When I first heard about Curitiba, I thought it was just another stopover city.
You know, one of those places you fly through on your way to the beaches or the rainforest.
Boy, was I wrong.
I landed there on a rainy Thursday morning, zero expectations, just killing time before heading south.
By day three, I’d completely ditched my original plans.
This city has this vibe that’s hard to explain—it’s green, organized, cultural, but still feels authentically Brazilian.
Not touristy at all.
I found myself wandering parks at sunset, eating in local spots where no one spoke English, and genuinely falling for a place I’d barely heard of.
So yeah, if you’re planning a Brazil trip and Curitiba isn’t on your list, you’re missing out big time.
My First Stop: Jardim Botânico
This botanical garden is basically Curitiba’s postcard.
And I get why.
The moment you walk through those gates and see that Art Nouveau greenhouse, you feel like you’ve stepped into a different world.
I went early morning, around 8 AM, and the light was insane.
The greenhouse was glowing, mist still hanging in the air, barely anyone around.
I’m not usually a “garden guy,” but this place got me.
The paths wind through French gardens, native Brazilian plants, and these peaceful little ponds.
Bring a camera, trust me.
Every angle is Instagram gold, but more importantly, it just feels good to be there.
I sat on a bench for like twenty minutes just watching the ducks and thinking about nothing.
That’s rare for me.
Pro tip: Get there right when it opens.
By 10 AM, tour groups start rolling in and it loses that quiet magic.
Also, the entrance fee is super cheap, so there’s literally no excuse not to go.
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Exploring Ópera de Arame
This wire opera house is one of those places that sounds weird on paper but blows your mind in person.
It’s built entirely with tubular steel and sits in the middle of a flooded quarry.
The whole structure looks like it’s floating.
I stumbled on it late afternoon, golden hour lighting everything up.
The walk to get there takes you through this wooded area, over little bridges, past the quarry lake.
It’s dramatic in the best way.
When I finally saw the opera house itself, I just stopped.
The design is so unique—transparent, delicate, but somehow powerful.
They host concerts and events there, which would be incredible, but even empty it’s worth the visit.
I walked around it twice, taking photos from every angle.
My hack: Combine this with Pedreira Paulo Leminski (the stone quarry stage) right next door.
They’re part of the same park system.
You can easily spend two hours here, especially if you’re into architecture or just love unusual spaces.
Pack water though—there aren’t many vendors around.
Getting Lost In Bosque Alemão
The German Woods.
Sounds fancy, right?
It’s this German-inspired park complete with a walking trail through native forest and this cool wooden lookout tower.
I climbed that tower at sunset, and man, the view over the city was worth every step.
The park also has the Hansel and Gretel house, which is cute and kinda whimsical.
Inside, they’ve got a small library where local kids come to read.
It’s heartwarming, honestly.
The trail itself winds through dense Atlantic Forest.
You forget you’re in a major city.
I heard birds I’d never heard before, saw these massive trees, and just breathed easier.
One thing that surprised me—there’s a little German deli nearby where I grabbed the best sausage sandwich of my life.
Total accident, but sometimes those are the best finds.
Travel tip: Wear decent walking shoes.
The trails can get muddy after rain, and Curitiba rains a lot.
But that’s part of the charm.
Everything stays so green because of it.
🗼 I Wrote a Book About My Japan Travel Catastrophes!
Before I landed in Tokyo, I thought I was the “Final Boss” of international travel. Spoiler alert: I WASN’T. 😅
🚅 I boarded the wrong Shinkansen and ended up in THE WRONG CITY. I confused locals with my “expert” bowing that was more awkward than accurate. I accidentally stumbled into a high-stakes Kendo practice thinking it was a tourist show. Sound like something you’d do?
“Things I Wish I Knew Before Going to Japan” is your shortcut to avoiding ALL my cringe-worthy mistakes. ✨ Inside, you’ll find practical, LIFE-SAVING tips on etiquette, transport, money, and hidden gems that will save you time, money, and a whole lot of confusion.
My Sunday At Feira Do Largo Da Ordem
This Sunday market in the historic district is where I felt the real pulse of Curitiba.
Locals everywhere.
Street musicians playing samba, artisans selling handmade crafts, food vendors grilling up everything from pastéis to espetinhos.
I got there around 10 AM, already buzzing with energy.
The historic buildings around Largo da Ordem are colorful and old, dating back to the 1700s.
You can feel the history.
I spent hours just wandering, trying street food, watching a capoeira performance that had a crowd of fifty people circled around.
The performers were insanely talented.
I bought a leather bracelet from this older guy who’d been making them for thirty years.
Still wear it.
My move: Go hungry.
Try everything.
The barreado (a local slow-cooked meat dish) is incredible, and the cachaça stands will pour you samples if you’re friendly.
Also, cash is king here.
Most vendors don’t take cards.
I learned that the hard way.
Riding The Linha Turismo Bus
Okay, hear me out.
Tourist buses usually aren’t my thing.
But Curitiba’s hop-on-hop-off system is actually genius.
It’s a double-decker bus that hits all the major attractions, and you can jump off whenever something catches your eye.
I used it my first full day to get oriented.
Best decision.
The route covers parks, museums, historic districts—basically everything you’d want to see.
And the views from the top deck are unreal.
I stayed up there the whole time, wind in my face, camera ready.
The audio guide explains the history and context of each stop, which helped me understand the city way better.
