To explore the sights and history of this beautiful area, there are a number of tours in Paranaguá and Ilha do Mel, and a number of great places to stay. Our interactive map shows all of our hotels in Ilha do Mel & Paranaguá, allowing you to choose your Ilha do Mel and Paranaguá hotel based on its location.
The beautiful Ilha do Mel is a paradise for both the active traveller and those looking to relax, and there is a lot to see and do here. Nature lovers can explore the lush, shady jungle or stroll along the gorgeous long stretches of white, sandy beaches. Various exciting trips or Ilha do Mel tours can be taken around the island and for the keen surfer there is plenty of action. You could also visit the lighthouse, called the 'Farol das Conchas' with its spectacular views, or the whitewashed beachside fortress known as the Nossa Senhora dos Prazeres, built in 1767 by the Portuguese to ward off marauding English buccaneers.
The island has an interesting history. Before the colonisation of Paraná by the Portuguese in the sixteenth century, the region extending from Cananéia (São Paulo) to Lagoa dos Patos in Rio Grande do Sul was home to the Carajó Indians. As proof of their existence they left behind sambaquis on islands, river mouths and bays. The sambaquis are ‘kitchen leftovers' like fish, oyster shells, etc that are several meters in height. They are quite important for archeologists to study culture and habits of such ancient inhabitants.
Known as Honey Island (Ilha do Mel in Portuguese), there are four versions which tell us how it got its name. The first is that it was named after Admiral Mehl and his family, who frequented this place before World War II and were into bee keeping. According to the second version, bee keeping was adopted by retired sailors on this island, and until the 1960s, honey exportation was quite popular here. The third theory has to do with the brownish yellow colour of the sea, which makes it look like honey. But the most referred one is about Mehl (flour in German), as in ancient maps, made by German sailors, the island received this name and it might be that there was a mill on the island where sailors could buy flour.
Its relative lack of tourism and infrastructure has helped Ilha do Mel become an 'ecotourism' destination and an un-spoilt paradise. Back in the 1920s it boasted only one Ilha do Mel hotel and one tour bus, but steadily gained popularity as a tourists' haven, with ships from Paranagua sailing along the fort to the pier, bringing in people. However, after the construction of the coastal highway in 1926, tourism to the island took a turn for the worse, especially during World War II, and the locals fell back to their original occupation - fishing. The year 1998 bought the island back in touch with the modern world, introducing electricity, water pipes, regular boat shuttle, eco-friendly Ilha do Mel hotels and other amenities, inviting tourists to once again visit the island or to take a tour in Ilha do Mel.
Today Ilha do Mel offers accommodation for all kinds of tourists. There are charming small guesthouses to choose from, some with few rooms and very familiar ambiance and other facing the beach offering more comfort. You can check our budget, mid-range and top-end Ilha do Mel hotel options to choose from.
Paranaguá is Paraná's oldest city and prides itself on being the largest grain port in Latin America. The port was vital to the politics of São Paulo, and in order to fortify the port against invading ships and pirates that reached the harbour entrance, a strong fort was constructed in 1776. The ‘Fortaleza de Nossa Senhora dos Prazeres da Barra de Paranaguá', also called ‘Fortaleza da Barra' was the first Brazilian fort to enter into combat at the Bay of Paranaguá.
The last century witnessed the 'Cormoran' invasion. Cormoran, an English ship, invaded the bay but was met with tough resistance from the native population. World War II saw the establishment of a defence system shaped like a labyrinth, which was built on top of the ‘Morro da Baleia' (Hill of the Whale), located above the fort. In 1990 the restoration of the fort began and it was declared a historical monument in 1936.
Records show that a few families came to Paranaguá from São Vicente de Cananéia (State of São Paulo) between 1550 and1560 looking after gold. They settled first on Cotinga Island and later on the banks of the Itiberê River. The population of Paraná today is multicultural, consisting of Italians, Germans, Polish, Ukrainians and Japanese. Southern Brazil is known for cooler temperatures, but Parana sees many summer days when the temperatures really spikes, making the summer hot and humid. The days remain humid even during its mild winters.
Visitors can enjoy a stroll through the old part of Paranaguá and see some older colonial buildings close to Rua da Praia, where the ancient port was located. Most hotels are located close to the train station or to the ancient port. As Paranaguá is mainly a business town due to the port, most Paranaguá hotels are directed to business visitors. In the budget category we recommend Hotel Palácio. If you prefer a more comfortable Paranguá hotel, there is the excellent Hotel San Rafael. For families or travellers looking for a bigger pool and leisure facilities, another Paranaguá hotel might be a good option: Hotel Camboa Paranaguá.
There is a Paranaguá hostel close to the pier to the islands in case you want to start your journey to Ilha do Mel (Honey Island) or Superagui in the next day.
Today boats leave from here to Ilha do Mel twice or three times a day, depending on the season. See more details in our transportation guide. Paranaguá is also the starting point to your adventure in the lonesome island Superagui or in the hidden town of Guaraqueçaba.
There are many nearby attractions to see, which can be combined with a tour in Ilha do Mel and Paranaguá. The waterfalls of Foz do Iguassu are a sight that no one should miss. From Curitiba you have a one hour flight or 12 hour bus trip to arrive there. Another major tourist attraction and a world famous engineering wonder is the Curitiba-Paranaguá Railroad, opening doors to an awesome mountain journey in 1885. Today the rail climbs up to altitudes of 1,000m as it rushes through countless tunnels and viaducts, each view more spectacular than the last. Mountain climbing enthusiasts wait with bated breath for the famous slopes of Marumbi Peak. The train tour starts in Curitiba and leads until Morretes daily. The last track from Morretes to Paranaguá is made only on Sunday.
