After the Maratona de Curitiba: Morretes

The Route: Curitiba → Serra do Mar railway → Morretes → Curitiba Logistics: The operator sells Curitiba to Morretes tickets, with about 4.5 hours on the railway. Ordinary references are an 08:30 departure from Curitiba and a 15:00 departure from Morretes, with arrival one hour before departure advised. Marathon Month: November Duration: 1 night

Curitiba station ──(Serra Verde Express, about 4.5 hours)──> Morretes
        ▲                                                         │
        └──────(return train or road transfer, booked separately)─┘

The Maratona de Curitiba is a city race at about 900 m above sea level. Morretes lies much lower, in the coastal lowlands below the Serra do Mar, and the railway descends through the mountain forest to reach it. The journey is the main attraction, and the town is a calm place to recover.

November in Morretes: Spring, warmer and more humid than the highland city. Showers are possible and the mountain section can be misty. Pack a light waterproof and expect a warmer evening.

The train does not run every day. The operator's FAQ gives non-peak departures on Friday to Sunday and holidays, and a notice about daily service covered January and February in an earlier year. A Monday after the race may therefore have no departure. Check the operator's calendar for your date before booking, and have a road transfer in mind if there is none. Do not assume the ticket includes the return, a hotel or lunch.

Night one: Morretes

The town centre is small and flat. The recovery-friendly walk is the riverside street and the streets around the main square. The surfaces are paved and the gradient is level, so a short evening stroll is easy on tired legs. Many restaurants serve a regional dish of fish and banana, and a seated lunch or dinner is a pleasant way to rest. Opening hours vary, so ask your accommodation which kitchens are open.

Pack a small overnight bag and check the luggage rules with the operator, since a large suitcase may not suit the train. Ask your accommodation about breakfast and a late checkout. A small pousada near the centre is better than a distant one, because the walk to the station is easier.

The next day

Take the return train if the calendar allows, or a road transfer back to Curitiba. A taxi booked through your accommodation is simpler than a bus with luggage. Keep the afternoon free in case of a delay.

Pacing the trip

The rail ride is long, and sitting for four and a half hours after a marathon stiffens the legs. Stand and walk the carriage when the train stops, drink water, and keep your shoes loose. Pack a light layer for the cooler mountain section and a dry change for the humid lowlands.

Phone signal can be patchy on the descent, so save your booking and the pousada address before you leave. Carry cash for small purchases, as card machines in small town kitchens are not always reliable. If the weather turns wet, the town is just as pleasant from a covered table, and a slow lunch is a better plan than a long walk.

Eating well

Morretes is known for its regional cooking, and a seated lunch is the best use of the afternoon. Book a table if you are travelling at a weekend, since the train arrives in a wave and popular kitchens fill quickly. Order water first, and eat a proper meal before the return journey. Ask your accommodation about their recommendation for dinner, and confirm that the kitchen is open on the day you stay.

Getting Home