Curitiba Travel Guide

(Last update: Oct 03, 2011 )

The highest educational level in Brazil, the hugest squares and parks, and most advanced technological development, are present in a single city. Curitiba, the capital of Paraná state, anticipate us what we will find in it from its own name. That's because its name is a derivation of kury'i ty ba, Guarani expression denoting a group of pine trees. And in Curitiba the vegetation is abundant, especially the pink and white lapachos. In fact, that is the ecological capital of Brazil. With 51 m2 of green place per resident (this is more than three times the minimum area recommended by the UN).But Curitiba also boasts one of the highest GDP in Brazil, with a status of life that competes closely with the major first world countries.

If we arrive Curitiba by plane, we can land at two different airports: Afonso Pena International Airport (located 25 km from Curitiba) and Bacacheri Airport. The first of these two is the one who usually receives the greatest number of flights. To get from the airport to the center of Curitiba you can take a taxi or pay a bus fare (the lines that take us are Executive and Ligeirinho Aeroporto).

Modern center and historic center

Curitiba is one of most advanced South American cities in urban development. The transport system has nothing to envy of cities like New York or LA, with articulated and exclusive lanes for Ligeirinho - the fast buses of this city. In the downtown there are numerous points of free Internet access, and parks with leisure and entertainment equipment, multi-sports complex and some soccer fields open to the community.

To walk there is nothing like the Rua das Flores. This pedestrian street, the first in Brazil, has all sorts of businesses, some bars, cinemas, restaurants and several old houses that remain largely intact under the same conditions as in the nineteenth century. In Paseo Publico de Curitiba we find the greatest concentration of green spaces in the city, with leafy trees (ideal for fresh air, walk and learn a little more about the history of the city).

It is in the historic city center where we will see wonderful period buildings. The House of Romário Martins and the Church of the Third Order of São Francisco, for example, date from the eighteenth century. It is also worth visiting the Flower Clock, the Memory Fountain and the amazing Plaza Garibaldi. To enjoy good architecture we recommend going through the Avenida Palace or the Palacio Iguaçu, two of the icons of Curitiba.

Night in Curitiba

Curitiba's cosmopolitan tradition is reflected in the nightlife of the city. Despite in Curitiba there are a lot of clubs, bars and pubs, we will not find too many places to dance typical rhythms like the samba or enjoy a carnival. In return, however, we we can live traditions of other countries in bars and outdoor meetings (there are many immigrant, Poles, Germans, Italians and from other European countries). For those who frequent the night of Curitiba, take a vodka and a caipirinha on the same night and at the same place, therefore, is not unusual. The typical drink from different countries is complemented by live music and, in some cases, folk dances.

The starting point for the night in Curitiba is always the Plaza Garibaldi. There it concentrates the vast majority of bars and nightclubs in the city. The best thing is that everithing is 24 hours open.

Cultural Life

If you prefere theater, music, arts or museums, there will always be something new in this city. Curitiba is the place for a theater festival of international scope. Some of the most important theater rooms are Paiol Theatre, Reitoria Theatre and Theatre Lala Schneider. For opera and classical music do not miss the Teatro Guaira (capacity 2400 people). Other options are Positive Theatre and Opera de Arame.

Lovers of art can not miss going to the Oscar Niemeyer Museum. The futuristic building of this museum is itself a work of art. The focus is on the cutting edge of architecture, design and visual arts in general. Are 35,000 m2 of the best world art. The last reopening of the museum, with the addition of an annex, was in 2003.

In the Museum of Expeditionary we know part of the Brazilian participation in World War II. Natural History Museum, on the other hand, focuses on the display of wonders of biology and botany.

Ilha do Mel

Just 100 km far from Curitiba, you have the opportunity to enjoy a paradise island with beaches, trails and even wilderness areas. I refer to the Ilha do Mel (Honey Island). According to the experts here are the best beaches in the state of Paraná. The island has 35 km of coastline with an unseen natural beauty. 95% of the area of this island is protected (declared Ecological Station the year 1982).

If we are willing to walk, Ilha do Mel can be a very economic place. Since in this island vehicles are not allowed, we can traverse much of the attractions without a guide (unless you want to get into areas with plants). Some of the best walking beaches are Praia Grande, Praia das Enchanted (visit the grotto), and Praia do Miguel (this is the quietest of all and has lots of vegetation in the vicinity).

Visit Curitiba is like traveling to the future for a small season. If we can go for a few weeks may be better, but if we have just a few days, it even worth.

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