Pinhais
Introduction
Pinhais is a municipality in the state of Paraná, Brazil, and forms part of the metropolitan region of Curitiba. It became a municipality in its own right in 1992, when it was emancipated from Piraquara, and it is the smallest municipality in Paraná by area.
Before you go
Pinhais sits within the Curitiba metropolitan area, so plan your trip around the regional climate: summers are warm and humid, winters are cool and can be chilly, and rain falls throughout the year, so pack layers and something waterproof. The source material gives no further detail on the city itself, so check practical arrangements such as transport and accommodation before you set out.
Getting there
Pinhais sits next to Curitiba, and the region's main gateway is Aeroporto Afonso Pena (CWB), which lies in the neighbouring city of São José dos Pinhais, roughly 17 km from central Curitiba. The airport has daily scheduled departures to São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Porto Alegre, Brasília and other major cities, as well as flights to other Paraná State cities such as Foz do Iguaçu, Londrina and Maringá. International scheduled service includes Buenos Aires (Ezeiza), though other destinations may be served on a non-scheduled basis. Major airlines such as Gol, Pluna and LATAM provide scheduled services, and minor airlines such as Passaredo and TRIP also serve Curitiba on scheduled and non-scheduled flights.
In the winter months of June to August, fog often closes the airport in the morning, and flights are then cancelled or rerouted to nearby Joinville or Navegantes airports. To avoid trouble during winter, choose flights landing or taking off later in the day. From Afonso Pena Airport you can reach Curitiba city centre by regular city buses, which depart every 20–30 minutes on business days to Terminal Boqueirão, where you can transfer free of charge to buses going downtown; to find the bus stop, walk on the arrivals floor in the same direction as cars until you see the tube-like structure, and pay the fare in cash on the spot. The Airport Shuttle departs every 20 minutes on business days and is quicker and much more comfortable than the city buses, though its fare is higher. Taxis are available 24 hours per day, and there are more than four rental companies on site.
Getting around
Pinhais is small and sits directly beside Curitiba, so treat the two as one area when planning trips. There is no metro or tram within Pinhais itself; the Curitiba–Paranaguá Railway that once cut through the region is historical rather than a service you can use, so plan on road-based transport. Public buses are the main option for visitors: regular city buses run to Terminal Boqueirão, where you can transfer free of charge to buses going downtown. An Airport Shuttle is also available and is quicker and more comfortable than the city buses, though it costs more. Taxis are available at Afonso Pena Airport around the clock.
Some local trips may be walkable given how compact the municipality is, but do not assume the whole city, or the route to the airport, can be covered on foot; for anything beyond a short local errand, use buses, taxis or a car. The area's main airport, Aeroporto Afonso Pena (CWB), is in nearby São José dos Pinhais. From there, city buses depart regularly on business days to Terminal Boqueirão, with the fare paid in cash on the spot; to find the stop, walk on the arrivals floor in the same direction as the cars until you see the tube-like structure. The Airport Shuttle departs frequently on business days, taxis run around the clock, and several car rental companies operate on site. Keep some cash for bus fares, and because Pinhais borders Curitiba, many trips will involve crossing between the two, so plan your route with the Curitiba network in mind. In winter, fog often closes the airport in the morning, so allow extra time for transfers and avoid early-morning flights if you can.
Where to stay
The source material for Pinhais contains no accommodation information, so there is nothing to say about where to stay.Food & drink
The source material for Pinhais contains no information on where or what to eat and drink, so there is nothing to describe in this section.What to see and do
Pinhais rewards those who look beyond the obvious. Start with the Igreja Nossa Senhora da Boa Esperança, a local landmark worth a look, then head for the Iraí Environmental Protection Area, where you can spend time in a protected natural setting. The Pinhais Municipal Woods offer another green escape within the city. For something more hands-on, visit Parque Newton Freire Maia, a space dedicated to scientific and technological dissemination. Through didactic resources, experiments, illustrations and multimedia, the monitors on hand explain subjects ranging from physics and chemistry to astronomy, biology, mathematics and geography, making it a good stop whether you're curious about science or travelling with others who are.Three days in Pinhais
Day one: Arrive at Aeroporto Afonso Pena (CWB), the airport serving Pinhais and Curitiba, and settle into the city before exploring its residential neighbourhoods on foot. In the evening, eat locally and rest ahead of a fuller day.
Day two: Use Pinhais as a base for the wider region of Paraná, with Curitiba close at hand for a day of city sights. Return to Pinhais in the evening.
Day three: Take a final morning to wander Pinhais before heading back to Aeroporto Afonso Pena for your departure, allowing time for the airport shuttle or a taxi into the terminal.