Curitiba, Brazil: travel guide
A green, orderly southern city known for parks and urban planning
Brazil's model sustainable city: pioneering BRT, 30+ parks per capita, the greenhouse-domed Jardim Botânico, and the Largo da Ordem pedestrian historic quarter. Two hours from Iguaçu Falls.
About Curitiba
Curitiba is a calm, well-planned city on a plateau in southern Brazil, known for its parks, pedestrian streets and a long record of urban planning. It makes a gentler counterpart to the country's coastal cities.
The Jardim Botânico, with its greenhouse dome, is the best-known sight, and the Ópera de Arame, a steel-and-glass theatre set in woodland, is another landmark. The Museu Oscar Niemeyer shows contemporary art in a distinctive modernist building, and the old quarter around Largo da Ordem has a lively market and bars.
Curitiba suits short city breaks and travellers heading to the coast or to Foz do Iguaçu. It is cooler than much of Brazil, so pack a layer in winter.
- Country
- Brazil
- Currency
- BRL
- Time zone
- America/Sao_Paulo
- Nearest airport
- CWB
Last updated
Top places to visit in Curitiba
Jardim Botânico de Curitiba
Nature · 4.7 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Art Nouveau greenhouse inspired by the Crystal Palace, surrounded by formal French-style gardens. One of Brazil's most photographed spots.
Museu Oscar Niemeyer
Museum · 4.6 rating · about 2 h · entry R$30 (≈ ₹570)
Known as the Eye Museum for its distinctive lens-shaped addition — Brazil's largest visual arts museum and one of Niemeyer's finest works.
Ópera de Arame
Cultural · 4.5 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Unique open-air wire-frame opera house built inside an old quarry, surrounded by a lake and native Araucária pines. Free to visit the exterior.
Things to do
- Linha Turismo Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Cultural · 4 h · from 50 per person
- Serra Verde Express Train to Morretes Cultural · 6 h · from 160 per person
Where to stay in Curitiba
- Batel / Água Verde about BRL 350 per night
Curitiba's dining and nightlife hub — boutique hotels, acclaimed restaurants and easy taxi/Uber access. The best base for foodie travellers.
Hotels
- Nomaa Hotel 4-star · BRL 380 to BRL 780 per night
- Palácio Avenida Hotel 5-star · BRL 450 to BRL 1,200 per night
Where to eat
- Família Madalosso italian-brazilian, rodizio · about BRL 85 per person
- Mercado Municipal de Curitiba market, regional, brazilian · about BRL 30 per person
- Durski eastern-european, regional, polish · about BRL 80 per person
Getting to Curitiba
Airport: Curitiba (Afonso Pena Intl) (CWB)
Getting around
- Bus
- Car Rental Self
- Ride Hail
- Walking
More in Brazil
Frequently asked questions about Curitiba
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Curitiba?
- The highest-rated places in our Curitiba guide are Jardim Botânico de Curitiba, Museu Oscar Niemeyer, Ópera de Arame.
- Where should I stay in Curitiba?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Curitiba: Batel / Água Verde.
- How do I get around Curitiba?
- Ways to get around Curitiba covered in our guide: City bus, Self-drive car, Ride-hailing app, Walking.
- Which airport is nearest to Curitiba?
- The nearest airport to Curitiba has the code CWB.