Ponta Grossa
Brazil · Americas
About Ponta Grossa
Ponta Grossa is a municipality in the state of Paraná, southern Brazil. The estimated population is 355,336 according to official data from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics and it is the 4th most populous city in Paraná (76th in Brazil). It is also the largest city close to Greater Curitiba region, so within a radius of 186 miles (300 km) of Ponta Grossa.
It is also known as Princesa dos Campos (in English: Princess of the Fields) and Capital Cívica do Paraná (in English: Civic Capital of Paraná). The city is connected to the Caminho das Tropas (in English: Path of the Troops), being one of the network of routes used by drovers (tropeiros) in the middle of a high hill inside a grassy vegetation. The city is considered of average size, located around a central hill, while most of its growth occurred in the second half of the twentieth century with the weakening of the primary economy.
Ponta Grossa is one of the largest tourist destinations in the Paraná, especially because of the area of natural beauty, Vila Velha State Park which is located within the limits of the municipality. The cup of Vila Velha refers to its location in the collective imagination. The München Fest, a party dedicated to German culture and also known as the Festa Nacional do Chopp Escuro (in English: Dark Chopp National Party), is the biggest event in Paraná and usually lasts a week between November and December.
In this city, the industrial sector is fundamental (supported by agriculture). The city hosts the largest concentration of industry in the interior of Paraná. Agroindustry, lumber and metalworking are the major industries. The result is reflected in national GDP with the contribution from this city within the interior of Brazil, being only below Foz do Iguaçu. Municipal GDP increased over the state and national average between 2013 and 2019, this was also seen in the number of registered companies and employees.
Ponta Grossa travel guide
Understand
The two biggest tourist attractions are the Vila Velha State Park and the National Dark Draft Beer Party (Münchenfest), but the city also has several other places that are worth visiting, mainly natural. In the urban area, important historic buildings tell the story of the city and the development of the interior of the south of the country in the first half of the 20th century. The city is highly linked to business tourism, as it has the largest industrial park in the interior.
Getting there
By plane The city is served by the international airport in Curitiba, 120 km away.
See
Archeology Museum (Museu de Arqueologia), R. José Joaquim de Maia, 154 - Oficinas, ☏ +55 42 3229-2109. Campos Gerais Museum (Museu Campos Gerais), R. Eng. Schamber, 686, ☏ +55 42 3223-7766. Natural science and regional history museum. It also features a collection of items related to Brazilian participation in World War II. Cineteatro Ópera, Rua XV de novembro 468 (intersection with Augusto Riba), ☏ +55 42 3901-1610. Art deco-style theater built in the 1950s, with regular presentations of theatrical and musical productions. Epoch Museum (Museu Época), Praça Roosevelt, 56 – Centro. M-F 08:30-11:30, 13:30-17:30; Sa 08:30-12:00. Housed in a manor built in 1880, this museum contains various historical objects, including a collection of old coins, swords used in the Paraguayan War, radios, weapons, and old photos. Free.
Nature
Alagados Reservoir (20km from the city center). Popular lake formed by a dam on the Pitangui built in the 1940s. Good for fishing, swimming, and wind-surfing. Buraco do Padre, Itaiacoca (26 km from the city center). Considered one of the most beautiful sights in the region, this cavern once served as a refuge for the Jesuits. Inside the cave is a waterfall formed by the Quebra Perna River. To reach the location, it is necessary to walk about 1 km on the trail from the parking area. Mariquinha Waterfall (Cachoeira da Mariquinha). At the end of a 30-min walk through the rural neighborhood of Itaiacoca. Rio São Jorge Canyon (Cânion do Rio São Jorge) (15 km from town on a dirt road), ☏ +55 42 3226-3731. The languid São Jorge rivers passes over bare rock, forming waterfalls. Legend says the Jesuit missionaries buried a treasure in the area, as they inhabited the Pitangui Farm, where the 300-year-old Santa Bárbara Chapel can be seen. Restaurant and simple bathroom facilities on site. Camping available. Vila Velha State Park (Parque Estadual de Vila Velha), BR-376, km 515, ☏ +55 42 3228-1138. 08:00-18:00. 3122-hectare park with a range of sandstone formations reminiscent of medieval ruins, towers, castles, and various animals, sure to spark visitors' imaginations. R$10-25 depending on which areas of the park you want to enter. Lagoa Dourada. Pond of crystal-clear water and a perimeter of 690 m in peaceful surroundings. A Taça (the Wine Glass). Unique sandstone formation that is the symbol of the park.
Do
Recanto Botuquara (follow Av. Carlos Cavalcanti away from town for about 17km and turn right at the sign), ☏ +55 42 3224-3543. A recreation in one of the prettiest areas of town, with natural swimming pools, a water tobaggan, lake for fishing and pedalboats, trails in the native woods, as well as camping. Snack bar, barbecue pits, and parking available.
Events National Dark Beer Festival (Münchenfest). November-December. The largest festival in the state, drawing around 100,000 visitors annually for 10 days of national and international musical acts, German bands, food court and rides, and loads of draft beer.
Buy
Shopping Palladium, Rua Ermelino Leão, 703 - Olarias, ☏ +55 42 3224 3000. M-Sa 10:00-22:00, Su 11:00-22:00. Largest shopping center in the region, with around 230 stores, four movie screens, bowling alley, and a food court. Shopping Total, R. República de São Salvador, 678 - Nova Rússia, ☏ +55 42 4009-5800.
Eat
Pizzaria Forno de Pedra, R. Leocádio Correia, 89, ☏ +55 42 3224-3038. Panificadora Maná, Av. Visconde de Mauá, 2025, ☏ +55 42 3323-4839. Muffins and coffee and rice dishes and stuff. Restaurante Maia, Av. Souza Naves, 3263, toll-free: +55 42 3028-2757. Nice chops here, get your meat fix. Buffet.
Sleep
Premium Vila Velha Hotel, Rua Balduino Taques, 123, ☏ +55 42 3220-9500, [email protected]. Hotel Geneviee Palace Hotel, Rua Balduino Taques, 703, ☏ +55 42 3223-7844, [email protected]. Hotel Planalto Ponta Grossa, Rua Sete de Setembro, 652, ☏ +55 42 3220-7900, [email protected].
Overview adapted from Wikipedia, travel guide fromWikivoyage (CC BY-SA)。Photography via Wikimedia Commons.