After the Maratona de Curitiba: Ilha do Mel

The Route: Curitiba → Pontal do Sul → Ilha do Mel → Pontal do Sul → Curitiba Logistics: A road transfer to Pontal do Sul, then an authorised boat. The state visitor service gives about 30 minutes by boat from Pontal do Sul, compared with about 1.5 hours from Paranaguá. Boats depend on weather. Marathon Month: November Duration: 2 nights

Curitiba ──(road to Pontal do Sul)──> Pontal do Sul ──(boat, about 30 min)──> Ilha do Mel
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        └─────────────────────────(same route back)───────────────────────────────┘

The Maratona de Curitiba is a highland city race. Ilha do Mel sits off the coast to the east, and people move around it on foot or by bicycle. After a marathon, the lack of traffic and the slow pace are the point.

November in Ilha do Mel: Spring, with warm days and a sea that is still cool. Showers and wind can interrupt boats, so keep the travel days flexible. Bring a light waterproof, sun cream and shoes that can get wet.

Arrange a road connection from Curitiba to Pontal do Sul, then use an authorised crossing to your chosen village. Departure times and the current fare change with season, so check them with the operator before leaving. No porter or through luggage service was found, so a small bag and a pousada close to the correct arrival pier will save effort.

Night one: arrival and a flat walk

Use the first afternoon for the accommodation and a short walk along the sand near your village. The sand is firm near the water and the gradient is flat, which is kind to tired legs. Keep dinner simple and early. Opening hours vary with the season, so ask your host which kitchens are open.

Day two: one optional outing

The state visitor page describes the climb to the lighthouse as 150 steps and the approach to the fortress from Brasília village as around 4 km. Both are optional and may not suit the day after a marathon. A beach walk and a long lunch are enough. If you want something more, ask your host about a short boat outing, subject to the weather and the tide.

Where to stay

Small pousadas are the norm. Choose one close to your arrival pier, with breakfast at a sensible hour and a host who can help with the return boat. Book early for peak weeks and confirm the cancellation terms before paying.

Pacing the island

Walking on sand is harder than it looks, so keep the outings short. Drink water through the afternoon. Phone signal can be uneven, so save your booking and the return details before you leave Curitiba. Confirm the return boat the evening before and leave extra time for the road back, since a weather suspension can change the plan.

What to pack

Travel light, because every bag is carried by hand. Bring a dry bag for the boat, a head torch for unlit paths at night, insect repellent, and cash for small purchases, since signal and card machines can be unreliable. Ask your pousada whether it provides towels and bedding, and whether there are places to charge a phone. A light layer helps in the evening wind from the sea.

Weather and plan B

Boats stop when the sea is rough, and the island has few indoor options. If the crossing is cancelled, wait in Pontal do Sul or return to Curitiba and rebook. Keep a flexible booking, and tell your accommodation if you are delayed. Do not plan a flight on the day you return, and keep the last evening free for the road and a proper meal.

Getting Home

Afonso Pena International Airport (CWB) is in São José dos Pinhais, about 18 km from central Curitiba. Allow a full morning from the island, and book a transfer in advance. Do not schedule a tight flight on the day you leave.