State of Parana trip planner

State of Parana Holiday Planning Guide

Featuring a strong European heritage, State of Parana represents one of Brazil's most surprising regions, delighting visitors with its coastal cities boasting Mediterranean atmosphere and innovative architecture. Often overlooked by foreign tourists who flock to its northern neighbor, the state remains one of Brazil's wealthiest and most developed regions. Beach lovers and surfers vacation in State of Parana to take advantage of good weather and warm Atlantic waters, while nature lovers prefer the region's largely unspoiled swathes of rainforest. No State of Parana tour is complete without a visit to the region's World Heritage-listed national park, celebrated worldwide for its jaw-dropping waterfalls.

Places to Visit in State of Parana

Cities in State of Parana

Curitiba: Arguably Brazil's best-planned city, with well-maintained parks, efficient public transport, and an emphasis on renewable energy, state capital Curitiba serves as the entry point for many State of Parana itineraries.

Foz do Iguacu: It's all about the waterfalls at this otherwise unremarkable border city, which serves as a gateway to the undisputed highlight of State of Parana tourism--Iguazu Falls.

Maringa: Although not one of the best-known Parana centers, this mid-sized city has a reputation as one of the greenest in the world, with expansive parks and a network of tree-lined streets.

Londrina: Much of Brazil's coffee has traditionally passed through Londrina, once an important trading post and now a modern metropolis that manages to maintain its agricultural roots.

Popular State of Parana Tourist Attractions

Iguazu Falls: No trip to State of Parana is complete without visiting this spectacular network of waterfalls, which divides Brazil from Argentina and stands as the largest collection of cascades on the planet.

Parque das Aves: Help nurse endangered, exotic birds back to health at this conservation center, which houses an array of colorful winged species, including macaws, flamingos, toucans, and lorikeets.

Jardim Botanico de Curitiba: This well-maintained botanical garden features a wide array of important and interesting plant life, as well as fountains and glasshouses built with eye-catching designs.

Iguacu National Park: A highlight of any State of Parana itinerary, this national park on the border between Brazil and Argentina stands out for one reason--its incredible network of waterfalls, the largest in the world.

Itaipu Hydroelectric Dam: This massive hydroelectric dam represents one of Brazil's most fascinating feats of modern architecture.

Museu Oscar Niemeyer: Oscar Niemeyer, who designed Brasilia, remains one of the world's most famous architects, and this eye-catching, eye-shaped museum pays tribute to his legacy with a range of exhibits focusing on modern art and architecture.

Bairro de Santa Felicidade: Add a taste of Italy to your State of Parana vacation by visiting this Curitiba neighborhood, which combines traditional Italian cultural influences with striking modern architecture.

Parque Tangua: A large reflecting pool and ornate fountains typify this expansive Curitiba park, one of the most popular green spaces in the city.

Parque Barigui: Animals that you'd expect to see in the wild--not in the heart of a city--roam free at this lush park, which features sports amenities, water activities, and also doubles as a nature preservation zone.

Buddhist Temple: Add a touch of Eastern spirituality to your State of Parana itinerary with a visit to this Buddhist temple, which stands out from the other buildings in the area with its Asian-influenced architecture.

Planning a State of Parana Vacation with Kids

Places to Visit in State of Parana with Kids

Begin your family's State of Parana vacation in the capital, Curitiba, where you can take the kids to play and explore at any number of the city's large, well-maintained parks.

You'll also notice how easily you and the whole family can get around this mid-sized metropolis on public transportation.

The next stop on your State of Parana itinerary will likely be Foz do Iguacu, where you can show the kids a natural spectacle of colossal, thundering waterfalls.

Things to Do in State of Parana with Kids

If you take a trip to State of Parana with your family, chances are your plans will include Iguazu Falls, where you can look for a family-friendly tour to make sure the kids are entertained and awed by the power of Nature.

While in Foz do Iguacu, you can also take the kids to Acquamania Foz and let them splash about on the various rides all day long.

Your State of Parana itinerary will likely also take you to Curitiba, where you can take the kids to see fascinating animals at Parque Barigui, then go for a walk through the beautifully manicured Jardim Botanico de Curitiba.

Tips for a Family Vacation in State of Parana

Tourism in State of Parana focuses mainly on Foz do Iguacu, the heavily visited border city near the eponymous waterfalls.

Popular tourist cities like this and the state capital cater well to kids, but other, smaller destinations in Parana might not be so well-equipped to deal with families, so stick to the beaten tourist track for a stress-free vacation.

Make sure you bring plenty of sunscreen and insect repellent for the little ones, as Parana, like most other Brazilian states, can be hot and full of mosquitoes.

Dining and Shopping on Holiday in State of Parana

Cuisine of State of Parana

Meat dominates the state's regional cuisine, making it difficult to find a wide selection of vegetarian dishes during a State of Parana vacation.

If you want to immerse yourself in the meat culture, try the region's most famous dish, barraedo, a beef stew that also contains bacon, onions, tomato, and cumin. Believed to originate from Morretes, the stew is cooked in a clay pot on an open fire for up to 18 hours.

To taste international food during your State of Parana holiday, head to Curitiba, where you can find plenty of Asian-inspired cuisine.

Shopping in State of Parana

As a border city and the most prominent tourist destination in Parana, Foz do Iguacu has a well-established shopping culture, with most malls located around the city's main street, Avenida Brasil.

Around the border zones with Argentina and Paraguay, you can find some excellent duty-free malls, where you'll get great discounts on products like alcohol and tobacco.

If your State of Parana itinerary takes you to Curitiba, head to malls like Shopping Estação to pick up some great deals and catch a movie at the onsite theater.

Know Before You Go on a Trip to State of Parana

Interesting Facts About State of Parana

● The state takes its name from the Parana River, which crashes down spectacularly at Iguazu Falls

● Parana contains the remains of the araucaria forest, considered to be one of the world's most important subtropical forests in terms of biodiversity

● When it was built, Itaipu Hydroelectric Dam was the largest hydroelectric dam in the world

Holidays & Festivals in State of Parana

Parana, like most places in Brazil, celebrates the nation's broader public holidays, but also has a few special events of its own.

If you holiday in State of Parana on December 19, you'll witness widespread festivities in remembrance of the state's emancipation from colonial rule.

While not traditionally known for a Carnaval event, Curitiba now has a pre-Carnaval month, during which locals gather and dress up for street parades and parties.

Useful State of Parana Travel Tips

Climate of State of Parana

Overall, Parana experiences a subtropical climate, with variations according to altitude and proximity to the coast.

Curitiba and its surrounding region stands out as the one of the coldest destinations in Parana, with below-freezing temperatures and snow sometimes occurring between June and August.

Rainfall in the area remains reasonably consistent, but peaks in the summer months between December and February.

If you plan to visit Foz do Iguacu during your State of Parana vacation, expect hot, humid summers and cold, dry winters.

Transportation in State of Parana

As one of the best-organized destinations in Brazil, Curitiba offers an excellent public transport network, with the first Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system in the world making it easy to get from place to place within the city.

This efficient infrastructure has also reduced locals' reliance on driving, with the system freeing up roads and reducing the environmental impact of heavy traffic.

To get from the state capital to Foz do Iguacu on your State of Parana itinerary, you can take a long-haul bus ride, or save yourself some time and energy by taking a low-cost flight.