Isabella Proença, Unsplash License, Source

Curitiba

Green City of Urban Innovation

Curitiba stands out in Brazil as a city focused on green spaces and public transport innovation. Known for its well designed bus system, it connects neighborhoods efficiently without heavy traffic. Parks cover large parts of the urban area, giving residents easy access to nature within city limits. Local markets sell fresh produce alongside cultural events celebrating music and crafts from across regions. The mix of modern planning with preserved natural areas creates a balanced environment where daily life feels relaxed yet connected to Brazil’s larger traditions.

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City in Brazil

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 6.4

General Safety:	6
Health & medical:	7
Accessibility:	7
Tap water:	7

Read details

2/5

English is spoken in most hotels, some restaurants, and by younger locals, but Portuguese is dominant. Spanish is also common. Basic English will get you by in tourist areas, but learning a few Portuguese phrases helps.

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Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Curitiba Summary

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‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

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Famous for green urban planning and parks. Cycle park trails, visit botanical gardens, explore museums and enjoy lively food markets.

Place score

6.7

Best at:

Walkable

Local cuisine

Architecture

Guided tours

Gardens & parks

Personal score

Suited for

👶 7

Families

🧓 7

Seniors

🛡️ 7

Travel Beginners

❤️ 7

Couples

Brazil – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	127 V, 60 Hz Plug: Type C , Type N Type C: Type N: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Brazilian Real (BRL) £1 ≈ R$7.11
Cashless info:	Rating 4/5 Cashless payment is widely accepted in urban areas but less so in remote regions. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is not customary in Brazil. Restaurants often include a 10% service charge. Additional tips are optional.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is generally allowed in Brazil, and it is common in social settings.
Public smoking:	Smoking is banned in enclosed public spaces, with designated outdoor areas.

Carnival (February/March)	Expect parades and heavy crowds.
Independence Day (September)	National celebrations occur.
Christmas (December)	Family gatherings and public celebrations are common.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Numbers: 190 (Police), 192 (Ambulance), 193 (Fire)
Taxi apps:	99, Uber, Cabify
Other:	Brazil is known for its natural beauty, vibrant culture, and Carnival celebrations. Avoid travelling alone in remote areas for safety.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Curitiba, Brazil

⛈️

Jan

🌦️

Feb

🌦️

Mar

🌤️

Apr

🌤️

May

🌤️

Jun

🌤️

Jul

🌤️

Aug

🌥️

Sep

🌤️

Oct

🌤️

Nov

🌦️

Dec

High season:	April - May, Sep. - Nov.
Shoulder season:	Jan. - March, June - Aug., Dec.
Crowdedness:	8 (Very crowded)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Curitiba sits at about 900 m, so winters are much cooler than on the Brazilian coast, with frost possible June to August

Best for sightseeing in spring (September to November) and autumn (April to May)

Don't miss

🌺 Visit the iconic Jardim Botânico with its glasshouse
🏛️ Explore modern art at Museu Oscar Niemeyer
🦦 Relax and watch capybaras at Parque Barigui
🌳 Stroll through the beautiful Tangua Park's gardens
🎭 Experience a show at the stunning Ópera de Arame
🌇 Climb the Torre Panorâmica for citywide views

You've been here?

Why travel to Curitiba?

What makes Curitiba stand out is its commitment to green spaces and sustainability. The city is dotted with sprawling parks, like the iconic Jardim Botânico and Barigui Park and its efficient public transit makes exploring easy and fun. The architecture is a fascinating mix, from colonial gems in Largo da Ordem to the futuristic Oscar Niemeyer Museum. Foodies will love the diverse culinary scene, with everything from classic Brazilian churrasco to Italian and Japanese delights. While some neighborhoods show signs of urban wear, Curitiba’s overall cleanliness and safety make it a welcoming spot for travelers seeking something a bit different from Brazil’s tropical hotspots.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Wire Opera House
2 Largo da Ordem
3 Museu Oscar Niemeyer

