After the Santa Maria Marathon: Porto Alegre

The Route: Santa Maria → Porto Alegre → home airport Logistics: About 325 km by road. A road-distance source gives about 3 hours 55 minutes by car in free-flowing traffic and about 4 hours 23 minutes in normal traffic. The same source gives about 4 hours 42 minutes in motion for a bus, or around 5 hours 16 minutes in normal traffic, before stops. No timetable for your date was confirmed. Marathon Month: September Duration: 2 nights

Santa Maria ──(coach, about 325 km)──> Porto Alegre
                                            │
                                  Casa de Cultura Mario Quintana
                                            │
                                  Porto Alegre airport ──> home

Porto Alegre is where most runners will fly out of, so building the post-race days around it saves a second journey. The coach is long, and the sensible plan is to treat the Monday as a travel day and leave the sightseeing for the Tuesday.

September in Porto Alegre: September is spring in southern Brazil. Rain is possible, so choose indoor stops first.

Getting There

Coaches run between Santa Maria and Porto Alegre, and the operator Planalto has an official booking channel. A secondary inventory shows a fastest example of about 4 hours 30 minutes, with other journeys longer, so book a specific departure and leave a long margin. Confirm the terminal, luggage rules and the date. Sit on the aisle side and stand up at every stop.

Where to Stay

Hotel Laghetto Moinhos is a well-reviewed business and mid-range hotel in the Moinhos de Vento area.
Intercity Praia de Belas is a mid-range hotel near the Guaíba waterfront.

Prices on the search date were in the range of US$60 to 75 a night for a double. Check live rates and cancellation terms before you book.

The Cultural Circuit

The Casa de Cultura Mario Quintana is at Rua dos Andradas 736, with free entry and published hours of Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 to 20:00. The operator lists lifts, ramps and accessible toilets, which is welcome after a marathon. Monday is not an opening day, so a Monday arrival followed by a Tuesday visit works better. Backpacks are not allowed inside, so leave luggage at the hotel.

Keep the rest of the day short. A slow walk and an early dinner by the river will do more for the legs than another museum.

Where to Eat

Ask your hotel for a restaurant within a short walk. The Moinhos de Vento area has plenty of choice, and early in the evening is easier than late.

Getting Home