Ecoturismolatino.com / Parks & Protected Areas Guide / Brazil / National Park Superagui

Barra do Superagüi - National Park of Superagüi
Country: Brazil

Barra do Superagüi is a little village with about 1000 habitants located at the boundaries of the National Park of Superagüi, northern coast of Paraná state, Brazil. The National Park was created in 1989 with initially 22400 ha, and in 1997 it's area was increased to 34000 ha. In 1998 it was recognized as a world heritage site by UNESCO. The park is composed by the Island of Superagüi, Island of Peças and some parts of continental "Serra do Mar" mountains.

The vegetation comprises Atlantic Forest, Pioneer formations with fluvial influence (caxetais), restingas, dunes and mangrooves. Island of Peças is completely flat, island of Superagüi has some small mountains and 35 kilometers of wild beach.

The region of Superagüi is habited since 15th century, portugeses, indians, jesuits, and in the 19th century there was an intense european colonization, principally Swiss, but also Italian and German. That's why you can see many blond and blue-eyed people there. The colony broke down in the beginning of the 20th century, and the population changed its habits, and from farmers turned to be fishermen, until today. These typical fishermen of southern Brazil are called "caiçara".

Currently, there are little trails opened for visitation, because there is no management plan yet. But you can walk on the deserted beach, reaching another village, Ararapira. There is one nice trail for visitation, where you can observe almost all forms of vegetation, Atlantic Forest, Restinga, Mangroves and Dunes.

Superagüi is habitat of the black-faced lion tamarin (Leontopithecus caissara) and the red-tailed amazon (Amazona brasiliensis). It's difficult to see the tamarin, because the access to the areas where he lives is not permitted. But the amazon can be observed easily. You can hire a boat and go to the Pinheiro Island. That's where the amazon stays for night. You stay in the boat and can watch arriving hundreds of parrots. It's not permitted to visit the island, for not to disturb the animals. Besides, there are a lot of birds you can watch: white-bellied booby, common tern, roseate spoonbill, magnificent frigate-bird, little blue heron, humming birds, Furnaris rufus, Chloroceryle amazona, Penelope obscura, Ramphocelus bresilius, Zonotrichia capensis, Egretta thula, Phalacrocorax brasilianus, Molothrus bonariensis, Vanellus chilensis, Pitangus sulphuratus, Coragyps atratus, Furnaris rufus, just to cite some.

Other great trips you can do by boat, within the Pinheiro bay, explore mangrove rivers, waterfalls and see a lot of dolphins. You can also visit Guaraqueçaba (by boat), on of the first villages of Paraná state and some ruins of the swiss colonization.

You can reach the village by boat, leaving from Paranaguá or Guaraqueçaba, but you have to hire a particular boat. The ride takes about 50-60 min.
There are several restaurants and pousadas in the village, but generally you have to order your meal in advance. People are friendly, and many times there is life music ("batucada") in the bars. Carnival is particulary interesting, the kids use masks of monsters and disguise themselves completely, in order to shock the others. This is probably an heritage of the swiss colonization, because normally carnival in Brazil tries to be "beautiful" and not ugly.

I recommend Pousada "Sobre as Ondas" (http://www.superagui.net in portuguese or http://www.superagui.net/english/index.htm in english) for transport and acommodation. The pousada is located directly on the beach, the owners are very friendly and the food is excellent.

We thank Inge Niefer for the content of this webpage.

<<Parks & Protected Areas Guide - Brazil
Brazil: Natural Areas
	Barra do Superagüi - National Park of Superagüi Country: Brazil Barra do Superagüi is a little village with about 1000 habitants located at the boundaries of the National Park of Superagüi, northern coast of Paraná state, Brazil. The National Park was created in 1989 with initially 22400 ha, and in 1997 it's area was increased to 34000 ha. In 1998 it was recognized as a world heritage site by UNESCO. The park is composed by the Island of Superagüi, Island of Peças and some parts of continental "Serra do Mar" mountains. The vegetation comprises Atlantic Forest, Pioneer formations with fluvial influence (caxetais), restingas, dunes and mangrooves. Island of Peças is completely flat, island of Superagüi has some small mountains and 35 kilometers of wild beach. The region of Superagüi is habited since 15th century, portugeses, indians, jesuits, and in the 19th century there was an intense european colonization, principally Swiss, but also Italian and German. That's why you can see many blond and blue-eyed people there. The colony broke down in the beginning of the 20th century, and the population changed its habits, and from farmers turned to be fishermen, until today. These typical fishermen of southern Brazil are called "caiçara". Currently, there are little trails opened for visitation, because there is no management plan yet. But you can walk on the deserted beach, reaching another village, Ararapira. There is one nice trail for visitation, where you can observe almost all forms of vegetation, Atlantic Forest, Restinga, Mangroves and Dunes. Superagüi is habitat of the black-faced lion tamarin (Leontopithecus caissara) and the red-tailed amazon (Amazona brasiliensis). It's difficult to see the tamarin, because the access to the areas where he lives is not permitted. But the amazon can be observed easily. You can hire a boat and go to the Pinheiro Island. That's where the amazon stays for night. You stay in the boat and can watch arriving hundreds of parrots. It's not permitted to visit the island, for not to disturb the animals. Besides, there are a lot of birds you can watch: white-bellied booby, common tern, roseate spoonbill, magnificent frigate-bird, little blue heron, humming birds, Furnaris rufus, Chloroceryle amazona, Penelope obscura, Ramphocelus bresilius, Zonotrichia capensis, Egretta thula, Phalacrocorax brasilianus, Molothrus bonariensis, Vanellus chilensis, Pitangus sulphuratus, Coragyps atratus, Furnaris rufus, just to cite some. Other great trips you can do by boat, within the Pinheiro bay, explore mangrove rivers, waterfalls and see a lot of dolphins. You can also visit Guaraqueçaba (by boat), on of the first villages of Paraná state and some ruins of the swiss colonization. You can reach the village by boat, leaving from Paranaguá or Guaraqueçaba, but you have to hire a particular boat. The ride takes about 50-60 min. There are several restaurants and pousadas in the village, but generally you have to order your meal in advance. People are friendly, and many times there is life music ("batucada") in the bars. Carnival is particulary interesting, the kids use masks of monsters and disguise themselves completely, in order to shock the others. This is probably an heritage of the swiss colonization, because normally carnival in Brazil tries to be "beautiful" and not ugly. I recommend Pousada "Sobre as Ondas" (http://www.superagui.net in portuguese or http://www.superagui.net/english/index.htm in english) for transport and acommodation. The pousada is located directly on the beach, the owners are very friendly and the food is excellent. We thank Inge Niefer for the content of this webpage.