🎡Places for activities

1 Bike Tour Club - Américo
2 Teatro Guaíra

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Parque Tingui
2 Parque Municipal do Passaúna
3 Trilha do Bosque do Papa
4 Parque São Lourenço
5 Parque Barigui
6 Parque Tanguá
7 Bosque Zaninelli
8 Passeio Público

🛍️Shopping

1 Feirinha da Batel (5ª Manhã)
2 Crystal Plaza Shopping
3 Galeria Tijucas
4 Rua XV de Novembro
5 Mercado Municipal de Curitiba
6 Shopping Curitiba
7 Estacao Shopping Mall
8 Shopping Mueller
9 Shopping Palladium

🎈Events

Curitiba Theater Festival
Christmas of Light (Natal Luz)
Curitiba Music Workshop
Curitiba International Film Festival
Largo da Ordem Sunday Market
Curitiba Marathon
Japanese Festival
Winter Festival
Book Fair
Curitiba Carnival

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Bring layers; Curitiba weather changes quickly, even midday.
Use the tube-station BRT buses; they’re fast, frequent and cover key sights.
Prioritize parks: Jardim Botânico, Barigui and Tanguá are Curitiba’s signature green escapes.
Go early to Museu Oscar Niemeyer and pair it with nearby cafés for an easy architecture-focused morning.

How to travel to Curitiba

Curitiba is served by Afonso Pena International Airport, with connections to major Brazilian cities and some international destinations. The city is a stop on long-distance bus routes and is famous for the scenic Serra Verde Express train to Morretes, a must for rail fans and nature lovers[6].

Access summary

From Afonso Pena Airport (CWB): airport bus or taxi about 25–40 min.
From São Paulo: frequent direct flights to Curitiba usually about 1–1.25 hours.
From Rio de Janeiro: direct flights to Curitiba typically around 1.5 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Curitiba

Curitiba offers everything from international hotels and boutique pousadas to lively hostels and budget options. You’ll find most accommodations in the city center, Batel and near the Botanical Garden. Book ahead for festivals or major events[6].

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Rede Andrade San Martin

Rede Andrade Mercado Hotel

8.2

Bourbon Hotel & Suites Curitiba

8.5

Lancaster Hotel by Castelo Itaipava

8.4

Pestana Curitiba

9.0

Rio Hotel by Bourbon Batel - Curitiba

9.1

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Curitiba

Curitiba’s public bus system is cheap, reliable and a model for urban transit-don’t miss the City Centre Circulator, which covers over 20 top sights. The city center is very walkable, but buses can get crowded at rush hour. Taxis are easy to find and reasonably priced. Driving is possible but stressful due to congestion, one‑way streets and parking restrictions[6][7].

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-58 %

Daily expenses in Curitiba are around 58% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-6 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to BRL) is 6% better than in recent years. That means travelling now is cheaper compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£29	£68	£174
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£11	£34	£75
🍝 Food per day	£14	£29	£87
🚕 Transportation per day	£4	£5	£12

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£12.50
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£4.30
🍟 Fast food combo	£5.50
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£4.60
☕ Cappuccino	£1.80
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£1.70

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£0.85
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£6.50
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£1

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£5
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£41
🤧 Cold medication	£3.10
💇 Basic haircut	£8

Safety information overview

General safety

Curitiba is considered one of Brazil’s safer big cities, but petty theft and pickpocketing can occur, especially in busy areas and on public transport. Stay alert, avoid deserted areas at night and use official taxis.

Health & Medical

Curitiba has good medical facilities and pharmacies are easy to find. Tap water is treated but locals prefer bottled. No special vaccinations are required, but travel insurance is recommended.

Accessibility

Public spaces and major attractions are generally accessible, but some older buildings and uneven sidewalks may pose challenges. The bus system has accessible vehicles, but crowds can make access tricky at peak times.

Tap water

Tap water is treated and generally safe, but many locals and travelers prefer bottled water for drinking. Public drinking fountains are rare, so carry a bottle, especially when exploring parks.