking for a place of solitude and quiet, Bertioga is surely a great option. Mauricio and his family will be happy to welcome you! Check out our Superagui and Guaraqueçaba map to familiarise yourself with the location of our recommended Superagui and Guaraqueçaba hotels in relation to the many tourist attractions.
A trip to Superagüi should be planned in advance, as transportation, accommodation and restaurant options are quite few. In our Guaraqueçaba and Superagui accommodation, tours, transportation and restaurant guides you will find several options to help you plan your trip.
The most famous settler in Guaraqueçaba is surely William Michaud, a Swiss from Vevey, who arrived here in 1852. Mr. Michaud was a great painter and sent his impressions and experiences in pictures and letters to his sisters in Switzerland. His work is a great reference about life and nature of the region and some of his pictures can be seen in the Ibama-Office in Guaraqueçaba. A book with his letters, pictures and a diary of his friend Henri Doge were edited in Switzerland in 2002.
The first Portuguese colonists arrived in Guaraqueçaba in 1545, making it one of their earliest settlements. Due north of Paranaguá on the far side of the bay, it is the fifth biggest municipal region of Paraná. Guaraqueçaba has about 8,000 inhabitants divided into 80 communities, some of them with only 30 families. It includes some Tupi-Guarani Indians, known for their basket weaving. The population lives from fishing, cattle raising and palm heart extraction. Due to its difficult access, it is among the poorest areas in Paraná, but is richly endowed with natural treasures.
The town is quite small and the main building is the church ‘Nosso Senhor dos Perdões'. Just behind the church the trail ‘trilha do Quitumbê' begins. Walk 800 m leading through forest stairs up and you will have a wonderful view of the bay.
Visitors come to Guaraqueçaba looking for nature. The main attractions in Guaraqueçaba are surely two of the private nature areas: Salto Morato and Sebuí. Salto Morato is known for its 130-meter waterfall and Sebuí has several waterfalls and trails in different degrees of difficulty. In Sebuí there is also the option to spend a few nights relaxing with nature. Bookings for this Guaraqueçaba hotel must be made in advance. Here you can paddle in a canoe in the clear waters of the rivers, hear the sounds of the forest animals at night or start your boat tours in Guaraqueçaba.
It is hard to believe that Guaraqueçaba was once a hub of activity and a crucial port, surpassing even Paranaguá in its importance. The buildings in the town are quiet and unassuming and many of the older buildings no longer exist. The area was on the route to River Plate and Europe from 1880 to 1930, and ships would leave here with their cargo of timber and bananas.
The port at Guaraqueçaba is now essentially just an embarkation point for fishermen and is sometimes used by ecological station boats as well as by municipality boats carrying staff to visit remote areas.
Guaraqueçaba epitomises conservation and several fishermen have made this well protected region in the Atlantic Forest area of Brazil their home. Animals and birds alike flock here to the safety of the forests and waters, making the area one of the richest centres of biodiversity in the world.
There are few Guaraqueçaba accommodation options in the village, some of them quite basic, other with a pool. A very charming pousada - Pousada Bambuza, is the best option in town. As in Superagui, it is always good to be expected, as during the high season (December to March) accommodation in Guaraqueçaba is fully booked and during low season may be closed.
Life here has an undercurrent of loneliness to it. Unconnected to the world in many places, but for the sea link, it is quite easy to feel a sense of isolation when you first arrive here. Roads are few and far between and quite often in a state of disrepair.
This isolation has its advantages though and it has helped to keep some traditions alive, like ‘fandango' a rhythm widely spread and played in Guaraqueçaba & Superagui. Locals join to play and dance and in July a festival occurring in town brings together fandango groups from all over Parana's coast.
Travellers usually arrive at Guaraqueçaba and Superagui to unwind. Taking a Guaraqueçaba & Superagui tour, the only sound you'll hear is the waters of the ocean crashing against the sands and rocks. Amongst things to see & do around Guaraqueçaba & Superagui, some ways to fill a day here are by strolling along a quiet and empty beach, taking a boat ride into the mangroves, bird watching on one of the smaller islands nearby or relaxing over some local seafood and a chilled beer. Try the local Caiçara´s whiskey called cataia made from the leaves of a tree by the same name. Seafood is available in plenty and food comes cheap. Don't forget to book your Guaraqueçaba hotels and Superagui hotels in advance to ensure you have a place to stay during your visit to the region. For more information regarding Brazil please visit our Brazil Home Page.
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