After the Santa Maria Marathon: The Fossil Museum

The Route: Santa Maria hotel → São João do Polêsine → Santa Maria Logistics: A short road trip into the Quarta Colônia hills. Check the distance and any bus times with your hotel, and arrange a return before you leave. Marathon Month: September Duration: 1 day

Santa Maria hotel ──(road trip)──> São João do Polêsine
                                         │
                                  CAPPA fossil centre
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Santa Maria hotel ◄──(return, arranged in advance)

The marathon finishes on a Sunday, and the Monday after is the best day for this trip, because the centre keeps weekday hours. Palaeontology suits tired legs. You stand, you look into glass cases, you sit down for lunch.

September in the Quarta Colônia: September is spring in southern Brazil. The 2026 marathon began an hour late after heavy rain and wind, so treat the weather as unsettled and check the forecast the night before.

Getting There

The Centro de Apoio à Pesquisa Paleontológica da Quarta Colônia, known as CAPPA, is at Rua Maximiliano Vizzotto 598 in São João do Polêsine. The university lists weekday visiting hours of 08:00 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 17:00, with guided visits arranged in advance, so book your slot first and fit the transport around it. The road distance and any bus service should be confirmed with your hotel or a local driver. If no service suits, a taxi or a private car for the day is the dependable option, and agree the return time before you set off.

The Visit

Plan one appointment and nothing else. The centre holds the fossil collections of the region, and a guided visit explains what was dug out of the surrounding hills. Ask about step-free access when you book, because the university's directory tells visitors to contact each venue about it.

Where to Eat

Eat a long lunch in the village before the afternoon session or after the morning one. Ask the centre which restaurants are open on a Monday. Smaller towns often close one weekday, so do not assume.

Where to Stay

You will already have a room in Santa Maria.

Dom Rafael Business is on Avenida Nossa Senhora das Dores and advertises free Sunday and holiday checkout until 15:00. Ask whether your rate includes it.
Dom Rafael Express is in the centre on Avenida Rio Branco and also advertises late Sunday checkout.

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