Historic Centre of Paranaguá

The two localities from where boats leave for Ilha do Mel are Paranaguá and Pontal do Sul. I chose the first because you can get to it from Curitiba by an express train, which crosses one of the few remaining Atlantic forests left in Brazil. Today many colonial houses that dot the river's edge crumble because of the sea air and lack of maintenance. The contrast is huge with the restored buildings, including the old market, now converted into tourist restaurants and patio stores, and the Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology. Nevertheless it's a charming place, with fishermen bringing in their catch in small boats then, for a small fee, you can enjoy the day's catch at the waterfront restaurants.