Curitiba is super into urban planning and sustainability, and you notice it everywhere.
The bus ticket is good for the whole day, so I hopped off at Parque Barigui, hung out for an hour, then caught the next bus.
Pro tip: Buy your ticket at any major bus terminal.
Starts running around 9 AM.
Do this early in your trip so you can decide which places you want to return to later.
Discovering Museu Oscar Niemeyer
The Eye Museum.
That’s what locals call it, and once you see it, you’ll know why.
This contemporary art museum designed by Oscar Niemeyer looks like a giant eye hovering above the ground.
The architecture alone is worth the trip.
I’m not huge into modern art, but this place hooked me.
The exhibitions change regularly, and when I was there, they had this mind-bending digital art installation that played with light and sound.
I stood in one room for probably twenty minutes just experiencing it.
The building has two parts connected by an underground tunnel.
The main gallery and the eye structure.
Both are filled with Brazilian and international art, photography, sculptures.
Outside, there’s this huge open space where people were flying kites, jogging, just hanging out.
My advice: Give yourself at least two hours here.
The café on-site is solid too—I had a coffee and pão de queijo while watching people in the courtyard.
Simple moment, but it felt perfect.
Eating My Way Through Mercado Municipal
This public market is food heaven.
Period.
I went there specifically for lunch and ended up staying way longer than planned.
The stalls sell everything from fresh produce to exotic fruits I’d never seen before.
But the real draw is the prepared food.
There’s a whole section dedicated to restaurants and food counters serving local dishes.
I tried feijoada that was rich and hearty, grilled heart of palm that blew my mind, and a pastel de feira the size of my hand.
The vendors are friendly, happy to explain what things are if you point and look confused.
Which I definitely did.
My Portuguese is terrible.
One lady gave me a sample of her homemade hot sauce that nearly killed me, but in the best way.
I bought two bottles to take home.
Insider tip: Go during lunchtime when everything is fresh and the energy is high.
Also, explore the second floor—there are hidden gem restaurants up there with better seating and killer views of the market below.
My Night At Santa Felicidade
Santa Felicidade is Curitiba’s Italian neighborhood.
And when I say Italian, I mean it.
The whole area was settled by Italian immigrants, and that heritage is alive and well.
The restaurants here are legendary.
I went to one of the big family-style spots—Madalosso, I think—and the portions were absurd.
Like, “feed an army” absurd.
We’re talking platters of pasta, grilled meats, polenta, salads, wine flowing constantly.
The vibe is loud, warm, chaotic in the best way.
Families celebrating, friends laughing, waiters hustling around with massive trays.
I ate until I couldn’t move.
After dinner, I walked around the neighborhood, past vine-covered houses and cute little shops.
Everything felt old-world European but with that Brazilian energy underneath.
My recommendation: Go with a group if you can.
The portions are made for sharing, and it’s more fun that way.
Also, make a reservation.
These places fill up fast, especially on weekends.
If you love Italian food and big, boisterous dinners, this is your spot.
Exploring Parque Barigui
This is Curitiba’s version of Central Park.
Huge, beautiful, and packed with locals doing their thing.
I went for a morning run here, which turned into a walk, which turned into me just sitting by the lake watching life happen.
There are bike paths, walking trails, exercise equipment, playgrounds.
Capybaras roam freely.
Yeah, you read that right.
I saw a family of capybaras just chilling by the water like it was totally normal.
Because in Curitiba, it is.
People don’t bother them, and they don’t bother people.
It’s this weird, peaceful coexistence.
There’s also a huge lake where you can paddleboat, but I just watched.
The park has these massive araucaria trees that give it a distinctive look.
I sat under one for lunch, eating a sandwich I’d packed, feeling completely content.
Pro tip: This is the perfect spot for a morning or evening jog.
The paths are well-maintained and safe.
Plus, you might make some local running buddies.
Curitibanos are friendly like that.
🗼 I Wrote a Book About My Japan Travel Catastrophes!
Before I landed in Tokyo, I thought I was the “Final Boss” of international travel. Spoiler alert: I WASN’T. 😅
🚅 I boarded the wrong Shinkansen and ended up in THE WRONG CITY. I confused locals with my “expert” bowing that was more awkward than accurate. I accidentally stumbled into a high-stakes Kendo practice thinking it was a tourist show. Sound like something you’d do?
“Things I Wish I Knew Before Going to Japan” is your shortcut to avoiding ALL my cringe-worthy mistakes. ✨ Inside, you’ll find practical, LIFE-SAVING tips on etiquette, transport, money, and hidden gems that will save you time, money, and a whole lot of confusion.
Getting Cultured At Teatro Guaíra
I’m not usually a theater guy, but this performing arts center impressed me.
It’s one of the largest theaters in Latin America, and the architecture is brutalist and bold.
I caught a Brazilian music performance here—MPB, they call it.
The acoustics were incredible.
Even though I didn’t understand all the lyrics, the emotion came through loud and clear.
The audience was dressed up, sipping wine during intermission, totally immersed.
It reminded me that Curitiba takes its culture seriously.
This isn’t just a business hub—it’s a city that values arts and community.
The theater hosts everything from ballet to rock concerts to comedy shows.
Check the schedule before you go.
My tip: Tickets are surprisingly affordable compared to similar venues in the States or Europe.
I paid maybe twenty bucks for a great seat.
And there’s a bar inside where you can grab a drink before or after.
The whole experience felt classy without being stuffy.
